Sri Lanka to take steps to improve indoor air quality

Colombo, Feb 21 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka’s Central Environmental Authority will formulate a set of guidelines to improve indoor air quality in an effort to minimize health impacts caused by air pollutants, local media reported Thursday.

The Cabinet of Ministers last week approved a three year pilot project from 2019 to 2021 to conduct a base study and set guidelines to improve indoor air quality in schools, hospitals, public buildings, office buildings and houses covering the entire country, Central Environmental Authority Laboratory Services Deputy Director, Hiranthi Jansz said.

Jansz said household wood-burning stoves, use of incense sticks, poorly maintained office air-conditioned environments and vehicle emissions were frequent instances of indoor air pollution.

She pointed out that the World Health Organization had recommended preparing guidelines for indoor air quality.

“Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a growing concern. Most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. The quality of indoor air is important not only for occupants’ comfort but also for their health,” the ITI Environmental Technology said in a statement.

“Poor indoor air quality has been tied to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble in concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Also, some specific diseases have been linked to specific air contaminants or indoor environments, like asthma with damp indoor environments,” the ITI added.

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Sri Lanka exports up 9.8-pct, tourism grows 6.2-pct in May

ECONOMYNEXT - Sri Lanka's merchandise exports rose 9.8 percent from a year earlier to 841 million dollars in May and tourism grew 6.2 percent to 240 million dollars, while remittances fell 3.4 percent to 580 million dollars, the central bank said.

The main merchandise and services exports totaled 1.744 billion US dollars.

Merchandise imports rose 7.7 percent to 1,857 million US dollars.

The rest of the trade deficit (current account deficit) is usually driven by financial inflows such as net foreign borrowings which are spent by government in the domestic economy and foreign direct investment, which are used to construct factory buildings or machinery.

Money printing by the central bank will also drive credit and imports though the banking system, but unlike dollar inflows, the new money created will create an overall balance of payments deficit and put pressure on the rupee peg with the dollar, as there are no matching inflows to back the spending.

Sri Lanka's private citizens are usually net savers and the trade deficit is mostly driven by borrowings taken and spent by the government.

Any remittances which are saved in foreign currency deposits will not generate a trade deficit until a bank buys Sri Lanka Development Bond to finance the budget deficit or gives a dollar loan to a qualified local borrower.

Industrial exports rose 15.5 percent to 709.7 million US dollars, with apparel and textiles up 10.9 percent to 398.3 million US dollars.

Rubber products rose 2.4 percent to 68.6 million US dollars and petroleum products rose 66.8 percent to 46.1 million US dollars and gems and jewelry rose 3.3 percent to 23.1 percent.

Chemical products rose 28.1 percent to 14.3 percent and base metals rose 56.1 percent to 14.5 million US dollars.

Agricultural exports fell 5.9 percent to 209.6 million US dollars with tea falling 7.9 percent to 121.2 million US dollars.

Coconut exports fell 13.6 percent to 24.2 million US dollars, minor agricultural products fell 19 percent to 10.5 million US dollars.

Seafood exports rose 19.9 percent to 21.2 million US dollars.

Consumer goods imports rose 8.1 percent to 414.5 million US dollars, vehicles up 29.7 percent to 119.6 million US dollars and foods and beverages down 21.1 percent to 128.6 million US dollars.

Sri Lanka raised fuel prices in May which may cause non-oil imports to moderate in the coming months as losses financed by credit at Ceylon Petroleum Corporation falls.

Intermediate goods rose 20.6 percent to 1,042.7 million US dollars with fuel imports rising 61.8 percent to 348.9 million US dollars.

Legal gold imports fell to 0.1 million dollars from 35.8 million US dollars. Investment goods fell 8.8 percent to 398.2 million US dollars.

In the five months to May, Merchandise exports rose 6.7 percent to 4,707 million US dollars, imports rose 11.8 percent to 9,622 million US dollars and the trade deficit grew 17 percent to 4,914 million US dollars. (Colombo/July21/2018)

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Culinary Art 2018 puts Sri Lanka ‘in the upper rung for delectable cuisine’

 

The local hotel industry and its connected interest areas were complementary to the tourist trade in general and were instrumental in increasing the number of tourists who visited Sri Lanka. Culinary Art 2018, now in its 18th year, was a factor that spurred tourist arrivals, ensuring Sri Lanka was now firmly in the "must visit" grouping of countries, Minister of Tourism and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga said.

He was Chief Guest at the Culinary Art 2018 exhibition held recently at the BMICH.. He said the significance of this annual event was that each year portrayed progressive strides in culinary skills exhibited by the local hotel industry.

He lauded the group of organizers who had ensured the productss exhibited were of the highest levels. 'As in previous years the exhibition would provoke wider visitor interests and ensure an increased number of tourist arrivals, the minister said.

He further said it would be encouraging if more women were attracted to the hospitality trade.

The minister added that excellence in culinary art becomes necessary to keep pace with the fast growing tourism industry to satisfy the complex food passions, adopting the highest standards of culinary art. 'Broad participation in the competition would undoubtedly be a hallmark of excellence for the future as well.'

Chairman Chef’s Guild of Sri Lanka, Gerard Mendis said this year's exhibits would be judged by a group of international chefs; Bernd Uber, from Germany, Eric Wong, SATS Catering, Singapore, Walter Butt, Switzerland, Eric Low from Singapore.

Included also in the panel were Chef Dilip de Silva (with UK experience), Eraj Abeywardena, with qualifications from Budapest, Hiran Serasinghe, who was with the Oberoi India, Sunil Danthanarayana, who served with the Intercontinental Hotels Chain, Athula Senanayake, graduated from Austria and worked at the Hilton International, UK, Nishadha Periyaperuma, from the Hyatt, and a graduate of Regency Campus, Adelaide, Chamila Jayasinghe, Atlantis and Palm, Nalaka Fernando, who worked at AB Mauri, and Keerthi Hapugasdeniya, domiciled in Australia.

Culinary Art Food Expo ( CAFÉ),held this month, featured a substantial number of Sri Lankan industry professionals, spanning vertical sectors from Food and Drink , Food Service, and Hospitality Equipment. The exhibition also featured regional industry professionals and exhibitors.

The competition was open to chefs from resorts, restaurants, hotels from all parts of the country and the region, Gerard Mendis further said the Chefs Guild, established 1988, was an industry centered training platform with structured culinary programmes to establish world class experience in hospitality training.

At the awards ceremony held on the third day of the exhibition some 360 competitors were judged for The Festive Buffet, Sri Lanka Master Baker of the Year, Sri Lanka Artistic Creative Pastry Chef , Sri Lanka Family Master Cooking Championship, Sri Lanka Arrack and Vodka Cocktail Championship and Scan Sunquick Moktail Competition.

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Boat Show and Boating Festival Sri Lanka 2018

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Boat Show & Boating Festival Sri Lanka 2018 is organized by Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute (BTI) and Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in association with Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Ministry of Ports and Shipping at Galle Yacht Marina, Port of Galle.

To provide a single platform for all related business sectors involved directly and indirectly in the boat and ship building industry and nautical tourism sector to display and promote their respective sectors for potential international and local clients and giving initiation for the leisure boating culture to the Sri Lanka.

South Asia’s most focused and largest international Boat Show and Boating Festival Sri Lanka 2018 will be held from 26th to 28th October 2018 at the Galle Yacht Marina of the Port of Galle. This event will be the first ever marine festival in Sri Lanka organized to show case the country’s capabilities in recreational boating and yachting, nautical tourism, boat building and related services for export and local markets. To attract the younger age groups towards boating, in addition to the boat and ship building sector, water sports events geared to the younger generation including wake boarding, water skiing, jet ski racing, wind surfing, catamaran and dinghy racing, try a boat event run by sailing clubs, fashion show linked to a nautical theme, fishing events and demonstrations, music (various bands), F and B court, classic car rally and display, Sri Lanka cultural display especially those linked to the sea, events for school children, nautical tourism, ocean academy, Sun & Sand Festival etc. will be added. Following the success of Boat Show Sri Lanka 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, & 2016 the upcoming boating festival will attract large number of buyers and visitors, boating enthusiasts, and industry professionals from countries such as India, Singapore, Seychelles, Maldives, South Korea, Belgium, Middle East, Germany, Holland, UK etc.

The Boat Show and Boating Festival Sri Lanka 2018 will be organized by Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute Lanka (gte) Limited (BTI) and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board in association with Ministry of Development Strategies & International Trade, Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Ministry of Ports and Shipping (Sri Lanka Ports Authority).

The Boat Show & Boating Festival Sri Lanka 2018 will be organized at Galle Yacht Marina, Port of Galle from 26th to 28th October 2018, with the objective of providing a single platform for all related business sectors involved directly and indirectly in the boat and ship building industry and fisheries sector to display and promote their respective sectors for potential clients. The total number of stalls in this year is around 80.

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Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals grow 6.2 percent

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COLOMBO, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals grew by 6.2 percent in May, compared to the same month last year, with over 129,000 tourists visiting the island country, statistics from the Tourism Ministry showed on Tuesday.

India, China, Britain, Germany and Australia were the top five markets generating the highest number of arrivals.

Almost 96.7 percent of tourists travelled by air to Sri Lanka.

China, which was within the top three markets, had 17,103 tourists visiting Sri Lanka in May.

This year, Sri Lanka has already recorded 115,870 Chinese tourist arrivals to the island country.

Overall tourist arrivals this year has been over 1 million with the government targeting a 2.5-million tourist arrival by the end of the year.

In a bid to attract more Chinese travelers, Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said last month that the Sri Lankan government had signed an agreement with a leading Chinese tour operator.

Amaratunga said China is an important destination for Sri Lankan tourism and the government hopes to attract over 300,000 Chinese tourists this year.

The minister said the government will target a revenue of 4.4 billion U.S. dollars through its tourism sector this year.

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Sri Lanka Tourism sees Mumbai as market of high growth potential

Sri Lanka Tourism started its 2018 tourism calendar with a positive output by participating in the 5th edition of the India International Travel & Tourism Exhibition –IITT 2018, with more than 28,000 visitors and more than 500 fully-hosted buyers attending it. This travel extravaganza was held from 11th to 13th January. 

SriLanka Tourism played a major role at the IITT as the MICE& Wedding Destination partner. Sri Lanka is becoming widely popular as a wedding destination for those who want to have a different experience in a different culture. Its different picturesque landscapes and colonial style hotels offer a rare treat to have the perfect matrimonial experience of one’s choice. 

The other key sponsors of this event included Indonesia Tourism, Feature Destination, Maharastra Tourism, Host State & Malaysia Tourism, Feature Country. The Sri Lanka pavilion was able to draw a major attraction as it was exquisitely crafted and designed, highlighting Sri Lanka’s talent of making innovative and vivid creations. 

The creativity of the Sri Lanka pavilion met other levels of art with professionalism. IITT partnering with Sri Lanka proved to be rather momentous for the industry, and showed signs of having an idyllic business partnership in future as well. 

The Sri Lanka pavilion was declared open by Shri Jayakumar Jitendrasingh Rawal, Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, and also Saroja Sirisena, Sri Lanka Consul General in Mumbai. Twenty eight leading travel agents and hoteliers from Sri Lanka including leading names in the industry from Sri Lanka participated at the event, and were able to further strengthen their business relationships and marketing strategies with their Indian counterparts. 

Coinciding with the event, Sri Lanka Tourism hosted a dinner titled ‘Sri Lanka evening’ for Indian wedding planners, tour operators and the media, which gained the attention of Sri Lanka as a rapidly growing wedding and film destination, with its wide diversity of attractions to suit the needs of any interested traveler. The cultural performances showcasing Sri Lanka’s heritage attracted the Indian participants immensely both at the IITT and also the Sri Lanka evening. 

The inauguration panel of IITT 2018 graced the presence of Shri Jaykumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharastra, Special Guest Saroja Sirisena, Sri Lanka Consul General in Mumbai, Karan Anand, Head of Relationships and Supplier Management, Cox & Kings. Joining them were industry leaders Jatinder Paul Singh, COO, Cox & Kings, Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, Mahendra Vakharia, President, OTOAI, Guldeep Singh Sahni, Founder & Immediate Past President, OTOAI, Pronab Sarker – President, IATO and P. P Khanna, President, ADTOI. 

Through strong collaborations with countries seeking to expand their business in India, IITT hosted dedicated and distinct International Country Pavilions on the expo floor. Trade show visitors had a chance to meet, and gain invaluable insight from more than 500 travel exhibitors, partners and experts from over 20 International countries. With the existence of International Pavilions, the global connection only strengthened this expo and helped to touch new standards of connectivity with excellence and quality. 

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3 easy steps in online application form of srilanka online eta visa

 

Sri Lanka is an island and a beautiful country that is surrounded by the Indian Ocean. This should explain how many beaches would sit on every corner of this land. Being a coastal area, there is plenty of greenery which consists of coconut trees in most parts of the nation. This calms every soul that sets foot on its grounds. Moreover, when there is monsoon, the beaches give the best of their waves with fresh breezes that give serenity. This is the reason why this nation has always won hearts of travelers and stands in the top spot of best countries to visit during the September to December period. And on top of it, Visa requirements for Sri Lanka were never made so easy by us. We have a special team of experts in visa who will process the applications of Sri Lankan Visa after reviewing the possible errors made from the applicant’s side. Apply now and get visa in hours !

how sri lanka is fast becoming a popular holiday destination for 2017

British passport holders will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa before they can enter Sri Lanka. You can obtain a short stay tourist visa if the purpose of your visit is leisure including sightseeing, visiting friends and family, medical treatment, participating in sporting events or competitions and activities relating cultural performances. There are several types of ETA short stay visa's a UK citizen can apply for. The first is the standard 30 day visa, which allows you single entry into the country. Visitors can also opt for a double entry 30 day visa.

 

Although you can obtain a visa upon arrival in Sri Lanka, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise getting this prior to departure to prevent any delays when you arrive. According to the FCO, if you overstay your visa you could face a fine, be detained or deported. If you have obtained a 30 day visa, this can be extended whilst you are over there. In order for your visa application to be approved your passport will need to be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Sri Lanka. And according to Sri Lankan authorities, any false or misleading statements on your visa application could mean you are denied entry into the country permanently.

                      

Brits will need to apply for an ETA visa before they head to Sri Lanka

However, obtaining an ETA does not necessarily guarantee you will be allowed to enter the country - this will be at the discretion of the immigration officers when you pass through customs.

You could be denied entry upon arrival into Sri Lanka if you have the following items in your possession:

• Dangerous drugs
• Narcotic substances
• Pornographic or séditions material
• Any items that ridicule a religious belief

The following items are restricted and you will be denied entry into Sri Lanka if you have not got a permit, which must be obtained before travel:

• Fire arms, ammunition, explosives and weapons
• Medication other than for personal use
• Goods for commercial or trade purposes except for samples
• Plants, fruits, birds and bird products

 

Tourists are forbidden to be in a picture with a historic monument in Sri Lanka

Items such as cameras, laptops and iPads, are allowed but must be declared on arrival.

Foreign currency more than US$10,000 (£8,093) must also be declared upon arrival.

Holidaymakers heading to Sri Lanka should be warned that they can only photograph the ancient monuments if they have purchased a permit to do so from the Central Cultural Fund, which has offices in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Kandy.

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Justify your Winter Holidays with Sri Lanka Trip!

The dawn of the Winter Season is nearing and there is a lot of excitement about which country to choose for the holidays. It almost does not meet any logic to visit any Western country in this season as those countries will be more chilling. So the next option is to choose any country in the South East Asia which will give some warmth during this excursion.

 Out of the list of countries you would consider, it is almost inevitable that Sri Lanka would definitely be on the first five in the list. It is not fair to say that Lanka is the best destination, but it is justifiable to say that Lanka is the best destination considering the winters and how Lanka can compensate what you are trying to escape from in the west.

 

Now the first thing anyone would wish to do in winters is to get the warmth of the Sun as much as you can. Well, then Lanka has umpteen number of Beaches where one can lie down in peace under the sun for hours together and still not get disturbed by any passerby who is sharing the same beach. The noise, the market space and the rush is minimal and so there is plenty of privacy in the lap of the nature on seaside of Lanka. Also, to explore all the Destinations in Lanka such as its mystery caves, Elephant Safaris, Train journeys as well as Rain Forest Walks are a pleasure to do in the warmth of the Winter Sun instead of the Summer Sun which is not bearable to anyone visiting from a cold climate country.

 Hence, apply for Sri Lanka Visa and check for your Sri Lanka visa status and plan accordingly your favorite winter trip!