The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the awarding of contracts to six new companies to operate tourist service counters at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for the next three years. During the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena announced that this decision follows a competitive bidding process conducted by Airport
Sri Lanka has announced a new visa-free entry policy for tourists from 35 countries, effective October 1, 2024. This initiative is part of the country’s strategy to boost tourism and support economic recovery following a currency crisis. The decision was confirmed by Foreign Minister Ali Sabry via a post on Twitter. The cabinet has approved
Sri Lanka has achieved a significant milestone in its tourism sector, reaching a target of 1.2 million tourists by August 2024. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the country welcomed 1,198,059 tourists during the first seven months of the year. July saw a record-breaking 187,810 arrivals, marking the highest monthly total in
Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, celebrated a major milestone by completing its 500th flight operation to Jaffna International Airport on August 6, 2024. This achievement underscores the airline’s dedication to improving connectivity between Chennai, India, and Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Recommencing commercial flights on December 12, 2022, after a pandemic hiatus, Alliance Air has
Sri Lanka’s Immigration and Emigration Department has surpassed its revenue projections for 2023, achieving a record Rs.42.76 billion in total revenue. This performance was bolstered by increased tourist arrivals and a higher number of passport issuances. The department had initially forecasted a revenue of Rs.28.1 billion for the year, but actual earnings soared to Rs.42.76
IndiGo has announced the addition of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, to its international route network. Starting September 1, the airline will commence non-stop daily flights between Chennai and Jaffna, as stated in a release by Hindu Business Line on August 2. Jaffna will become the second destination in Sri Lanka for IndiGo, following Colombo, making it
The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), the central bank of the Maldives, has enlisted MTI Consulting, an international strategy consultancy, to develop a green finance framework. This initiative aims to identify sectors, sub-sectors, and activities that can be considered as green. MTI Consulting will take into account internationally adopted practices such as technical screening and principle-based
Says Dilmah Chairman Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to capitalize on Asia’s burgeoning $5 trillion green market, according to Dilmah Tea Chairman Dilhan Fernando. With global consumers increasingly prioritizing sustainability and Western companies struggling to meet these demands, Sri Lanka stands to benefit from the substantial ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) funds available globally. Fernando
Sri Lanka has received around 100 applications for permits to import vehicles to support the tourism industry, according to Somarathne Vidanapathirana, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Lands. The Cabinet recently approved the import of vans and buses to enhance the fleet for transporting tourists, easing a previous vehicle import ban implemented during a
A 12-member delegation from Oneroad Group DMCC Dubai, a prominent global investment consortium, concluded a fruitful visit to Sri Lanka from July 7-14, 2024. Led by Chenling Zhang, Group CEO of Oneroad Group, the delegation focused on sectors vital to Sri Lanka’s economic advancement, including tourism, minerals, transportation, and the Colombo Port City project. The