Archives 2021

Upon the resumption of Sri Lanka tourism for Indian travellers, Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai hosted two outbound tour operator delegations from Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) at Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission on 23^rd and 24^th September 2021 respectively. The objectives of arranging these delegations were to brand Sri Lanka again as the favourite travel destination of Indian tourists after a long break due to the pandemic restrictions and to solicit their views on uplifting Sri Lankan tourism.  Addressing delegations, the Deputy High Commissioner, Dr. Venkateshwaran, made the delegates aware of the way forward for Sri Lankan tourism under the new normal situation and emphasized Sri Lanka’s readiness to promote “Ramayanaya Yathra”, “Murugan Trail” and “Panchalingam Trail” to allure more Indian travellers to the island.

A comprehensive presentation was made by Mr. Nilina Pathirana, Manager, Sales, Sri Lankan Air Lines, Chennai office, highlighting the air connectivity from Colombo to south Indian destinations including Chennai, Bangalore, Trichy, Madurai, Cochin, Trivandrum, and Hyderabad. Furthermore, he emphasized the national carrier’s buy one, get one free offer, which is available to passengers until December 31st, 2021. TAAI delegation head, Mr. Karunakaran, Hon Secretary of TAAI Southern Region, appreciated the initiatives taken by the Deputy High Commission to make travellers aware of the opening up of Sri Lankan tourism to India. Furthermore, he suggested a few factors to be taken into consideration, which include changes to Sri Lankan Airlines’ flight schedules and enhancing sops provided to travellers.  

President of TAFI Southern region, Mr. Arul Lazaran emphasized the importance of Sri Lanka as a travel destination for Indian travel and tour operators, specially elaborated the importance of waving off taxes/levies on MICE tourism and destination wedding travellers. During the Q&A session, numerous questions were raised by the participants regarding the steps to be followed by the travellers upon arrival in Sri Lanka, the ongoing visa procedure, and carrying out PCR tests etc. These questions were successfully addressed by the DHC and the team. Moreover, Sri Lankan Airlines and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau were suggested with a few proposals to be executed which would be more pragmatic to bolster the Sri Lankan tourism industry under the new normal situation. Taking the facts raised by the delegates into his consideration, DHC agreed to convey their suggestions to Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and other line agencies in order to assure and furnish a safe and comfortable travel experience to Indian travellers.

Rounding off each interaction, Mr. Dilanga Hettiarachchi, Third Secretary (commercial), Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission, admired the impetus given by both TAAI and TAFI throughout the years and sought their keen support to promote and project Sri Lanka as Indian travellers’ favourite travel destination.

Both TAAI and TAFI are preeminent travel and tour operator associations in India, which have a substantial amount of island wide membership and play a vital role in India`s tourism industry.

Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission- Chennai

27^th September 2021

News Paper Article – https://www.ft.lk/…/SL-Deputy-High-Commission…/27-723742

The Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to South India, Dr. Venkateshwaran, had a virtual interaction with the Chairman of the Export Development Board  of Sri Lanka, Mr. Suresh De Mel and Director General, Ms. Chitranjali Dissanayake on 23rd September 2021. The objective of the interaction was to make aware of and explore the potentials for Sri Lankan exporters in the Southern Indian market and solicit the assistance from EDB to achieve this endeavor successfully. Stressing his views, Dr. Venkateshwaran highlighted the importance of identifying key areas that the Sri Lanka should keep focusing on south Indian market, especially social & cultural factions oriented market opportunities and assured to extend this Missions fullest corporation to facilitate for introducing new value added products from Sri Lanka to South Indian market. Moreover, He requested from EDB to take up a separate market plan for the South states since a substantial percentage of Sri Lanka`s exports to India are being done to the south. Mr. Suresh De Mel, Chairman, EDB during his speech expressed that the points raised by the DHC at the meeting were pragmatic and achievable. Further he expressed EDB`s willingness to work on a separate plan for south India with the support of the SLDHC team.

National Insurance Trust Fund of Sri Lanka calling for bids from Consultant Firms to Actuary Service for Liability Valuation & Other services for a Period of 01.10.2021 to 30.09.2023. Bid closing date: 29 October 2021 at 14:00hrs (Sri Lanka Time GMT+S:30 Time Zone)

Read the bidding document– https://www.nitf.lk/f/doc/BIDDING%20DOCUMENT%20final.pdf

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https://stc.lk/foreign_supplier22/

SL Navy – SL-02 Paper Ad (English) – 2021.09.09

SL Navy – SL-05 Paper Ad (English) – 2021.09.09

National Insurance Trust Fund of Sri lanka calling for bids from eligible International Reinsures and from eligible Brokers for the procurement of the Retrocession Programme to cover 30% Compulsory Reinsurance Cession for the period from 01.02.2022 to 31.07.2023.

Bid closing date: 21 October 2021 at 13.00hrs (Sri Lanka Time GMT+5:30 Time Zone)

Read the bidding documents :http://www.nitf.lk/en/notify.html

Request for Proposal (RFP) – Refinancing of the Loan borrowed to build two vessels owned by Ceylon Shipping Corporation Ltd (CSC)

The deadline for submission of Proposals: 30 September 2021 at 1400hrs (Sri Lanka time GMT +5:30 Time Zone)

Read the bidding documents –Proposal for restructuring of the loan borrowed to build the vessels by the Ceylon Shipping Corporation

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Bidding Document of molasses

Port City-Colombo

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Procurement Notice

The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay called on the new Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris after his assumption of duties. Foreign Minister Peiris expressed appreciation and continuous support being provided by India for combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Peiris thanked the Government of India for supplying emergency consignments of liquid oxygen from east Indian ports, even by using Indian naval ships. The discussion also centred on enhancing religious tourism. Foreign Minister Peiris also appreciated the offer of US$ 15 million by the Government of India to preserve and promote Buddhist cultural sites in Sri Lanka and expressed interest in early implementation of the offer. Both sides also discussed on the possibility of the early convening of the Indo-Lanka Joint Commission, which was last convened in 2016. It was agreed that the six Working Groups under the Joint Commission, covering specific subject areas under education, science & technology, tourism, trade & investment, fisheries and the power sector, should meet at the earliest feasible opportunity. Matters relating to fisheries were also discussed and both sides agreed to search for a meaningful, pragmatic solution to the issues. Indian assistance to develop fisheries harbours in Sri Lanka was greatly appreciated.  The discussion also focused on the setting up of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants by India in Sri Lanka. Both parties highlighted the pivotal importance of relations between Sri Lanka and India which have stood the test of time as close neighbours and expressed satisfaction at the current level of cooperation and resolved to raise bilateral relations in multiple sectors to even higher levels.

 Foreign Ministry

Colombo

 23 August, 2021

Full Media Release: https://mfa.gov.lk/india-sl-fm/

Procurement of Reinsurance Cover Strike, Riot, Civil Commotion and Terrorism Fund for the Period from 01.02.2022 to 31.07.2023

http://www.nitf.lk/en/notify.html

The newly appointed Foreign Minister Prof. G.L Peiris assumed duties at the Ministry today (18 August, 2021) at a simple ceremony graced by outgoing Foreign Minister and the new Minister of Education Dinesh Gunawardena; State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya; State Minister of Women and Child Development, Preschools & Primary Education, School Infrastructure & Education Services Piyal Nishantha De Silva;  Member of Parliament and General Secretary of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Sagara Kariyawasam; Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and other officials. The Buddhist clergy led by the chief incumbent of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Dhammaratana Nayaka Thero invoked blessings on the occasion.

Thereafter, both incoming Minister Prof. G.L Peiris and outgoing Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met the senior staff of the Ministry. Addressing the occasion, Minister Prof. G.L Peiris stated that he was pleased to be back at the Ministry after six years. He commended the outgoing Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena for the leadership provided to the Foreign Ministry during the last two years and stated that in all activities of the Foreign Ministry, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena ensured that Sri Lanka’s inherent self-respect and dignity was not compromised.

State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya and Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage welcomed the new Minister and stated that they looked forward to continue delivering on the mandate of the Foreign Ministry under his guidance. Both State Minister Balasuriya and Secretary Colombage thanked the outgoing Minister for his visionary leadership and guidance over the last two years.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

18 August, 2021

Full Media Release at: https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-assumes-duties/

Procurement Notice

WORLD WIDE PAPER AD-15_08

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