Category: South Asia
Sri Lanka Embraces Indian Tourists with Virtual Launch of UPI Transactions via LankaQR
In a ground-breaking move aimed at enhancing the convenience and security of digital payments for Indian tourists in Sri Lanka, a virtual launch event marked the introduction of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions through LankaQR this afternoon (12). The initiative, spearheaded by a collaboration between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and LankaPay (Pvt) Ltd, promises […]
Sri Lankans resettled in Tamil Nadu receive passports
The Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai conducted an event on 19 January 2024 to hand over the first batch of ” All Country Passports” to Sri Lankan nationals resettled in Tamil Nadu. The Government of Sri Lanka has so far been issuing a travel document called Refugee Repatriation Passport for this segment […]
Sri Lanka and Thailand to Sign Free Trade Agreement in February 2024
The 8th round of negotiations for the Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA) concluded successfully on November 29th, paving the way for a historic deal to be signed in February 2024. The negotiations, co-chaired by the Chief Negotiators of both countries, Auramon Supthaweethum (Thailand) and K. J. Weerasinghe (Sri Lanka), saw both sides agree to […]
Suvasarya Pioneers Mixed Reality in Asian Ambulance Service with Pilot Projects in Colombo & Jaffna
Today marks a significant step forward for 1990 Suvasarya, as the ambulance service becomes the first in Asia to adopt mixed reality and AI technology for real-time doctor-paramedic communication. This innovative partnership with Wavenet and Microsoft marks a major advancement in emergency medical care for the region. Previously limited to phone calls, communication between paramedics […]
Sri Lanka assumes Chair of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) at 23rd Council of Ministers in Colombo
Sri Lanka assumed the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) at the 23rd IORA Council of Ministers which concluded in Colombo on 11 October 2023. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry chaired the meeting. Sri Lanka is a founding member of IORA which was established in 1997, and previously served as its Chair from 2003 to 2004. […]
Sri Lanka to take over Chair of Indian Ocean Rim Association; Ministers meet in Colombo next week
Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as well as other senior Ministers of IORA Member States and Dialogue Partners will arrive in Sri Lanka next week for the 23rd IORA Council of Ministers which Sri Lanka is hosting on 11 October 2023 in Colombo. The Council of Ministers meeting in […]
Sri Lanka to assume Chairmanship of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), 2023 – 2025
Sri Lanka will assume the Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for the period 2023 to 2025 at the forthcoming 23rd Council of Ministers’ Meeting hosted by Sri Lanka on 11 October 2023 in Colombo. The Council of Ministers’ Meeting will be preceded by the 25th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials. […]
Sri Lanka Aims for RCEP Membership and Free Trade Agreements with ASEAN: President
President Ranil Wickremesinghe revealed that Sri Lanka’s intention to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is poised to materialize following the conclusion of credit optimization initiatives. Additionally, the President announced plans to initiate negotiations for the establishment of free trade agreements with corresponding ASEAN member countries. President Wickremesinghe’s statement underscores the country’s determination to […]
Sri Lanka and China to commence 12th round of Diplomatic Consultations
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Sun Weidong will lead a Foreign Ministry delegation to Sri Lanka from 29 May to 01 June 2023, to co-chair the 12th round of Diplomatic Consultations between the two countries with Secretary, Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Aruni Wijewardane. The discussions are expected to […]
Japan, UNDP to support women’s economic wellbeing for smallholder farmer families in SL
The ongoing socio-economic crisis has had serious impacts on the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. The rising energy costs and evolving climate change impacts have further exacerbated due to the situation. In response, the Government of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, will provide approximately LKR 1,175 million (approx. USD […]
Advisory on fraudulent IT-related job offers in Thailand
The Sri Lanka Mission in Thailand has noticed recently that Sri Lankan nationals are being lured for employment in Thailand particularly for the positions in the Information Technology (IT) sector by dubious IT firms involved in call-centre scams and crypto currency fraud. Victims are illegally taken across the border from Thailand mostly into Myanmar and […]
HC Moragoda meets Indian Finance Minister; discussions about Indian Rupee trade expansion
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda met with the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs of India Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on 22 March 2023. This was the latest of a series of meetings High Commissioner Moragoda has had with Minister Sitharaman since November 2021 on Indian economic cooperation and assistance to […]