Latest news with #ForeignEmploymentandTourism
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Sri Lanka to waive visa fees for 40 more countries to boost tourism
COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan government has decided to waive visa fees for 40 additional countries to boost tourism, a senior minister said on Friday (July 25). Speaking at the "Hotel Show Colombo 2025" exhibition, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath stated that the decision was made at the recent cabinet meeting. Sri Lanka currently allows tourists from seven countries to visit the country without paying visa fees. The minister said the Treasury will lose about US$66 million in direct revenue by waiving these fees. However, the government expects greater indirect income through increased tourism. Tourism is one of Sri Lanka's main sources of foreign revenue. The country earned approximately US$.17 billion from tourism in 2024. - Xinhua
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia, Sri Lanka to further strengthen bilateral ties
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Sri Lanka have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism, education and skilled labour, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the matter was discussed during a courtesy call by Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath today, in conjunction with the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings currently taking place here. "This close relationship not only benefits both countries but also contributes to regional stability and development," he said in a Facebook post. Anwar also expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka's continued contribution to shaping a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future for the region. He added that Malaysia will continue to work closely with Sri Lanka to achieve shared progress, not only for the people of both countries but also to build a more united, prosperous and resilient Asean community. The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship 2025 themed "Inclusivity and Sustainability", feature 24 ministerial-level meetings involving Asean Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners. The four-day high-level gathering brings together around 1,500 delegates, including Asean and Timor-Leste Foreign Ministers, Asean Dialogue Partners, Asean Regional Forum participants, Sectoral Dialogue Partners and senior Asean Secretariat officials. – BERNAMA
The Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia, Sri Lanka to further strengthen bilateral ties, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Sri Lanka have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism, education and skilled labour, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said the matter was discussed during a courtesy call by Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath on Thursday (July 10), in conjunction with the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings currently taking place here. "This close relationship not only benefits both countries but also contributes to regional stability and development," he said in a Facebook post. Anwar also expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka's continued contribution to shaping a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future for the region. He added that Malaysia would continue to work closely with Sri Lanka to achieve shared progress, not only for the people of both countries but also to build a more united, prosperous and resilient Asean community. The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship 2025 themed "Inclusivity and Sustainability", feature 24 ministerial-level meetings involving Asean dialogue partners and sectoral dialogue partners. The four-day high-level gathering brings together around 1,500 delegates, including Asean and Timor-Leste Foreign Ministers, Asean dialogue partners, Asean regional forum participants, sectoral dialogue partners and senior Asean secretariat officials. – Bernama
Times of Oman
28-03-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Indian PM Modi to travel to Sri Lanka on State visit on Apr 4, several MoUs expected to be exchanged
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Sri Lanka for a State visit from April 4-6. During the visit, a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) inked between two nations are expected to be exchanged. During his visit, PM Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. In a statement, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said, "While in Sri Lanka, the Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Anuradhapura to pay homage to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi and will inaugurate several projects implemented in Sri Lanka with the assistance of the Government of India." "A number of Memoranda of Understanding inked between the two countries are also expected to be exchanged during this visit," it added. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other senior officials of the Government of India will accompany PM Modi during his visit, according to the statement. PM Modi will travel to Sri Lanka after concluding his visit to Thailand. PM Modi will visit Bangkok from April 3 to 4 to participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, hosted by Thailand, the current BIMSTEC Chair, and for an official visit. PM Modi's last visit to Sri Lanka was in 2019. Earlier, Sri Lanka's President paid a State Visit to India as his first visit abroad after assuming office. MEA noted that PM Modi's visit to Thailand, Sri Lanka and his participation at the BIMSTEC Summit will reaffirm India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' policy. In a statement, MEA stated, "India and Sri Lanka share civilizational bonds with strong cultural and historic links. This visit is part of regular high-level engagements between the countries and will lend further momentum to deepening the multi-faceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka." "Prime Minister's visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka, and his participation in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit will reaffirm India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy, 'Act East' policy, 'MAHASAGAR' (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, and vision of the Indo-Pacific," it added.
Zawya
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Embassy of Sri Lanka in Egypt celebrates the 77th anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Cairo commemorated Sri Lanka's 77th Independence Day at the Embassy premises with the participation of the Sri Lankan community in Egypt. The ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to Egypt, Sisira Senavirathne, followed by the singing of the national anthem. A two-minute silence was observed in honor of the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence. The ceremony included the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and invoking of blessings on the Government and people of Sri Lanka, delivered through religious messages representing the country's four major faiths. Independence Day messages from the President, Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism were read out in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. In his address, Ambassador-designate Sisira Senavirathne underscored the Sri Lankan government's national policy framework, 'A Thriving Nation and a Beautiful Life', which focuses on initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth, eliminating rural poverty, and driving digital transformation by leveraging advancements in science and technology to build a united and prosperous nation. He also acknowledged the significant contributions of overseas Sri Lankans to the country's development and reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding their welfare, security, and dignity as a top priority. Highlighting the strong ties between Sri Lanka and Egypt, the Ambassador-designate stressed the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations in various fields such as trade, investment, economy, culture, education, and people-to-people connections. Emphasizing the government's policy initiative 'Clean Sri Lanka', the Ambassador-designate explained the project's objective of transforming Sri Lanka into a developed nation by promoting comprehensive efforts in environmental protection, social responsibility, and ethical practices. He encouraged Sri Lankan expatriates in Egypt to actively participate in and support these initiatives. The ceremony concluded with the attendees being treated to traditional Sri Lankan refreshments. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka.
