New Zealand to nearly triple tax on international tourists

Peak tourism body says hike will make South Pacific country ‘incredibly expensive’ to visit. New Zealand has announced plans to nearly triple a tax on international tourists, prompting backlash from the country’s tourism industry. New Zealand’s National Party-led coalition government said on Tuesday that it would raise the so-called International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) from 35 New Zealand …

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Salary Increases for Tri-Forces Personnel Announced

According to the final report of the Presidential Expert Committee, which includes recommendations for raising public service salaries and allowances effective from January 1, 2025, the basic salaries of members serving in the three armed forces will also increase. The salary for Grade III Private, Ordinary Seaman and Air Craftsman, will increase by Rs. 10,660, for Grade II by Rs. …

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Presidential Expert Committee Submits Final Report on Public Service Salary Increases

The final report of the Presidential Expert Committee, which includes recommendations for increasing public service salaries and allowances effective January 1, 2025, was presented to President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (03) at the Presidential Secretariat by the Committee Chairman, Udaya R. Seneviratne, along with other committee members. Chairman Udaya R. Seneviratne stated that the report was prepared in alignment with the …

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High-speed satellite internet connectivity for in-flight passengers

Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal by the aviation minister to to award a contract to Viasat Inc. to obtain Ka band satellite internet connectivity for seven A330-300 aircraft of the SriLankan Airlines fleet. A statement from the government information department said the contract will be valid for seven years. SriLankan Airlines Limited at present operates a …

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Cabinet nod for ‘Ka band’ satellite internet for SriLankan Airlines fleet

Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal by the aviation minister to to award a contract to Viasat Inc. to obtain Ka band satellite internet connectivity for seven A330-300 aircraft of the SriLankan Airlines fleet. A statement from the government information department said the contract will be valid for seven years. SriLankan Airlines Limited at present operates a …

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MR rule out RW and SJB reconciliation

Mujibur Rahman today ruled out a possible political marriage between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa before the Presidential election. Explaining the facts further in this regard, the MP also stated as follows. “Some say that SJB will go for a political marriage between SJB and President Ranil Wickremesinghe. This is far from the truth. There is …

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MR rule out RW and SJB reconciliation

Mujibur Rahman today ruled out a possible political marriage between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa before the Presidential election. Explaining the facts further in this regard, the MP also stated as follows. “Some say that SJB will go for a political marriage between SJB and President Ranil Wickremesinghe. This is far from the truth. There is …

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Visa free policy for 38 countries comes into immediate effect

Taking a cue from Singapore, the Sri Lankan government announces the immediate implementation of a visa-free policy for 38 countries. Are we getting closer to resolving the “visa crisis” in Sri Lanka? We hope so, and so do tourists and travel professionals. For the past month, following the suspension of its e-Visa system due to problems with its management by a foreign …

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Sri Lanka announces “visa-free access for 38 nationalities with immediate effect”

Taking a cue from Singapore, the Sri Lankan government announces the immediate implementation of a visa-free policy for 38 countries. Are we getting closer to resolving the “visa crisis” in Sri Lanka? We hope so, and so do tourists and travel professionals. For the past month, following the suspension of its e-Visa system due to problems with its management by a foreign …

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Public servants’ salaries will increase by 24% to 50% from January 2025

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the implementation of the recommendations from the Presidential Expert Committee, chaired by Udaya R. Seneviratne, appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to investigate and address salary discrepancies in the government sector. Accordingly, commencing January 1, 2025, the basic salary for public service will be increased by at least 24% for the lowest ranks, with increases …

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