Logistics

GAC Sri Lanka gets new chief, eyes outsourcing business

Monday March 25, 2019 1:07 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Ravi Edirisinghe has been appointed director and chief executive in Sri Lanka of GAC Group, a global logistics provider that is eyeing opportunities in outsourcing and logistics in the island.

Edirisinghe brings to his new role 27 years of knowledge and experience in strategic planning, business development and re-engineering, supply chain management, logistics, and project management in diverse industries, a statement said.

He is responsible for the strategic growth and business direction of the group comprising GAC Shipping Ltd, GAC Marine Services Pvt Ltd and GAC Logistics Ltd. GAC operates with its partner the McLarens Group.

Edirisinghe replaces Mahesh Kurukulasuriya, who continues to be a member of the group’s board of directors.

Lars Bergström, GAC’s Group Vice President, Asia Pacific and Indian Subcontinent, said his appointment comes against the backdrop of an optimistic outlook for Sri Lanka’s maritime and logistics sectors.

“We see opportunities in the areas of outsourcing and e-commerce and are ready to tap into them with our Spectra integrated logistics facility in the Muthurajawela Industrial Zone.

“Sri Lanka’s proximity to the emerging markets in South Asia makes it an important shipping and transhipment hub for the region,” he said.

“There is potential for growth for the country’s logistics industry – it currently contributes about 3% of its gross domestic product, but that figure is expected to rise to at least 10% by 2020.
(COLOMBO, March 25, 2019-SB)

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Legal

Sri Lanka National Christian Council opposes Online Safety Bill

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:23 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – The National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) in a statement on the Online Safety Bill, said that the existing legal regime is adequate to deal with instances of harmful speech, making it unjustifiable to enact such “stringent laws”.

The Council called upon the government to withdraw the bill immediately.

The body expressed “deep concern” over the proposed bill, detailing its potential to curtail freedom of speech and how, according to the Council, the piece of legislature is inconsistent with the principles of democracy.

“The bill proposes the establishment of an entity named the Online Safety Commission without provisions to guarantee its independence and impartiality,” the statement said.

Chapter 3 imposes restrictions on online communication of certain statements, many of which are vague and overbroad, leaving room for executive control and the curtailing of legitimate criticism and dissent that are basic features of democracy, the statement said.

“The laws granting wide discretion to the executive and its investigative agencies with expansive reach have been misused in the past.”

The Council said that the bill was not drafted with the process of public consultation and discussion, which might have ensured the bill would be less draconian in nature.

“The National Christian Council of Sri Lanka calls upon the government to withdraw this anti-human rights and anti-democratic bill immediately.” (Colombo/Sep30/2023)

Autos

Sri Lanka to implement new vehicle revenue licence issuing system

Nethmi Rajawasam

Saturday September 30, 2023 6:52 pm

By Nethmi Rajawasam

Saturday September 30, 2023 6:52 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – A new system of issuing vehicle licences called eRL 2.0 is to be implemented in 5 provinces, excluding the Western Province, from 3 October onwards.

The new system is to be implemented beginning in the North West, South, North Central, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces, respectively. The existing vehicle licence issuing system eRL 1.0 will continue to be used in the Western Province.

The issuing of revenue licences islandwide at Department of Motor Traffic head offices and regional branches will be temporarily halted on October 2.

The facility of obtaining vehicle permits online will also be temporarily halted on 6 October till midnight.

The Sri Lanka Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) and the Provincial Motor Traffic Departments are working to modernize the current vehicle revenue license issuance system.

The implementation of the new eRL 2.0 system is expected to be an important step in the digitalisation of Sri Lanka. (Colombo/Sep30/2023)

Aviation

Sri Lankan Airlines flights cancelled as aircraft grounded

Saturday September 30, 2023 4:24 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – State-run SriLankan Airlines has apologized to passengers who were stranded as multiple aircraft were grounded at the same time.

The airline said it has strict procedures which requires aircraft to be grounded when technical issues are discovered.

“Unfortunately, in this case we suffered a number of groundings at the same time,” the airline said.

“We apologize for the disruption and inconvenience caused and assure all our loyal customers that we are working diligently to minimize such occurrences moving forward.”

The airline said it was booking passengers on other airlines while some have been accommodated at hotels. (Colombo/Sept30/2023)