Blueprint issue 1 March 2021 1st Week By MCND

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Issue 01 | March 2021 | First Week

Reducing Sri Lanka’s Global hub for

skills gap indigenous medicine Skills Sri Lanka is a fulfilled promise of the 'Vistas of Prosperity & Splendour' national framework which aims to equip youth who fail to enter universities with vocational or technical training, making them talented and capable citizens towards a better skilled Sri Lankan workforce.

The 'Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine' the 1st of its kind in Sri Lanka, is yet another leap in development towards becoming a global centre of excellence in indigenous medicine.

This is a fully-fledged university which has been an epicentre for indigenous medicine for over 77 years in Sri Lanka and it is particularly more relevant since

Implemented by the State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research & Innovation this program is aimed at creating a skilled workforce which cater to the needs of an increasingly globalized and interdependent world economy.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that it is the responsibility of the government to create a pathway for future generations regardless of their failures in examinations.

Putting waste

to work

indigenous medicine has gained popularity due to the current pandemic.

The university will have full-time academic programme and also introduce new part-time Postgraduate and Extension Programs as an initiative to promote and educate the general public on indigenous medicines of Sri Lanka.

Following the debacle at the waste dumping site in Kerawalapitiya, the need for sustainable, ecofriendly, geo-friendly garbage disposal mechanisms have become apparent and real.

The plant would process 700 tons of garbage daily and generate 10 megawatts of electricity. This power plant will give Sri Lankans access to clean, reliable energy, help with beautification of the city and set a trend for clean, renewable sources of energy in a sustainable manner.

ckudOH wud;HdxYh ntF[d Clf mikr;R Ministry of MassWeekly Media by www.mcnd.gov.lk | 1 Blueprint - Documenting Development

Pulse of the

people One of the most unique and novel initiative of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is his discussions with the village. A program unlike any other, the President every week undertakes a visit to a rural, remote and improvished area long ignored even by politicians in the area.

There he patiently listens and asks the villagers of their concerns and daily struggles. As the Head of State, he seeks and finds immediate solutions to some of their basic needs. The private sector together with government officials assist the development of schools and rural infrastructure. This forms the bedrock for a people

centric development agenda fostered by national thinking.

During his recent visit to Giribawa, the President initiated a project that will see library facilities being improved at all schools, he also called on officials to construct cultivation wells as a pond network, restoration of tanks in the vicinity and ensuring adequate supply of drinking water.

The villagers asked for solution to encroachment by wild elephants to which the President ordered for the immediate construction

of an electric elephant fence. Solutions were sought for the shortage of nursing staff at the local hospital and the

development of 105 Km of road network within Giribawa Divisional Secretariat.

Electing the

next leaders The Sri Lankan Youth Parliament is a peer-to-peer educational programme that inspires and empowers young people from across Sri Lanka to be openminded, tolerant and active citizens. The parliament, run by young people for young people provide it’s parliamentarians with a forum to develop and express their opinions on a wide range of topics.

The participants are equipped with the knowledge and the skills they need to positively shape the world around them. Today Sri Lanka’s youth parliament is a platform which affords young people of the country to raise their voices in respect of the issues that affect youth and their communities.

2 | Blueprint - Documenting Development Weekly by www.mcnd.gov.lk

The inaugural 5th session of the youth parliament was held earlier this month which saw the participation of 331 parliamentarians representing the divisional secretariats Islandwide and 29th youth parliamentarians representing universities and institutions of higher learning.

UK top

FDI source of

According to the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, in the period January to September 2020, the United Kingdom has emerged as the single largest source of FDI to Sri Lanka, representing 24% of the total inflows of US$ 548 million to the island nation.

The traditional leading source of FDI to Sri Lanka, China, was placed second, representing 12% of the total FDI in the period under review.

This increased investment from the United Kingdom has been attributed to several visits of leading British investors and entrepreneurs to the island. These included the visit of Nathaniel Rothschild, a leading British born financier in January 2021 to evaluate the country’s potential as a manufacturing base for the electronics industry.

Norfund to invest up in NDB The Norwegian development Finance Institution (Norfund), which is owned and funded by the Norwegian Government, has entered into an agreement with Sri Lanka’s National development Bank PLC (NDB) to invest up to 9.99% stakes in the Bank.

Under the agreement, Norfund will participate in the

rights issue for LKR 8 billion, the NDB has already announced.

The investment is subject to other conditions including regulatory and shareholder approvals. This is Norfund’s first ever equity investment in Sri Lanka. NDB’s total foreign shareholding will thereafter go up to 21%.

Sri Lanka looks ahead MICE(meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism is a key segment of the global tourism industry. Sri Lanka Tourism is therefore drawing up a 5 year “MICE Industry Development Plan” in collaboration with private sector partners and airlines.

The strategic plan will encompass conferences, exhibitions to

promote industry, corporate meetings, incentive tours, and meetings of associations to name just a few such opportunities for inbound travel.

The advantage for MICE is that is can attract tourists at any given time of the year and is not affected by seasonal factors as is holiday tourism.

Blueprint - Documenting Development Weekly by www.mcnd.gov.lk | 3

Top airline for

cargo growth Changi Airport Group in Singapore recognized SriLankan Cargo, the cargo division of SriLankan Airlines with a Cargo Service Excellence Award, at a ceremony held during the “Let’s Talk Cargo 2021 Conference” held recently in Singapore.

Social media dialog takes

centre stage

SriLankan Airlines had been shortlisted by a distinguished panel of judges as one of the 3 recipients for the Excellemce Award alongside such prestigious airlines as Singapore Airlines and Cargolux.

The Media Center for National Development hosted its first cyber conference for members of the independent press & new media page owners and users including channels across all social media platforms.

The event which was held at the Information Department was hosted via Zoom with a contingency of 'cyber journalists' physically present.

The topic, 'Covid-19 Vaccination Process' was chaired by a three member expert panel consisting of Lalith Weeratunga, senior Advisor to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, ckudOH wud;HdxYh ntF[d Clf mikr;R

Ministry of Mass Media

Sri Lankan Airlines was also the recipient of the “Top Five Airlines

by Absolute cargo Growth” at Changi Airlines Award 2021”.

Major General Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, secretary to the Health Ministry & Dr. Samitha Ginige from the epidemiology unit.

A vast range of correlating topics from the procurement, dissemination, dispensation & follow up of the vaccine to areas of concern raised by the public with regards to it were addressed.

This will be the first of subsequent, weekly cyber conferences where key issues such as this will be addressed by corresponding experts

Ministry of Mass Media 163,Asi Disi Medura, Kirulapone Mawatha, Polhengoda, Colombo 05. Sri Lanka

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