Seafood Exporters Praise the State Minister for Record-Breaking Export Revenue

Representatives of the Sri Lanka Seafood Exporters' Association conveyed their gratitude
towards the State Minister of Fisheries at the Ministry of Fisheries this morning, presenting him
with a memento on their ability to achieve record-breaking export earnings in the fisheries sector
last year.
Speaking on occasion, the State Minister said that the Exporters Association, all stakeholders in
the fisheries sector and the state mechanism that worked strenuously should be honoured for
contributing to the achievement of these goals in the face of various challenges last year.
The State Minister also emphasised the need for commitment to further enhance these record-
making export earnings in the future.

The year 2021 is considered a record-breaking year in the Sri Lankan fisheries sector.

The year 2021 has been a challenging year for the Sri Lankan fisheries sector and a year with
several record breakings. Among the challenges the Sri Lankan fisheries sector faced during
the last year were the temporary closure of various ports and markets, including the Peliyagoda
Covid cluster, temporary closures of the Peliyagoda Central Fish Market Complex, travel
restrictions imposed by the Health Department on numerous occasions, closure of foreign
markets. And a three-time increase in container fees, the fire disaster on the XPressPearl and
the flood situation in the Puttalam district were prime facts. However, the commitment, efforts,
co-operation of all stakeholders in the fisheries sector and the procedure of working with
governments sector officials in the year 2021 also made the following records.

1. The highest export earning in the history of Sri Lanka is recorded - US $ 318 million (in 2020,
it was US $ 215 million)

2. The highest trade balance in the history of the Sri Lankan fisheries sector - the US $ 192
million (in the year 2020, it was US $ 23 million)

3. Sri Lanka's lowest seafood import expenditure and the lowest quantity of seafood import were
recorded for the last decade - US $ 126 million and 56,176 metric tons (in 2020, it was US $ 196
million and 85,809 metric tons)

4. The highest production of shrimp in the history of Sri Lanka was recorded - 14,415 MT,
which is almost double the previous maximum production.

5. Shrimp export earnings increase by 162%.

6. Export value of ornamental fish increases by 74%.

7. Increasing the domestic canned fish production by more than double in quantity- The daily
production of 90,000 canned locally by December 2020 has been increased to 220,000 per day
by December 2021. The daily requirement of the country is about 275,000 cans. This year is
targeted to meet that production level, and surplus production is scheduled.

8. Canned fish imports reduced by 76.2% - Imports of canned fish were 36,806 metric tons in
2019, and it was 8,758 metric tons in 2021.

446th Lanka Sathosa opens in Homagama

The new 446th branch of Lanka Sathosa was recently declared open by the Minister of Trade
Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, at Homagama Pitipana.

Joining the occasion, the Minister said that Pitipana Village, an undeveloped village 10 years
ago, was an old village that had not seen the dawn of development, and now it has undergone
massive transformation being a developed city. Adding further, he said that seeing the
achievement of this great endeavour, he was glad about his contribution, which was executed
on behalf of the born and unborn generations.

Also, the Minister said on the given capability to establish certain institutions such as the largest
secondary school in South Asia, the only green university in the country, the faculties of
technology in the universities of Colombo and Sri Jayewardenepura, the only nanotechnology
institute and park in the country, the Morrisons Pharmaceuticals Institute, the Army Research
and Development Unit, the database complex, the textbooks warehouse complex, the Buddhist
and Pali University, the Department of Measurement Units, Standards and Services, extending
that capasity further, steps has been taken to build the "Rajawasa" shopping complex.

He also said that steps have already been taken to set up a Mega Sathosa outlet in a few
months. Also, as a day-by-day-developing town, Pitipana in Homagama, steps are being taken
to construct a highway to reach the Pitipana area to ease the congestion caused by thousands
of people visiting the area daily.

"Mahaweli Ranbima", One hundred thousand deeds for the people.

The inaugural ceremony of the "Mahaweli Ranbima" deed donation programme was held at the
Mahaweli Stadium in Embilipitiya under the patronage of His Excellency the President Gotabaya
Rajapaksa with the participation of the Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa and other
Ministers.

According to the government's "Vistas of Prosperity" policy framework, the "Ranbima" deed
programme is active in ensuring that people inherit clear lands. It is planned to issue 100,000
clear deeds this year.

35,000 proven deeds will be handed over to farmers in 10 Mahaweli zones under the first
phase. It is planned to complete the distribution of all land deeds of the farmers living in the
Mahaweli areas before the end of next year. Legal ownership of land gives owners many
opportunities, including transferring an inheritance to family members and dealing with financial
institutions as security.

The President and the Prime Minister presented deeds to 30 people symbolising the "Ranbima"
Deed Award Ceremony.

Lack of foreign exchange is one of the major problems the country is confronting today. One of
the main reasons for this is the loss of foreign exchange earnings from tourism and foreign
employment due to the Covid pandemic. Debts taken by previous governments have to be
repaid with interest. The President stated that these problems were not his or the government's
fault.

Pointing out the timely need that the Opposition, the people, and the government must work
together to meet the current challenges, the President said that he did not expect any
responsible party to carry out disruptive strikes and false propaganda by any means.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the government is also delighted to see the
happiness of the Mahaweli people, who have gotten land ownership after living there for more
than 20 years without legal land ownership.

Katuwana Water Supply Project

Under the programme of providing clean drinking water to all, the National Water Supply and
Drainage Board constructed this Katuwana Water Supply Scheme. The project distributes clean
drinking water to 34 Grama Niladhari Divisions, and this project has been funded by the
Government of Austria and the Government of Sri Lanka.

Steps have been taken to obtain clean water from the Kirama Reservoir in Warapitiya,
constructing a new water treatment plant at Welandagoda to provide clean drinking water to
about 26,000 residents in the area. And the drinking water problem has been solved at a higher
percentage by laying down pipelines for a 24km-distance of Walasmulla, Kirama, Katuwana and
Middeniya roads.

Also, the Kirama bus stand, which was completed at the cost of around Rs. 40 million is initiated
by the Mahinda Chinthana "Pura Neguma" project. The bus stand, which was completely
stopped by the previous "Yahapaalana" government, also has six shops.

Wheat flour relief for plantation people

The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade, the State Ministry of Estate Housing and
Community Infrastructure and our State Ministry of Cooperative Services Marketing
Development and Consumer Protection collaborate with the State Ministry to provide 15 kg of
wheat flour per family per month covering 110,000 estate worker families in the plantation
sector. The programme is scheduled to distribute wheat flour for the plantation areas islandwide
at a concessionary price of Rs. 80.00 this month.

The distribution of wheat flour is being carried out by the Co-operative Societies in particular
areas. Its inaugural ceremony was held under the patronage of State Minister of Estate Housing
and Community Infrastructure, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, at the Medakumbura Estate in
Talawakele recently.

Local industries that bring prosperity to the country.

A "Saubhagya" Local Apparel and Local Product Marketing Center was declared open in Jaffna
under the patronage of the State Minister for Batik, Handlooms, Textiles and Local Apparel,
Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of State and the Member of Parliament, Angajan
Ramanathan.

In addition to batik and handloom fabrics, a wide variety of local products were on sale. In the
future, all local products will be introduced to the consumer at public marketplaces where they
can be purchased under one roof.

Plantation field officers will be awarded NVQ Certificates and Skills Licenses for the first
time.

The award ceremony of the first-ever NVQ Certificate and Skills Passport, which was jointly
organised by The National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) and Hayleys,
was held today (24) based on prior knowledge of Plantation Field Officers under the
Assessment Methodology (RPL). As the event's chief guest, the State Minister Specialist Dr.
Sita Arambepola participated in the event.

Accordingly, 48 field officers (tea) and 18 field officers (rubber) were awarded today. The
National Competency Standards required for these field officers to obtain NVQ Level 5 have
already been prepared, and for that,

Tea Technology

Plantation Extension Management

Professional fields such as Plantation Crop Technology are included.

"Rajavasa" to Homagama

Minister of Trade, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, laid the foundation stone for the scheduled-to-be-
constructed "Rajawasa" Shopping Complex and Staff Hostel of the Department of Weights and
Measures at the premises of the Department of Measurement Units, Standard & Services in
Homagama.
This shopping complex is a project implemented under the concept of Dr. Bandula
Gunawardena, bringing all government institutions under one roof. And at the event Minister of
Trade Dr Bandula Gunawardane said that this shopping complex will ease the public and the
students to buy government-guaranteed products under one roof at reasonable prices.

The Minister also recalled that despite the challenges he faced in establishing this city of
wisdom, he was able to establish a number of government institutions and several vital
institutions such as faculties of technology belonging to the university system at this location.

The Minister also pointed out that as a representative of the people, the purpose of constructing
this royal shopping complex and launching the projects that are important to all citizens of this
country is timely needed rather than launching projects that could be politicised and disguised in
the name of development which is of no use to anyone.

The Minister said, "With my intervention, several government institutions were built on a vacant
plot of land in the Pitipana area in Homagama. Accordingly, institutions belonging to various
sectors have been established in the this City of Wisdom. As a result, hundreds of staff and
thousands of students visit the area daily. Today we laid the foundation stone for the 4-storey
Staff quarters of the Department of Weights and Measures. The "Rajavasa" shopping complex
is to be built on the ground floor of this building. This will make it easier for the student
community, staff, and visitors, who come to receive services and those staying in hostels to
purchase items. The aim is to further develop the area with infrastructure and easy access to
goods and services."

Trade talks between Sri Lanka and Indonesia

A meeting was held between the Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Devi Gustina Tobin and
the Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa recently at the Ministry of Industries to strengthen
trade relations between Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

There was a lengthy discussion on the future course of action to be taken for the advancement
of the industrial sector between Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The Minister of Industries, Wimal
Weerawansa, pointed out that steps should be taken to strengthen the industrial relations
between the two countries by involving the Indonesian business community in export and
investment sectors in Sri Lanka. He added further that the MoUs discussed with the Indonesian
Minister of Industry during his visit to Indonesia are ready to be implemented soon.

Ambassador Devi Gustina Tobin congratulated Sri Lanka on its recent achievement in obtaining
the Geographical Index for Sri Lankan Cinnamon. The Ambassador also spoke about
Indonesia's demand for products such as Sri Lankan tea. The Minister also requested the
Ambassador to provide the necessary assistance to local industrialists who can export Sri
Lankan Ayurvedic medicines to Indonesia in the future. The Ambassador assured the Minister
that this would be done soon.
Awareness program for rural youth about training opportunities abroad.

Our foreign reserves are immensely contributed by the youth community going abroad and
engaging in related jobs. However, State Minister Priyankara Jayaratne had initiated a program
for this purpose as the rural youth community is less aware of this. Minister of Sports and Youth
Affairs Namal Rajapaksa participated in the event.

The Minister said, "I would like to convey my gratitude to the Hon. State Minister Priyankara
Jayaratne, for initiating a program at the village level to educate the youth on overseas skilled
labor opportunities, saying that overseas employment is not only a major contributor to our
foreign reserves but also a solution to the problem of unemployment among our youth."

A Sri Lankan recipe for SriLankan Airlines passengers

The company has taken steps to introduce Sri Lankan food recipes to Sri Lankan Airlines
passengers.
This program aims to provide air passengers with a nutritious local meal.
It was recently launched at the Serendib Hall at the Katunayake Airport.
The event was presided over by Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.
SriLankan Airlines says it expects to introduce this local recipe systematically to its passengers.
The Minister of Tourism stated that it is a great pleasure that Sri Lankan Airlines has launched
such a project as a tourist visiting Sri Lanka gets his first experience of Sri Lanka on board.
SLT Group turnover rises to Rs. B. 100 passes

SLT Group turnover exceeds Rs. 100 Billion

SLT Group, the National Information and Communication Technology Promoter, has reported
revenue of Rs. 102.3 billion turnover, ending with the financial year as of 31 December 2021.

This is an increase of 12.3% over the previous year. The Group's profit after tax increased by
54.3% generating Rs. 12.2 billion.

The high level of diligence shown by the number of business areas has contributed significantly
to its profit growth. The Group's operating profit grew by 19.0%, and EBITDA grew by 16.6% on
interest payments, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation during the period under review.
Because of the continuous measures taken to expand the fibre connectivity and the steps taken
to expand and enhance the 4G / LTE network, Broadband service revenue grew during the year
under review. SLT has increased PEO TV service revenue over the period under review, as it
exists in a market that expects high-quality education and entertainment services online.
XXXXXX, the global business unit of SLT-MOBITEL, has further strengthened the company at a
broader level and invested in a new SEA-ME-WE 6 cable system intending to enhance global
connectivity capacity in Sri Lanka. The modern digital capabilities of SLT-MOBITEL Data Center
and Akaza multi-cloud platform have added additional value to the company.