It is with deep sadness we learn of the tragic loss of life and injury caused by the crash of Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 at Muan Airport, Republic  of Korea yeaterday (29 December).

Former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh has died at the age of 92.

The 2,000,000^th tourist for 2024 arrived yesterday morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport on flight UL 403 from Bangkok.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa participated in the annual International Food Fair, a signature initiative of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) organized in support of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign.

The High-Level Regional Consultation on Financing for Development in Asia and the Pacific concluded recently at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in Bangkok. The two-day event, brought together representatives from member states, international organizations, development partners, and other key stakeholders to discuss critical financing issues and strategies to accelerate progress toward sustainable development in the region.

Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, addressed the Arabic Language Day celebration at Galle Face Hotel, emphasizing Sri Lanka’s focus on strengthening ties with the Middle East under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently. He noted the significance of the region, home to close to one million Sri Lankan workers, and highlighted plans for enhanced collaboration.

The Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lank in Vienna participated in the “BIMSTEC Tea Event” organized by the “Society Magazine” in collaboration with the diplomatic missions of the BIMSTEC countries at the Grand Hotel in Vienna recently.

Ambassador Majintha Jayesinghe presented his Letters of Credence to the President of the People’s Republic of China,  Xi Jinping, recently at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, in coordination with Sri Lanka Missions in Myanmar and Thailand, successfully facilitated the repatriation of 27 Sri Lankans who had been lured into cybercrime operations and became victims of human trafficking in Myanmar. Senior officials of the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry received the group of 27 Sri Lankans at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo recently.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jordan organized a tourism promotional event with the aim to promote Sri Lanka as one of the top tourist destinations for Jordanian travellers, while portraying the country’s vibrant culture. Held at the Corp Hotel in Amman recently , the event saw the participation of tour operators, airline representatives, media personnel, popular bloggers/YouTubers, and other stakeholders.

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) reports that in 2024, the number of Sri Lankans migrant workers going abroad for work surpassed 300,000, reaching 300,162 as of December 13. This marks the second time in the past decade that such numbers have been recorded, with a previous high of 310,948 workers in 2022.