Author: TELO Admin

Air China is officially announcing that all bookings are open for its new reinstated services between Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport with 3 flights a week (MON/WED/FRI) from Chengdu-Colombo-Chengdu which will be in operation starting 03rd July 2023 (CMB/TFU – 22:15/06:15+1) (TFU/CMB – 17:35:20:15). Air China is offering a special all-inclusive Economy Class Return Fare starting LKR 119,000 from Colombo to Chengdu Return and starting return fare LKR 123,000 to Beijing, Shanghai, Canton, Kunming, and 60+ other Chinese cities via Chengdu. Air China also connects passengers to Seoul starting Return Economy class fare at LKR 181,000 and London Economy class Return fare at LKR 358,000. Air China will be mounting the inflight services on their Airbus 320 aircraft and all their fares are inclusive of 23-kg baggage allowance and on-board meals. For bookings and enquiries, call or visit on below and you may also refer to your nearest travel agents for fares and schedules. Jetwing House 1, 5th Floor, 46/26, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 02. Air China Ticket Office: 0112381203. Sales Support: Mahesh 0717099585, Sanjeewa 0774269564.

Air China Limited is the flag carrier of the People’s Republic of China and one of the “Big Three” mainland Chinese airlines (alongside China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines). Air China’s headquarters are in Shunyi District, Beijing. Air China’s flight operations are based primarily at Beijing Capital International Airport. In 2017, the airline carried 102 million domestic and international passengers with an average load factor of 81%. The airline joined Star Alliance in 2007. Air China continues to improve its management standards and brand value. Air China has been named by World Brand Lab as one of the “World’s 500 Most Influential Brands” for the 16th consecutive year, and was the only Chinese civil aviation company on the list. Air China has also received the “No. 1 Chinese Brand Award” in the Aviation category and the “Annual Chinese Cultural Brand Award” for 16 years consecutively. In 2022, Air China was named number 24 on World Brand Lab’s list of China’s Top 500 Most Valuable Brands, ranking first among Chinese airlines. As of March 31, 2023, Air China (including its subsidiaries) had a total of 898 aircrafts of all types, mainly Boeing and Airbus, with an average age of 8.90 years, operating 672 passenger routes to 151 cities in 25 countries and regions. Our service was further extended to 1,300 destinations in 195 countries (regions) through cooperation with airlines such as Star Alliance Members. The corporate logo of Air China depicts phoenix, a legendary bird worshiped by the nation since ancient times as a symbol of luck and happiness. Chinese ancient literature contains constant references to the bird which “flies from the eastern Happy Land over mountains and seas and bestows luck and happiness upon all parts of the world.” With imagination stretched a bit, the way the logo is laid out recalls the English word “VIP”.

Air China’s route network extends throughout Asia to the Middle East, Western Europe, and North America from its hubs at Beijing Capital International Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. It also currently reaches a significant number of Asian, Australian and European destinations from Shanghai. Some international routes operate from Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Hangzhou, Kunming and Shenzhen. It is one of the few world airlines that fly to all six habitable continents. Air China became a Star Alliance member in December 2007. As a member of Star Alliance and China’s sole flag carrier, Air China has a strong domestic and international route network and sales network, and an extensive high quality customer base. Star Alliance was established in 1997 and is the world’s largest airline alliance. It brings together 26 member airlines, offering more than 10,000 daily departures. Their combined fleets serve over more than 50 hub airports, in over 1,200 destinations, across 184 countries worldwide. If you are a member of a frequent flyer programme with any of Star Alliance’s 26 member airlines,you can earn and redeem miles or points when you fly with another member airline.

Opposition political parties have unanimously decided to oppose the proposal to introduce legislation to establish a Broadcasting Regulatory Commission in the country

The executive council of the opposition led by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya made a special statement unanimously to oppose and defeat the Broadcasting Authority Act to be brought by the current government with the aim of destroying the remaining part of the country’s democracy and to take the maximum possible measures to defeat it inside and outside the parliament and in the courts, said Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said on Monday (5).

The special opposition subcommittee appointed to study the discuss the proposed Broadcasting Regulatory Commission legislation met on Monday (5).

The special opposition subcommittee led by Professor Charitha Herath also includes Imthiaz Bakeer Marker, Gayantha Karunathilake, Dr. Harsha De Silva and Eran Wickramaratne.

Minister of Justice Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the proposed Broadcasting Regulatory Commission legislation that grants statutory power to imprison journalists, impose fines on them, and to even revoke the licenses issued to broadcasters, will be discussed with the media institutions on the 7th of June 2023.

The drafting of the legislation establishing a ‘Broadcast Authority’ was carried out by a cabinet appointed subcommittee, led by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

What is the new piece of legislation that Sri Lanka is trying to introduce for the media?

According to the document prepared by the Cabinet-appointed Subcommittee led by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, something very serious is being prepared with regard to the media.

It proposes for the establishment of a Broadcasting Regulatory Commission consisting of five members, the commission will appoint its own investigating committee.

If reports detriment to national security, national economy, and public order, are published by broadcasters, the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission will be able to revoke and temporarily suspend the license of the broadcaster.

In addition, the Investigating Committee of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission will have the power to obtain a court order and raid media institutions.

If the proposed legislation is passed in its original form, a complaint would not even be necessary to launch an investigation on a media institution.

Broadcasting Regulatory Commission:

The Broadcasting Regulatory Commission is to be introduced via a new piece of legislation.

The cabinet appointed subcommittee, led by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe completed the drafting of the legislation establishing a ‘Broadcast Authority’ for the creation of a Broadcasting Regulatory Commission.

This document contains multiple sections on electronic media, that need to be taken seriously.

It proposes for the establishment of a Broadcasting Regulatory Commission consisting of five members.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Media, and the Director General of Telecommunication will serve as ex-officio members.

The other three members will be appointed to the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission by the President.

According to this document, the scope of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission covers serious areas concerning the process of electronic media.

The objective of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission shall be to ensure to carry on the broadcasting services without any detriment to national security, national economy, and public order.

In addition, the objective of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission is also to ensure that broadcasting services shall provide people true and accurate information as guaranteed by the constitution.

Further, the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission shall issue annual licenses for broadcasting services.

In addition, another objective of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission is to issue guidelines in respect of broadcasting to enhance the spiritual development and mental health of the people while safeguarding the social and cultural values and entertainment of the people.

The Broadcasting Regulatory Commission will also be empowered to formulate codes of conduct to be followed by the broadcasting entities or persons in consultation with the licenses broadcasters.

Investigating Committee:

The new legal framework proposed by the cabinet appointed subcommittee led by Dr. Rajapakshe proposes to appoint an investigation committee to investigate complaints and made recommendations.

The three-member committee shall be headed by the Director General of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission, and the others two members will be those with experience in the field of law or mass media.

According to the latest document, the committee may conduct an investigation, upon its own initiative or upon the request by any interested person.

This committee may conduct an investigation, upon its own initiative or upon the request by any interested person, on any matter in which a license holder of any broadcasting service is involved in what may lead to a threat to national security, national economy, or may create any conflict among races and religions.

A serious section in this document is that for the purpose of an investigation the committee may, by notice in writing require any person or entity to produce to the committee any specified document, specified written or oral information which the committee considers relates to any matter relevant to the investigations.

It proposes that the Committee shall have the power to enter, inspect, and search the premises where the broadcasting service is being carried out with any entry warrant issued by a magistrate, and take copies of or seize and detain any relevant records or documents of such broadcasting entity.

Upon the recommendations of the committee, the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission may cancel, suspend or impose a fine to the license issued to the broadcasting entity.

In addition to the violation of any clause of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission Act, the Commission can also take a decision on the license issued to a broadcasting entity, if it had broadcasted anything that may create a threat to national security, economy, or conflict among races or religions.

It notes that any person who fails to comply with any direction or recommendation issued to by the commission or refuses to cooperate, shall be guilty of an offense and shall on conviction after a summary trial before a Magistrate be liable to a fine or imprisonment, or both.

Any person or entity that engaged in broadcasting services aggrieved by a decision of the commission may appeal against such a decision at the Court of Appeal.

What is most interesting is that the document does not give a definition to the terms of ‘Broadcasting’, ‘Broadcasting Service Provider’, ‘License’, and ‘Licensee’.

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, met upcountry families and discussed the economic and political obstacles they face.

She also spoke to them about their aspirations for better housing, education, and opportunities to improve their livelihood.

“This morning, I met with Hill Country families (many of whom have ties to the region going back 200 years) to hear directly about the economic and political obstacles they face and their aspirations for better housing, education, and opportunities to improve their livelihood,” the Ambassador tweeted.

The Ambassador is on a visit to Nuwara Eliya and has met several people from all walks of life.

During the visit she announced that the US Embassy in Sri Lanka will expand the US State Department’s English Access Microscholarship program to provide two years of free after-school English language instruction to youth of diverse backgrounds in Nuwara Eliya.

During her visit, she also met with prospective teachers for the program who shared the challenges they face in meeting learners’ needs and their plans to equip the next generation with the language skills to empower youth to follow their dreams.

She also spoke about the importance of equality and expanding women’s contributions to legal professions at the National Law Conference.

The Ambassador noted that the judicial sector is vital for upholding the rule of law and protecting the freedoms that sustain democracy.

Rather than heed warnings from its allies and neighbours, Sri Lanka is pushing ahead with embracing China to tackle its economic woes.

Ignoring warnings from the United States, according to which Sri Lanka’s problems are rooted in its dependence on China and its mega infrastructure projects (which represent a security issue for India), Sri Lankan leaders are pressing on.

Sri Lanka’s goal is to get new financing and assistance from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as evinced by the latest deal signed in May with the China Merchants Group for a logistics port complex in the capital worth US$ 392 million.

Launched in 2014 and due for completion in 2041, Colombo Port City’s US billion investment to rival Dubai is but the latest of Chinese-funded mega infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka.

China already has some of the most important ports in the world, with at least 10 of the top 100, along with several smaller ports on the coastline and inland, key to support export chains.

“According to the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI), which scores countries and their respective container ports,” China is a leader since “about 80 per cent of global trade is moving by sea,” said economic analysts Viraj Samarakoon, speaking to AsiaNews.

That is why, “tapping into maritime shipping networks has been central to China’s strategy of export-led economic development.”

For scholars Samantha Hewapathirana and Anuradha Wijetillake, “Beijing’s efforts to shape global maritime connectivity do not end on China’s borders. The scale of China’s activities has raised questions about potential impacts on recipient countries, including broader implications of Beijing’s growing economic influence.”

An example of this is the port of Hambantota leased to a Chinese state-owned company to pay off (or reduce) Sri Lanka’s debt to China. This has sparked concerns about Chinese economic influence and the potential risks for smaller countries of signing expensive development deals with China, especially with respect to their territorial sovereignty.

Economic analyst Sanuth Wijewardena explains that “since 2021, Sri Lanka has undergone high fiscal deficits, with unprecedented levels of inflation as well as price surges of basic and essential commodities, including medicines. Due to depleted foreign reserves, Colombo announced that it would suspend foreign debt payments in April 2022.”

At the time, its “foreign debt totalled US$ 34.8 billion,” Wijewardena notes, “with nearly half from market borrowing and its largest lenders were China, the Asian Development Bank and World Bank.”

Source: Asia News