Sri Lanka Grants Free Tourist Visas to 35 Countries

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Grants Free Tourist Visas to 35 Countries, Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approved issuing free tourist visas to visitors from 35 countries including China, India and Russia, a top official said on Thursday (Aug 22), in an effort to boost tourism and help revive its crisis-hit economy.

Tourists will be given 30-day visas under a six-month pilot programme that will start from Oct 1, said Cabinet spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana.

“The aim of the government is to transform Sri Lanka into a free visa country, much like Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, to tap into the benefits of a rapidly growing tourism industry,” Gunawardana told reporters at a weekly Cabinet briefing.

The extensive list includes India, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and France.

The country of 22 million people, famed for its beaches, ancient temples and aromatic tea, saw its tourism industry pummelled first by the COVID-19 pandemic and then by a severe financial crisis in 2022 that saw mass scale protests and shortages of essentials such as fuel.

But the tourism industry is reaping the benefits of a turnaround that began last year with Sri Lanka clocking nearly 2 million arrivals by mid-August, for the first time since 2019.

India is the largest source of tourists with 246,922 arrivals, followed by the UK with 123,992, latest data from the Sri Lanka Development Authority showed.

Sri Lanka earned US$1.5 billion from tourism in the first six months of 2023, up from US$875 million dollars during the same period last year, according to the central bank.

“US Auto Safety Regulator Ends Probe into GM’s Cruise Robotaxis”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it was closing its preliminary investigation into the hard braking and immobilization issues in 1,194 autonomous ride-hailing vehicles operated by General Motors’ Cruise unit.

The NHTSA said on Thursday it was closing the evaluation, started in December 2022, after a review of Cruise’s recall and data analysis, which showed a decrease in hard braking incidents following software updates.

The robotaxi unit earlier this month filed a recall affecting all its vehicles equipped with automated driving systems in the United States.

The NHTSA said the Office of Defects Investigation has determined that Cruise vehicles were involved in 10 crashes and four of them resulted in injury of vulnerable road users, after analyzing hard braking data from 7,632 incidents commanded by Cruise’s automated driving system.

Cruise still faces investigations by the U.S. Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission following an accident last October in which one of its robotaxis struck a pedestrian and dragged her 20 feet (six meters).

The firm along with other self-driving vehicle technology companies such as Alphabet’s Waymo and Amazon’s Zoox have come under heavy regulatory scrutiny due to safety concerns after multiple crashes involving their vehicles.

Cruise, which resumed U.S. operations in April with a small fleet of human-driven vehicles in Phoenix, Arizona, said it has updated the software in all supervised test fleet vehicles.

However, in response to the October accident and subsequent investigations, Cruise’s CEO resigned last year and General Motors subsequently announced plans to scale back spending on the self-driving unit.

The California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates robotaxi operations in the state, has imposed the maximum penalty of $112,500 on Cruise for its failure to promptly provide complete information to the commission about the October crash.

“US Warship Navigates Taiwan Strait Amid Tensions”

TAIPEI: A United States warship sailed through a sensitive waterway separating Taiwan from China on Thursday (Aug 22), the US Navy said, as a way to demonstrate Washington’s “commitment to upholding freedom of navigation”.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, and has in recent years upped military pressures by sending in increasing numbers of fighter jets, drones and naval vessels around the island

Thursday’s transit of the 180km Taiwan Strait comes as the US and its allies have increased crossings to reinforce its status as an international waterway, angering Beijing.

The voyage by the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson showed Washington’s “commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle”, the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet said in a statement on Thursday.

A Canadian Halifax-class frigate conducted last month “a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait”, a move condemned by the Chinese military Beijing has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in recent years upping the rhetoric of “unification” being “inevitable”.

In response, Taiwan has strengthened economic and political ties with its partners – most notably the US, its biggest weapons provider – while increasing its defence budget.

“Floods in Bangladesh Affect 3 Million & Claim 2 Lives”

DHAKA: “Floods in Bangladesh Affect 3 Million & Claim 2 Lives”, Relentless monsoon rains and flooding have stranded nearly three million people in Bangladesh and killed two, submerging vast areas and damaging homes and infrastructure, officials from the country’s disaster management ministry said on Thursday (Aug 22).

Reuters TV showed Bangladesh residents evacuating with their belongings by boat and other makeshift transportation as knee-deep water entered their homes.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned that with the rains continuing, water levels could rise further over the next 24 hours, raising concerns about additional flooding and displacement.

Road connectivity in several regions was severed, isolating communities and hampering relief efforts, disaster management and relief officials said.

The most affected districts in Bangladesh included Feni, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Comilla and Chittagong, where five major rivers were flowing above danger levels, the FFWC said.

“I haven’t seen so much water in the last 20 years. Everything in my house is wrecked because the water has risen to waist level,” said Mohammad Masum, a resident of Feni district.

An analysis in 2015 by the World Bank Institute estimated that 3.5 million people in Bangladesh, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, were at risk of annual river flooding. Scientists attribute the exacerbation of such catastrophic events to climate change.

India’s foreign ministry said it was “not correct” that the floods were caused by water released from the Dumbur dam on the Gumti River in the northeastern state of Tripura.

The Vision Behind Paradyme: Revolutionizing Real Estate Investment 

Introduction 

In the busy world of real estate investment, Paradyme really shines as a bright example of new ideas & inclusivity. Ryan Garland founded this innovative private equity firm, aiming to change how folks invest in real estate. With a goal to open doors for everyone to high-quality real estate chances, Paradyme has swiftly become well-known. This article explores what inspired Paradyme, how it approaches impact investing, & the changes it’s bringing to the industry. 

Inspiration Behind Paradyme 

Ryan Garland stepped into real estate with a big dream: making investment chances open to all, not just the rich few. The thought behind Paradyme came from noticing a gap in the Single-Family Residential (SFR) market—there weren’t many clear & accessible options for investing. Garland had a clear mission: build a brand that makes real estate investing fair & transparent, offering good returns too. The name “Paradyme” means shifting from old, exclusive clubs to something more welcoming. 

When Paradyme started out, it was small but had huge dreams. Garland brought together a team of passionate people who wanted to shake things up. They aimed to build strong links with investors by being honest & communicating openly. At the heart of Paradyme is the belief that developing real estate should be about communities and sustainability—creating spaces that uplift people’s lives. 

Early Days and Core Beliefs 

Right from the beginning, Paradyme wasn’t just focused on making investments; it wanted to add Value through projects that benefit communities. Early projects—which included cool luxury mancaves and inventive commercial spots—showed this mindset. Their strong commitment to sustainable development and helping communities stood out in every undertaking. 

Laying down solid foundations meant not just finding profitable chances but also ensuring every project matched Paradyme’s core values of integrity and inclusiveness. This way of working has been key to their success—helping them gain a reputation for quality & dependability in the real estate world. 

Integrating Investment and Development 

One big thing that sets Paradyme apart is its mission to handle all parts of investment and development in one place. By managing everything—from buying land to developing projects and overseeing assets—Paradyme keeps things running smoothly & consistently. This hands-on approach makes tracking projects in real-time possible and strengthens risk management while using smart tech and eco-friendly habits. 

For example, when they launched their crowdfunding platform, it was a big step forward that opened doors for more people in real estate investment. It lets smaller investors join in on top-notch deals—showing how committed they are to fairness & honesty. 

Journey into Real Estate 

Ryan Garland’s adventure into real estate began with the Single-Family Residences (SFR) market—a tough yet rewarding space. The 2008 financial crisis shaped his journey deeply, teaching him vital lessons on dealing with distressed properties & foreclosures. His clever strategies during those challenging times led him to close over $2 billion in deals—a clear sign of his market know-how! 

This solid base in SFR helped Garland transition into commercial real estate smoothly. The knowledge gained during those early days turned out invaluable as he took on more complex projects—a reminder that learning never stops! 

Impact Investing Approach 

At Paradyme, impact investing goes beyond just making money; it’s about creating meaningful benefits for society & the environment too! They carefully consider both financial worth & social impact when looking at potential projects, ensuring they resonate with their values of sustainability & community well-being. 

Projects like the Barn Caves and Europa Village are shining examples of their dedication to impact investing. The Barn Caves offer luxury that’s also affordable while being eco-friendly, while Europa Village encourages tourism & provides local job opportunities. These endeavours show how serious Paradyme is about making positive changes where they invest while still giving strong returns. 

Future Trends in Real Estate 

The world of real estate keeps changing, influenced by new trends every day! One major trend is the rising need for affordable housing—which includes projects like Barn Caves that mix luxury with accessibility. 

Another important shift is taking old shopping malls & office buildings and turning them into something new and useful again. With e-commerce rising alongside changes from the COVID-19 pandemic, this trend is speeding up! Paradyme is right there, ready to seize these chances by revamping underperforming properties into valuable ones. 

Client Relationship Strategies 

Building great relationships with clients is super important for Paradyme! They love keeping communication open; providing regular updates along with clear reports on project progress creates trust & makes everyone feel valued. 

They also focus on educating clients through workshops and seminars so people can make wise choices about their investments! This dedication helps nurture long-term bonds—reflecting how much Paradyme cares about building lasting value for both its clients and communities. 

Creating Generational Wealth 

It’s clear that creating lasting wealth is key at Paradyme—for both investors and clients! Clients share success stories showing how these investments have positively influenced their financial futures big time. By focusing on solid value & hard assets like real estate, Paradyme supports clients in crafting enduring legacies for themselves. 

Their way of trading emphasizes honesty & trust which strengthens their promise of delivering great value! The drive at Paradyme toward building wealth across generations shows how well they align financial goals with personal hopes. 

Long-Term Goals and Vision 

With big dreams ahead, Paradyme’s long-term goals highlight its passion for innovation & community care! They’re looking to grow geographically while adding diverse sustainable projects into their mix—aiming for both luxury developments as well as those focused on distressed assets helps reduce risks while seizing growth options! 

Garland dreams of seeing Paradyme become a symbol known for reliability within real estate investment—the goal? To reach a multi-billion valuation within just five years! This ambitious vision represents their commitment to raising standards while leading impactful ventures across the industry! 

Personal Motivation and Leadership 

Ryan Garland stays motivated by believing in constant growth & striving for improvement always! His drive to overcome challenges fuels much of what makes Paradyme successful today! Keeping up to date on industry trends while nurturing ties with investors plays an essential role in his leadership style too! 

His unyielding effort toward advancing both himself personally—and through his leadership at Paradyme—is truly inspiring! His passion reflects positively on his team members as well as investors alike—it keeps pushing them all towards ongoing success! 

Getting Involved with Paradyme 

If you’re curious about joining forces with Paradyme or simply want more information about what they offer—the process can be easy peasy! Check out their website at www.paradymecompanies.com where details await regarding investment opportunities! You can also chat with them over social media for updates plus insights; don’t forget exploring resources that explain why partnering here could be so beneficial! 

Conclusion 

Paradyme has a huge effect on real estate investments—their focus is all about transparency, inclusivity, and helping communities thrive! Ryan Garland’s vision along with solid leadership sets them up nicely for even more impressive achievements ahead; plus, ambitious plans are lined up too! Their goal to create lasting wealth alongside strong client relationships cements their place as a leader within this dynamic industry!