News

President invited to attend World Climate Action Summit

Published

12 months ago

May 23, 2023

editor

President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has extended a gracious invitation to President Ranil Wickremesinghe to participate in the World Climate Action Summit, a key event that will inaugurate the Emirates Climate Conference.

The invitation was sent as a letter to President Wickremesinghe, expressing warm greetings and well wishes for the progress and prosperity of Sri Lanka and its people.

The invitation letter sent by the President of the United Arab Emirates were officially handed over to President Wickremesinghe yesterday (22) by the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka Mr. Khaled Nasser AlAmeri.

The World Climate Action Summit leaders’ event is scheduled to take place on December 1 and 2, and will coincide with the UAE’s 52nd National Day celebrations. The summit will mark the launch of the 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28 UAE) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12, which will be presided over by the United Arab Emirates.

COP28 UAE holds immense significance as it will witness the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement. This milestone assessment will evaluate global progress in addressing climate change and identify areas for further action on a global scale.

The Emirates Climate Conference serves as a prominent international platform for climate dialogues and plays a vital role in steering climate negotiations among UNFCCC member parties. The conference aims to foster equal opportunities for all stakeholders to engage in transformative partnerships and contribute to ground-breaking, equitable solutions. It will emphasize the importance of countries uniting to address the impacts of climate change while promoting sustainable economic and social development worldwide.

President Al Nahyan expressed his deep honour and pleasure in extending this invitation to President Wickremesinghe, emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to tackling climate change and welcoming President Wickremesinghe to the United Arab Emirates.

This invitation not only underscores the UAE’s dedication to climate action but also highlights the significance of international cooperation and participation in addressing the pressing challenges of climate change.

President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nayan, who expressed his gratitude at receiving this invitation for President Ranil Wickremesinghe, commended the government’s commitment on the program for the advancement and prosperity of the people of Sri Lanka.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Planters’ Association clarifies on daily wage increase

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon, in a statement has issued a clarification with regard to the reported wage increase in the tea and rubber sector.

“Given the facts stated in the Gazette notification, the implication in media reports that the increased payments will be applicable from 1st May 2024, is inaccurate and misleading. Neither the effective date – on which the new proposed minimum payment will be applicable – nor the quantum of such payment has, as yet, been determined,” the statement notes.

Noting that the relevant gazette also notes that objections to the proposed determination will be received until May 15th, the Association also states they will be filing objections to these proposals within the time frame stipulated by the Labour Commissioner.

News

China – SL to expedite implementation of MoUs

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong had called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo yesterday (May 02) to discuss ways and means of early implementation of the agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) reached between the two countries during the Prime Minister’s official visit to China in March 2024.

The Prime Minister said the implementation of the MOUs would begin a new chapter in the long-term friendship and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.

Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake had signed the agreements on behalf of Sri Lanka, and the secretaries of nine Ministries signed on behalf of China in the presence of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang.
During the talks with Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, the Prime Minister stated that in addition to implementation of the MoUs, Sri Lanka would also welcome direct private investments from China as well as investments in agriculture, renewable energy, IT, education and water supply sectors to provide long term solutions to economic issues.

Ambassador Qi Shenhong said he was pleased to see the resilience of Sri Lanka to overcome difficulties and assured China’s continuous support to Sri Lanka’s current efforts at debt restructuring and meeting economic challenges.

Prime Minister’s Secretary Mr. Anura Dissanayake and Chinese Economic Counsellor were also present at this meeting.

(Prime Minister’s Media)

News

Special notice for O/L candidates as school term ends

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

The second phase of the first term of Government schools ends today (May 03) and will reopen on May 20.

The GCE Ordinary Level Examination will be held May 06 – 15.

Meanwhile, selected branches of the Department for Registration of Persons will be operational tomorrow (May 04) for students sitting for the upcoming GCE Ordinary Level Examination 2023 (2024).

The Department announced that its main office in Battaramulla and its provincial offices in Galle, Kurunegala, Vavuniya, and Batticaloa will be open on Saturday.

These selected offices will be operational from 08.30 am to 01.00 pm tomorrow for only the O/L students to obtain their National Identity Cards (NIC).

Applicants who have not yet submitted their NIC applications have been requested to carry their completed application forms certified by the Principal or Grama Niladhari.