Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong recently met with the newly elected Speaker of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka – Dr. Asoka Ranwala.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera. The Chinese Ambassador conveyed the greetings of the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China – Mr. Zhao Leji, to Dr. Ranwala during the meeting.
Recalling the long-standing cooperation between Sri Lanka and China, the new Speaker expressed his hope to further strengthen relations between the two countries under the new government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
During the meeting, the Chinese Ambassador stated that it is important to further strengthen relations between the legislative bodies of the two countries, and that it is important to establish the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Tenth Parliament as well.
In addition, attention was also paid to expanding cooperation between the two countries in a number of areas, including economic development, agriculture-related issues including hybrid seed development, water management, crude oil refining, foreign investment and export promotion.
The Public Security Ministry has denied media reports claiming that the Public Security minister – Ananda Wijepala had met Nissanka Senadhipathi.
The Minister’s media secretary had clarified this in a letter to Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya. Adding that the neither the Minister or a representative had ever met Senadhipathi as claimed, the letter calls for proper investigations into the fake news and legal action against those responsible.
A special transport allowance and a combined allowance will be provided to police personnel assigned to ensure the safety of devotees attending the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Siri Dalada Vandanawa) in Kandy, the police said.
The measure has been taken over the instructions of the Acting IGP, in consideration of the fact that these police personnel will be on continuous day and night duty for over 10 days, away from their regular stations and incurring additional personal expenses.
The Bill to repeal the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, and other regulations concerning the Act, has been gazetted.
The Online Safety Bill was passed by a majority vote in Parliament on Jan. 24, 2024.
The Bill that has been gazetted was submitted by opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake.
On Feb. 28, 2025, MP Karunanayake submitted a private member’s Bill to the Parliament Secretary-General, aiming to repeal the controversial Online Safety Act.