The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will continue its financial and technical assistance to Sri Lanka without interruption, stated Mr. HARA Shohei, Senior Vice President of JICA.
This assurance was revealed during a meeting held today (07) at the Presidential Secretariat between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Mr. HARA Shohei.
During the discussion, attention was drawn to the on-going development work at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, which is being carried out under Japanese aid.
It was highlighted that all projects initiated in Sri Lanka under JICA support are planned to be expedited and completed efficiently.
Mr. HARA Shohei also reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to extending financial support to Sri Lanka in the future, similar to the assistance provided during the country’s debt restructuring process He emphasized that JICA is ready to provide financial and technical assistance for the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme and other initiatives.
Additionally, JICA expressed interest in supporting Sri Lanka in reforming its transport system and enhancing urban cleanliness through financial and logistical aid.
Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Akio Isomata, First Secretary, Head of Economic Cooperation Mr.Kenji Ohashi, Chief Representative, JICA Sri Lanka Mr.Tetsuya Yamada, Senior Representative, JICA Sri Lanka Ms. Yuri Ide, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake also participated in the discussions.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement on the ‘Operation Sindoor’ launched by the Indian Armed Forces targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the statement, 09 sites have been targeted.
The statement further notes :
“Our actions have been focused, measured and non- escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.”
“These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.”
Former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera has been remanded until May 19 by the Mahara Magistrate’s Court.
He had surrendered to the court earlier today (May 07).
(Previous news 2025 May 07 –11.00.a.m.)
Prasanna Ranaweera surrenders to court
Former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera has surrendered to the Mahara Magistrate’s Court today (May 07).
Previously, an open warrant was issued for Ranaweera’s arrest over allegedly selling a plot of state-owned land in Kiribathgoda to a private party by forging documents.
Several persons including former Minister Mervyn Silva are currently in remand custody over the incident.
The National People’s Power (NPP) has won the most number of seats in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), but has not obtained enough to form a majority. The party secured 48 seats with over 81,000 votes, which is about 36.9% of the total.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) came in second with 29 seats, followed by the United National Party (UNP) with 13 seats. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) won five and four seats respectively. Meanwhile, Independent & minor parties have secured 20 seats.
The CMC is Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest local government body.