News

World Bank to provide financial & tech support for key govt. projects

Published

4 months ago

January 21, 2025

editor

Martin Raiser, Vice President for South Asia at the World Bank, stated that the organization is committed to providing financial and technical assistance for Sri Lanka’s key government projects.

This statement was made during a meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and representatives of the World Bank held today (21) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the discussion, consensus was reached to extend financial and technical support for programs aimed at generating employment for youth, the “Clean Sri Lanka” project, poverty alleviation in rural areas, and digital transformation projects.

New projects in the areas of education, energy, digitalization, and Northern development were also discussed for potential support.

Mr. Martin Raiser assured that the World Bank would ensure the timely disbursement of approved financial assistance for Sri Lanka.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized that rural poverty could be alleviated by developing the education sector. He called on the World Bank representatives to support the government’s ongoing educational reforms and requested assistance for the development of the public transportation sector.

Despite 28% of Sri Lanka’s labour force being engaged in agriculture, the sector contributes only around 6% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The President highlighted that this contribution is insufficient and needs improvement.
The President explained the government’s plans to provide essential facilities for the population, given the country’s high population density.

The meeting also covered the government’s strategies for youth employment generation and the implementation of new programs to attract tourists in 2025.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake also revealed plans for the rapid development of ports and airports and stated that the government is focused on speeding up port development initiatives.
Special attention is being directed toward Northern development, with plans to establish three investment zones in the Northern Province.

The President added that efforts are underway to enhance tourism in the north, improve water facilities, and address the social issues of the Northern population while preserving their cultural identity.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; World Bank Regional Country Director for Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, David Sislen; the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Gevorg Sargsyan; and the Vice President’s Special Assistant, Kishan Abeygunawardena.
(President’s Media Division)

News

CMC Mayor to be elected on June 02

Published

39 seconds ago

May 14, 2025

editor

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) will be elected on June 02, under the supervision of the Commissioner of Local Government.

The vote comes as no single party secured a clear majority at the recently concluded LG polls.

The candidate who secures over 50% in the vote – whether from the government or opposition, will be appointed as the new Mayor.At the LG polls, the National People’s Power (NPP) won the most number of seats – 48 out of 119, but fell short of the 60 needed to claim a majority and form a council on its own.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) came second with 29 seats, while the United National Party (UNP) secured 13. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) won five and four seats respectively.

News

Long-distance buses to undergo special inspections

Published

26 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

editor

The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has instructed all Officers-in-Charge (OIC) and senior police officers to conduct special inspections on long-distance passenger buses.

The Police Media Division stated that the directive comes in response to the increasing number of road accidents involving long-distance buses.

These inspections will mainly be conducted at night, focusing on drunk driving, drug use, and reckless driving.

The Acting IGP has issued firm instructions for special police teams to be deployed at strategic locations across various police divisions to monitor and inspect buses and other vehicles operating during night hours.

Additionally, he has directed officers attached to Police Motorcycle Patrol Units to identify and take legal action against buses driven recklessly.

News

Govt. to maintain 6-month safety stock of medicines

Published

28 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

editor

The Sri Lankan government has decided to maintain a safety stock of medicines to mitigate the ongoing shortages in the country.

Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijayamuni stated that this move is in response to recurring issues such as tender cancellations and the rejection of medicine consignments following quality inspections.

These problems have been key contributors to medicine shortages in recent months.

According to Dr. Wijayamuni, the planned emergency stockpile will be sufficient to meet the country’s needs for a period of six months.

To ensure a stable supply, the government intends to directly import medicines through agreements with the governments of countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the United States.

Dr. Wijayamuni further explained that by maintaining such a buffer stock, the additional expenses currently incurred by purchasing medicines from the open market can also be reduced significantly.

He added that a Cabinet paper will be submitted shortly to formalise and implement this initiative.

(News 1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)