The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong, paid a courtesy call on the newly elected Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on Jan. 01 at the Parliamentary premises.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera.
During the meeting, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong presented the letter of greetings from Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China (Speaker of the Parliament of the People’s Republic of China) – Hon. Zhao Leji to the newly elected Speaker.
The Ambassador extended New Year wishes and emphasized the longstanding cooperation between the two nations. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between two legislative bodies in the future, particularly through exchange programs.
The Speaker reflected on his prior experience as Deputy Director of the China – Sri Lanka Friendship National Nephrology Specialized Hospital in Polonnaruwa and expressed gratitude for Chinese development projects in Sri Lanka, which have been highly beneficial to the people of Sri Lanka. He also expressed interest in reviving the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Tenth Parliament to strengthen ties between two parliaments.
Ambassador Qi further highlighted the preparations underway for the first state visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to China, describing that this historical event would further enhance bilateral relations.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from June 23 – 26, 2025.
This marks the first visit by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Sri Lanka since February 2016. During the visit, the High Commissioner is scheduled to call on the President and the Prime Minister. He will also hold meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, several other Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior Government officials, religious leaders, representatives of civil society, members of the diplomatic community, and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.
As part of the programme, the High Commissioner will travel to Kandy where he will pay respects to The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and call on the Chief Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters. He will also travel to Jaffna and Trincomalee where he will meet with the Governors of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Substantive discussions during the visit will focus on further advancing the promotion and protection of human rights and reconciliation, in line with the Government of Sri Lanka’s ongoing constructive engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Three officials from the Narahenpita branch of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), including the Deputy Commissioner, have been remanded until July 07 following allegations of accepting bribes totaling nearly Rs. 04 million.
The suspects were presented before Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali Jayatunga earlier today (June 20) and court ordered their continued detention as investigations are continuing.Authorities allege that the officials solicited bribes from members of the public seeking vehicle licenses and registration services with these bribes reportedly discovered in their possession during the arrest.
Minister Bimal Ratnayake revealed in Parliament today (June 20) financial losses running upto to billions of rupees has occured due to politically influenced changes made to the original design of the Southern Expressway.
He stated that two interchanges, which were not included in the expressway’s initial plan, were constructed under political pressure – leading to unnecessary cost escalations and inefficiencies.
These interchanges are located in Kapuduwa and Bedigama, the minister revealed.
Minister Ratnayake emphasized the need to protect large-scale infrastructure projects from political interference to avoid waste of public funds and ensure proper planning and execution.
He also revealed that there is only one rest area in the Southern Expressway which has been leased by the Rajapaksas for a prolonged period of 99 years for a mere Rs. 10,000.