News

GoSL – GGGI signs host country agreement

Published

2 years ago

February 7, 2023

editor

A Host Country Agreement was signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) progressing Sri Lanka’s climate action and further deepening Sri Lanka’s green growth development. The agreement was signed in the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Former Secretary General of the UN and the President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Ban Ki-Moon, this afternoon (07).

The agreement was signed, enabling the Government and the GGGI to effectively plan and implement green growth initiatives in the country. It was signed at the Presidential Secretariat by the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Dr Anil Jasinghe, on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government and by the Director General of GGGI Frank Rijsberman on behalf of the GGGI.

These initiatives include the implementation of the on-going National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Readiness Support project, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), to enhance capacity and institutions. The project includes the development of provincial adaptation plans and the identification of climate adaptation investments to implement these plans.

Sri Lanka joined GGGI as a Member in 2019. Sri Lanka was elected as Vice President of the Assembly and Vice Chair of the Council of GGGI in October 2022. GGGI is hosted by the Ministry of Environment at the Climate Change Secretariat and Policy Planning Division.

GGGI is dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. It serves the role of an enabler and facilitator of Members’ transition into a low-carbon green economy, providing policy advice and technical support in the development of green growth plans, policies and regulations, mobilization of green investments, implementation of green growth projects, and development of local capacities and knowledge sharing.

The Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Santhush Woonjin Jeong, Environment Minister Nazeer Ahamed, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Rathnayake, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardene, Advisor to the President Ananda Mallavitantri, Lead Director of ODG of GGGI Dave H. Kim, Head of Programs, GGGI Dr Achala Abeysinghe and Dr Sonali Senaratne participated in this event.

News

Prasanna Ranaweera surrenders to court

Published

15 minutes ago

May 7, 2025

editor

Former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera has surrendered to the court today (May 07).

The court had previously issued an open warrant for his 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.

Related News :

Open arrest warrants for Prasanna & Milroy

News

Major racket at SLBFE bared

Published

1 hour ago

May 7, 2025

editor

Multiple probes have been called following revelations that over 30,000 people, mainly females had been sent overseas for employment without the mandatory job training causing a loss of over Rs.2,500 million to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.

Already six individuals, including an Additional General Manager of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) have been interdicted, but an SLBFE source said a wider network including more officials and foreign employment agents are suspected to be involved.

In addition to an SLBFE probe, complaints will be lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, he added.

In addition to the Additional General Manager other interdicted officers include four Arabic translators and an Administrative Officer, SLBFE sources revealed.

The fraud according to SLBFE sources had taken place during the period from 2022 to August 2024.

Investigations done by the SLBFE have unearthed that over 30,000 individuals mostly women domestic workers were exempted from the mandatory training between 2022 and August 2024 and were sent overseas for employment with the aid of forged documents.

Racketeers had prepared forged documents to show first time overseas employment seekers had prior overseas employment experience in order to avoid the SLBFE mandatory training and relevant fees.

Employment seekers had been charged fees ranging from Rs.70,000 to Rs.130,000 which racketeers allegedly had pocketed, sources said. The SLBFE authorities had issued a circular sometime back allowing those with prior experience and training to migrate for employment again after submitting documental proof regarding their expertise and experience. A committee appointed by the SLBFE approves such employment departures after perusing the relevant documents.

The first time domestic workers are subjected to a training and a fee of around Rs.28,000.

An SLBFE source said racketeers had even forged travel documents and prepared bogus job agreements to show foreign employment aspirants possessed prior experience.

The source also said information has emerged about many female migrant workers who went for overseas jobs in the above manner facing risks and difficulties and even abuse at times due to lack of experience and training.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)