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Independence Day ceremony to be held on behalf of masses from 2025

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the government officials should be responsible for the pertinence and the benefits of the development projects implemented in the country on behalf of the people.

The Prime Minister expressed these views in a discussion held recently (09th) with senior officials of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government regarding the future plans and the existing problems.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, further mentioned that, Government officials should have the ability to form a good conversation with the relevant parties by using their expert knowledge in all government development projects carried out under local and foreign financial allocations. As the government, we provide the necessary guidance. Therefore, in such cases, make sure to conduct regular discussions with the relevant parties. As government officials, you have a responsibility to carry out relevant development projects under favorable conditions for the government. Most of these projects are implemented on loans. All of these loans have to be paid back by the people of this country. Therefore, decide with a community friendly feeling whether the relevant development project is suitable for the country or not before initiating the projects. Our government is ready to stand for such officials at any time.

Until now, the Independence Day celebrations in this country were held on behalf of the elite. The government expects to hold the Independence ceremony on behalf of ordinary people of the country from 2025. The Independence Day celebrations should be organized in a way that school children and ordinary people are not oppressed.

Don’t get handing over of official residences of ministers as a political revenge. It’s a must to hand over the official residences with the abolition of the post of minister. Make a reminder to those who have not handed over their official residences yet. If there is no response, enforce the law.

Further, officials of the ministry explained the facts regarding the news that has emerged in the society on the transfer of a land to Sirimavo Bandaranaike College, to the Prime Minister.

It was revealed that then Government had decided to transfer two parcels of lands on both sides of the relevant school and the official residence used by the former minister Mahinda Amaraweera to Sirimavo Bandaranaike College, based on a proposal submitted by the then minister of education in 1994, Mr. Richard Pathirana which was passed by the cabinet of ministers and even though then government had taken measures to hand over the land bearing No. 11 to the school with the approval of the relevant proposal, due to the existence of an official residence on the land bearing No. 3, this transfer has not been taken place until now. Accordingly, the Prime Minister mentioned that the house in question should be taken over immediately, and required surveys should be done and the necessary measures should be made to hand over the said land to the school.

Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministries of Justice, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government and Labor Ministry S. Alokabandara and senior officials have participated in this event.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Let’s build a nation rooted in historical heritage (Pics)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that a society cannot progress without a meaningful connection to its historic heritage and that the nation’s development path must be chosen accordingly.

The President made these remarks while addressing a ceremonial gathering yesterday (July 10) afternoon at the historic Ruhunu Kataragama sacred site.  

Earlier in the day, President Dissanayake visited the sacred grounds of Kataragama, participated in religious observances and later paid a courtesy call on the Venerable Kobawaka Dhamminda Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the historic Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya, inquiring about his well-being and engaging in a brief discussion.

The President also attended the final Randoli Maha Perahera (Golden Chariot Grand Procession) of the annual Esala Festival at the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, where he witnessed the ceremonial placement of the sacred relic casket upon the relic bearing tusker.  

Addressing the gathering, President Dissanayake further emphasised that a nation can only move forward by maintaining continuity with its historic heritage. He noted that every developed country in the world has achieved progress by preserving its historical legacy and building upon it, stressing that Sri Lanka, too, must choose a development path anchored in its heritage.

The President highlighted that Buddhism played a pivotal role in transforming our society into a cultured civilisation and that cultural festivals like this help revive and strengthen the moral and social values of a society often preoccupied with material pursuits.  

He pointed out that the Ruhunu Kataragama Perahera has been held continuously for 2,186 years, spanning nearly a hundred generations and that its survival has been possible due to the deep connection between this cultural ceremony and the lives of the people. The President extended his gratitude to all those, including the Chief Incumbent, who contributed to the success of this year’s procession.  

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, R.M. Jayawardena, Governor of the Uva Province, Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijeweera, Chairman of the Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha, Dharmapala Herath and Monaragala District Secretary Pasan Ratnayake.

(President’s Media Division)

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Charges against Keheliya & others postponed

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The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar has postponed the formal serving of charges against former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and 12 others to Sep. 16, citing delays in the printing of annexures required to accompany the chargesheets.

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, appearing for the prosecution, informed the court that while the chargesheets had already been filed, the annexures had not yet been submitted due to printing delays. She noted that it would cost approximately Rs. 866,565 to print the annexures for each accused and that the documents for all twelve defendants are yet to be prepared.

The Government Printer has indicated that it would take about 21 days to complete the printing. Therefore, the prosecution requested the court to reschedule the case accordingly. The court granted the request and fixed the next hearing for Sep. 16.

The Attorney General has filed 13 charges against the accused, including allegations of conspiring to fraudulently misappropriate Rs. 1.444 billion in public funds by supplying 6,195 vials of human immunoglobulin and non-pharmaceutical substances such as Ritopsimap to the Ministry of Health’s Medical Supplies Division.

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UK’s relaxed trade rules to boost SL exports

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The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries like Sri Lanka after upgrades to the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).

The changes, announced as part of the UK’s wider Trade for Development offer, aim to support economic growth in partner countries, including Sri Lanka, while helping UK businesses and consumers access high-quality, affordable goods.

New measures include simplifying rules of origin, enabling more goods from countries such as Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and the Philippines can enter the UK tariff-free, even when using components from across Asia and Africa.

These changes are expected to be in place by early 2026.

This move strengthens Sri Lanka’s position in its second-largest apparel market, supporting exports, jobs, and economic growth.

The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, said: “This is a win for the Sri Lankan garment sector, and for UK consumers. With the UK being the second largest export market and garments making up over 60% of that trade, we know manufacturers here will welcome this announcement.

“We want Sri Lanka to improve the utilisation of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme for a wider range of goods, not just garments. With the Sri Lankan government’s ambition to grow exports, and with the simplification of rules of origin for other sectors too, we strongly encourage more exporters to explore how they can benefit from the preferences offered by the DCTS. The UK remains committed to working towards creating shared prosperity for both our countries.”

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