News

Orientation programme for newly appointed SL heads of Mission

Published

5 months ago

December 28, 2022

editor

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted an orientation programme from 16 – 23 December, for 14 newly designated Heads of Sri Lanka Missions abroad and two (02) Heads of Post who were recently appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Those appointed are due to assume duties shortly.

The Foreign Ministry welcomes the appointment of a large number of career diplomats as Heads of Mission. Twelve (12) of the new Heads of Mission designate and one (01) Head of Post are members of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service.

The orientation programme was inaugurated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry who highlighted the current priorities for Sri Lanka Missions and foreign policy challenges. Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane emphasized on the leadership role of Heads of Mission in achieving the goals and objectives of the country. The orientation programme included discussions on economic, political, security, cultural and consular matters and field visits to the Northern Province as well as other government entities. The Ambassadors designate presented their strategies for their term of office at a panel discussion attended by Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya and Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane. The Heads of Mission designate paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and will pay a courtesy call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe in due course.

The newly appointed Heads of Mission designate from the Foreign Service include, Permanent Representative designate to the UN in Geneva Himalee Arunathilaka, Ambassador designate to Bahrain Reethi Wijeratne, High Commissioner designate to Australia Chitranganee Wagiswara, Ambassador designate to Vietnam Dr. Saj Mendis, Ambassador designate to France Manisha Gunasekera, , Ambassador designate to Kuwait B. Kandeepan, Ambassador designate to Ethiopia & Africa Union Theshantha Kumarasiri, Ambassador designate to Germany Varuni Muthukumarana, Ambassador designate to Lebanon Kapila Jayaweera, , Ambassador designate to Jordan Priyangika Wijegunasekara, Ambassador designate to the Philippines Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa, Ambassador designate to Israel Nimal Bandara and Consul General designate to Milan Dilani Weerakoon.

In addition, Ambassador designate to Indonesia Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Ambassador designate to the UAE Udaya Indrarathna and, Consul General in Melbourne Sandith Samarasinghe have also been appointed.

News

SL records highest export revenue last year

Published

45 mins ago

June 8, 2023

editor

The highest export revenue in Sri Lankan history, which was USD 13.1 billion, was recorded last year, Plantation Industries and Industries Minister Ramesh Pathirana said.

He said this when the Advisory Committee of the Ministry convened in Parliament recently.

The minister said that 22 car and three-wheeler assembling plants are currently operative in the country and through the restriction of imports, a great progress can be seen in the industries.

Many issues related to gems and jewellery, clay, cashews, cane and bamboo industries were brought to the attention of the committee by the MPs and the minister has given instructions to the officials including the ministry secretary to take immediate action in this regard.

The minister further said that industrial development will be carried out in 20 identified areas.

News

Family of pickpockets arrested!

Published

2 hours ago

June 8, 2023

editor

A man who got into buses with wife and three children and then stole mobile phones and wallets of passengers was arrested along with 5,200 milligrams of heroin, the Piliyandala Police said.

During the interrogation of the suspect, police found nearly 20 stolen mobile phones worth over Rs.1 million.

Piliyandala Crimes OIC IP Dinesh Hettiarachchi, who has been paying attention to several complaints received from youths and school children regarding the loss of mobile phones in buses, has arrested the suspect in Miriswatta based on CCTV footage.

A police officer said that the wife and three children were with the suspect at the time of his arrest, and the three children had started crying requesting not to take their father away.

The 33-year-old suspect, a resident of Pothupitiya in Wadduwa, failed to give a valid reason as to why he was in Piliyandala with his wife and children.

Investigations revealed that the mobile phones of school children and women in buses were stolen meticulously by the suspect along Route No. 138 Homagama-Pettah and Route No. 296 Piliyandala-Maharagama.

Police said that they were able to find the stolen mobile phones which had been sold at a very low price in Badowita, Mt.Lavinia and Pettah.

The suspect will be produced in the Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court.

News

‘Murawatte Kabaraya’ hospitalized!

Published

2 hours ago

June 8, 2023

editor

A suspect, who was recaptured after escaping from the custody of the Kalutara Prison officers, was hospitalized due to injuries sustained after he banged his head against the iron door of the police cell, Panadura North Police said.

The suspect was identified as 32-year-old ‘Murawatte Kabaraya’, a resident of Koralawella, Moratuwa.

Police sources said that the suspect was arrested yesterday (07) by a group of officers of the crimes division.

He was admitted to the Panadura Base Hospital in a ‘Suwa Seriya’ ambulance.