News

PM set to visit China tomorrow

Published

2 months ago

March 24, 2024

nipuni

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena, is set to undertake an official visit to China from March 25th to 30th, following an invitation from Chinese Premier Li Qiang, announced foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Friday.

During the visit, Prime Minister Gunawardena will have significant engagements, including meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li, and Zhao Leji, the chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (The third-highest member of the Chinese Communist Party).

He will also be the chief guest at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference being held at Boao in South China’s Hainan Province.

The event will focus on how the international community could work together to deal with challenges and shoulder responsibility, a statement issued by the organisers said.

The leaders will have an in-depth exchange of views on continuing China-Sri Lanka traditional friendship, deepening political mutual trust, expanding practical cooperation, as well as international and regional issues of common interest, the spokesperson said.

China and Sri Lanka are neighboring countries that share traditional friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1957, the two countries have always helped each other, setting a good example of equal treatment and friendly coexistence between countries, Lin said.

In recent years, China and Sri Lanka have witnessed frequent high-level exchanges, enhanced political mutual trust, increasingly close exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, culture and other fields, and sound communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, Lin noted.

Last October, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, where President Xi had an in-depth exchange of views with him, and they reached an important consensus on developing China-Sri Lanka relations, Lin said.

Noting that China attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, Lin said China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to jointly promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and push for new progress in developing China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and lasting friendship.

News

President calls for unified environment, climate change law

Published

4 hours ago

May 8, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized on-going efforts to enact unified legislation addressing environmental protection and climate change. He highlighted the government’s commitment to crafting economic policies geared not only towards fostering export-oriented competitiveness but also towards transitioning to a green economy, aiming to achieve net-zero by 2050.

Acknowledging the recent prolonged spells of extreme climate conditions as indicative of future climate change impacts, the President stressed the urgency of addressing climate mitigation measures promptly.
He made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the Sri Lanka Climate Summit which commenced yesterday (07) at the Shangri-La, Colombo.

The inaugural Sri Lankan Climate Change Conference, hosted by the Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce, commenced yesterday under the theme “Climate Action for our Nation and the Planet.” Scheduled to run until May 09, the summit aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted climate crisis, both from a global and national standpoint. It seeks to assess potential disruptions to critical sectors of the economy and deliberate on policy reforms necessary for transitioning towards a low-emission, climate-resilient economic framework.

During his address, President Wickremesinghe highlighted the nation’s proactive approach to combating climate change. He announced the establishment of a dedicated climate change centre in Sri Lanka and his instructions to the officials to model legislation based on the United Kingdom’s Climate Act, endorsed by global financial institutions. The President emphasized the significance of Sri Lanka’s role in addressing climate change, particularly within the Indian Ocean and the tropical belt and outlined plans for the International Climate Change University to be established in the country.

News

2100 Grama Niladhari officers given appointments

Published

4 hours ago

May 8, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed that the enhancement of the rural economy pivots on agricultural advancement. He highlighted the pivotal role of dedicated government officials at the grassroots level in ensuring the success of various government initiatives aimed at rural development, notably the agricultural modernization program.

The President made these remarks during his address at the ceremony held at the Temple Trees today (08), where 2100 new Grama Niladhari officers were awarded appointment letters.

Following the Grama Niladhari Service Examination held by the Department of Examinations on 02nd December, 2023, 2100 candidates with the highest scores at the Divisional Secretariat Divisional Level were granted Grama Niladhari positions.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe participated symbolically in distributing the appointment letters. He briefed the new GN Officers on government initiatives like “Aswesuma” and “Urumaya”, aimed at uplifting low-income individuals, urging them to actively engage in these programs for the economic development of their communities.

News

CoPF summons Public Security Secretary & Immigration CG

Published

4 hours ago

May 8, 2024

editor

The Committee of Public Finance (CoPF) has summoned the Secretary of the Public Security ministry and the Controller General of Immigration tomorrow (May 09) for a ‘balanced inquiry in to the ongoing visa fiasco’, the CoPF Chairman – Dr. Harsha de Silva has said.

“While it is customary for all public finance related legislation be routed through COPF, this strangely was not,” he has added on X.