News

President holds high-level talks in New York

Published

2 years ago

September 20, 2023

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is currently in New York for the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held meetings with several state leaders and diplomats yesterday.

President Wickremesinghe held a meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday (19) where the two leaders talked about various aspects of bilateral relations and cooperation.

Prime Minister Hasina informed President Wickremesinghe that she was pleased with Sri Lanka’s speedy recovery from the financial crisis, adding that she had not expected Sri Lanka to pay back the loan so fast.

During the discussions, President Wickremesinghe extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Hasina and the people of Bangladesh for their unwavering support and assistance to Sri Lanka during challenging times.

President Wickremesinghe also met with USAID Administrator Samantha Power.

Progress of IMF Programme

The President presented a short briefing on the progress with the IMF programme, while highlighting the Government’s commitment to its successful conclusion.

Ms. Power said that USAID would continue to support Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts, while also making available necessary expertise.

Sri Lanka-Nepal ties

Meanwhile, President Wickremesinghe also met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal of Nepal.

During the meeting, President Wickremesinghe stated that Sri Lanka is keen to expand its longstanding relationship with Nepal into a dynamic political, trade and business partnership by diversifying the areas of cooperation.

He stated that the inaugural session of the Sri Lanka – Nepal Joint Commission that is scheduled to be held at the end of the year in Kathmandu this year, would be an important step.

Prime Minister Dahal stated that there is a close understanding and cooperation between the two countries and expressed confidence that this will be further strengthened in the coming years.

News

Officials protest against AASL cabs being transferred to ministry

Published

11 minutes ago

March 24, 2025

editor

Officials have strongly opposed the decision to transfer five new cab vehicles belonging to the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, in exchange for five older cabs owned by the ministry.

The cabs to be taken over to the ministry bear the numbers : WP PI 3785, WP PI 3797, WP PJ 2241, WP PJ 2231, and WP PJ 2229.

Noting that these vehicles are used for official duties at airports across the country, AASL officials point out that transferring them would disrupt necessary travel for work.

It is also reported that these vehicles are currently used by officials for duties at airports located in Mattala, Batticaloa, Jaffna, and other areas.

Meanwhile, media reports have also cited that these vehicles are planned to be given to MPs who do not have vehicles.

News

Sajith refutes report on joint opposition

Published

45 minutes ago

March 24, 2025

editor

Opposition leader – Sajith Premadasa has refuted a news report claiming the formation of a joint opposition.

The report on the ‘Deshaya’ newspaper had claimed that Premadasa was holding talks with former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe as well as with SLPP MP – Namal Rajapaksa to form a joint opposition.

Taking to X, Premadasa has termed the report as ‘fake news.’

FAKE NEWS! pic.twitter.com/tmGDmGn85H
— Sajith Premadasa (@sajithpremadasa) March 23, 2025

News

First sperm bank launched in Sri Lanka

Published

1 hour ago

March 24, 2025

editor

For the first time in Sri Lanka, a sperm bank has been launched yesterday (March 23) within a government hospital – at the Castle Street Hospital for Women in Colombo 08.

This initiative aims to provide hope for individuals and couples facing fertility challenges by offering access to high-quality donor sperm for fertility treatments.

Accordingly, the donation process is designed to be straightforward, requiring donors to undergo only a few medical tests.

Hospital Director Dr. Ajith Kumara Danthanarayana assures that both donor anonymity and recipient privacy will be fully protected, in line with international medical standards.

To ensure the safety and quality of sperm donations, all donors will be required to undergo a series of medical tests before their samples are accepted.

Further commenting, Dr. Ajith Danthanarayana said, “This sperm bank has been functioning for some time now. Through this, we have identified mothers and fathers experiencing infertility issues.”

Donors willing to support parents having infertility issues, can contact the sperm bank at Castle Street Women’s Hospital through the following numbers: 0112 678999 / 0112672216