News
President, Japan FM hold talks on LRT, East Terminal, Central Highway & BIA expansion (Pics)
Visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi has paid a courtesy call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo a short while ago.
During the meeting, the two dignitaries engaged in discussions concerning the bilateral relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka, with a mutual commitment to further strengthen their traditionally robust ties.
President Wickremesinghe expressed his gratitude to the Japanese Government for its support in the debt restructuring process and shared details of French President Emmanuel Macron’s offer, aiming to play a pivotal role in enhancing the common platform for debt restructuring and expediting the process.
Another significant aspect of their talks revolved around key areas of cooperation, namely the Light Rail Transit (LRT), the East Terminal, the Kandy Development Plan, Central Highway, and the expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport.
Both parties expressed the importance of expediting the implementation of these projects.
Additionally, they delved into bilateral, regional, and global issues, emphasizing their shared commitment to maintaining the region as a peaceful and stable area.
President Wickremesinghe also highlighted the investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s high-tech industries, envisioning a transformation from a labour market-oriented economy to one that caters to cutting-edge technological advancements.
This strategic move is expected to present significant prospects for Japanese investors.
The high-level meeting took place in Colombo this morning.
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi arrived in Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit last night.
The Japanese Foreign Minister was received by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
During his stay, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will also hold discussions with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi is being accompanied by Senior Foreign Policy Coordinator MURAKAMI Manabu, Director General Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs ARIMA Yutaka, Director General International Cooperation ENDO Kazuya, Deputy Press Secretary OKANO Yukiko from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan and a 22 – member delegation consisting of officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
The delegation will discuss the on-going debt restructuring process and also development projects which were discussed during Ranil President Wickremesinghe’s visit to Japan in May.
The delegation will also visit one of the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) sites in Sri Lanka.
This is also the first ministerial visit to Colombo from a Japanese delegation since 2019.
(NewsRadio)
News
Sri Lanka signs agreement for Hajj – 2025
Sri Lanka signed the agreement for the Hajj pilgrimage – 2025 on 11 January 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The agreement was signed by the Sri Lankan delegation headed by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka, Dr. Sunil Senevi, and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdulfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat.
This agreement demonstrates the commitment of both governments to enhancing the pilgrimage experience for Sri Lankan Muslims. Minister Senevi is visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah.
During the bilateral meeting which preceded the signing of the agreement, Minister Senevi emphasized the focus of the Government of Sri Lanka on improving the Hajj experience for its citizens, and shared plans for streamlining Hajj operations in the future, aiming for a smoother and more efficient pilgrimage process.
Minister Senevi is also scheduled to meet with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Fawzan Alrabiah and engage with Hajj service providers. The delegation will also visit Madinah, holy Prophet’s city, as well as important cultural sites in Jeddah and Madinah. Further, the Minister engaged in interactions with the Sri Lankan community in Jeddah.
The Sri Lankan delegation includes Deputy Minister of National Integration, Muneer Mulaffar, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, M.R.M. Nawas, Acting Consul General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah, Mafusa Lafir and Hajj Coordinator, Dr. M.N.M. Ahsraff.
News
Talks between Xi – AKD commences (Video / Pics)
The official meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Chinese President Xi Jinping commenced a short while ago at at 05.00 pm Chinese time at the Great Hall of the People.
It is also expected that several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed following bilateral discussions between the two Presidents.
Previously, preparations made for a special welcome ceremony for visiting Sri Lankan President, the official meeting and signing ceremony are as follows :
(Video : CCTV +)
(Pics: PMD)
News
Photo of illuminated Sigiriya, fake – Ministry
The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has refuted reports of opening the historic Sigiriya rock fortress for tourists for night visits.
In a statement, the ministry has said that no decision has been taken to open the Sigiriya rock fortress for foreigners during night time.
The statement further noted that an image of an illuminated Sigiriya rock during night time, which has been making rounds on social media, is also fake.
The statement comes after it was previously reported that the Ministry of Tourism had decided to open the historic Sigiriya rock fortress for tourists on moonlit nights.
It was reported that the programme called ‘Sigiriya in Moon’ will be implemented for five days a month ; two days prior to the full moon day, on the full moon day, and two days after.
Sri Lanka signs agreement for Hajj – 2025
Talks between Xi – AKD commences (Video / Pics)
Photo of illuminated Sigiriya, fake – Ministry
-
BIZ4 days agoNew tax percentages for imported vehicles announced
-
News2 days agoToday marks Duruthu Poya
-
BIZ4 days agoLiquor & cigarette prices upped with excise duty hike
-
News1 day agoPresident AKD warmly welcomed in Beijing ( Video / Pics )
-
News3 days agoGovt. repurposes luxury ministerial residences, cuts excessive MP privileges
-
News2 days agoChina ready to carry forward traditional friendship with Sri Lanka: spokesman
-
News2 days agoMountain of debt at Fisheries Ministry
-
News4 days agoPresident AKD to meet Chinese President & PM