The Government of Sri Lanka has extended financial assistance amounting to USD 01 Million to provide relief to the people of Myanmar affected by the recent earthquake.
The relevant cheque was officially handed over today (April 10) at the Presidential Secretariat by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, to the Ambassador of Myanmar to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Marlar Than Htaik.
Despite the prevailing economic challenges in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador of Myanmar expressed her deep appreciation to President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the Government of Sri Lanka for this gesture of solidarity and support towards the disaster-stricken people of Myanmar.
Furthermore, the Ambassador extended her gratitude for Sri Lanka’s decision to deploy relief teams and medical personnel during this difficult time. She also noted that such acts of compassion further strengthen the longstanding religious and cultural friendship between Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
The Ambassador also briefed the Secretary to the President on the current situation in Myanmar following the earthquake.
Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Roshan Gamage, along with officials from the Embassy of Myanmar, Mr. Winh Wint Khaus Tun and Ms. Lei Yi Win, were also present at this occasion.
Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has filed a petition before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (May 14), seeking anticipatory bail against his possible arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
The application has been filed over his possible arrest over the importation of a shipment of substandard organic fertilizer during the tenure of the previous government.
Following the submission of the petition, Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali issued a notice to the Bribery Commission, directing it to present its position regarding the matter to the court on May 19.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued an official statement over the ministry’s name being used by courses and programmes of the National Youth Services Cooperative (NYSCO).
The ministry states that NYSCO has been unauthorizedly using its name and the official state emblem to promote their courses and while using them in the relevant certificates as well.
The ministry says that they have also appointed a separate committee to investigate the issue, on the directives of the COPE committee.
The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs further reiterated that it is not affiliated with any of the courses or programmes offered by NYSCO.
The full statement issued in this regard, is as follows :
On the instructions of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, the funds allocated from the President’s Fund for those who lost their lives in the recent bus accident in the Garandi Ella area, Kotmale have now been forwarded to the relevant Divisional Secretariats.
Accordingly, a sum of Rs. 1 million will be provided for each individual who lost their life in the accident, and the funds will be handed over to their respective family members.
These funds have been released to the Divisional Secretariats of the following areas -Tissamaharama, Lunugamvehera, Welimada, Haldummulla, Ella, Kundasale, Bamunakotuwa, Paduwasnuwara West, Polpithigama, Wanathawilluwa, Chilaw, Buttala, Thanamalwila, Wellawaya, Kanthale and Rambewa where the 22 individuals who lost their lives in the accident were residents.