President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on an official four-day visit to China, led the delegation to Huawei’s research and development centre in Beijing today where an agreement was signed formalizing Huawei’s support for the digitization of Sri Lankan schools.
Mr. Simon Ling, Deputy Chairman of Huawei in China, announced his company’s readiness to support an annual study program aimed at nurturing software and hardware engineers in Sri Lanka. He mentioned that Huawei has already initiated collaborations with several Sri Lankan universities, not only in academic assistance but also in providing technology and infrastructure.
President Wickremesinghe highlighted his visit’s purpose, which is to discuss Sri Lanka’s future.
He emphasized the crucial role of both the Chinese Government and Huawei in supporting Sri Lanka’s digital education system and green energy production. President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the need for Sri Lanka to build a competitive digital and green economy to face the challenges of the future. He noted that the foundational work for this transformation is already underway.
The discussions extended to the importance of empowering Sri Lankan citizens with digital technology, which is closely linked to the nation’s economic growth. The Sri Lankan delegation was also briefed on Huawei’s international services and their latest technological advancements.
Additionally, an agreement was signed during this visit, formalizing Huawei’s support for the digitization of Sri Lankan schools.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Ali Sabry, Minister of Transport and Mass Media Dr Bandula Gunawardena, Senior Presidential Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayaka were also present on this occasion.
Also, the Sri Lankan delegation led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with the heads of a number of leading entrepreneurial organizations including the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
The All Island Canteen and Restaurant Owners’ Association (AICROA) has decided to increase the prices of all canteen and hotel food items from midnight today.
Association Chairman Harshana Rukshan said that the price of a cup of plain tea will increase by Rs. 5, a cup of milk tea by Rs. 10, a plate of fried rice and kottu by Rs. 30, and the prices of short eats by Rs. 10.
Addressing the media, he said that no concessions were provided for canteen and restaurant owners in the recent budget.
“Even though the price of a packet of salt has increased to Rs. 200, the price of an egg has risen again to Rs. 35, a kilogram of chicken costs more than Rs. 1,000 and the price of coconuts has reached a maximum of Rs. 220, we did not request the President to reduce the prices of any of these items.
“Unfortunately, no support has been provided for the protection of canteens and restaurants in the country,” he added.
(dailymirror.lk)
(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)
Indictments have been served against former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne before the Colombo High Court today (Feb. 18).
He faces charges of allegedly committing an offence of “corruption” by influencing officials of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to deposit an amount of Rs. 494,000 to an account of a bank in Chilaw, during his tenure as the Minister of Civil Aviation.
The indictment sheets, filed by the Bribery Commission, were handed over to the court before the High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne today.
The judge subsequently ordered to release the ex-minister on two surety bails of Rs. 500,000 each
Bakery owners have agreed to reduce the price of a loaf of bread by Rs. 10, according to the Ministry of Trade.
This follows a decision by two leading flour manufacturers in Sri Lanka – Serendib Flour Mills and Prima, to reduce the price of wheat flour by Rs. 10 per kilogramme.