Prime Minister of Sri Lanka – Dinesh Gunawardena arrived in Beijing earlier today (March 25) for a six-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
He was received by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister – Sun Weidong and officials of the Sri Lankan embassy in Beijing including and Acting Ambassador K.K. Yoganandan.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Xi Jinping will meet with PM Gunawardena. The visiting Sri Lankan PM will also hold talks with his Chinese counterpart as well as with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.
During PM Gunawardena’s visit, the leaders will have an in-depth exchange of views on continuing China-Sri Lanka traditional friendship, deepening political mutual trust, expanding practical cooperation, and on international and regional issues of common interest, Chinese state media reports.
The Prime Minister will be the Chief Guest at China’s premier annual international conference in Boao in Hainan. This year’s Boao forum, which will be held under the theme – ’Asia and the World: Common Challenges, Shared Responsibilities’, will be attended by several heads of state and top-level foreign delegates.
He was accompanied by State Ministers Shehan Semasinghe and Ashoka Priyantha, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka – Qi Zhenhong, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake and senior officials.
According to the Prime Minister’s media, the PM is also scheduled to visit China Harbour Headquarters, Huawei, Zhongguancun Environmental Protection Park, National Satellite Meteorological Centre in Beijing and Academy of Tropical Sciences in Hainan. In Shanghai, he will visit Alipay, CTripp, Dilmah Tea and Universal Energy in addition to meetings with Shanghai officials.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has raised concerns over a serious shortage of essential medicines in Sri Lanka’s healthcare system, including painkillers, antibiotics, and drugs for high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney diseases.
GMOA media spokesperson – Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe has stated that, according to official data as of May, around 180 essential medicines, along with various medical and surgical equipment, are currently in short supply.
He also emphasized that cancer patients in particular, have been impacted by months-long shortages of a key drug, resulting in treatment limitations.
The acceptance of applications for medical assistance under the President’s Fund through Divisional Secretariats island wide commenced on February 7. Following the successful implementation of that initiative, preparations have now been completed to expand the digital system to include all other services offered by the Fund.
Accordingly, the public will be able to apply online via any Divisional Secretariat across the country for a wide range of services provided under the President’s Fund. These include assistance for poverty alleviation, provision of educational scholarships, recognition of students demonstrating academic excellence, support for individuals with special needs, relief assistance for children affected by wild elephant conflict, recognition of individuals for their national service or contributions to the country, Emergency and disaster relief.
This digital transformation marks a significant milestone, as it enables people across Sri Lanka to access services of the President’s Fund from anywhere in the country for the first time in its 47-year history, which had previously been limited to Colombo-based operations.
This move comes as a result of a decision taken by the Board of Governors of the President’s Fund, chaired by the President. It is expected to broaden access to assistance for a larger number of beneficiaries while also minimizing opportunities for misuse of the Fund.
Charred remains of a police officer have been discovered inside a three-wheeler at Kammal Thotupola beach in Kochchikade, Negombo this morning (June 14).
The deceased has been identified as 56-year-old Jayantha Pushpakumara, a police sergeant driver attached to the Negombo Divisional Criminal Investigation Unit and a resident of Dalupatha, Negombo.
Residents who had discovered the scene today morning had alerted the Kochchikade Police.
Investigations have since been launched by the Kochchikade Police in coordination with the Negombo SSP’s office.
No further details have yet been revealed.
The remains will be taken to the Negombo General Hospital for a post-mortem examination following the Magistrate’s inquest.
