News

UNDP to support SL in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals

Published

8 months ago

February 6, 2023

editor

Representatives of the United Nations Development Program said that Sri Lanka will be supported in achieving the country’s Sustainable Development Goals.

They stated this during a recent discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat about adding sustainable development goals to budgeting.

The discussion was chaired by President’s Senior Adviser on Climate Change Mr Ruwan Wijewardena and President’s Adviser on Environment and Sustainable Finance Professor Ananda Malavitantri, representing the United Nations Development Program, its Resident Representative Azusa Kubota, Budget Consultant, Adviser Asif Shah, Integration Specialist Ms Dulani Sirisena and Afraa Mohamed, Policy, Research and Engagement Assistant, were present at the discussion.

The rationale for integrating sustainable development goals into public financial management systems was discussed at length and the main benefits of development goals and budgeting were also discussed.

Attention was also paid to providing an effective basis for budget decisions with improved data to reduce fiscal space and fiscal gaps, assist government and donor negotiations by introducing efficient mechanisms to protect social sector spending, identify funding gaps and under-resource priorities to support effective targeting of resources.

Further, promoting policy coherence and assisting in getting more value for money from public investments, raising public awareness of government actions by ensuring transparency in public financial allocations to achieve sustainable development goals, benefits such as providing a proper system for resource mobilization, and identifying priorities in the annual budget through sustainable development goals/climate/gender-based budget targets, were also discussed at length.

In addition, the practical problems arising within that process and how to prevent those problems were also extensively examined in this discussion.

Representing the Sustainable Development Council, Director General Chamindri Saparamdu and Assistant Director Nadika Amarasinghe, Presidential Coordinating Secretary Rajitha Abeygunasekara and Director Sajana Suriyaarachchi also participated in this discussion.

News

Inflation in SL decreased by 62.1% – Siyambalapitiya

Published

4 hours ago

September 21, 2023

editor

Acting Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced that over the past year, inflation in Sri Lanka has significantly decreased by 62.1%, thanks to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s robust economic reform agenda.

Mr. Siyambalapitiya also highlighted that inflation, which stood at 66.7% during the first and second quarters of 2022, has now plummeted to just 4.6% for the same period in 2023.

He made this announcement during a press conference held today (21) at the Presidential Media Center, focusing on the theme of ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country.

News

SL President meets US President Joe Biden

Published

4 hours ago

September 21, 2023

editor

President Joe Biden of the United States and President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in a cordial meeting yesterday (20) in New York.

This high-profile meeting unfolded amidst a lavish dinner hosted by President Biden, gathering all the heads of state who had participated in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The encounter began with a warm welcome from President Joe Biden, who extended his hospitality to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The leaders engaged in a cordial and insightful conversation, touching upon various topics of global importance. Following their discussions, they joined their fellow heads of state for a group photograph, symbolizing the spirit of international cooperation.

Adding to the diplomatic tableau, President Wickremesinghe, Professor Maithri Wickramasinghe and Mr. and Mrs. Biden posed for a photograph.

(President’s Media Division)

News

MCC consents to cancel nominations submitted for LG polls

Published

4 hours ago

September 21, 2023

editor

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government unanimously consented to cancel the nominations submitted for the Local Government Elections given that those who have submitted nominations have faced great difficulties due to the postponement of the elections.

The unanimous consent was given at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government held yesterday (20) in Parliament Chaired Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

A discussion was held regarding the obstacles faced by the field officials to run for elections in their electorate and the current status regarding the amendment to the relevant Act to remove such obstacles. The officials present stated that according to the instructions received by the Attorney General, if an amendment is required to revert a legislation to its former state, a 2/3 majority and a referendum is required for the said purpose.

Furthermore, a progress review regarding systematizing the transferring of Secretaries to the Provincial Councils, and the transferring of Divisional secretaries as mentioned in the service constitution was discussed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee meeting held.

Attention was also drawn to the fact that provincial council government officials are not placed with due diligence. Accordingly, the Prime Minister also emphasized that the transfers of all administrative officers including divisional secretaries should be done properly.

Given that there is no new decision on making new recruitments to the public service at the moment, and since there are vacancies in the provincial and overall public service, considering the already existing employees who have passed the Management Service officer to grade III limited competitive examination to fill the existing vacancies was also discussed at the Committee meeting held.