U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Julie Chung, met with the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliamentary premises on January 24.
Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, was also present on the occasion.
The ambassador expressed her warm congratulations to the Speaker, who in return, extended his felicitations to the newly elected President of the United States.
She also welcomed the revival of the Sri Lanka – United States of America Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Tenth Parliament, emphasizing its importance in strengthening bilateral ties.
During the discussion, Dr. Wickramaratne expressed his deep appreciation for the United States’ steadfast support during critical times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Sri Lanka’s recent economic challenges. He acknowledged the U.S. government’s continued assistance to the Parliament and highlighted the importance of furthering cooperation between the two nations.
Ambassador Chung emphasized the shared democratic values between the United States and Sri Lanka. She noted the potential for deeper collaboration through initiatives such as the Open Government Partnership, which fosters transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance. The Ambassador also commended the notable increase in women representation within the Parliament of Sri Lanka and reiterated U.S. support for the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
Further discussions focused on topics such as deepen parliamentary collaboration, enhance institutional capacities, and exchange best practices to strengthen democratic governance.
Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic, and Ocean Resources, Rathna Gamage, announced that the Ministry is exploring options to produce ice to meet the needs of the fishing community.
This decision comes after unsuccessful discussions with ice mill owners to secure ice at a reasonable price.
The Ministry had requested ice mills to provide one ice cube for Rs. 400, a proposal aimed at easing the financial burden on fishermen.
Police have arrested two individuals, including a social media activist who operated a fake account under the name ‘Little Harts,’ for allegedly swindling Rs 2.9 million through an online scam.
The suspects, identified as Senadheerage Dulan Maheshitha, 28, from Nochchiyagama, and Manikkuge Sandaruwan Silva, 23, from Palaviya, were apprehended in the Kalpitiya and Norochcholai areas.
According to authorities, the duo operated a fraudulent website offering various prizes, through which they deceitfully collected money from unsuspecting victims. The suspects are set to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate today.
The arrests highlight the growing concerns over online scams and the misuse of social media platforms for illegal activities. Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious online activities to prevent falling victim to such schemes.