News

“Dalai Lama’s visit could damage SL – China friendship” (Video / Pics)

Published

2 years ago

January 16, 2023

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Charge d’affairs of the Chinese embassy in Colombo – Mr. Hu Wei points out that a visit by the spiritual leader – Dalai Lama could damage the friendship between Sri Lanka and China.

He said this during an exclusive interview with ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ at the Nellligala Temple, Kandy, after the conclusion of the Fa Xian project in Kandy district.

Explaining the mutual trust between the two countries is based on the ‘One China policy’, Mr. Hu explained that Tibet is not an independent country but a part of China, just like Jaffna or Kandy are a part of Sri Lanka.

He further noted that during his trip to Kandy, he had talks with the Buddhist monks including the Maha Nayaka Theros, who assured him that none of them had invited the Dalai Lama to visit Sri Lanka.

Working hard for a solution to the debt issue

Speaking on the debt restructuring process, Mr. Hu said that they have been talking to the Sri Lankan government since the debt default was announced but things got delayed with the situation last year and government change.

“It doesn’t matter what happened before but we are trying to focus on what is happening now and in the future. At this moment, my colleagues in Beijing are working very hard to find a solution for the debt issue,” he said.

Time to do more

Speaking on the future steps of the Fa Xian project, Mr. Hu also said that they hope to cover the entire island with the project and they are talking to Beijing to let more Chinese people know of the difficulties faced by Sri Lankans at this juncture.

“I think they are more than happy to extend their helping hand,” Mr. Hu said, adding that all Sri Lankans are their friends regardless of the city they live, their ethnicity or their religious belief.

“Just like what you did before for us, now it is time for us to do more for our Sri Lankan friends because you are in difficulties… When it is a good time, everybody is your friend but when it is a bad time, you know who is your true friend,” he added.

The Fa Xian Charity Project was conducted in Kandy on 11th & 12th Jan.

As a donation by the People’s Republic of China, dry rations boxes were distributed to 9,600 disadvantaged families of all ethnicities through several temples in the Kandy district, including the Temple of the Tooth and Nelligala Temple.

(Pics & Video : Kelum Shivantha | Shanika Jayasekara)

News

Trishaw fares to remain unchanged

Published

3 hours ago

April 1, 2025

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Despite the Rs. 10 reduction in petrol prices, there is no possibility of lowering

The All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Association (AITWA) has said that it will not be possible to reduces three-wheeler fares, despite yesterday’s reduction on petrol prices.

AITWA President Lalith Dharmasekara has said that instead of reducing fares, the government should intervene to introduce formal regulations to provide a more efficient service to the public.

Noting that petrol prices have only decreased by Rs. 10 per litre, reducing fares by 50 cents per kilometre is not practical, he has pointed out.

News

“Palessa” launched to provide affordable & nutritious meals

Published

3 hours ago

April 1, 2025

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A new government initiative aimed at ensuring food security and making nutritious meals affordable for the public was officially launched today (April 01) at the “Palessa” restaurant of the National Food Promotion Board in Narahenpita.

This project is being implemented in collaboration with the National Food Promotion Board, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture. It also involves the support of existing restaurant businesses and is integrated with the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.

Through this initiative, people can now enjoy specially prepared nutritious meals for as low as Rs. 200. The government also plans to introduce this balanced meal package to both public and private restaurants in the near future.

In addition to cooked meals, a variety of packaged local food products and nutritious snacks will also be made available to the public at affordable prices.

The event’s special guest, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha, emphasized the importance of providing the public with high-quality, healthy, and sufficient meals. He stated that the project was launched in collaboration with the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to guide the public and promote a positive shift in the commercial food sector.

The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, Director Nutrition Division of the Ministry of Health Dr. Monika Wijeratne, senior officials from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Food Promotion Board, as well as business representatives from the private sector.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Election activities in nomination disputed LG institutions, suspended

Published

7 hours ago

April 1, 2025

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The Court of Appeal today (April 01) has directed the relevant Returning Officers to suspend the election activities in Local Government institutions where political parties and independent groups have filed petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers.

This order applies only to LG institutions where the rejection of nominations has been challenged in court.

After considering several petitions, the Court of Appeal bench, comprising Justice (Acting President) M.T. Mohammed Laffar and Justice K.P. Fernando, issued this order which will be effective until tomorrow (April 02).

The petitions were submitted by several parties including ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ alliance and the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) challenging the rejection of their nominations for several local government institutions, including the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).