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SL officials attend seminar in China on economic development & poverty alleviation (Pics)
A seminar on exchanges between China and Sri Lanka in the fields of economic development and poverty alleviation was held in Beijing, China recently.
The seminar – ‘Experience Exchange in the Field of Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation between China and Sri Lanka’ was held from March 23 – April 05 and was attended by 28 officials across 13 different ministries or institutions of Sri Lanka.
The seminar aimed to expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation in areas such as poverty alleviation and development, rural vitalization, digital economy, and green development, and was designed to help Sri Lanka officials improve governance capacity.
During the state visit to China, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Xi Jinping reached extensive common understandings on governance and development experience sharing and exchanges and the seminar was held to implement this consensus.
Chinese experts were invited to the seminar to give lectures and host discussions on a wide variety of topics, including the interpretation of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Economy, introduction of China’s national conditions, the procedure and methodology of China’s national development planning, China’s poverty alleviation and poverty reduction experience, digital governance, and China’s rural revitalization policy and practice, etc.
Besides, the seminar organized field research and exchanges with local government departments and relevant enterprises, allowing participants to gain an in-depth understanding of China’s latest progress in the fields of economic development, poverty alleviation and reduction, green and low-carbon development, and digital economy.
In Shijiazhuang of Hebei Province, the participants visited Majiazhuang and learned about the experience of Chinese villages in utilizing agricultural technology to increase production and income, actively expanding sales channels for agricultural products, and improving the quality of life.
In Hangzhou of Zhejiang Province, the participants visited Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group and had a discussion with the executives of the enterprise, so as to gain a deeper understanding of the development mode of China’s digital economy and its important role in promoting industrial upgrading and economic transformation.
In Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, the participants visited the photovoltaic power generation project in Longshan Town of Cixi City, and had a discussion with the relevant management departments of Ningbo Port to learn about China’s advanced experience in green and low-carbon development and efficient operation of ports.
According to the Chinese embassy in Colombo, the seminar is not only a vivid portrayal of friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation among developing countries. It is also a further deepening of cooperation and exchanges between China and Sri Lanka in the economic field, which will help introduce China’s experience in economic development and poverty alleviation into Sri Lanka, and inject a strong impetus to promote high-quality China-Sri Lanka cooperation in the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
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SLIMFA Media Fest inaugurated (Pics)
Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, and Minister of Mass Media and Health – Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, jointly inaugurated the first-ever Media Fest organized by the Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) today at Taj Samudra, Colombo.
Under the theme ‘Navigating the New Media Landscape Together,’ the two-day Media Fest from 25-26 April 2025 will explore contemporary media trends and innovations. Key focus areas include AI in journalism, mobile journalism, media monetisation, data journalism, disinformation and fact-checking, content creation and audio journalism. As the first-of-its-kind in Sri Lanka, it will feature keynotes, panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
The event provides a unique platform for professional development and for fostering collaboration between media professionals from India and Sri Lanka. Experts from India including Ms. Palki Sharma, Managing Editor at Firstpost; Mr. Siddhant Sibal, Assistant Foreign Affairs Editor at WION;Mr. Shailesh Shekhar, Chief Synergy Officer at India Todayand Mr. L.V. Krishnan, CEO of TAM Media Research in collaboration with experts from Sri Lanka will exchange and discuss best practices with the registered participants from the media and business community locally.
SLIMFA, inaugurated in May 2024, under the patronage of the High Commission of India, Colombo is aimed at strengthening media ties between the two countries. Since its inception, the Association has conducted multiple initiatives, including panel discussions and roundtables, focusing on key media-related topics. It is a significant initiative to further bolster the people-to-people connection between the two civilisational twins.
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President makes sudden visit to Kandy (Pics)
President Anura Kumara Disanayake last night (April 24) conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city to inspect the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address issues related to the provision of facilities and sanitation for devotees visiting the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa”.
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
(President’s Media Division)
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President offers condolences at Vatican Embassy (Pics)
President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid a visit to the Vatican Embassy this afternoon (24) to extend his condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
Upon his arrival, the President was warmly received by Most Reverend Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Vatican to Sri Lanka.
Following a brief discussion with Archbishop Udaigwe, President Disanayake signed the book of condolence, conveying, on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka, heartfelt sympathies to the global Christian community on the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis.
(President’s Media Division)
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