Yunnan Province of China keen to enhance economic ties with Sri Lanka – Yunnan Chamber delegation

High level delegation headed by Yunnan Provincial Federation of Industry & Commerce Chairman Gao Feng, who is also CPPCC Vice Chairman held discussion with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on follow up plans on trade and investment proposals emanated during the Prime Minister’s visit to Yunnan two months ago at the Temple Trees on October 20.

“There are many similarities between Sri Lanka and Yunnan and we are keen to establish close cooperation with Sri Lanka, a very special friend of China,” Gao Feng said.

During the meeting, the high-level delegation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and leading entrepreneurs of Yunnan held a detailed discussion on how to enhance trade and investment between Y MORE >>

Today’s need is innovative out-of-box technological solutions – Prime Minister

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said today’s imperative need is for innovative, out-of-box solutions in engineering and technological sectors. Opening the techno2023, Industrial and Technological Exhibition at BMICH today (October 20), he said engineers and technocrats should not confine to theories of their study syllabuses, but come up with creative solutions to multitude of economic challenges faced by the country.

He praised the Institute of Engineers of Sri Lanka (IESL) for organizing techno2023 under theme, ’Engineering for Regaining the Economy’ to showcase the potential of engineering technologies in helping the country to revive the economy and achieve the objective of overcoming the unprecedented MORE >>

Chairperson of International Chamber of Commerce calls on Prime Minister

The first female Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Maria Fernanda Garza called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees today (October 19).

During the meeting they discussed the role of ICC in Sri Lanka that includes arbitration in trade and investment, banking, insurance, training and education, finance, tourism, agriculture, SME support and entrepreneurship development.

The Prime Minister briefed her on the government priorities that include food security and exports. Ms Garza said that ICC represents 170 countries with a corporate membership of 45 million companies. She said that the Agriculture Policy and Food Safety and Supply Chain Committee of ICC, launched in 2021, ai MORE >>

Party leaders discuss proposals on electoral reforms

A discussion of the party leaders representing the Parliament was held on 18.10.2023 at the Parliament Complex under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena regarding the proposals submitted to the cabinet for the introduction of a mixed voting system and amendments to deposits furnished by candidates in the parliamentary elections.

The Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who submitted the proposals relevant to the Constitutional amendments, Sagara Kariyavasam, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Sisira Jayakody, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Mahinda Amaraweera, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), A.L.M. Athaullah, National Congress (NC), S. Chandrakanthan, MORE >>

Education officials should pay more attention to safeguarding schools, instead of closing schools - Prime Minister

800 schools have already been closed ..

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena says that instead of closing schools, education officials should focus deeply on protecting and preserving schools.

The Prime Minister expressed these views today (16.10.2023) at the inauguration of the new Matika Mata Uphara building at Wellawatta Vaishaka Vidyalaya affiliated to Lindsey Girls’ College, Colombo.

This Vaishaka College, which was started in 1935 with the donation of philanthropist E.S. Fernando, was proposed to close down in year 2016, and it was revived and affiliated with Lindsey Girls’ College, Bambalapitiya with the intervention of the current “Dasasil Mata, Matika Mata” who was then know MORE >>

The relevant officers of the Urban Development Authority should prepare plans without inconveniencing the public and they should not deal in land transactions... Prime Minister

The concerned officers of the Urban Development Authority should prepare urban development plans without inconveniencing the public, and their job is not to deal in land transactions, says Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. He said this when the Maharagama Prafesheeua Coordination Committee met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena today (12.10.2023). The Prime Minister emphasized that the Urban Development Authority should prioritize public convenience and development in preparing city plans.

It is the responsibility of the Urban Development Authority to submit proper plans for areas where schools, hospitals, temples and residential houses are built. The Prime Minister instructed the Urban Development A MORE >>

Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, Sihasak Phuangketkeow called on Prime Minister Dinrsh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees on October11.

He was accompanied by senior Thai delegation including Ms. Sakuna Saranan, MP, Mr. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Director General, Department of International Economic Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and Ms. Auramon Supthaweethum, Director General of Trade Negotiations Dep. MP Yadamini Gunawardena was also present on this occasion.

Prime Minister’s Media MORE >>

Prime Minister proposes setting up of a joint economic council with UAE

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena proposed setting up of a Joint Economic Council with United Arab Emirates to promote trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. This proposal was made when UAE Minister of State of Economic & Trade Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Ahmed bin Ali Sayegh called on him at the Temple Trees in Colombo on October 11.

The UAE Minister agreed that official negotiations should be commenced soon for finalizing Cooperation of Economic Partnership Agreement for enhancing economic ties as there is immense potential in trade, energy, hospitality and tourism spheres as well as for increasing investments in renewable energy projects in Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister said UAE has  MORE >>

Sitawaka Pradeshiya Coordination Committee met on 11.10.2023 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

Approvals were granted to speedily implement the proposal presented by the President to establish a museum that would expand the archaeological and historical importance of Sitawaka.

It was also decided to implement the first phase of the fast-track program of providing “Swarna Bhumi” Deeds through the Western Provincial Council’s land management information system eSLIMS.

Former President of Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, Jayantha Rohana , Avissawella Organizer of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, lawyer Ravindra Jayasinghe, and the representatives of the public, Divisional Secretary of Seethawaka Ms. K. S. Dilhani and other government officials participated in this event.

Prime Minister&rsqu MORE >>

ADB favourably consider new projects in Sri Lanka in next 5 years

The members of Board of Governors of Asian Development Bank held detailed discussion with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Sri Lanka’s financial requirements for projects for the next 5 years at the Temple Trees in Colombo on October 10.

Expressing satisfaction over Sri Lanka’s quick stabilization of the economy after the last year’s crisis, they said the ADB would favourably respond to proposed new projects on digitalization and IT, public transport, human resource development and education, water and small and medium enterprises development.

They also praised the efforts of the government to provide social security support to vulnerable groups in the society.

The Prime Min MORE >>

447 Management Service Officers appointed

The awarding of appointment letters of grade 3 management service for 447 applicants who passed the management service examination has taken place today (10.10.2023) at the Temple Trees under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The appointments were granted to those who passed the Management Service Examination according to the recommendations of the Recruitment Review Committee, the decisions of the Cabinet and the approval of the Public Service Commission.

The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government has awarded the appointments of Management Service under three phases and these appointments have been awarded under the third phase.
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Japan to extend fullest cooperation to Sri Lanka for IORA tenure and for economic recovery

Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Komura Masahiro said his country would continue to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery process and congratulated the government for stabilising economy during a short span of time and making further progress. He expressed confidence that structural reforms undertaken by the government would improve the conducive atmosphere for foreign investments.

During his discussion with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees this morning (October 10), the Foreign Minister said his visit to Sri Lanka to attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) has given his an opportunity to interact with Sri Lankan leadership regarding bilateral cooperation. He assured f MORE >>

“Cooperation between countries developed through sports is vital to the new generation”. - Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena

The Prime Minister said today (09.10.2023) that the cooperation between countries that is developed through sports is vital to the new generation. He said this while attending the opening ceremony of the Central Asian Men’s Volleyball Challenge Cup held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Sri Lanka represent this tournament.

Speaking further, the Prime Minister commented that volleyball is not only important for friendship, participation, spirit of sport, and competition between countries but also for the new generation of the countries we represent.

Ambassador of Saudi Arabia H.E. Khalid Hamoud Nasser, State Minister of Sports Ro MORE >>

The situation that the previous group is not entitled to Agrahara can be changed. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena

The welfare state we were used to is changing currently.

The Prime Minister expressed these views (09.10.2023) while addressing the United Pensioners’ Forum held at the public library auditorium.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, addressing the event, commented as follows –

We consider you respected elders who moved our country forward and handed it over to future generations while protecting it. All of you are highly appreciated for performing your service in various services and fields during your tenures and going through the challenges, and we all, including the government, hold you in great respect.

We are constantly paying attention to the ability to provide relief t MORE >>

ශෝක ප්‍රකාශය

හෙළ කලාකෙත අස්වද්දන්නට අනුපමේය මෙහෙවරක් කළ ප්‍රතිභාපූර්ණ කලාකරු ජැක්සන් ඇන්තනී මහතාගේ අභාවය සංවේගයට කරුණකි.

සිනමාව, වේදිකාව, රූපවාහිනිය දිග්විජය කරමින් පරිනත සටහන් තැබූ ඔහු දැයට එක්කළ සංස්කෘතික දායාදයන් බොහෝය. පරිසර, ඉතිහාස, මාධ්‍ය ගවේෂණයේ නවමු ඉසව් සොයාගොස් ඒවා ජනතාවට සමී MORE >>

Malaysia to support Sri Lanka’s entry into RCEP

Malaysia will support Sri Lanka’s application to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. This was stated by Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir who held discussions with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo today (October 9).

The Prime Minister stated that Sri Lanka’s entry into RCEP would bolster its economic connectivity within the broader South East Asian region and the Malaysian Minister assured fullest support to Sri Lanka and said, “Sri Lanka belongs to our region.” The Prime Minister affirmed the government’s alignment with the future vision of ASEAN for the Indo-Pacific area, pledging full support for the advancemen MORE >>

ජාතික විශ්‍රාමික දින පණිවුඩය

විවිධ ක්ෂේත්‍රයන් ඔස්සේ දැයක් උදෙසා කැපවීම් කොට ඉසිඹු ලබන ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ පුරවැසියන් වෙනුවෙන් වූ දිනය අද වුවද අප ගෙවන සෑම දිනයක්ම එකී මෙහෙවරයෙන් පෝෂිත වූ දිනයන් ය.

ආර්ථික අර්බුදය හමුවේ සමස්තයක්ව විශ්‍රාමික ඔබ ද පීඩාවට පත්ව ඇත. එසේ වුවද ස්ථාවර මාසික විශ්‍රාම වැටුපකට හිමිකම් කියන ඔබ ර MORE >>

“විශාල ආර්ථික අර්බුදයක් හමුවේ පවා අප විශ්‍රාමිකයන්ගේ සුරක්ෂිතභාවය තහවුරු කළා.” -අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය දිනේෂ් ගුණවර්ධන මහතා.

අග්‍රාමාත්‍යවරයා මේ බව සඳහන් කළේ ජාතික විශ්‍රාමික දිනය නිමිති කර ගනිමින් 2023.10.08 දින කැළණියේ පැවැති විශේෂ සෞඛ්‍ය සායන කඳවුරකදී ය.

අදට යෙදෙන ජාතික විශ්‍රාමික දිනය වෙනුවෙන්, රාජ්‍ය පරිපාලන ස්වදේශ කටයුතු පළාත් සභා හා පළාත් පාලන අමාත්‍යංශයේ, ජාතික විශ්‍රාමි වැටුප් දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවේ MORE >>