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As arrest is not part of the punishment and results in the serious deprivation of liberty of citizens and other significant implications, such as loss of reputation and standing in the society, arrest to be carried out only when absolutely necessary and upon a decision taken with utmost care and in strict compliance of the law, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed Acting Inspector General of Police Senior DIG C. D. Wickramaratne.

President further directs the Police to ensure that, necessity to arrest to be made entirely on the professional judgment to be exercised by officers in charge of discharging the said duty independently and without any fear or favour.

Due respect should be given by officers discharging such duties to the Members of Parliament as representatives of the people and professionals such as Doctors.

The Police was further directed by the President to apply same equally to all citizens of Sri Lanka without any discrimination whatsoever nature and under no circumstances carried out for extraneous purposes and should not tolerate any undue influence.

The President at all times has directed the Police to duly and properly discharge the duties with utmost diligence and upon advice from the Attorney General when required.

Non- compliance to Fair Trade and Competitive Practices

Presidential Secretariat continues to receive complaints from the general public as well as reports from both print and electronic media that the tax benefits particularly from the reduction of VAT on the sale of goods at both retail, wholesale and import points effective from 1^st December 2019 has not passed on to the consumers.

Among such goods, hardware, ceramics, cement and other building materials, cosmetics and day-today household items, garments, school books and several other goods are being mentioned. Further, several retail traders have informed that wholesale distributors have not given such benefits to retail businesses and it is few wholesale distributors and manufacturers control the market disrespecting fair trade and competitive practices. Domestic manufacturers are also requested to pass tax benefits to the people in doing their business in a competitive manner.

His Excellency the President has instructed the Consumers Affairs Authority and Inland Revenue Department to closely monitor this situation and also urged the business community, importers, manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors to ensure full benefit of tax reduction is passed onto the consumers and general public. Such business community is also urged to create public awareness through media briefings and other form of information releases to ensure competitive practices are respected to the benefit of all. Business community is reminded that the Government is compelled to take all policy measures to ensure anti-competitive market practices are not tolerated. Relevant authorities, particularly the Inland Revenue Department have been instructed to check all large wholesale importers, manufacturers and distributors in this regard as small retail trade depends on large distributors.

Measures will be taken to further strengthen long-standing bilateral relations between Japan and Sri Lanka, Japanese State Minister for Regional Revitalization Kozo Yamamoto said.

Minister Yamamoto made these remarks when he paid a courtesy call on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (13).

Sri Lanka is secured and stable under the current government. The economy is also progressing. In this context, a conducive investment environment had been created in Sri Lanka for the Japanese investors, the State Minister added.

As a country that has mastered on industries such as security and development of high quality infrastructure among many other fields Japan has a lot to offer to Sri Lanka, he further said.

President Rajapaksa explained that the growth rate of Sri Lanka which was around seven percent in 2014 had since declined and the greatest challenge before him is to recover the growth rate.

President also requested the Minister Yamamoto to invest in high tech assembly plants in Sri Lanka.

Minister Yamamoto responded positively and promised to promote Sri Lanka with the Japanese business community.

–      USD 10 billion target by 2025

–      Will not hesitate to take necessary decisions

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed officials to plan a target-based strategy to promote the tourism industry in Sri Lanka.

Increasing income from tourism  to USD 10 billion by 2025, the  industry can play the leading role in economic growth, President said during a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation held at the Presidential Secretariat today (13).

“We require a skilled team with expertise and dedication.  Every step should generate immediate results. On my part I do not hesitate to take decisions for the benefit of the country. I expect the officials would commit themselves to pass benefits of such decisions onto the public. If there is a target -based plan, every challenge can be overcome”, said the President.

Issues identified related to the tourism sector and measures to promote the industry were broadly discussed.

President emphasized the necessity of upgrading the quality of facilities provided to tourists visiting the country and amenities at airports should be streamlined. Importance of developing places of tourist attraction and building an effective promotional mechanism was also highlighted by the President.

The indigenous Ayurvedic system has already become highly popular among foreigners. Priority should be given to promote unique activities such as surfing and promoting Ceylon tea.

Shopping malls should be equipped with requirements sought after by tourists. The need of a systematic mechanism to attract tourists was also stressed. The President instructed the Tourist Board to implement programmes with the participation of Sri Lankan envoys overseas to build the image of Sri Lanka and to promote it as a tourist destination.

The standard of the aviation sector should be enhanced. President described the importance of effective coordination and work in unison among entities which come under the purview of Tourist Board.

Establishing direct flights will increase the influx of tourists. Attention was paid to commence direct flights between Sri Lanka and European countries.

It was also discussed to provide training facilities to undergraduates in tourism field at hotel schools to produce qualified hotel managers.

During the discussion it was decided to reactivate the Tourism Police and to appoint a senior DIG in charge.

Attention was also drawn to amend rules and regulations in order to promote the sector and to remove unnecessary approvals procedures.

Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga, Arundika Fernando, Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation S. M. Mohomad, Secretary to the State Ministry of Tourism Promotion S. S. S. Fernando and several other senior officials were present at the discussion.

Maha Nayaka Theros invoked blessings on the President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa called on Maha Nayaka of Malwatta Chapter Most. Ven. Thibbtuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero this morning (11) after paying homage to the sacred Tooth Relic.

Later, the President also called on Anunayaka Thero of Malwatta Chapter Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero. The prelate commended the way President was leading the country.

The Ven. Thero pointed out the importance of being vigilant about the various form of invisible forces that can emerge in the future.

President also visited Asgiri Maha Viharaya and met with Mahanayaka of Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathna Thero.

Maha Sangha including Anunayaka of Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero, Chief Registrar Ven. Madagama Dhammananda Thero, Dr. Godagama Mangala Thero chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the President.

President also visited Hurikaduwa Sri Vidyasagara Pirivena and met with  Maha Nayaka Thero Most Ven. Napana Pemasiri Thero of Ramannya Nikaya.

If the mission undertaken by the President continued without interruption, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would be admired as a leader who played a historic role by the people of this country, the Ven. Pemasiri Thero said.

The prelate commended the way President handled the recent protest by the university students near President’s Office.

President then visited Pirivena of Asgiri Maha Vihara and met with the Chief Incumbent Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Thero.

Actions taken by the President so far to lift the country from its current chaotic situation have generated optimism among the public. President had the required courage and strength to complete his mission. The Thero warned that this could be a swim against the tide.

President Rajapaksa responded saying that was fully aware of the fact.

The Pirivena provides facilities to local and foreign monks to pursue Dhamma education in English medium. President instructed officials to provide all the required books for the use of students. President also inquired about other shortcomings at the Pirivena.

In the evening, President visited Rajopawanarama Vihara in Gatambe and met with the Chief Incumbent Ven. Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Nayaka Thero.

The Thero said the Maha Sangha was impressed with the way President was leading the country. The Chief Incumbent also said the legal system of the country needed to be transformed.

Ven. Siriwimala Thero highlighting the adverse impacts of the 19^th Amendment on the country said that it should be revised immediately.

Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Keheliya Rambukwella, S. B. Dissanayake, Lohan Ratwatte, Dilum Amunugama, Ananda Aluthgamage and Anuradha Jayaratne were also present.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic today (11).

President was welcomed by Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara at the premises.

Following religious rituals President engaged in cordial discussions with the devotees.

Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Keheliya Rambukwella, S. B. Dissanayake, Lohan Ratwatte, Dilum Amunugama, Ananda Aluthgamage and Anuradha Jayaratne were also present.

• Expanded opportunities for secondary and higher education
• Border opportunities for higher education while protecting free education
• Convert higher education sector into a foreign exchange earner

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa emphasized the need of preventing brain drain to achieve rapid development in the country

‘If the Government as well as the private sector can ensure that a high standard of education is provided by local universities and other higher educational institutions, it may even be possible for us to start attracting international students to study in Sri Lanka and convert the higher education sector into a foreign exchange earner for the country’, the President said.

The President made these remarks addressing the Convocation of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University held at the BMICH, today (10).

During this Convocation degrees were awarded to 1282 students. President Rajapaksa presented awards for the outstanding graduates in the year 2019.

The General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University was established under the Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy Act No. 68 of 1981 with the aim of producing highly qualified Tri-Forces officers. In the year 2009 the then Defence Secretary Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa elevated this into a University. Establishment of the Medical Faculty, registration of local and foreign cadet officers, introduction of Postgraduate degrees for research and development activities, establishment of the Southern University in Suriyawewa and construction of state-of-the-art hospital did under his tenure.

The President said that the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University should strive to be an exemplary higher educational institution not just in Sri Lanka, but in the region as well.

The free education system had a truly transformative impact on Sri Lanka. It should always be protected, the President said that adding that we must allow those who can afford to pay for private education to follow their higher studies in Sri Lanka instead of going abroad.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that we should do a great deal of work to understand the true potential of our education system. The present education system is an exam-centric one. Due to this students’ opportunities for higher learning has been narrowed considerably. Irrespective of the skills, aptitudes and knowledge gained by students throughout their primary and secondary education, their future is effectively determined by their exam results, the President said. This focus on exams has created parental pressure and social pressure on these children. This has resulted in large numbers of children losing out on many opportunities to develop themselves in other ways during one of the most decisive periods in their lives, he added.

We cannot allow our children to lost in this education system, the President said that adding that is why we must broaden the opportunities available for further education through both the state education system as well as through the private sector. It is critical to increase the intake of students into universities and other tertiary education institutions. More investments need to be made to upgrade their infrastructure facilities and increase their human resources, the President said.

President Rajapaksa pointed out the importance of Universities offerings degree programmes in a way which will ensure that their courses will help them to be gainfully employed.

The 21st Century is widely acknowledged as the Knowledge Century. Many new technologies ranging from Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Robotics, the Internet of Things, Biotechnology, 3-D Printing, and Automation, will reshape economic growth in developed countries over the coming decades, the President said. He also stated that such transformative technologies must be adopted at their early stages.

The President emphasized that in this context, it is important to stress that the lack of Government resources should not be an inhibiting factor in achieving the broadening of tertiary education options. If we can increase the availability of high-quality tertiary education providers in the country, we can reverse the ‘brain drain’ as well as we can help to reduce significant outflows of our foreign reserves.

The President explained the importance of improving the quality of existing vocational education institutes and technical colleges in line with global standards.

‘As outlined in the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” Policy Document, which has now been endorsed as the Policy Document of the Government, we have ambitious plans to effect the reforms that are required in the education sector, from preschool through to the tertiary level’, the President said.

Minister Bandula Gunawardena , Defence Secretary Major Gen Kamal Gunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff, tri-forces commanders, Admiral Daya Sandagiri , the Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and the staff of the University participated on this occasion.

The annual Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Perahera held in a grand scale under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, yesterday (09).

President Rajapaksa placed the Relics Casket on the tusker before the annual Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Perahera paraded the streets.

Ministers and MPs including Chamal Rajapaksa, Prasanna Ranatunga, Sisira Jayakody, Indika Anuruddha, Prasanna Ranaweera and the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa offered flowers to the Relics Casket.

Devotees including Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, Chairman of the ‘Dayaka Sabha’ of Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya participated in religious observances conducted by the Chief Incumbent of the Kelaniya Viharaya Ven Dr Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangarakkitha Thero.

•       Highly efficient & profitable public institutions
•       Make youth ready for jobs when they reach the age of 20
•       Solutions for unemployment through tourism, plantation and agro sectors

The President says that what the people wanted at the Presidential election was a leadership to guide the country on the right path, but not a person called Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Addressing the Youth Congress of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) held at Temple Trees, today (09) President Rajapaksa said that he was fully committed to fulfill his promises while understanding the needs of the people.

The President expressed his gratitude to the youth who contributed towards the transformation of the country on to the right path.

President said that his government would do everything possible to understand the aspirations and needs of the youth as well as all the people. He said that he expected the support of the youth to implement his policies, in a similar manner the youth supported him to become the President of the country.

The economy of the country and all state institutions collapsed during the last five years. He pledged to establish highly efficient public sector which would be profitable while strengthening the economy.

The technology should be used as a bridge to work together with other countries for the benefit of country’s future prospects. There is an urgency to change the education system giving priority to modern technology and information communication. President Rajapaksa pointed out that expediting this process would create a large number of employment opportunities for the youth while paving the way to earn a higher income. The President stressed that the young people, the university students, when they reach the age of 20 must endeavor to take up jobs taking the developed countries as an example.

He also said that the time had come to rectify the ill-effects caused by ragging in universities.

“The development of information technology will lead to enhance self-employment opportunities in many other sectors”. President said the growth in tourism, plantation and agricultural sectors would not only be a solution to the issue of unemployment in the country but also would make the national economy stronger.

President advised the youth to use their time wisely without falling prey to misguided information.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said the youth had shown their eagerness to make a positive impact through recent initiatives launched by them.

The youth are the strength of a country. The Prime Minister commended the leadership taken by them to overcome challenges.

The Congress held with the participation of youth representing 160 electorates was attended by Ministers Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, Dullas Alahapperuma, Bandula Gunawardene, Dilum Amunugama and Indika Anuruddha and several others representing various fields.