New Governors for the Eastern and North Central Provinces were sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (04).
Ms. Anuradha Yahampath took oaths as the Governor of the Eastern Province while Prof. Tissa Vitharana was appointed as the Governor of the North Central Province.
The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Sri Lanka Ahmad Ali Al Mualla paid a courtesy call on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (03).
Engaging in a cordial discussion with the President, the Ambassador assured his country’s commitment to further enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.
The UAE Ambassador while commending the plan of action with a new vision of the President offered his optimum assistance to make it a success.
A delegation headed by the New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Joanna Kempkers also called on President Rajapaksa today afternoon.
They assured their country’s commitment to inhance mutual benefits by further developing bilateral relations.
Government officials have been instructed by His Excellency the President to take immediate action to ensure the safety and welfare of the people during disaster situations such as floods and landslides resulting from the prevailing adverse weather conditions in many districts of the country.
Ministry officials, District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries have been provided with circular instructions to coordinate with the Ministry of Defence and the Disaster Management Centre to be prepared for rapid response in the event of floods, landslides, rock falls etc occurring due to heavy rainfall, and to take immediate disaster mitigation and public welfare measures. The monitoring and coordination of these measures will take place under the supervision of the Hon. Prime Minister.
The Canadian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka David Mckinnon called on President Goatabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s Office today (02).
The High Commissioner extended his greetings to the President on behalf of the Government of Canada.
Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of China Wu Jianghao also met President Rajapaksa today.
Wu Jianghao is a Special Representative of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and has previously served as an Ambassador to Sri Lanka.
The Government of Sri Lanka, having taken serious note of the alleged criminal incident concerning a locally recruited staff member of the Swiss Embassy in Colombo, on Monday, 25 November 2019, immediately ordered a thorough investigation into this matter.
This evening (1 December 2019) Secretary/Foreign Relations Ravinatha Aryasinha together with Secretary/Defence Major General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne and relevant officials met with the Ambassador for Switzerland in Sri Lanka Hanspeter Mock and the Deputy Chief of Mission, and briefed them on the results of the investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Police.
While the Embassy had not presented the alleged victim to be interviewed by the law enforcement officials despite their request to do so, based on the information provided by the Swiss Mission on Friday 29 November 2019, the investigation was nevertheless conducted. The Ambassador was presented with clear evidence that the sequence of events and timeline of the alleged incident, as formally presented by the Swiss Mission on behalf of the alleged victim to the CID, did not in any way correspond with the actual movements of the alleged victim on that date, as borne out by witness interviews and technical evidence, including Uber records, CCTV footage, telephone records and the GPS data.
In light of the incontrovertible evidence presented by the law enforcement authorities to the Swiss Mission, it was underlined that further investigations would need to be continued to ascertain the actual facts surrounding this allegation, for which the alleged victim will have to be interviewed by the law enforcement authorities. Given that the alleged victim had also claimed that she had sustained injuries during the alleged abduction, it was noted that she should be presented for a medical examination by a Judicial Medical Officer in Sri Lanka.
The Embassy has been requested to cooperate fully with the Government of Sri Lanka to establish the veracity of the claims relating to this alleged incident.
Two Army Staff officers who received training at the same military camp in India met after many years as political leaders today.
They did not meet to discuss politics.
One of the two friends is the incumbent President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The other one is the Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways of India, Dr. V. K. Singh.
Around 15 other military officers from the same military training joined the two dignitaries. The gathering turned out to be a walk down the memory lane with cherished reminiscences.
Most of these army personnel served in Sri Lanka as members of Indian Peace Keeping Force. They bade adieu as old friends.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa visited the Sri Lankan High Commission office in New Delhi today (30) and planted a tree sapling to mark the occasion l.
President Rajapaksa discussed with officials the importance of performing diplomatic functions in order to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India Austin Fernando and the High Commission staff.
President also met the Chairman of the Mahabodhi Society and the Chief Incumbent of Sanchi Chethiyagiri Vihara Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero.
The current status of the Sanchi Chethiyagiri Vihara and its future development work was discussed and the Thero stressed the need to display information about the Vihara in Sinhala for the benefit of pilgrims.
Thero also expressed views on measures taken to construct a training center for the Indian novice monks.
A meeting between President Rajapaksa and National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Ram Madhav was also held today.
BJP General Secretary extended his good wishes to the President.
The editor of The Hindu, Suhasini Haidar also called on the President
- Additional USD 50 million to combat terrorism
- Agreed to release all Indian fishing boats detained in Sri Lanka
Indian PM pledges fullest support to make ”Saubhagyaye Dekma” policy framework of the new President, a reality
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing Sri Lanka’s new President, a leader with a meaningful vision said his government would extend its fullest cooperation to transform that vision into a reality.
Accordingly, the Government of India will soon provide USD 400 million credit line to Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Modi said.
In addition, a further USD 50 million credit line will be made available to combat terrorism, the Prime Minister added.
The Indian Prime Minister said this during bilateral talks between the two leaders held at Hyderabad House today (29).
“Accepting the invitation and arriving in India marking the first overseas visit will be considered as an honor bestowed on my country by the neighbouring nation”, the Indian Premier said. He offered congratulations on behalf of entire India on the great victory of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The two leaders exchanged views on strengthening the long standing cooperation in economic, political and social spheres.
The leaders also discussed at length and agreed that national security of both countries is of paramount importance to them.
They focused on close economic cooperation and enhancing bilateral trade.
Long standing fishermen issues between the two countries were also highlighted during the talks. President Rajapaksa said he would release all Indian fishing boats remaining under Sri Lanka’s custody.
Prime Minister Modi said he hoped that Sri Lanka would pursue the process of reconciliation and also focus on developing all provinces including the North and the East.
President Rajapaksa thanked the Indian leader for inviting him to undertake a State visit to India and extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka at his earliest.
President Rajapaksa affirmed his desire to maintain a close economic cooperation with India.
Following bilateral talks, the two leaders addressed the media.
President Rajapaksa participated in the luncheon hosted by the Indian Prime Minister in his honur at the Hyderabad House and signed the Special Visitors’ book.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says he will strive to elevate Indo – Sri Lanka relations to the highest level possible during his tenure of office.
The President, who is currently on a two-day State visit to India, made this statement during the official meeting with President of India Ram Nath Kovind today.
President Rajapaksa who arrived in India making his first overseas visit since assuming office was welcomed in grandeur at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
He was also accorded a guard of honour at the venue.
Then the two Presidents sat for bilateral talks.
While congratulating the new President of Sri Lanka, the Indian President said this meeting marks a milestone in strong friendship between the two countries.
President Kovind commended the new vision of governance introduced by President Rajapaksa and pledged his country’s fullest cooperation towards Sri Lanka.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of External Affairs of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, State Transport and Highways Minister Dr. V.K.Singh and the Sri Lankan delegation.
President Rajapaksa then proceeded to Raj Ghat and offered floral tribute to the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
President placed his signature on the special visitors’ book.
The Minister of External Affairs of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar today (29) called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is currently visiting India.
Minister Jaishankar commended the decision by President Rajapaksa to select India as his first overseas State visit since assuming duties. The visit has taken place on an invitation extended by the Indian Prime Minister.
While expressing his hopes that this visit will further cement the long standing relationship between Sri Lanka and India as neighboring countries, the Indian Foreign Minister pledged his government’s fullest cooperation to the new Sri Lankan government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expects to take Indo – Lanka relations towards a new era with a rejuvenated approach to enhance economic development for mutual benefits, Mr. Jaishankar said. Commenting on the business cooperation between the two countries, the Indian Minister said quality governance is a prerequisite for sound collaboration. This will facilitate the influx of foreign investment, he added.
President Rajapaksa expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for the invitation extended to him to visit India and said he hopes to further enhance the bilateral relations.
Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, Secretary to the President, Ravinath Aryasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign of affairs, S.Atygala, Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Honorary advisor to the President and Mr. Sugeeshwara Bandara, Personal Secretary to the President, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India Austin Fernando and the Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Tharanjit Singh Sandu and the Joint Secretary of the Indian Ocean Rim were also present on the occasion.
The National Security Advisor Mr. Ajit Doval also called on President Rajapaksa yesterday.