The report of the Presidential Task Force for “One Country, One Law” was handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by its Chairman Rajakeeya Panditha Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera at the President’s House in Colombo, today (29).
The President appointed the Presidential Task Force, headed by Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, to study the views and opinions of various factions on the implementation of the concept of ‘One Country, One Law’ in Sri Lanka and present a concept paper with proposals.
Prof. Shanthi Nandana Wijesinghe, Senior Lecturer Weerawardhanalage Sumedha Manjula, Dr. N.G. Sujeewa Panditharathna, Attorney-at-Law Iresh Senevirathne, Attorney-at-Law W. P.J.M.R. Sanjaya Marambe, R.A. Eranda Kumara Navarathna, Pani Wewala, Moulavi M. A. S. Mohamed, Yogeswari Patkunarajah and Aiyampillai Dayanandaraja are the other members of the Task Force. Ms. Jeewanthi Senanayake, Senior Assistant Secretary to the President, served as the Secretary of the Task Force.
The report consists of 8 chapters with 43 recommendations and 2 appendices, prepared after considering views and opinions of more than 1,200 witnesses covering all parts of the country, which included professionals, NGOs, different religious groups, different communities, the university community and legal experts.
The President directed that this report be submitted to the Cabinet and the Parliament.
Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Principal Advisor to President Lalith Weeratunga, and Chief of Staff to the President Anura Dissanayake were also present.
Senior Professor J.M.U.K Jayasinghe has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of the Wayamba University.
The letter of appointment was handed over to Prof. Jayasinghe by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colombo, today (29)
The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) says that Sri Lanka holds vast potential in medical tourism as the country has modern hospitals with international-standard health services and adequate human resources for this purpose.
This was stated at a discussion held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colombo yesterday (28) regarding the possible assistance that can be given by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in developing a strategic programme to address issues affecting the health sector.
A road accident occurs every 10 minutes in the country. Approximately 3000 people die in road crashes each year; on average 8 people lose their lives every day. Many more become permanently inactive. Professor Samath Dharmawardena, President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association said that a formal programme is needed to get rid of this serious situation that the country has been facing for a long time.
Russian Ambassador Yury Materiy called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The meeting took place at the President’s House in Colombo, today (27).
The year 2022 marks the 65th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Russia. Recalling strong co-operation and the friendship between the two countries, the President commended Russia for extending its support in controlling the COVID–19 outbreak as well as every time of need.
President Rajapaksa and Russian Ambassador Yury Materiy discussed a number of important economic areas, including generating more demand for Ceylon Tea in Russia, tourism industry, fuel, coal, gas, aviation, education, trade and fertilizer.
Measures to import fuel using existing funds…
The Governor of the Central Bank has agreed to pay the outstanding payments due to the relevant companies for the fuel supply with a plan. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed the officials to take immediate action to import fuel using the existing funds available until then.
The President made these remarks at a discussion with the representatives of the main companies that have been importing and supplying fuel to Sri Lanka for a long time, today (27) at the President’s House in Colombo.
It was decided to provide funds from the Central Bank and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to restore the supply of fuel.
It was also decided to hold discussions with the relevant mother companies to obtain fuel within a certain grace period if fuel is not made available as per the letter of credit (LC) opening procedure followed so far.
The President instructed to formulate a formal plan for the next few months to manage and maintain the fuel supply properly.
Fuel supply agents pointed out the need for direct engagement of the CB Governor and the Secretary to the Treasury with the mother companies supplying fuel, international banks and financial institutions.
Kanchana Wijesekera Minister of Power and Energy, Gamini Senarath Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga Principal Adviser to the President, Anura Dissanayake Chief of Staff to the President, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe Governor Central Bank, Finance Secretary KMM Siriwardena, Mapa Pathirana Secretary Ministry of Power and Energy, and the Heads of Energy Institutions and Fiscal Institutions were also present at this discussion.
- President of the United States advises to extend all possible assistance to Sri Lanka……
- Request International Banks to provide assistance to purchase medicines and essentials
- Appreciates the rights given to freedom of expression …
- A high-level US delegation tells President
A high-level US diplomatic delegation who is currently in Sri Lanka has met with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has stated that the US Government will continue its support to strengthen the relationship with the International Monetary Fund at all levels.
The meeting between the US State Department and the Treasury delegation and the President was held at the President’s House, Colombo, today (27).
President Rajapaksa commended the delegation for their visit to Sri Lanka and briefed them on the current economic and social crisis in the country. The President also briefed about the progress of the ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund.
Kelly Keiderling, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, U.S. Department State and Robert Kaproth, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Asia, U.S. Department of Treasury further stated that US President Joe Biden is very interested in the future of Sri Lanka. The US President has also instructed to support Sri Lanka during this difficult time and to extend all possible assistance to the country.
The delegation expressed confidence that with the implementation of the programme with the International Monetary Fund will provide relief to the vulnerable families and will continue to have a positive impact on the future.
They said that they were pleased with the similarities between the President’s understanding and their understanding of the economic reform process taking place in the country.
The delegation commended the President on the free space given to anyone to express their opinions without any hindrance to the right to freedom of expression.
The US government has provided US $ 100 million as medium- term assistance to Commercial Bank to promote and uplift small scale businesses and also US $ 5.75 and another US $ 6 million financial assistance as humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka.
The delegation recalled about the other US supported projects such as polyester fiber and yarn processing project which are manufactured by disposable plastic materials.
Kelly Kiederlin and Robert Caproth assured that they will support in requesting international banks to assist Sri Lanka when issuing letters of credit (LC) to obtain medicines and essential commodities.
Matthew Mohlenkamp, Treasury Office Director for South and Southeast Asia,
John McDaniel, State SCA/NSB Economic Unit Chief, Ambassador Julie Chung, U.S. Ambassador for Sri Lanka, U.S. Embassy, Geoff Chanin, Acting Political Chief, U.S. Embassy, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Chief Adviser to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Chief of Staff to the President Anura Dissanayake were also present at this discussion.
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team for Sri Lanka called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The meeting took place at the President’s House in Colombo today (24).
The delegation will stay in Sri Lanka for a week to further study about policy issues relevant to reaching a staff-level agreement. IMF representatives briefed the President regarding the preliminary round of discussions held with the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank and other economic authorities and experts as well as regarding the current situation.
The delegation reaffirmed their commitment to support Sri Lanka at this difficult time, in line with the IMF’s policies.
The President elaborated on the current economic situation and expressed his gratitude to the delegation for their support to Sri Lanka during difficult times.
Senior Mission Chief to Sri Lanka Peter Breuer, IMF’s Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Masahiro Nozaki, Resident Representative for Sri Lanka Tubagus Feridhanusetyawan, Deputy Director, Asia Pacific Department Anne-Marie Gulde, Alternative Executive Director, IMF Dr. C Amarasekara, and the Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Chief of Staff to the President Anura Dissanayake, Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Secretary to the Finance Ministry KMM Siriwardena, Deputy Finance Secretary MSS Saman Fernando, Deputy Governor TMJYP Fernando, Director, Department of Economic Research Dr. PKG Harischandra were also present on the discussion.
These remarks were made by European Ambassadors when they met with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colombo today (24).
The delegation members pointed out that a firm message about the future plans of building the country’s economy will certainly pave the way for the international community to assist Sri Lanka.
Nearly 90% of the country’s population lives in rural areas, and 75% of those people depend on agriculture. The President said that by providing them with the required fertilizer and fuel, many problems as well as the issues related to the supply of food could be solved.
Steps have been taken to provide uncultivated government lands to those interested in agriculture as a solution to the land issue. President Rajapaksa explained the initiatives launched by the Government to provide a lasting solution considering the humanitarian situation that has arisen after the war as well as the fair manner maintained in the process of enforcing law without any party affiliation and interfering to the Ambassadors.
A number of areas, including investment, tourism and education, were discussed at length.
EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka Denis Chaibi, Eric Lavertu, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka, Rita Mannella, Ambassador of Italy, Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trine Jøranli Eskedal, Tanja Gonggrijp, Ambassador for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ambassador of the Republic of Germany Holger Lothar Seubert, Victor Chiujdea, Ambassador of Romania, Ambassador of Turkey Rakibe Şekercioğlu, Swiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka Dominik Furgler, Chief of Staff to the President Anura Dissanayake and Admiral Jayanath Colombage were also present at this discussion.
The time has come to further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. It will lead to progress in a number of areas, including apparel, agriculture, health and investment, said Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tareq Ariful Islam.
The High Commissioner made these remarks when he called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colombo, this afternoon (23).
This year (2022) marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During this period, both States were able to work very closely and amicably. President Rajapaksa also appreciated Bangladesh’s support in the current economic crisis.
The High Commissioner pointed out that there is an opportunity for both countries to strengthen cooperation in the fields of trade, tourism and education and expressed confidence that Sri Lanka will be able to overcome the current situation expeditiously.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has said that the Government of India will extend its fullest support to Sri Lanka in overcoming the current difficult situation as a close friend.
The Indian Foreign Secretary made these remarks during a meeting with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colombo this morning (23). The Indian delegation arrived in the island to consider further financial assistance to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has already received essential food items, fuel, medicine and fertilizer under the Indian credit line facility. The Indian delegation stated that the Government of India and the political authorities are committed to provide continued support to Sri Lanka.
On behalf of the government and the people of Sri Lanka, the President conveyed his gratitude to the Government of India for its significant role in assisting Sri Lanka in difficult times.
Both parties discussed on the future course of action of the Indian aid programme to stabilize and revive the Sri Lankan economy, at length. The delegation also expressed confidence that the country would recover soon overcoming existing challenges.
Indian Economic Relations Secretary Ajay Seth, Chief Economic Adviser Dr. V Anantha Nageswaran, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay, Deputy High Commissioner Vinod K Jacob, Joint Secretary (IOR) Kartik Pande and Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath were also present at this discussion.