Scholarship Award Ceremony and the commemoration ceremony of the Sri Lanka Nippon Educational and Cultural Centre at the Mahindarama Temple, Ethul kotte, Sri Jayawardenepura was held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, today (20).
Sri Lanka Nippon Educational and Cultural Centre was established in 1986 with the objective of promoting the friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan.
The Nippon Centre sponsors a wide range of programmes, including offering Japanese Educational scholarships, Early Childhood Development programme, Medical Services, assistance for students with special needs and natural disaster reliefs with the assistance of Japanese donors.
To date 13,680 scholarships have been awarded under the Japan Scholarship Programme. Today marks the 35th anniversary of the scholarship programme and at today’s commemoration ceremony Japanese Foster Parent donors who had passed away were commemorated.
The ceremony commenced with the chanting of Seth Pirith by the Maha Sangha under the patronage of the Mahanayake of Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, Most Ven. Ittapana Dhammalankara Nayake Thera.
One thousand students were selected for award scholarships this year and the President symbolically presented scholarships and school equipment to five students.
The President offered Pirikara to the Maha Sangha who participated in the ceremony and paid a courtesy call on Chief Incumbent of the Kotte Mahindarama Vihara and the Founder of the Sri Lanka Nippon Educational and Cultural Centre, Ven. Meegahatenne Chandrasiri Thera.
Member of Parliament Madura Withanage, Ambassador of Japan Mizukoshi Hideaki, Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, Mayor of Kotte Municipal Council I.M.V. Premalal and local politicians, government officials and members of the Sri Lanka Nippon Educational and Cultural Centre and the Vihara Dayaka Sabha were also present.
- Objective is to strengthen foreign relations and promote unique locations…
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa joined together to experience the ‘Cultural Saubhagya’ Concert and the Exhibition.
The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the State Ministry of National Heritage, Performing Arts and Rural Arts Promotion and affiliated institutions organised the programme with the objective of safeguarding Sri Lankan pride and cultural identity, strengthening foreign diplomatic relations and promoting unique locations and handing over cultural heritage to future generations.
The cultural concert was held at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre this afternoon (19) with the participation of diplomats.
Sri Lanka has so far signed 48 bilateral agreements on Cultural Cooperation with 48 countries.
Dance items were performed by the students studying at institutions and centres under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and at the Jana Kala Kendraya.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers including State Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Secretary to the President, Secretaries to Ministries and Government Officials were also present.
The second interim report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry for Appraisal of the Findings of Previous Commissions and Committees and the Way Forward was handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by Supreme Court Judge A. H. M. D. Nawaz at the Presidential Secretariat, today (18).
President Rajapaksa appointed the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate, inquire into and report or take necessary actions on findings of preceding Commissions or Committees appointed to investigate into human rights violations, serious violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and other such offences on January 21, 2021. Supreme Court Judge A. H. M. D. Nawaz has been appointed as the Chairman of the Commission.
The first report of the Commission was submitted to the President on July 21, 2021.
In preparing the second 107-page report, the Commission made a number of recommendations based on the testimonies of 75 residents of the Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts who had faced the war and who had related experiences with the war.
It has been recommended to immediately investigate the findings of the Paranagama Commission appointed in 2015 and to file a court case or provide compensation accordingly.
Those who testified before the Commission requested the Government’s assistance to uplift their financial status and this has also been recommended by the Commission.
Terrorists are not allowed to be commemorated but the Commission has recommended to grant the right to commemorate the death of a relative occurred during the war in private.
Chairman of the Commission Supreme Court Judge A.H.M.D Nawaz said that the final report can be submitted to the President by next June.
Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath was also present.
The Maha Sangha of the Presidential Buddhist Advisory Council pointed out that it is important to hold further discussions before reaching a definite conclusion regarding the registration of new places of worship.
The Buddhist Advisory Council met at the Presidential Secretariat today (18) for the 13th time and expressed these views.
There was a lengthy discussion on the construction and maintenance of new places of worship, the conduct of Sunday Dhamma Schools, regarding the “Vihara and Devalagam Act”, the surveying of lands owned by the Department of Archaeology in the North and East and the amendment of the Archaeological Ordinance.
It was discussed that the procedures to be followed in respect of each religion should be taken into consideration separately in the registration of new places of worship. Special attention was paid to allow the registration of Buddhist temples on the recommendation of the Mahanayake Thera of the relevant sect and the Registrar of the Regional Sasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya.
The Maha Sangha said that the registration of temples centered on sites with artefacts should be done under the recommendation and supervision of the Department of Archeology.
The decision taken so far regarding the amendment of the Archaeological Ordinance was reviewed and Commissioner General of Archeology Anura Manatunga said that the Act could be presented to Parliament in the next few months.
A total of 484 requests have been received for surveying of archeological sites in the Eastern Province. Surveying of 64 of them have been completed and plans are being prepared for 22 sites, said Surveyor General Ariyaratne Dissanayake.
Members of the Buddhist Advisory Council, State Minister Vidura Wickremanayake, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretaries to Ministries and Government Officials were also present.
Mr. K. G. Wijesiri has been appointed as the Secretary to the State Ministry of Tanks, Reservoirs and Irrigation Development related to Rural Paddy Fields while Mr. S.D. Padikorala has been appointed as the Secretary to the State Ministry of Development of Sugarcane, Maize, Cashew, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, Betel Production and Promotion of Allied Products and Export.
The new Secretaries received their letters of appointment from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (18).
Mr. Wijesiri served as the Puttalam District Secretary prior to his new appointment while Mr. Padikorala served as the District Secretary of Trincomalee.
When implementing targeted projects, consider only national interests…
There is no legal impediment to do the right thing …
– President tells officials…
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that only the national interest should be taken into consideration when implementing targeted projects. The President further said that the country will face serious setbacks due to the delays in implementing projects planned for the future.
The President made these remarks during the sudden inspection visit to the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 07, today (18).
This Authority was established by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority Act No. 35 of 2007.
The objectives of the Sustainable Energy Authority are to act as a leading institution to enhance energy efficiency throughout Sri Lanka, to facilitate productive, efficient and environmentally friendly energy needs, as well as to identify sustainable energy resources in advance.
The President visited the Energy Authority’s Demand Side Management, Research, Strategic and Energy Management Divisions and inquired the relevant officials about respective functions of the units and their planning.
The purpose of the President’s visit is to meet the officials of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and inquire into the possibility of exploring the use of renewable energy sources such as water, solar, wind and biomass to generate electricity.
Pointing out that the laws exist to curb corruption and irregularities, the President said that the law is not an obstacle in doing the right thing. Even if the right thing is done, some groups use different tactics to prevent it too. The President emphasized that there should be no room for such activities.
President Rajapaksa pointed out the need to remove obstacles in the energy sector preventing foreign investments. The President also instructed State Minister Duminda Dissanayake to expedite the project of installing solar panels on the roofs of 100,000 houses and to provide its benefits to low income earners.
State Minister Dissanayake said that steps will be taken to amend the Electricity Board Act with the input of all stakeholders and submit it to Parliament immediately in order to rectify the shortcomings in the Act.
In line with the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ policy framework, the government aims to use renewable energy sources to generate 70% of total power supply by 2030. The visit also explored the possibility of getting the contribution of renewable energy sources within a short span of time as a solution to the current energy crisis in the country.
Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Authority Ranjith Sepala said that 1,258 megawatts from renewable energy sources have been added to the national grid by 2021.
Accordingly, he said they were able to achieve the targets to generate 54 megawatts from biomass, 429 megawatts from small hydro power plant projects, 506 megawatts from solar panels and 249 megawatts from wind power.
The Chairman pointed out that achieving the government’s target of generating 70% of the total power supply from renewable energy sources by 2030 is not a difficult target.
Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry Wasantha Perera, Secretary to the State Ministry K.H.D.K. Samarakoon, CEB Vice Chairman Nalinda Illangakoon, Acting General Manager Rohantha Abeysekara and other officials of the Sustainable Energy Authority were also present.
The renovated Dharmapala Park in Galle was declared open by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (17).
The Dharmapala Park, located near the historic fort rampart in Galle attracting local and foreign tourists, was an eyesore due to lack of proper maintenance. Later, at the request of Minister Ramesh Pathirana and the Galle Municipal Council, steps were taken to modernize it under the Strategic Cities Development Programme of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing.
The renovation of the park, including a fully-fledged playground and an outdoor theater with lighting facilities, cost Rs. 200 million.
The President inspected the park, engaged in cordial conversation with the people and also witnessed the cultural performances performed at the outdoor theater.
The President also inaugurated the ornamental fish exhibition and the information centre at the Dharmapala Park.
Ministers Namal Rajapaksa, Ramesh Pathirana, Governor of the Southern Province Willie Gamage, Governor of the Central Province Lalith U. Gamage, State Ministers Mohan P. De Silva, Nalaka Godahewa, Kanchana Wijesekera, MPs Sampath Athukorala, Isuru Dodangoda, Galle Mayor Priyantha G. Sahabandu and a number of local politicians were also present at the occasion.
The way forward of the Kithul Development Board, ‘Kithulaka Maga’ was launched under the theme “A lush Kithul- a Sustainable Country”.
Kithul based products are manufactured as a home-based industry in 13 districts. The objective of the President was to take Kithul related products to the international market by resolving the problems faced by the industrialists in the process of Kithul tapping and when selling Kithul related products. Accordingly, the Kithul Development Board was established on March 17, 2021 by an extraordinary gazette notification.
Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana presented ‘The way forward of the Kithul Development Board’ to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Akmeemana Hiyare Reservoir premises in Galle this afternoon (17).
Introducing the ‘Sri Lanka Standards’ certificate for the production of Kithul Honey, the ‘Standard Certificate’ was handed over to the President.
The President symbolically presented certificates and technical equipment to five industrialists who received training in Kithul flower tapping from the National Institute of Plantation Management.
A casket containing Kithul based products was also presented to the President. The President inspected Kithul tapping, honey production, Kithul related foods, ornament based on Kithul wood and tools used in industry.
The members of Maha Sangha, Minister Ramesh Pathirana, Governor Willie Gamage, State Ministers Mohan P. De Silva, Jayantha Samaraweera, Members of Parliament Sampath Athukorala, Isuru Dodangoda, Arundika Fernando, Anupa Pasqual, regional politicians and government officials participated on the occasion.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa inspected the “Galle Techno Park” being constructed in the Walahanduwa area in Galle.
The government plans to build five “Technology Parks” island wide with the aim of building a Cultural Technological Innovation in line with the National Policy Framework ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’. Establishing Sri Lanka as a hub for technological innovation, attracting foreign investments, encouraging new companies with advanced technology, promoting export oriented industries, creating new employment opportunities, disseminating knowledge, improving the living standards of the people in the relevant areas and earning foreign exchange for national economic development are expected through this initiative.
These technology parks will be located in Galle, Kurunegala, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Habarana.
President Rajapaksa who arrived at the Walahanduwa Technology Park in Galle today (17) unveiled the project plaque and inspected the site. The President also launched the official logo of the Galle Technology Park.
The Ministry of Technology expects to complete the construction of the technology park covering an area of 30 acres by the middle of 2023.
The “Technology Park” is equipped with state-of-the-art technology facilities with 5G, nanotechnology institutions, recreational activities, nature-based sports at selected locations, as well as mental and physical recreation centers.
Welcoming the gathering, Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana said that with the construction of the Galle Technology Park, about 2,000 direct and many more indirect employment opportunities will be created.
Minister Pathirana pointed out that this project will make an immense contribution to the progress of the education and technology sectors.
Jayantha de Silva, Secretary to the Ministry of Technology, said that the new technology parks will be a major driver of the country’s economy in the future.
Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth and Sports and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development, stated that the preparations will be made to issue a digital identity card to each citizen before the end of 2022.
Minister Rajapaksa said that the state machinery from the Grama Niladhari to the Secretary to the President would be integrated with digital technology and that all services would be provided electronically within the next 30 months to meet the targets set by the President.
Southern Province Governor Willie Gamage, State Ministers Mohan P. De Silva, Kanchana Wijesekera, Janaka Wakkumbura, Southern Provincial Councilors, People’s Representatives and Government Officials were also present.
Appreciate health services including medical and nursing – President
- Establish a Nursing University before the end of May …
- Promotions with retrospective effect
- Steps to provide uniform allowance …
- President Instructs officials
“Health care services, including medicine and nursing, are highly valued. Understanding the financial situation in the country take steps to provide approved nurses’ issues in a manner that does not affect the entire public service. ”
This was stated by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat, today (17) at the request of the Public Service United Nurses Association.
Establishment of the Nursing University, promotion of Nursing Officers from Grade ll to Grade I with retrospective effect by backdating the promotion, 36 hours of duty to be treated as 30 hours duty of 5 days a week, providing of Rs. 10,000 allowance proportionate to the DTA allowance of Rs. 35,000 to medical professionals, the issuance of the Uniform Allowance Circular and the Additional Service Allowance at the rate of 1/100 of the basic salary were discussed during the meeting.
The President instructed the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunga, to amend the Higher Education Act and present it to the Parliament expeditiously, and to take further necessary steps to merge nursing colleges in order to create a national university. Mr. Amaratunga stated that the Higher Education Act would be presented to the Parliament by April and the Nursing University would be established before the end of May.
The President instructed the Secretaries of Health and Finance to make arrangements to backdate the promotions from Grade II to Grade I and grant the uniform allowance.
Despite the difficulties, steps were taken to pay an allowance of Rs. 5,000 to all public sector employees from January. When delivering the requests of one group, another group makes a request again.
However, it is important for everyone to understand that not all demands can be considered in the midst of the current financial crisis.
Therefore, the President instructed the officials to discuss with the Ministry of Finance and other institutions and pay attention to the requests of nurses in a manner that does not affect the entire public service.
The President of the Public Service United Nurses Union, Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Finance Secretary S. R. Attygalle, Health Secretary Major General Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of the National Budget Jude Nilukshan, Director General of the Public Service Commission Hiransa Kaluthanthri, Secretary of the National Salaries Commission Chandrani Senaratne and members of Public Service United Nurses Association were present at the occasion.