- A new committee headed by Minister Basil Rajapaksa…
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed the officials to take steps to immediately release the containers containing essential items at the custody of Customs.
The President made this decision with the objective of maintaining a steady supply of essential commodities including food in the market without any shortages.
The President also appointed a committee headed by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to ensure that there is no shortage of essential commodities including food.
This special meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (07) regarding the release of essential items from the custody of the Customs.
President Rajapaksa stressed that the people should be given the opportunity to purchase essential items including food without any shortage during the upcoming festive season and instructed the officials to make plans for this from now on.
The President emphasized that selected essential goods should be allowed to be imported and that goods should not be allowed to be imported in excess and stocks to be kept hidden to increase prices.
The President instructed the relevant officials to implement a new mechanism to expedite the release of essential commodities including food to the market and directed the new committee to regulate and oversee this matter.
Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Bandula Gunawardana, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance S.R. Attygalle and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and Customs were also present at the discussion.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa vested in Maha Sangha the newly constructed ‘Mathgamuwa Temple’ at the historic Malwathu Maha Vihara.
The President visited the Malwathu Maha Vihara this morning (05) and received blessings from the Malwathu Mahanayake Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera.
The old building of the Mathgamuwa Temple at the Malwathu Maha Vihara was demolished and the new three-storeyed building was constructed within a year with the skills and labour provided by the Navy on the instructions of the President.
In keeping with historical traditions, the new building was vested in Maha Sangha and then offered to the Malwathu Anunayake Most Ven. Dimbulkumbura Wimaladharma Thera through a Sannas Pathra by the President.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne handed over the keys of the building to Ven. Anunayake Thera.
Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera, Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter, and other members of the Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith and blessed the President.
The President then visited the Asgiri Maha Vihara and received blessings from the Asgiri Mahanayake Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera.
Sabaragamuwa Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Kapila Gunawardana, Public Trustee Ganesh Dharmawardena, Basnayake Nilame of the Vishnu Devala in Kandy Mahen Ratwatte and Basnayake Nilame of the Paththini Maha Devala Hemantha Bandara Herath were also present.
Leaders of Sri Lanka’s independence movement were felicitated in parallel to the 74th Independence Day.
A floral tribute was paid to the statues of ten leaders of the freedom struggle, including Mahamanya D. S. Senanayake, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike and Sir John Kotelawala at the Presidential Secretariat today (4).
It was jointly organized by the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Senior Assistant Secretary to the President Sisira Henadheera, Senior Assistant Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs Chethiya Weerasuriya and a number of officials were also present at the occasion.
Most Venerable Maha Sangha,
Other Religious Dignitaries,
Hon. Prime Minister,
Hon. Speaker,
Hon. Chief Justice,
Hon. Leader of the Opposition,
Hon. Ministers and Hon Governors,
Hon. State Ministers,
Hon. Members of Parliament,
Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Secretary to the President and all Government Officials,
Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army,
Commander of the Navy, Commander of the Air Force and Inspector General of Police,
Director General of the Civil Security Department,
Distinguished Guests,
War Heroes,
All Sri Lankan Brothers and Sisters,
Beloved Children,
Throughout history, people of various nations have struggled, fought and made great sacrifices for their right to live as dignified citizens in a free country.
In Sri Lanka too, Great Kings such as Dutugemunu, Walagamba, Maha Parakumba, Vijayabahu and Parakumba the Sixth fought against foreign invaders at various periods during a 2,500 year history, liberated the country from foreigners and united it.
It is now 74 years since our country finally gained freedom from 450 years of European colonial rule. Even after independence, we had to fight for nearly three decades against an attempt to divide this country through terrorism.
Today Sri Lanka is a free, sovereign, democratic country. We are its proud citizens.
I take this opportunity to pay tribute to all patriots who dedicated themselves to gain full freedom for our country facing various obstacles throughout the history, and continue to secure the freedom so gained.
Every Sri Lankan citizen, irrespective of any community or religion, has the right to live freely and safely anywhere in the country today. There is freedom to practice the
religion of their choice. There is freedom to hold independent opinions and express ideas. There is full media freedom in the country. Sri Lankan citizens have the freedom to elect their representatives through a fully democratic mechanism, and for those interested, to engage in the political process and governance.
This is a cause for joy and pride for all of us.
As people of a free and democratic country, all of us have rights as well as responsibilities.
The greatest benefit from freedom is when everyone fulfils their duty to the country. It is not appropriate to speak of rights only, whilst forgetting responsibilities.
The freedom of a country is most meaningful when it is strong in social, political and economic spheres. As much as a government, the people too have the right to actively contribute towards this.
When steering the country in the right direction, we know that the support of each and every person in the country cannot be expected. We are not ready to abandon our plans for the country’s future prosperity by looking upon those who will not change. Our objective is to do what is right by the country, and not to please everyone.
We can make our way forward successful only with a positive attitude that looks optimistically towards the future. We can surmount the challenges we meet only if we dedicate ourselves to a victorious journey.
Pessimists do not change the world. They do not even have the capacity for it. Those who habitually criticize without proposing a solution to a problem do not have a vision for the future.
A nation’s leader has to constantly face many difficulties, calamities, problems and challenges. Leading a team towards a vision is not easy. Changing the existing ways, no matter how good the intention is not easy either. On certain matters, both local and foreign forces organise against us. Sometimes it may seem that everything that happens around you is conspiring against you.
What the people expect from leaders is to manage all these crises and take the country forward, but not to escape from problems. We have the positive mindset needed for that. I am always ready to provide the necessary leadership to overcome any challenge facing the country.
The world has been changed, and will be changed by those people with positive ideas, who dream of a future with optimism and strive to make it a reality. We see this throughout the history.
Social progress in all developed nations has been possible due to the positive thoughts of their leaders and the people.
Our own kings in the past built vast stupas such as Ruwanweliseya, Jethavanaramaya and Abhayagiriya in this same positive attitude. We had an excellent irrigation technology that created Minneriya Tank, Kala Wewa, Parakrama Samudraya and Yoda Ela. Cities such as Sigiriya still mesmerize the world. Sri Lanka was a famed naval hub in the ancient world. If we were able to accomplish such feats then, we ought to be able to compete with the world in the future as well.
The most important criterion for this is the belief in ourselves.
Difficult times do not last forever. People of great resolve are needed to face difficult times. Anyone who demoralizes another is not doing any good to the society at this moment. Therefore all of us have an enormous responsibility to build a positive attitude in the country to face these crises successfully. We have faced critical problems in the recent history as well, and found solutions. When pessimists maintained that terrorism could never be defeated in war, brave military leaders like General Denzil Kobbekaduwa and General Vijaya Wimalaratne instilled the positive attitude in their men that terrorism can in fact be defeated. Later, under the right political leadership, we were able to vanquish terrorism in as little as 3 ½ years because we had belief in our own capabilities.None of the crises we experience today are long-term problems. We can find solutions to them with an optimistic approach. There is a role that each of us can play to expedite this process. We must all endeavour to do our utmost for the country by fulfilling our responsibilities in a proper manner. We realized early on that the only solution to control of Covid-19 pandemic was vaccination. Hence we have been able to provide both vaccine doses to over 85% of the targeted population, control the disease and resume normal community life. By now, all vaccine doses required to administer the booster to the people have been imported to Sri Lanka. Rather than go back many years into the past searching for reasons for the economic problems that the country faces today, what is more relevant is to find both short and long-term solutions for such. This is what we as a government is focused on. We need to improve all three sectors of agriculture, industry and services in order to strengthen the economy of Sri Lanka. Special attention must be paid on ways and means to enhance export revenue whilst encouraging local production. While our national policies are very clear on this stance, there should be more active participation in all sectors in implementing them. Investment is an essential factor in the development process of our country. While the government is constantly working to encourage investments, we need both local investments as well as foreign investments. Foreign investment is especially important for large scale projects, industries requiring modern technological know-how and new
ventures that open up global market opportunities for us. People need to be more vigilant of those who attempt to propagate incorrect public opinion against foreign investments, based on political motives.
We cannot accelerate economic development without encouraging entrepreneurship and removing obstacles faced by entrepreneurs. We have a responsibility to be more respectful and friendly to entrepreneurs who start their own businesses amidst various vulnerabilities and provide employment and income opportunities for others as well. Government officials should fully understand the contribution of entrepreneurs to the country’s development and provide all assistance they require expeditiously within the legal framework. By preventing major delays in business registration and investment approvals, we can mobilize the entire economic process in the country.
A number of education reforms are taking place in the country to create a more productive citizen. Every child completing school education must strive to develop a skill or industry that can contribute to the country’s economic process. One must try to enhance knowledge in the chosen sector and also acquire professional qualifications if possible. In this manner, you have the opportunity to directly contribute to the country’s economic process.
The people who shed their sweat in farmlands, factories and workplaces make an active contribution to the country’s economy. I pay my respects to all of them.
Expatriate Sri Lankans who provide foreign exchange to the country are a major resource to us. We have not forgotten how they came forward for the country in the recent past and supported us making great sacrifices. We greatly appreciate their regular contribution to energize our economy. I invite all expatriate Sri Lankans to invest in their homeland. This will enable you to continue to actively contribute to building the future of the country.
If we are to win over the challenges before us and accomplish our future goals successfully, then all of us have to make a change. We all have to make some sacrifices towards it. As the President of the country, I am ready to set the necessary example for it. I am already doing this to the best of my ability. I ask all Ministers, Parliamentarians and other politicians to act in an exemplary manner for the country at all times. If you set this example to the people, then the majority of the people will follow you.
Forces against a national leadership that values our indigenousness and protects the country’s sovereignty are subtly misleading the people through various false propaganda. I urge the people of this country to always act prudently. No one can mislead the people if they make inquiries based on fact, ascertain the truth and make decisions.
I have pledged as the Head of State to always protect the freedom won for the future generations, and to safeguard the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of this country. We will always abide by that pledge.
Cultural freedom is important to all communities. We consider it our prime responsibility to preserve our thousands of years of indigenous traditions and customs, values and identity. Steps have been taken to preserve and develop places of archaeological value that have been subject to various threats and destroyed in the recent past.
We are a nation that safeguards the rule of law and respects international conventions. Although some parties have attempted to make various allegations against Sri Lanka for narrow motives, the government has not condoned any type of human rights violations, and will not leave room for such incidents in future either.
Under no circumstances shall we allow extremism to raise its head in this country. Today we have secured national security as promised by the government to the people.
The people have given the opportunity for the current government to implement the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour Policy Statement presented by us.
There have been no changes in the policy framework we presented in regard to identified priorities such as green agriculture, promotion of renewable energy use, education reforms compatible with the modern world, encouragement of local entrepreneurship, export diversification and value addition, and promotion of technology use for a new leap in the economy.
We are committed to achieving the basic goals of a productive citizen, a happy family, a disciplined, virtuous society and a prosperous country.
I was given the leadership of the country at a very difficult time. In the last two years we have had to find solutions to a number of unanticipated problems. Despite all these difficulties, our government was able to carry out many development activities.
All the plans required for the sustainable development of the country, during my remaining tenure are being implemented. No matter what the obstacles are, if the majority of the people in our country are optimistic about the future and give their due contribution, we will be able to achieve those goals.
I heartily invite all patriotic Sri Lankans to unite to build a proud nation that has achieved the true meaning of freedom.
I thank you all.
Theruvan Saranai.
- Shortcomings existing in Maha Season should not occur in the future….
- A proper mechanism for distributing fertilizer ….
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed the officials to take steps to provide needed fertilizer to farmers in time for the Yala Season.
The President made these remarks during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (3) with the Task Force on fertilizer.
Organic fertilizers are produced locally using various techniques. Therefore, the President emphasized the need to make farmers aware of using organic fertilizers and stressed the need to deploy officers of the Fertilizer Task Force for this purpose. Lack of proper awareness on the use of organic fertilizers has led to the harvest drop in some areas in the last season. This time the farmers should be properly made aware by the Agricultural Research Assistants to avoid these shortcomings. It has been reported that some officials are reluctant to participate in awareness programmes. The President instructed that the participation of all relevant persons in these programmes should be made compulsory.
For whatever reason, the farmer’s income cannot be allowed to decline. The confidence of the farming community in this regard should be strengthened. President Rajapaksa also said that the reluctance of farmers to switch to organic farming is a result of unsatisfactory experiences they received at various times.
The government has focused on providing the necessary financial assistance to local fertilizer producers. It is the responsibility of the companies concerned to improve their industry by providing high quality fertilizers on time. Billions of rupees spent to import chemical fertilizers over the years now goes to these industrialists and this has led to the creation of a new local industry. It also strengthens the local industrialists.
There have been reports of farmers not using high quality fertilizers due to misinformation. The entrepreneurs who produce organic fertilizer said that they are committed to the government’s policy of providing the people with a non-toxic diet.
Representatives of the fertilizer companies presented statistics on the successful yields of organic fertilizers produced by their companies and used during the last Maha Season. During the discussion, the officials pointed out that the farmers were discouraged as the media only highlighted the failures despite the many incidents of successes.
State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa said that the process of production and distribution of fertilizer has been successfully implemented with the establishment of committees comprising farmers, agricultural officers, fertilizer manufacturing companies, government officials and army personnel covering all 25 districts.
Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath and other Government Officials, Chief of Defence Staff Army Commander General Shavendra Silva and representatives of fertilizer companies were also present.
The distribution of agricultural machinery to 47 Agrarian Service Centers in 06 provinces was held today (03) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The amount spent for this is Rs 250 million.
These equipment were distributed to the Agrarian Service Centers under the “Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project” which is being implemented to encourage farmers for green agriculture and optimize productivity.
This includes 7 types of machinery including harvesting machinery, weeding machines, paddy cutting machines, nursery machines and 45 horsepower tractors. It is planned to distribute these machines to 47 Agrarian Service Centers in 11 districts in the North, North Central, Eastern, North Western, Uva and Southern Provinces.
Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture D.M.L. Bandaranayake and representatives of farmers’ organizations were also present at the occasion.
- Select locations where new wind farms can be built …
-President instructs officials
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa inspected the Ceylon Electricity Board owned “Thambapavani” Wind Power Station in Mannar, today (02).
The “Thambapavani” wind farm project commenced in 2014 with the aim of empowering the country with electricity, providing a stable power supply and accelerating the development process.
The power plant is located on a 150 hectare land, 13 km off the coast of Mannar, which faces both major monsoon winds.
The power plant has 30 towers with a turbine height of 90 meters. The diameter of the rotating blades (windmills) is one hundred and twenty six meters and the wind turbines generate 3.45 megawatts of electricity. The project includes a 36 km transmission system to Nadukuda Green Sub-Station and Pudukaman in Mannar. The total power capacity is 103.5 MW. The Ceylon Electricity Board says that the cost of generating a unit of electricity from this system is less than 08 rupees.
This eco-friendly, state-of-the-art wind farm with a number of specialized technologies for optimal power supply is considered a milestone in the journey towards renewable power generation.
Plans have been made to add another 50 megawatts to the national grid from the Thambapavani Wind Power Plant. President Rajapaksa inquired about the progress of this and instructed the officials to prepare a report immediately on the locations where new wind farms could be built. At present, 248 megawatts are added to the national grid by wind power plants. The purpose of the visit was to explore the possibility of increasing this in a short period of time and the President inspected all the operations of the power plant.
The government aims to obtain 70% of the country’s total electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 2030. It also aims to reduce electricity bills in the future by promoting low cost electricity generation without harming the environment.
Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge, State Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry of Power Wasantha Perera, Secretary to the State Ministry K.H.D.K. Samarakoon, Vice Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board Nalinda Illangakoon, Acting General Manager Rohantha Abeysekara and a number of officials were also present.
Nine new envoys comprising seven Ambassadors and two High Commissioners presented credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House this afternoon (01).
The new Ambassadors and High Commissioners have been appointed by Denmark, Estonia, Pakistan, Gambia, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Austria, Iceland and Israel.
The Pakistani High Commissioner is based in Sri Lanka, while the Philippine Ambassador is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh and the other Envoys are based in New Delhi, India. They are;
1. Ambassador of Denmark – Mr. Freddy Svane
2. Ambassador of Estonia – Ms. Katrin Kivi
3. High Commissioner of Pakistan – Major General (Retired) Umar Farooq Burki
4. Gambian High Commissioner – Mr. Mustapha Jawara
5. Ambassador of Kazakhstan – Mr. Nurlan Zhalgasbayev
6. Ambassador of the Philippines – Mr. Alan Deniega
7. Ambassador of Austria – Ms. Katharina Wieser
8. Ambassador of Iceland – Mr. Gudni Bragason and
9. Ambassador of Israel – Mr. Naor Gilon
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and Chief of Protocol Senarath Dissanayake were also present at the credentials presentation.
153 officers passed out in a single group, setting a new milestone in Air Force history…
‘Develop yourselves and further your careers’…..
-says the President to the passing out officers…
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says it is the fundamental duty of young officers to develop their skills and move forward in their careers.
The President made these remarks addressing the Commissioning Parade of the Sri Lanka Air Force held at the Sri Lanka Air force Base – Katunayake, today (29).
“You must work hard to continuously improve your knowledge, further develop your skills, and learn from the lessons imparted through your experience,” the President said.
The President commended the Air Force for over 70 years of service to the motherland and for its service to the nation building as well as national security. ‘As a technical arm of the military, the Air Force demands absolute competence and your professionalism, too, must therefore be outstanding’, President Rajapaksa said. Pointing out the value of trustworthiness and discipline in officers, the President said that it could have a profound effect on the genuine concern that exists for other ranks under a respective leadership. The President further said that he would do everything possible for the well-being and success of the officers.
A total of 153 cadets who completed their training under six categories of courses in a span of three and a half to four and a half years passed out today. This marks the first time in the history of the Air Force that a large number of officers have passed out at one time.
The President pinned Flying Official Badges to 22 Air Force Flight Officer Cadets and six female Flight Officers. Fourteen officer cadets who excelled in all courses received awards from the President.
The President also posed for a group photo with the passing out officers after witnessing the performance by the Air Force Military Band.
The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, presented a souvenir to the President and the President placed a note on the book for special guests at the Air Force Base.
Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne, Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Members of the Air Force Board of Management, officers, other ranks and relatives of the new officers were also present.
Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlüt Cavuşoğlu said the attention has been paid on promoting trade between Sri Lanka and Turkey.
The Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister said this while speaking at a meeting held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (28).
Minister Cavuşoğlu pointed out that the diversification of trade will open up the Turkish market to a wide range of Sri Lankan products. The Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister also said that steps would be taken to educate his country’s entrepreneurs about investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka.
Extending wishes from the Turkish President to President Rajapaksa, Minister Cavuşoğlu renewed the invitation made last year to visit Turkey.
President Rajapaksa thanked the Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister for the assistance provided by Turkey to control the Covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador of Turkey R. Demet Sekercioglu, Special Advisor Koray Ertas, Spokesperson Tanju Bilgic, Head of Chancery at the Turkish Embassy Muhammed Bilal Sagalm, Foreign Minister Professor G. L. Peiris, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage were also present.