President Maithripala Sirisena wishing Lankan Hindus a joyful Deepavali has expressed the hope that it will open up the hearts of all individuals with collective yearning for reconciliation as the festival symbolises victory of righteousness over evil.
Deepavali renews hope in our hearts towards the engagement of the human spirit in overcoming evil with the goodness that exist among mankind., the Prime Minister said in his Deepavali Message. Also, it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, hope over despair, the statement said.
Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Kotte Naga Vihara has passed away on 8 November 2015 while receiving treatment at a hospital in Singapore. He was born on the 29th of May 1942 in Maduluwewa in Padukka, Homagama.
The Sri Lankan government has declared Thursday (12) a Day of National Mourning for the death of the reverend Buddhist leader Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera.
Following is the full text of the Economic Policy Statement made by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe in Parliament on November 5, 2015.
Hon. Speaker,
On the 08th of January, the people of Sri Lanka elected Maithripala Sirisena as the President in pursuit of much needed change. This was confirmed at the Parliamentary Election held in August.
Our final goal is to improve and enhance the living standards of the people; it is the goal for which we have obtained the approval of the people at the election.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena who is on a four day state visit to Thailand met the Prime Minister of Thailand General Prayut Chan-o-cha at the official residence of the Prime Minister today (Nov.2).The President who arrived at the official residence of the Thailand Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by the Prime Minister Chan-o-cha. The welcome ceremony included a Guard of Honor.
After the welcome ceremony, the two leaders commenced bilateral talks. The discussions focused on the fields of politics and culture of the two countries.
In line with the government’s policy to enhance the economic development of the country, under the guidance of Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is geared to intensify the promotion of trade, investment and all economic endeavors through economic diplomacy.
As a first step in that direction, an inter-agency task force was established and the first meeting was held today (15.10.2015) in the Ministry with relevant Government agencies, Private Sector Institutions including Business Chambers.
Memorial Speech by Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe – Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
at the National Diet of Japan
on 6th October 2015
Sri Lanka – Japan Relations : Future Direction
His Excellency the Speaker,
His Excellency the Prime Minister,
Distinguished Members of the Diet,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with great pleasure and privilege and respect that I address this august audience. We have been in your country for three days and we leaving back to Sri Lanka tomorrow. My Delegation, including my wife and of course myself, were made to feel more than at home by your unique, sincere and warm hospitality and the courtesies integral and inherent to the peoples of Japan. We were extremely touched by the most cordial and congenial reception extended by the Government of Japan as well.
On this momentous occasion, I wish to take this opportunity to convey our good wishes and sincere appreciation on behalf of President Maithripala Sirisena, the Parliament and the peoples of Sri Lanka, to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, the Prime Minister, the Government, the National Diet and the peoples of Japan.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday pledged ¥45 billion in loans to expand Sri Lanka’s sole international airport.After meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at his office in Tokyo, the two leaders agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive partnership covering a wide range of areas, including politics, security and economics.
“To support its economy, we will further work together with Sri Lanka in three fields: promoting investment, cooperating on a national development plan, and national reconciliation and peace-building” under the enhanced partnership, Abe said.
Today we have achieved a path-breaking success in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva at the current 30th Session.
For the last several years, Sri Lanka was repeatedly humiliated by the international community with Resolutions that censured the conduct of our country. Successive resolutions since 2012, adopted by divisive and acrimonious voting, resulted in repeated defeats and isolation for Sri Lanka.
Although the Government at the time claimed victory through a Resolution in the Human Rights Council in May 2009, that was hardly a victory for the people of Sri Lanka, as that effort failed to achieve consensus in the Council. The Resolution, which was adopted by a vote, antagonised a large number of members of the Council, paving the way for the series of Resolutions that followed in 2012, 2013 and 2014 that was an affront to the people of my country and brought disrepute to Sri Lanka.
India offered Sri Lanka full support to strengthen connectivity between the two countries to deepen human and economic links that will benefit all sections of the two societies when Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held talks in New Delhi Tuesday. (15)
Indian PM issuing a statement after the meeting that took place this morning at the Hyderabad House said Sri Lanka's progress is important for the two countries, South Asia and the maritime region.
Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva assumed duties as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today, Friday 11th September 2015.
The Deputy Minister was received at the Ministry by the Secretary of the Ministry and other senior officials. A religious ceremony was held at the Ministry prior to his assuming duties.
The United Arab Emirates’ Foreign Minister, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nayhan, visited Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Government of Sri Lanka.
During bilateral consultations the Foreign Ministers explored ways of strengthening trade and investment ties, improving the welfare of Sri Lankan workers in the UAE, and collaborating on issues of regional and international concern.
Important Links