The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its latest update on the region's outlook has said that Sri Lanka ( http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/ado2013-sri-lanka.pdf) appears to be broadly on track to meet forecasted growth.
The Asian Development Outlook (ADO) ( http://www.adb.org/publications/asian-development-outlook-2013-asias-energy-challenge) of the ADB released yesterday said it retains the April projection of GDP growth in 2013 at 6.8 % and in 2014 at 7.2%.
The Minister of External Affairs of India, Salman Khurshid concluded his two day Official visit to Sri Lanka on Tuesday 8thOctober 2013. The visit was undertaken at the invitation of the Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka Prof G.L Peiris. Minister Khurshid was accompanied by Madam Louise Khurshid and a high level Indian delegation from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Indian Minister of External Affairs Mr. Salman Khurshid called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House this morning. A number of issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting with the underlying objective of developing strategies for the two countries to coordinate more closely towards further strengthening relations.
C.V. Vigneswaran took oaths as the Chief Minister of the Northern Province before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this morning.
Retired Supreme Court judge, Vigneswaran received his Chief Ministerial appointment letter from the Northern Province Governor on October 01.
Former Supreme Court judge C.V. Vigneswaran received his Chief Ministerial appointment letter from the Northern Province Governor – Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, today (Oct.01).
Vigneswaran, who was nominated as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the Northern Provincial Council polls, obtained a total of 132,255 preferential votes topping the preferential vote list in Jaffna District.
The world needs no policing by a few States, particularly when the UN is mandated to ensure international security, through multilateral engagement, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.
Addressing the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Rajapaksa said it is disturbing to observe the growing trend in the international arena, of interference by some, in the internal matters of developing countries, in the guise of security, and as guardians of human rights.
Monday, 23 September 2013
Issuing a statement on the election victories in the North Western, Central and Northern provinces, the President said the provincial council election held Saturday is a unique event that strengthened Sri Lanka's political democracy.
Pointing out that the political parties in the North that were under terrorist control for so long are now enjoying freedom and happiness thanks to the thousands of youth in the security forces who sacrificed their lives to obtain that freedom, the President said those heroes should be remembered at this moment for establishing a lasting peace in the country.
Speaking of the ruling party's victory at the elections to the North Western and Central Provincial Councils, the President said the results clearly show that people are well aware of the Mahinda Chintana Policy and the government's development drive.
Full statement : Read more….
Last Updated ( Monday, 23 September 2013 )
After more than 23 years, direct train services between Colombo and Kilinochchi resumed its operations this morning with the opening of the newly completed 63-kilometer track between Omanthai and Kilinochchi.
Detail report : Link
After nearly three decades of oppression due to LTTE terrorism, Kilinochchi was liberated through the Humanitarian Operation, bringing new hope for lasting peace and prosperity to the town. Since the liberation, the people of Kilinochchi have seen positive changes. The government took immediate steps to clear landmines, resettle the displaced and establish democracy in the province.
External Affairs minister G.L. Peiris on Tuesday said UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay had ignored a report produced by the UN officials in Colombo about claims of the intimidating presence of the military in the North.
“It is pity that the High Commissioner had not read the reports produced by UN officials in Colombo who believe this claim after interviewing about 200 people chosen by the UN itself. Nearly 90% of them had said they were comfortable living there.
The most crucial steps towards the restoration of normalcy in the North and East was the revival of the democratic process through the restoration of elections and the return of political plurality, Defence Secretary said yesterday.
In a comment regarding the statement issued yesterday by UN High Commissioner Human Rights Navanetham Pillay at the conclusion of her week-long visit to Sri Lanka, the Government of Sri Lanka said, the High Commissioner’s observation that Sri Lanka “is showing signs of heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction” is a political statement on her part, which clearly transgresses her mandate and the basic norms which should be observed by a discerning international civil servant. It also runs contrary to the many assertions the High Commissioner made about the unfettered access she was provided, the freedom people presently enjoy in contrast to the last time she visited Sri Lanka in 2000 and the vibrant political debates and election campaigns of which evidence was seen by her and acknowledged reflecting the political pluralism enjoyed by the people of Sri Lanka. The judgment on the leadership of the country is better left for the people of Sri Lanka to decide, than being caricatured by external entities influenced by vested interests.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanetham Pillay who concluded a 7 day official visit to Sri Lanka addressing the Colombo based media on Saturday (31 August 2013) has thanked the Government for its invitation and its excellent cooperation during the planning and conduct of this very complex mission. Noting that throughout her visit, the authorities, at all levels, have been keen to demonstrate how much has been achieved in terms of resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation in the relatively short period since the conflict with the LTTE ended in 2009, she said "I understand the Government’s concern that they have perhaps not been sufficiently recognized". Full text of the Statement
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Navanethem Pillay, when she called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this afternoon, acknowledged the post-war progress that has been made in Sri Lanka.
It is important to have an objective approach and extend equal treatment to all countries when fulfilling the assigned mandate, observed External Affairs Minister, Prof. G.L. Peiris, when he met visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay at the Ministry of External Affairs today. High Commissioner Pillay is on a weeklong visit to Sri Lanka on an invitation extended by the Government of Sri Lanka in April 2011.
United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Navaneethan Pillay arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday (25 August) on a week-long visit which will include field visits to Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Trincomalee. She will call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and meet External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and other government ministers and officials, as well as civil society representatives. She was received upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport by Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative in Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha and UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Subinay Nandy.
The exhibition will primarily focus on promoting latest technology / machinery that are useful for local industries and finding export markets for Sri Lankan products.
The Government of Sri Lanka is inviting international exhibitors to make use of this opportunity in fostering mutually beneficial contacts with the Sri Lankan business community.
You may please visit the following web link for further details.
http://srilankabusiness.com/exhibition/index.html
Information on the specific facilities that would be made available to international exhibitors and buyers on this occasion will be indicated in the near future.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay will make field visits to North and East during her stay in the island, her office in Geneva said in a statement.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he has successfully fulfilled the mandate given to him by the people in 2005. He said that the contribution made towards rebuilding the country during the last eight years is unmatched even by the totality of work accomplished through the previous 60 years since independence.
Philippines regards Sri Lanka as a valued friend and development partner, and will continue to extend all support and goodwill to the country, Mr. Albert del Rosario, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Minister of Foreign Affairs) said in Manila on 2nd August 2013. He made these remarks at the bilateral discussions with External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris, in Manila.
0n 30th July 2013, Secretary/External Affairs, Karunatilaka Amunugama had bilateral consultations with the 1st Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Kyou-hyun of Korea. This meeting was initiated by the two parties as a progress review of the State visit concluded by H.E. the President in 2012.
Both sides were satisfied with the recent developments in bilateral cooperation and discussed ways and means of further enhancing and consolidating the economic partnership which was the main focus of discussion during the Summit meeting held by H.E. the President with his counterpart of Korea.
Full text : Read more…..
During his two day visit to the Netherlands, External Affairs Minister Professor G.L.Peiris discussed with Mr. Hugo Sieblesz, Secretary General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, a greater role for Sri Lanka as the venue for international arbitrations. There was agreement to carry the matter further in view of Sri Lanka’s acknowledged strengths in this field, and the available infrastructure and expertise.
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