1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the need for vocational education restructuring to meet global job market demands. He proposed consolidating all vocational training institutes in Sri Lanka into a single college offering modern subject-related courses. These initiatives were discussed during his visit to the Ratmalana Lalith Athulathmudali Vocational Training Centre.
2. The lists of names of the members appointed to several parliamentary committees during the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament have been announced.
3. Finance Ministry officials informed the Committee on Public Finance that the revenue loss from the ‘sugar scam’ should be labeled as tax foregone, not a tax loss. They argued that the reduction of the special commodity levy from Rs. 50 to 25 cents caused the revenue decline mentioned in the Auditor General’s report. When questioned about recovering the lost revenue, ministerial officials maintained it should be characterized as tax foregone rather than a tax loss.
4. Eng. Noel Priyantha has tendered his resignation as the spokesperson of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, taking to his X handle, said this was communicated to him by the CEB management. The CEB spokesperson, who attended the ‘Big Focus’ program on Ada Derana on Tuesday, made controversial remarks that received backlash for lacking empathy.
5. Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed his country’s keenness in working close collaboration with Sri Lanka in providing assistance and providing technical know how for projects relating to energy, water, agriculture ,Nano technology, pharmacology and biotechnology. He expressed his satisfaction on the progress made in fuel- tea batá agreement now being implemented between the two countries.
6. The sub-committee chaired by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, is formulating a new policy for vehicle imports in the country. Minister Nalin Fernando, a committee member, revealed that discussions have taken place, emphasizing the necessity for a revised import strategy during recent meetings.
7. Kaduwela Police arrested suspected drug trafficker and organised criminal gang member, Sudath Kithsiri alias ‘Welivita Sudda’. The suspect was arrested in the Welivita area in Malabe, while in possession of 15 grams and 300 milligrams of heroin.
8. The 26th session of the Joint Commission between Sri Lanka and the European Union (EU) will be convened today (Feb.22) in Brussels. The meeting will be co-chaired by Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary, Aruni Wijewardane and EU European External Action Service Deputy Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Paola Pampaloni.
9. Mrs. Diana Gamage, the Minister of State for Tourism emphasized the critical role of nightlife in driving economic growth, citing it as a cornerstone of the night economy. She underscored that the night economy accounts for a substantial 70% of a country’s revenue, illustrating its significant contribution to national finances.
10. Vietnam’s Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Minh Hoan Le, met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, focusing on rural development and social empowerment. The Vietnamese Minister expressed gratitude for Sri Lanka’s support during the Vietnamese liberation movement, highlighting that Sri Lanka was among the first nations to recognize Vietnam after its independence and unification.
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