PMD: President Ranil Wickremesinghe received a courtesy call by Sun Weidong, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs from the People’s Republic of China. The meeting took place at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (30) and was attended by officials from both nations.

During the discussions, Vice Minister Sun Weidong reiterated China’s steadfast support for Sri Lanka in its ongoing economic recovery. The President expressed his sincere appreciation for the unwavering assistance provided by China during this critical period.

Furthermore, Vice Minister Sun Weidong announced China’s keen interest in exploring opportunities to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. This commitment highlights China’s dedication to fostering closer ties with Sri Lanka on various fronts.

The visit of Vice Minister Sun Weidong and the discussions held with President Wickremesinghe further solidify the bonds between China and Sri Lanka, paving the way for enhanced cooperation and shared prosperity in the future.

President’s Chief-of-Staff and Senior Advisor on National Security Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms Aruni Wijewardena, and Director of International Affairs Mr Dinouk Colombage were present on this occasion.

1. Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardene says the Cabinet has approved a proposal to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism in Sri Lanka based on the South African experience: also says Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa and Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabri had visited South Africa to study South Africa’s T & R Commission.
   
2. IMF’s Deputy MD Kenji Okamura to visit Sri Lanka for a 2-day official visit and hold talks with President, Finance Ministry officials, and CB officials: State Ministry of Finance says discussions with Okamura will be on “recent trends in Sri Lanka’s economic program, opportunities to empower the economy in the future, and ways to minimize obstacles and delays”: analysts say Okamura’s visit and agenda confirms the point raised by many persons that Sri Lanka’s economy is now under the management of the IMF
   
3. State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe says an agreement has been signed to extend the USD 1,000 mn assistance scheme from India for a further year, as USD 423mn from the allocated sum has been unused.
   
4. Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena says the Govt can’t fund the “Sisu
   Seriya” school bus service any more: also says the Govt will bear only
   70% of the cost, and that parents will have to bear the balance.
   
5. Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong assures that China will stand by Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, political independence and socio-economic development: also assures that China will increase investments in agriculture,
   trade & commerce, ports, and infrastructure development in Sri Lanka.
   
6. SJB issues “Show cause” letters to Badulla District MP Vadivel Suresh and
   Kalutara District MP Dr. Rajitha Senaratne for defying a directive to be present
   in Parliament when a vote was taken on the Govt’s proposal to remove the PUC
   Chairman Janaka Ratnayake.
   
7. Commissioner General of Examinations says he expects to release the results of the GCE Advanced Level Examinations (2022) in August 2023.
   
8. MP Dilan Perera of the Nidahasa Janatha Sabawa alleges that Pastor Jerome Fernando and Natasha Edirisooriya are actors in a drama orchestrated by the Govt to distract people from the real issues faced by the masses: says such issues distract the people from key issues such as inflation, X-Press Pearl compensation and cheap drugs that have made scores of people blind.
   
9. Cabinet spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena says the Cabinet has
   granted approval to recommence the Colombo Light Rail Transit project, which was abandoned by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa: the project is said to be funded by a massive loan of about USD 2 billion from Japan: Gunawardene also says the move will “restore Sri Lanka’s credibility within the international community”.
   
10. Sri Lanka Cricket announces the 16-member squad for the first two matches of the One-Day International Cricket series against Afghanistan: Test Captain Dimuth Karunaratne, 20-year old IPL pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera included in the squad.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has instructed Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramarathne to immediately relieve Police personnel deployed for certain places and persons who do not require protection and reattach them to the respective Police stations.

That being said, the Minister has instructed the IGP to take the necessary steps after making a proper assessment on the said parties whether they actually require protection.

The Minister’s instructions come in upon considering the facts presented by a number of MPs at the Ministerial Advisory Working Committee on Public Security revealing that there is a shortcoming of duty at Police stations after deploying a huge number of Police officers for the protection of parties that do not require protection.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has left for Thailand on an official tour.

Accompanied by a delegation of 11 persons, the Prime Minister left the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) early this (31) morning.

PMD: The Immigration and Emigration Controller General, Mr Harsha Ilukpitiya, announced that President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s initiative to digitize public services includes the implementation of an online passport application system in the coming days.

This new process aims to streamline the passport application process and ensure that passports are delivered to applicants’ residences within a span of three days.

During his appearance on the ‘101 Katha’ program produced by the Presidential Media Division, he highlighted the development of this procedure and its wide availability.

To facilitate the efficient delivery of passports, 50 regional secretariats across the island have been equipped with the necessary facilities. Once applicants submit their relevant applications to the nearest Regional Secretariat and complete the required procedures, the passport will be dispatched to their residence via a courier service within three days.

This initiative comes in response to reports of brokers causing disruptions in the passport issuance process. As a result, Minister of Public Security, Mr. Tiran Alas, issued instructions to the Immigration and Emigration Department to develop an innovative program to eliminate such interference. The department aims to popularize this newly designed program during the month of June, marking a significant milestone in its history. Achieving a successful execution of this program during the department’s 75th anniversary next year would be a remarkable accomplishment.

Under the new system, individuals can conveniently apply for passports from their homes by visiting www.immigration.gov.lk. By selecting the ‘Apply for passports’ option and validating the provided information, applicants will receive the necessary application form. Before uploading the soft copy of the form, applicants can specify whether they prefer the expedited ’03 day service’ or the standard ’02 week service.’

Following this, applicants must visit their Divisional Secretariat to provide their fingerprints and make the required payment via the online system offered by the Bank of Ceylon. For those unable to complete the process at home, they can visit an authorized photo studio under the Immigration and Emigration Department to obtain the necessary documents and fulfil the requirements.

In case individuals encounter difficulties making online payments after visiting the Divisional Secretariat and providing their fingerprints, alternative payment facilities are available. After submitting their fingerprints, the Divisional Secretariat will provide a designated number, which can be presented to the Bank of Ceylon. The amount due will then be transferred to the Immigration and Emigration Department.

To support these efforts, fingerprint scanners and cameras have been deployed in the 50 Divisional Secretariat Offices, and the Department of Posts has introduced a dedicated courier service.

Through a collaborative arrangement with the postal service, passports will be delivered to applicants’ residences using this courier service, ensuring a swift three-day turnaround.

Furthermore, comprehensive measures have been implemented to prevent any irregularities in the process, with the utilization of advanced technology to the fullest extent possible to maintain efficiency and integrity.

Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Dr. Robert Floyd will visit Sri Lanka from 31 May to 4 June 2023.

During the visit, Dr. Robert Floyd is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on the President, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Environment and meet with senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB).

Sri Lanka signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) on 24 October 1996 and a Facility Agreement with the Organization in June 2000 which led the way for the establishment of an auxiliary seismological station in Pallekale, Kandy, as part of the International Monitoring System (IMS) to verify compliance with the CTBT.

The key objective of the CTBT is to bannu clear explosions by everyone, everywhere: above ground, under water and underground.

The visit is expected to further strengthen cooperation between Sri Lanka and the CTBTO.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo

30 May 2023

Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Dr. D. Venkateshwaran met Padma Bhushan ‘Superstar’ Rajinikanth, a world renowned actor from South India, at his residence on 29 May 2023. During the meeting, DHC invited Mr. Rajinikanth to visit Sri Lanka as his presence will enhance cinema induced tourism as well as spiritual & wellness tourism.

DHC also personally invited him to explore the ‘Ramayana Trail’ that is exclusive to Sri Lanka and also other unique Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka.

Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka

Chennai

30 May 2023