The Cabinet has approved the issuance of soft liquor licences to all establishments registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said Tourism Minister Harin Fernando.
The Cabinet paper in this regard was tabled by the Minister thereby expecting the promotion of the Tourism industry as well as the emission of foreign exchange.
MIAP
Foreign Minister Peiris attends 19th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore 10-11 June, 2022
Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris who was in Singapore attended the 19th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue from 10 – 11 June, 2022. The IISS-Shangri-La Dialogueis considered Asia’s premier Security Summit. The Minister represented President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa, at the Dialogue.
On the sidelines of the Dialogue, Minister Peiris met with Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Qatar Dr. Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah as a follow up to a recent telephone conversation between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani. During the meeting, Foreign Minister Prof. Peiris highlighted the economic crisis being faced by Sri Lanka and requested the support of the Government of Qatar, in a variety of ways. The Minister further requested the Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar to facilitate an early visit to Doha by Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera, and Minister of Environment Naseer Ahamed. The Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar informed the Minister that every possible assistance would be extended to Sri Lanka.
Minister Peiris also met with Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, ICRC Christine Cipolla and discussed the work being carried out by the ICRC in Sri Lanka and the possible contributions by the Sri Lanka Red Cross and the ICRC in providing humanitarian assistance in the coming months. Director General and Chief Executive of the IISS Dr. John Chipman hosted the attending Ministers to a Ministerial reception, which provided a high level networking opportunity including an interaction with the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida, who delivered the keynote address of the Summit. Among other participants were United States Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and Minister of National Defence of the People’s Republic of China Wei Fenghe.
The Summit opened on the 11 June with Plenary Sessions focussing on the United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy, managing geopolitical competition in a multipolar region and new forms of security cooperation. On the sidelines of the inaugural session, the Foreign Minister met with President of World Economic Forum (Davos) Borge Brende, and requested support principally in the areas of renewable energy, food security and energy security. Sri Lanka has consistently been represented at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland.
Foreign Minister Peiris concluded his visit by attending a Ministerial Roundtable hosted by Minister of Defence of Singapore Dr. Ng Eng Hen.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
13 June, 2022
Poson Poya Day is a traditional day celebrated by Sri Lankan Buddhists as the inaugural day of the Sri Lankan national culture.
The national culture of the country began to be nurtured through the interpretation of Buddhism with the arrival of Arahant Mahinda on the day of Poson Poya.
I would like to add my best wishes on the occasion of this sacred day.
In particular, Poson Poya Day is the day when the Sri Lankan state was blended together with the essence of Dhamma politics as well as the spiritual well-being of the Sri Lankan people.
That is why the Maha Sangha, the people and the state government celebrate Poson Poya Day as a Poya Day which is revered by the Buddhist people of this country.
As Poson Poya Day 2022 dawns, it should be recalled that I, as the then Prime Minister, was able to make Poson Poya Day a national state event.
We consider Poson Poya Day as a Spiritually Symbolic Day for Sri Lanka.
With the arrival of Arahant Mahinda on the day of Poson Po, the Dhamma dialogue and the political socio-cultural dialogue began. This led to a self-sufficient economy.
Even at this moment, the path of Dhamma endorsed by Arahant Mahinda is like a road map for a society that is looking to alleviate the political, socio-economic turmoil that has taken hold of the Sri Lankan state.
The advice given by Arahant Mahinda to shape the governance of Sri Lanka by adopting the Chulla Hasthi Padopama Sutta, setting aside differences and ideological inequalities while producing food on local soil, should be taken as our model at this moment.
At the same time, with the Poson Poya Day in mind, we must all unite in determination to transform the State of Sri Lanka back into a calm and prosperous society following the preconceived Dhamma message.
This path is the way to preserve the Poson culture inherited from Arahant Mahinda.
Ranil Wickremesinghe
Prime Minister,
Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka
Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris who leads the Sri Lanka delegation to the 50th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) is scheduled to deliver a statement to the Council on Monday, 13 June 2022 at noon Geneva time. This statement will be delivered in line with Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with the Council.
The 50th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) is scheduled to be held from 13 June to 8 July, 2022.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
13 June, 2022
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had a telephone conversation with the Secretary of State of the United States of America Anthony Blinken this evening (2022.06.13).
The Prime Minister explained the current status of the ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund.
He added that Sri Lanka is looking to work closely with the United States and further strengthen ties between the two nations.
Anthony Blinken agreed to support Sri Lanka and to promote investment in Sri Lanka after the conclusion of the IMF talks.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to extend his greetings to US President Joe Biden.
Prime Minister’s Media Division
13th June 2022
The Ministry of Transport has decided to open two fuel stations from June 15 for private buses to obtain fuel.
Speaking to the briefing held in the Department of Government Information today (13), Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that these two fuel stations will be opened in Bastian Road, Colombo and Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center.
The move is being made to minimise the current fuel crisis in the country, the Minister went on, adding that the Ministry of Transport is putting efforts to continue the essential services in the country by supplying the existing fuel stocks among the people.
Alternate options are also being channelled to solve the crisis, he added.
MIAP
Renowned businessman Dhammika Perera who was appointed as a National List MP of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is to be sworn in in Parliament on June 21, sources said.
Nevertheless, Perera is believed to be sworn in as a Minister prior to his arrival in Parliament as his parliament membership has already been gazetted, according to sources.
MIAP
Nalinda Ilangakoon has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).
Ilangakoon previously served as the Vice Chairman of the CEB.
MIAP
Specialist Dr. Darshana Sirisena has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).
Dr. Haritha Aluthge serves as the new Secretary.
Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya who served as the Union Chairman for twelve years did not appear for the election for office bearers.
During the last few years of the Union under Padeniya’s navigation the GMOA had almost acted like a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna-led trade union, submitting itself to the displeasure of the people. Padeniya was one of the horsemen that convinced the President to impose a chemical fertiliser ban, driving the country directly into the wrath of the food apocalypse.
MIAP
It is well known that Nandalal is a golf addict and loves to have press conferences. He loves to see his face on the TV and move around with bodyguards. They even carry his golf sticks. His performance so far has been mixed. His decisions so far have not helped to ease the burden on the public. Especially after the sovereign USD loans were defaulted, the credibility of the country has been severely dented. Foreign direct investments and forex loans have virtually grounded to a halt. The country has lost access to international capital markets.
Local Banks find it almost impossible to open letters of credit and carry out forex transactions. Forex funding of local banks have been curtailed by international banks. Forex-funded infrastructure projects have stopped. International creditors and bond holders are reportedly getting ready to file legal action to recover their dues. After his decision to increase interest rates by 100%. Thousands of small and medium sized entrepreneurs are facing the risk of collapse. Hundreds of thousands of livelihoods are in jeopardy. Inflation is escalating to unbearable levels. Interest rates have risen sharply. Issue of Treasury Bills to the Central Bank (money printing) has increased significantly though he said he will stop it. The LKR is losing value.
Though he claims he will bring it down to 300, the Government’s rupee payments, including salary and pension payments are now becoming a challenge, more than ever before. Food, fuel, medicine, gas, and electricity shortages are occurring very frequently, with no solution in sight. General living conditions are being threatened or interrupted, with signs of the economic situation getting much worse. President Gotabaya thinks his Governor is doing a great job. He spins stories that Gotabaya likes to hear according to CBSL sources. Nande instead of preaching at golf clubs to the affluent must focus on the job at hand and raise the required USD the country needs. So far he has failed on that front. That is what the public wants. No one is interested in his public utterances anymore. Gotabaya’s ignorance is only helping our golf Nande to thrive and to bury the economy .
Adolf
