The Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka Ho Thi Thanh Truc called on Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry on Friday, 30 September, 2022 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ambassador extended congratulations to the Minister on his appointment and looked forward to working closely with him during her tenure.
The Ambassador discussed a wide range of issues related to the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation between the two countries. It was noted that Vietnam and Sri Lanka have enjoyed warm and cordial relations for over five decades and there is potential to expand mutual cooperation in a number of areas. The Minister appreciated that the 4th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations had been held at the Foreign Secretary level in January, 2022. The strong cooperation between Sri Lanka and Vietnam, in political, social, cultural and educational fields were also discussed during the meeting.
Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Launches e-Channeling Appointment System for Authentication Services
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched an e-channeling appointment system in collaboration with SLT Mobitel on 29 September, 2022 to render better and more efficient services to the public, who seek authentication services from the Consular Affairs Division in Colombo and its regional offices in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kandy, Kurunegala and Matara.
The public who needs authentication services may schedule an appointment through the e-channeling appointment system dialing 225 (Mobile subscribers) or 1225 (landline subscribers) and visiting Mobitel e-channeling (www.echannelling.com) or official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.mfa.gov.lk).
Addressing the gathering at the launch, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry expressed that there is a demand for migrant workers from Sri Lanka. As a result of which the request for services from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has doubled and resulted in long queues at the Authentication Section of the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The public has been inconvenienced as a result of this and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set out to offer a better service to the people. He further added that this will hopefully result in queues being eliminated and save the time and effort of the persons obtaining services. He also stated that this is the beginning of a programme that will result in the transformation of the Consular Services at Sri Lanka Missions abroad as well.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tharaka Balasuriya also expressed the importance of digitalization of all government institutions that can improve efficiency of services as well as integrating all Sri Lanka Missions by digitalizing to mitigate time consuming works.
Chairman / Director of SLT Mobitel, Rohan Fernando highlighted the efficiency of the system introduced by SLT Mobitel.
Secretary, Foreign Affairs, Aruni Wijewardane and other senior Foreign Ministry officials and representatives from SLT Mobitel also attended the event.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Lakshaman Kadirgamar Institute organised the commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) on the 4 October, 2022. This event, held at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, was supported by the South Asia Network of Economic Modelling (SANEM) and InReach Global.
Participating at the event as the keynote speaker, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya stated that it was indeed a special occasion for Sri Lanka to host this event after almost six months following the 5th BIMSTEC Summit which was held in March this year in Sri Lanka. The State Minister’s keynote address dwelled on the aspects of the contribution in the past by the BIMSTEC as an organization and the relevance and significance of BIMSTEC today.
State Minister Balasuriya in his address noted that the region is amongst the fastest growing economies in the world and that the BIMSTEC has common culture, common religious practices, a rich history and well documented civilizational links, amongst others. The State Minister reiterated that the success of any regional bloc would be based on its contribution to the well-being of the peoples of its Member States and said that he is of strong conviction that with the upcoming working agendas, BIMSTEC would be able to attain this objective and also propel the organisation towards the noble responsibility of extending service to the peoples of Member countries..
The opening remark of the event was delivered by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prof. Saj U. Mendis. This commemoration also hosted two Panel Discussions moderated by the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Manorie Mallikaratchy and a leading economist Dr. Nihal Pitigala. The eminent panellists included former Secretary, Foreign Affairs Ravinatha Aryasinha, former Secretary General of BIMSTEC Sumith Nakandala, Executive Director of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute Dr. Laksiri Mendis, Senior Professor Hemanthi Ranasinghe and other officials attached to the Ministry of Defence, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the private sector. The panelists discussed the progress of the BIMSTEC over the last 25 years and its relevance today. The event was attended by the diplomatic corps, academia and government officials.
President of Iceland assures to strengthen further the bond of friendship between Sri Lanka and Iceland.
Guoni Th. Johannesson, President of Iceland congratulating Honourable Ranil Wickremesinghe on his election as the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, has further assured to strengthen the bond of friendship between the two countries.
He also expressed confidence that the people of Sri Lanka will successfully deal with the economic challenges while preserving the social harmony, which must be quintessential to Sri Lanka.
President Johannesson expressed that people enjoy good relations and there is no doubt that increasing the exchange could be of considerable benefit to both Sri Lanka and Iceland.
.@PresidentISL Guðni Th. Jóhannesson expressed confidence that the people of #SriLanka will successfully deal with the economic challenges & assured to strengthen further the bond of friendship between 🇱🇰 and 🇮🇸.
Expressing his views on the high inflation Sri Lanka has suffered, he said that inflation is a common problem that Iceland has recognized very well.
Furthermore, he has invited everyone to do their best to stand together when wrestling with issues like the recent pandemic and environmental threats.
He assured his support to strengthen further the bond of friendship between the two countries and wished the government and the people of Sri Lanka good fortune in the future.
Senior Journalist Chathura Vidyaratne is reportedly proposed for the post of new Chief Executive Officer of Swarnavahini Media Network.
Vidyaratne, a well-seasoned media personnel in the field of journalism, previously served in Divaina, Lakbima, Lakehouse and Jathika Rupavahini. He is the only son of one of the founding journalists of Divaina, Rupasiri Vidyaratne, who covered stories on judicial proceedings on the paper.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Chathura entered journalism and in 2009 gained citizenship in London, UK. During his recent visit to Sri Lanka, he agreed to accept the post of CEO of Swarnavahini, based on a request by President Wickremesinghe.
Swarnavahini had been under the executiveship of Sudeva Hettiarachchi, a former Director General of the President’s Media. He left Hiru Media Network and came to Swarnavahini, without stepping down from his post at the President’s Media Unit. Accordingly, Swarnavahini was under Hettiarachchi’s control even when he was still serving at the President’s Media Unit.
Correspondents claim that Hettiarachchi has been removed from the post of CEO of Swarnavahini and he came to the studio this (04) morning, thanked everyone and left.
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa speaking to Parliament today (04) said the fishing community has faced a serious issue due to the jacked up prices of kerosene and other types of fuel.
Pointing out that the livelihood of the fishing community has completely been affected by the price revision on fuel, the Opposition Leader urged the government to immediately solve this problem.
“Due to jacked-up prices of kerosene and other types of fuel, the fisher community has faced a serious issue. Their livelihood has been completely affected due that. The government should forthwith intervene to solve this problem,” Premadasa said.
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa addressing the Chambers today (04) said one of the seats belonging to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) at the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE) will be offered to MP Prof. Charitha Herath, in appreciation of his service as the former Chairman of the Committee.
Accordingly, SJB MP Dr. Harsha De Silva has willingly withdrawn from the CoPE, making one seat vacant at the Committee.
The CoPE under Prof. Herath’s chairmanship managed to conduct investigations on a number of public enterprises and was appreciated by many parties regardless of political differences. His name was not added to the list of CoPE members this time, leading to speculation on the political arena and among the general public alike, claiming that the former CoPE chief was deprived of his chance to enter the Committee due to his decision to detach from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and serve independently in Parliament.
Nonetheless, following Dr. Silva’s withdrawal, the vacant seat at the CoPE may be given to Prof. Herath.
Police Sergeant Buddhika Kumara (Badge No.42313), who averted an attempted robbery near a private bank in Tambuttegama, has been promoted to the post of Sub-Inspector, in appreciation of his service and commitment to enhance the Sri Lanka Police’s reputation.
Subject to the approval of the Public Service Commission, Mr. Kumara was promoted to the post of Sub-Inspector by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and was granted a cash reward of Rs. 2.5 million from the Police Reward Fund and a Police Valour Medal.
The event was held on October 03, 2022 under the patronage of Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and the participation of Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne at the Public Security Ministry.
Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of North Central Province Kitsiri Jayalath and the promoted officer’s mother, wife and children, other senior police officers, Tambuttegama Assistant Superintendent of Police and Tambuttegama Headquarters Police Inspector also graced the occasion.
On the afternoon of 26.09.2022, a businessman who visited the said bank in Tambuttegama to deposit money was robbed of Rs. 22.3 million by two armed assailants on a motorbike, but during their getaway point, Sergeant Kumara (Badge No.42313) in a heroic act prevented the loot and arrested the two assailants on the spot and safely retrieved the money.
All fuel distributors have decided not to order fuel this (04) morning, said Co-Secretary of the Petroleum Distributors’ Association Kapila Naotunna, speaking to media today.
“The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has charged back about 45 per cent of the commission paid to the distributors as a monthly usage fee. This charge – the managing director actually confirmed that this is not currently charged – was made without any prior notification. Then the Deputy Manager of the Finance Department of the Corporation charged the amount from the accounts of the distributors at about 4.30 pm yesterday evening. In objection to this charging, all distributors have decided to refrain from ordering fuel today (04). Until a solution is found, until the amount charged is returned to the distributors’ accounts, ordering of fuel will not take place as decided,” Naotunna said.
He went on: “In fact, it is the customer who is aggrieved by this. Because, when we cease the ordering of fuel, a huge fuel shortage will spread across the country once again. So, we hope that the authorities of the Corporation will immediately solve this problem without driving the people into that situation.”
However, Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara tweeted last night saying that the distribution of fuel will carry out uninterruptedly and urged the public not to be deceived by such false news.
