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European Union and Expertise France signed an agreement to set up a Green Policy Dialogue Facility

Published

3 years ago

2023/05/13

In response to the pressing global environmental challenges and current economic and financial crisis in Sri Lanka, the European Union (EU) and its Team Europe partners will shortly launch the Green Policy Dialogue Facility (GPDF), the EU said in a press release yesterday (12).

The new Facility was discussed with Sri Lankan authorities during the Development Working Group and the Joint Commission meetings that took place on 8th and 9th of May 2023, a series of high level annual meetings between Sri Lankan authorities and high ranked EU officials of the European Commission and the European External Action Services, who visited the country to discuss matters related to EU-Sri Lanka relations in trade, human rights and development cooperation.

Mr. Mario Ronconi, Head of Unit for South and South East Asia, Directorate General for International Partnerships, leading the mission of the European Commission, explained that “this four-year initiative will be implemented by Expertise France, part of the AFD group (French Development Agency) and a member of the Team Europe Initiative in Sri Lanka, will accompany Sri Lankan authorities and society to lay down the foundation for a transition towards a green and inclusive economy and society.”

H.E. Denis Chaibi, EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka, added that “promoting a more sustainable life style is at the core of European policies and would also offer new economic opportunities, reduce dependencies and ultimately provide much needed macroeconomic stability and resilience in the country”.

The Facility will support policy implementation to achieve a green and blue economy that is circular, carbon neutral and respectful of biodiversity resources and it will be implemented in partnership with Sri Lankan public institutions, in particular the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Finance, as well as government institutions focusing on SMEs.The objective is to create a technical assistance platform where the European Union and Sri Lanka can share their policy experience and ultimately promote transfer of technology between European and Sri Lankan companies, facilitating investment in innovative solutions in response to our global environmental challenges.

With a 5 million euro budget, the Facility will be part of a series of financial assistance to be rolled out between 2021 and 2027 under the Team Europe Initiative on Green Recovery, which will mainly focus on circular economy in the food industry and on valuing and protecting Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity. It will also support EU Member States in developing, financing and implementing additional initiatives in the country.

Jérémie Pellet, CEO of Expertise France, announced that this will be the first project implemented by Expertise France in Sri Lanka. “As part of the AFD Group, it will strengthen the presence of France, an EU member state, in the country. In doing so, the AFD Group renews and reinforces its ambition to support and accompany Sri Lanka in its transition towards a green, sustainable and inclusive economy,” he added.

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Cabinet aporives recruitment of Nursing Instructors for Nursing Schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on Contract Basis

Published

4 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

There are 17 nursing schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media including the postgraduate primary nursing school.

There are 142 vacancies in the posts of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) as on 31.03.2026 in those schools while 24 officers are to be promoted to the special grade on 31.12.2025 owing to the vacancies existing in the post of Special
Grade Nursing Officer (Education). Therefore, the number of vacancies is to be 166.

In addition, there are 24 vacancies in the post of Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Although at present action has been taken to upgrade the nursing schools to nursing colleges and upgrade the nursing diploma course to nursing degree course, no action has been taken so far to carry out recruitment for the training relevant to the appointment for the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to recruit retired nursing instructors and nursing instructors who served in the nursing schools belonging to the three armed forces and are retired or have resigned legitimately from service to the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) on contract basis.

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Signing agreement for the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka

Published

5 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

It has been decided to establish a BIMSTEC technology transfer facility in Sri Lanka by entering into a Host Country Agreement at the second leaders’ summit of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal
Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) held in New Delhi, India, in 2008, with the objective of enhancing regional cooperation.

The relevant cooperation agreement was signed by the member countries at the 5th BIMSTEC summit on 30-03-2022 in Colombo.
The prime objective of this technology transfer facility is to provide technology, capacity building, and management of intellectual property for the micro, small, and medium-scale
enterprises of the BIMSTEC member countries.

According to the cooperation agreement, an agreement should be entered into between Sri Lanka, as the host country, and BIMSTEC Secretariat for formalizing the legal status, privileges, and immunities of the technology transfer facility.

The drafted agreement has received the relevant institutional approval and legal clearance.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Science and Technology to sign the proposed agreement.

News

The cabinet approves agreement on mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters between the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea

Published

5 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 11-12-2023 to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka regarding mutual cooperation
in criminal matters.

However, according to the aforementioned approval, the relevant agreement could not be signed between both parties.

Through this agreement, opportunities will be provided
for mutual assistance to other countries in handing over judicial documents and collecting evidence for the use of criminal case matters.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution provided by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate in criminal matters.