Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya affirmed the government’s commitment to creating a suitable environment for all individuals to live a happy and quality life, free from discrimination.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya made this statement on 27th December, during a ceremony held in the Batariwatta, Moratuwa, to inaugurate the first phase of a housing project funded by Chinese financial assistance amounting to Rs. 22 billion. This initiative aims to enhance the living standards of low-income families.

The project envisions the construction of 1,996 houses under Chinese financial assistance. The phase inaugurated in the Batariwatta area, Moratuwa, will provide 575 houses for low-income earners, while the housing project in Kottawa will include 108 houses designated for veteran artists.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the Prime Minister  stated:
“We extend our thanks to the Chinese government for supporting this housing project in Sri Lanka. A home is not merely a shelter; it is a space essential for a good, quality life and the security every citizen deserves. Beyond housing, the government is dedicated to stimiulating strong families and communities, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of women and children by addressing their specific needs.

Low-income earners in the suburbs face challenges, often living in unsafe and insecure conditions. The government’s vision is to provide an environment where all citizens can lead happy and quality lives, without any form of discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or other factors. We appreciate the financial assistance and support extended by the Chinese government to Sri Lanka..”

The event was attended by the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, Anura Karunathilaka; Deputy Minister T.B. Sarath; Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Qi ZhenHong; Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Tang Yan Di; the Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, along with other government officials and representatives of the Chinese government.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extended his heartfelt condolences on the demise of former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh through a special message on Twitter.

The message reads as follows:

“On behalf of the people of Sri Lanka and myself, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Republic of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s family, and his countless admirers worldwide. A visionary leader, Dr. Singh’s influence transcended national boundaries. As Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, his transformative policies, like the Right to Education Act and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, reflected his steadfast commitment to equity and inclusivity.

A tireless advocate of international collaboration, he forged lasting alliances, contributed to coalitions like BRICS, and showcased remarkable diplomacy through achievements such as the Indo-US nuclear agreement. His humility, intellect, and dedication to public service will forever inspire future generations. May his soul find peace and be united with the divine!”

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has dissolved the country’s parliament, confirming that snap elections prompted by the recent collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government will be held on February 23.

Delivering a speech at Berlin’s Bellevue Palace on Friday, Steinmeier said that the country required “a government capable of acting” and “reliable majorities in parliament” to maintain stability in “difficult times”.

Scholz, a Social Democrat, lost a confidence vote in parliament earlier this month after the departure of Finance Minister Christian Lindner’s Free Democrats left his unwieldy governing coalition without a legislative majority.

He will remain in office as a caretaker chancellor until a new government is formed at a time when the country is reeling from a deadly car ramming attack at a Christmas market last week, which has revived heated debate over security and immigration.

Suspect Taleb al-Abdulmohse, a 50-year-old psychiatrist from Saudi Arabia who had lived in Germany for nearly 20 years, was a supporter of the increasingly popular far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD), and who had promoted Islamophobic views.

[Aljazeera]