News
Saudi Arabia assures support to Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts
Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva recently received an assurance from Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Khalid Hamoud Nasser Alkahtani, that KSA would support ongoing economic recovery efforts.
They met on Nov 6. During the meeting, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador expressed appreciation for the rapid progress achieved by Sri Lanka’s shipping and aviation sectors in a relatively short time following the country’s efforts to recover from the recent economic recession. The Ambassador pledged unconditional support through the Paris Club to aid Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process, which is being carried out by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at present.
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva conveyed the Sri Lankan Government’s gratitude to the Ambassador, emphasizing the historically close bilateral and diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka. He acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s significant contribution to the generation of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka through the employment opportunities provided to a substantial number of Sri Lankans in the kingdom.
The Minister and the Ambassador also discussed the resumption of “Saudi Air” flights, which were temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They also explored the possibility of recruiting and deploying trained Sri Lankan seafarers to the shipping lines under the Saudi Arabian government. An agreement was reached to promptly sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Sri Lanka and the Saudi government on this matter.
Furthermore, the Minister extended an invitation to the Saudi Arabian Ambassador for a group of academics from Saudi Arabia to visit Sri Lanka. The visit aims to gain a comprehensive understanding and evaluation of the courses offered by the Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy (MPMA) of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and other private sector universities in providing training and courses within the shipping and naval sectors.
At the meeting the Minister assured the Ambassador of Sri Lanka’s readiness to collaborate closely with Saudi Arabia in the fields of shipping, aviation, and foreign employment. The Minister also commended the support extended by Saudi Arabia towards Sri Lanka’s socio-economic development.
Mrs. Nayana Somaratne, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, also participated in the discussions.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill to amend the State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975
By Cabinet decision dated 2025-12-01, policy approval was granted to amend the definition of the term “animal” in the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 by including, pigs, goats, and sheep, in addition to cattle and buffaloes, within the interpretation section of the act.
In accordance with the said approval, the Legal Draftsman has drafted an Amended Bill in all three languages, and the clearance of the Attorney General has also been obtained.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the
resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to publish the draft Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
The Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre, comprising 11 floors, has been constructed with the assistance of the Government of India with the objective of serving as a hub for cultural activities in Sri Lanka and expanding bilateral cooperation for the promotion, preservation, and fostering the cultural heritage of Jaffna.
In accordance with the approval granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2022-02-21, a Joint Management Committee has been appointed to make decisions relating to the affairs of the said cultural centre, in terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed for the operation of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre.
According to the provisions of the aforementioned MOU, upon completion of the construction of the project, the cultural centre should be transferred to the Jaffna Municipal Council through the Government of Sri Lanka.
Following such transfer, the relevant parties have reached an agreement to establish a ‘trust’ for carrying out the management activities of the centre. The Attorney General’s clearance has been received for the draft trust deed prepared for that purpose.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to establish the trust to continue the management activities of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975 to be amended
Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 amended
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
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