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SL wants to be included in EU’s Global Gateway Strategy
Head of Mission to the European Union, Ambassador Grace Asirwatham, has requested that Sri Lanka, too, be included in the Global Gateway Strategy to develop emerging markets in the fields, such as digital technology, energy and the environment.
Launched in late 2021, under the French Presidency of the European Union (EU), the Global Gateway Strategy is a European Commission initiative that contributes to the growth of developing countries which are EU partners.
A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry here quoted Ambassador Asirwatham as having told the Managing Director for Asia and Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS), Niclas Kvarnstrom, the need for tangible actions to translate the EU’s cooperation strategies into impactful results and that the Global Gateway Programme, initiated with pilot projects in a number of countries in the Indo-Pacific region, should also consider investments in small and vulnerable economies, such as Sri Lanka.
She has expressed hope that the EU’s Indo-Pacific cooperation strategy would progress from strategy to action in an inclusive way.
The outgoing Sri Lanka’s top envoy in Brussels has said so during a detailed discussion with Niclas Kvarnstrom on the EU’s Indo-Pacific Cooperation Strategy. The Head of Division for South Asia and Regional Affairs Rensje Teerink, Deputy Head of South Asia and Regional Affairs Monika Bylaite, Desk Officer for Sri Lanka at the EEAS Galia Agisheva, and Second Secretary of the Sri Lanka Mission Dulmini Dahanayake, were present at the meeting.
Ambassador Asirwatham expressed appreciation at the outset for the far-reaching objectives outlined in the EU’s Indo-Pacific Cooperation Strategy and underscored Sri Lanka’s deep commitment to maintaining a secure and prosperous Indian Ocean that upholds the rights of all countries, emphasizing the importance of freedom of navigation in line with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).
In the context of Sri Lanka’s current chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the Ambassador highlighted the potential for enhanced cooperation in the region, while respecting shared values.
Managing Director for Asia and Pacific at the EEAS Niclas Kvarnstrom shared the EU’s strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific Region, underscoring collaboration in trade and commerce, green and clean energy transition, and addressing common challenges, such as climate change and natural disasters, as well as security issues.
Managing Director Kvarnstrom has acknowledged Ambassador Asirwatham’s perspectives on the EU’s Indo-Pacific Cooperation Strategy and assured that her views would be given due consideration under the Global Gateway Programme. He acknowledged Sri Lanka’s active participation in ministerial meetings, lauding the country’s keen interest in the Indo-Pacific Cooperation Strategy and its commitment to guiding the strategy toward collective success.
News
Formulation of a Draft Economic Development Bill to expedite the process of Digital Transformation and Digital Economic Development
It is essential to establish an institutional framework with legal powers to ensure the effective implementation of national digital policy and guidelines.
Quality human capital should be attracted to this institutional framework for the compilation of policies, implementation of policies, regulation, and empowerment of operations. The continuous participation of the private sector should also be considered in establishing a strong institutional framework.
It has been further identified that attention should also be
drawn to new fields of digital innovation, including support for artificial intelligence and related activities.
Taking into consideration the aforementioned matters, a concept paper has been formulated to prepare a Draft Economic Development Bill for the establishment of a new institutional framework.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Digital Economy to instruct legal draftsman to formulate a Draft Economic Development Bill based on the aforementioned concept paper.
The Sri Lanka Community and Health Survey is the main data source for obtaining necessary information for reviewing progress toward achieving the national health development goals, as well as the expected sustainable development goals by 2030.
The last survey was conducted in the year 2016, and the Sri Lanka Community and Health Survey should be conducted to obtain updated data to enable the collection of related data and indicators concerning the health and well-being targets of the Global Sustainable Development Objectives.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to take necessary steps to conduct the aforementioned survey.
The access to secure, reliable and affordable drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities is essential to maintain public health, promote social well-being and foster economic development.
The Sri Lankan Government recognizes water supply and sanitation services as both an economic good and a basic human need. Therefore, when pricing for water and sanitation, a balance should be maintained between the financial sustainability of the service providers and the requirement to ensure fair and affordable access for all strata in the society.
Accordingly, the Sri Lankan government has identified the necessity of a national water supply that is sensitive to gender equality and social integration applicable to all water supply and sanitation service providers. At present, there is no formal national framework for setting, reviewing, approving, and implementing tariffs for water supply systems operated by various water supply providers as well as for setting, reviewing, approving, and implementing tariffs for sanitation systems.
Therefore, the Ministry of Housing, Construction, and Water Supply has formulated a water tariff policy covering all water supply service providers under the Sri Lanka Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Program, which is a policy-based loan program implemented under Asian Development Bank funds.
Formulation of a Draft Economic Development Bill to expedite the process of Digital Transformation and Digital Economic Development
Cabinet approval for Sri Lanka Community and Health Survey – 2026/2027
A National Water Tariff Policy for all Water Supply and Sanitation Services
National Policy on Green Hydrogen in Sri Lanka
Cabinet nod to amend the Customs Ordinance
Cabinet nod to submit the Anti-Corruption (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities through Centralized Electronic System) Regulations 2026, made under Section 156 of the Anti-Corruption Act, No.9 of 2023, for approval by Parliament
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