News
Lanka and China strengthen economic ties at high-level Colombo forum
The Sri Lanka – China Trade and Investment Forum 2025, held on Friday in Colombo, brought together over 115 senior representatives from 77 leading Chinese enterprises alongside key members of Sri Lanka’s public and private sectors. The high-level event was co-hosted by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka–China Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber, and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME).
The Forum was inaugurated in the presence of Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and Krishan Balendra, Vice Chairman of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
Welcoming the delegation, Minister Jayantha highlighted Sri Lanka’s deep-rooted friendship with China, noting that bilateral ties are built on “shared values, mutual respect, and a history of growing economic cooperation.” Referring to the recent 8th Session of the China-Sri Lanka Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation, held just ahead of the Forum, he highlighted the importance of continuous dialogue in enhancing trade and investment flows between the two nations.
Minister Wentao emphasized that China stands ready to support Sri Lanka’s development journey, recommending that the two countries expand trade and economic cooperation to boost development, and explore more opportunities for multilateral trading systems in order to ensure resilience and sustainability.
Krishan Balendra, Vice Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, emphasising the Chamber’s commitment to enabling cross-border partnerships and offering a platform for constructive engagement. “We are creating a conducive environment for doing business, underpinned by transparency, predictability, and sustainability,” he noted.
The Chinese delegation, representing four major trade chambers – CCCME, China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-products, China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles, and the China International Chamber of Commerce for the Private Sector – expressed strong interest in forming partnerships across a wide array of sectors.
The Forum also facilitated B2B meetings and discussions on investments in the automotive value chain, tea plantation and enterprise development, and partnerships in renewable energy, clean technology, engineering, construction, and water treatment.
News
Cabinet aporives recruitment of Nursing Instructors for Nursing Schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on Contract Basis
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.
Latest News
Signing agreement for the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka
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
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.
Cabinet aporives recruitment of Nursing Instructors for Nursing Schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on Contract Basis
Signing agreement for the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka
The cabinet approves agreement on mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters between the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea
Misbah-ul-Haq resigns as Pakistan selector after Test squad upheaval
Amendment of the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance No. 3 of 1897
Cabinet approves donation of USD One Million to the Government of Nepal
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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