News
EU, Lanka hold 27th Joint Commission in Colombo
The European Union (EU) and Sri Lanka convened the 27th Session of the EU–Sri Lanka Joint Commission in Colombo on Thursday (12 Feb), reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
Held in a friendly and open atmosphere, the meeting reviewed the state of relations and featured wide-ranging discussions on governance, reconciliation, human rights, trade, development cooperation, education, fisheries, maritime collaboration, environment, climate change, security cooperation, readmission, and regional and international cooperation.
Both sides exchanged updates and views, underscoring the importance of continued partnership across these diverse areas.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss the current political and economic developments in Sri Lanka and the European Union, emphasizing updates on policy reforms, procedural improvements and legislative initiatives taken by both sides on matters of mutual interest.
The Joint Commission took stock of the work of the EU-Sri Lanka Working Group on Governance, Human Rights and Rule of Law held on 5th May 2025, the Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation held virtually on 13th November 2025, and the Working Group on Development Cooperation held on 11th February 2026.
The discussion of the Joint Commission focused on Sri Lanka’s recent developments in the areas of democracy, governance, rule of law and human rights, including repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), amendments to the Online Safety Act (OSA), rights of minorities, women, children and labour rights, steps taken to combat bribery and corruption and freedom of expression and association.
Sri Lanka also informed the EU on steps being taken towards advancing reconciliation and the strengthened role being played by independent national institutions, notably the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), the Office for Reparations (OR) and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation.
The two sides agreed on the importance of continued cooperation in deterring and eliminating IUU fishing practices and honoring commitments in the fisheries sector. Furthermore, both parties discussed opportunities to deepen collaboration in higher education, research, and technical cooperation through the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe framework programs. Productive exchanges also took place regarding environmental and climate cooperation, as well as migration and readmission policies.
The EU updated Sri Lanka on the new regulations on the Generalized scheme of tariff preferences Plus (GSP). Sri Lanka appreciated the GSP special incentive arrangement’s (GSP+) contribution to sustainable development in the country and expressed its intention to reapply for the scheme after the current cycle ends. The EU stressed the importance of the time-bound delivery of the commitments under the current GSP+, including in particular the work on the anti-terror legislation, bringing it in line with the international conventions. In this regard, the EU encouraged engagement with the UN competent bodies on counter terrorism. Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the 27 core conventions under the current GSP+ scheme. The EU encouraged regular updates on progress.
The EU and Sri Lanka reiterated their commitment to upholding the rules-based international order, effective multilateralism, and the principles of international law and the UN Charter. Both parties noted their constructive engagement on a free and open Indo-Pacific region and underscored the significance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
The two sides agreed to explore further investment opportunities under the Global Gateway strategy with Team Europe. In this regard, the EU confirmed its interest and commitment to support the engagement of the EU private sector.
Sri Lanka and the EU explored ways to strengthen cooperation in the security field and notably on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
It was agreed to convene the next Joint Commission meeting in Brussels in 2027.
The meeting was co-chaired by Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka and Paola Pampaloni, Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that addressing the drug issue in the country must be treated as a national priority, highlighting that it must deliver results at the ground level.
A meeting to brief the Prime Minister on the National Strategic Plan for the Management, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Persons with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) 2026–2030 was held with the participation of officials from the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and other key stakeholders on 13th of March at the Temple Trees.
The discussion focused on the proposed national strategy developed to address the growing health, social and economic challenges associated with substance use disorders in Sri Lanka. The strategic plan aims to strengthen prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration services through a coordinated and evidence-based national approach.
During the meeting, attention was drawn to existing gaps in early identification of substance use disorders, continuity of care, community-based follow-up and reintegration of recovering individuals into society. The plan proposes several key interventions, including strengthening screening and symptomatic treatment at primary healthcare and outpatient levels, improving hospital-based treatment and follow-up services, expanding residential rehabilitation facilities, and enhancing community-based rehabilitation and relapse prevention programmes.
Special emphasis has also been placed on providing targeted support for vulnerable groups, including children and adolescents, pregnant women, mothers with children and prison inmates.
Speaking on the importance of strengthening the national response to drug issues, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya noted that the drug menace has evolved into a serious social crisis that threatens social stability and security of families and the nation as a whole highlighting that law enforcement and rehabilitation in this regard must be given equal priority.
The Prime Minister further underscored the importance of including public awareness initiatives and responsible media reporting as key components of the national strategy.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. Anil Jasinghe, officials from the Department of Prisons, Bureau of Rehabilitation, Sri Lanka Police Ministry of health, Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Justice and National Integration ,Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and other relevant department and ministries.
[Prime minister’s Media Division]
In light of the prevailing geopolitical developments in Middle East, the petroleum product supply chain has been adversely affected. At the same time, the demand for fuel has increased abnormally, resulting in a depletion of the country’s existing fuel stock. Therefore, it has become necessary to carefully manage the available fuel reserves in order to sustain the nation’s economic activities.
Furthermore, it has recently been observed that certain groups have been illegally purchasing fuel in excessive quantities. The Government of Sri Lanka intends to prevent such improper consumption and ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply for the day-to-day needs and economic activities of the general public.
Accordingly, a QR code system will be implemented with effect from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026.
Fuel will not be issued by any operating filling station in the country without a valid QR code from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026.
Steps to Obtain the QR Code
- Users who have already registered for the QR Code
- Users whose vehicle ownership and registered mobile number remain unchanged since their initial registration may download their QR Code from the website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/ starting from midnight on 14.03.2026, using the ‘Vehicle Login’ button.
- Users whose vehicle ownership or registered mobile number has changed since their last registration are required to re-register their details through the website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/ starting from 6.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026, using the ‘Vehicle Registration’ button.
- Users who have not previously registered for the QR Code and users with newly registered vehicles at
the RMV - Registration can be completed starting from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026 through the
website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/, using the ‘Vehicle Registration’ button.
The number of litres allocated for each category of vehicle is stated below.
A special fuel issuance system will be implemented for vehicles required to support national production and essential services.
| Vehicle Class | Capacity control volume for fuel pass
(L) |
| Buses | 60 |
| Motor cycle | 5 |
| Van | 40 |
| Motor car | 15 |
| Motor Lorry | 200 |
| Land Vehicles | 25 |
| Three Wheeler | 15 |
| Special Purpose Vehicle | 40 |
| Quadricycle | 5 |
[Sri Lanka Transport Board will issue fuel to the private buses].
The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) on Friday said the largest groundwater source discovered in Sri Lanka so far had been identified during tube-well drilling near the Pitabeddara Police Station.
Indrajith Gamage, geologist in charge of the Southern Province, said the source recorded a continuous flow of about 10,000 litres (10 cubic metres) per minute, marking the first instance in the country where a groundwater source of that magnitude had been found.
He noted that the previous largest groundwater source was discovered in the Madhu area, which recorded a flow of about 7,000 litres per minute.
According to the NWSDB, the tube well was drilled following geological studies of rock layers and the identification of underground water through fractures in rock strata using specialised technical instruments.
The Board said steps would be taken to distribute water from the newly discovered source to residents facing shortages in Pitabeddara, Morawaka and surrounding areas.
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QR code system will be implemented for fuel with effect from 06.00 a.m. today (15th)
Showers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara, Mannar and Anuradhapura districts after 2.00 pm.
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