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Sabry briefs foreign envoys of Prez’s strategy

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/3

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, has briefed the Colombo-based diplomatic community on what the Foreign Ministry called a broad-based, consultative approach adopted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in addressing the current challenges.

Foreign Minister Sabry has explained the ongoing discussions on forming an all-party Government. Reference was also made to progressive legislative reforms being contemplated in the near-term in accordance with the aspirations of the people.

The text of the Foreign Ministry statement issued yesterday: The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry briefed the Colombo-based Ambassadors and High Commissioners on key developments following the election of the new President and the formation of the new Government, at his first briefing of the diplomatic corps on Monday, 1 August, 2022 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister outlined the recent political developments in Sri Lanka, leading up to the election of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, as well as the formation of the interim Government. The related processes had taken place within a democratic constitutional framework. The Foreign Minister reiterated the commitment of the President to speedily resolve the economic challenges faced by the country in discussion with all relevant partners in the international community as a matter of the highest priority. The Foreign Minister extended his deep appreciation to the international community for the assistance being extended to Sri Lanka in order to address issues of relevance in the current socio-economic context.

Elaborating on the broad-based, consultative approach adopted by the President in addressing the current challenges, the Foreign Minister referred to ongoing discussions on forming an all-party Government. Reference was also made to progressive legislative reforms being contemplated in the near-term in accordance with the aspirations of the people.

With regard to the policy priorities of the new Government which would be presented to Parliament by President Wickremesinghe when the Parliament reconvenes for its next session on Wednesday 3 August, 2022, Minister Sabry reiterated Sri Lanka’s neutral and non-aligned foreign policy based on the principle of friendship towards all.

The Foreign Minister highlighted the longstanding, democratic credentials of Sri Lanka, including the right to peaceful protest, freedom of assembly and expression. These rights are constitutionally guaranteed and upheld by the Government. He apprised the diplomatic community of the action taken to restore normalcy in the country within the framework of the law, in order to ensure the effective functioning of the Government. The Minister observed that the emergency regulations enacted in July 2022 are subject to regular and periodic review.

Members of the Diplomatic community congratulated the Foreign Minister warmly on the assumption of his new role, and thanked him for the useful update.

Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardane and senior officials of the Ministry were also present at the briefing.”

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PM on inspection tour of newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/10

Priyan

The Colombo Central Bus Stand, which has a history of over six decades and had remained without a proper maintenance for many years, has now been renovated under the current government’s development programme and vested to the public. Following that, the Prime Minister undertook an inspection tour of the newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand.

Originally constructed in 1964, the bus stand was refurbished with modern facilities to meet current needs and was officially reopened to the public on April 8. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide passengers with a higher-quality and more comfortable transportation service.

During the renovation process, special attention has been given to the comfort and safety of women, which was commended by the Prime Minister. In particular, a modern rest area designed to ensure privacy for nursing mothers travelling from distant areas received special praise.

The Prime Minister also reviewed the newly introduced passenger seat reservation system and information services established to assist commuters. In addition, the modern surveillance unit and other security measures installed within the premises to ensure passenger safety were also inspected.

During the visit, the Prime Minister engaged in conversations with passengers at the bus stand and inquired about their views on the newly renovated facilities and the quality of transport services.

It was emphasized that the government’s objective is to transform public transportation into a safe, technologically advanced service that can be used with convenience by all citizens.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

Latest News

Sun directly overhead Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon today (10)

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/10

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (10th) are Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon.

News

Opposition tells Minister Kumara Jayakody to resign

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/10

Thilina Walpola

Prof. Peiris

No-faith motion to be taken up today

Former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (9) said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should remove Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody unless the minister stepped down on his own.Prof. Peiris, addressing a press conference called by the Opposition, said that Jayakody couldn’t under any circumstance continue to serve as a minister after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) moved the Colombo High Court against the government member over a previous financial scandal.

Pointing out that Minister Jayakody had been indicted of a corrupt deal struck during the yahapalana regime, Prof. Peiris said it was wrong for the NPP to retain him as a minister, claiming that the offence was not committed during his tenure as a Cabinet minister in the current government.

Prof. Peiris and several other Opposition members dealt with the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Jayakody that would be taken up today (10) with the academic calling the vote an acid test for the NPP. Having campaigned on an anti-corruption platform at presidential and parliamentary polls, the NPP couldn’t protect Jayakody though he was widely believed to be close to President Dissanayake.

As the Manager of the Procurement and Import Division of the Ceylon Fertilizer Company, Jayakody is alleged to have committed the offence of corruption, according to CIABOC.

Jayakody has been accused of causing a loss of Rs. 8,859,708 to the State by influencing and exploiting the procurement process.

Following the serving of indictments on 27 March, the judge ordered Jayakody’s release on two personal bail bonds of Rs. 1 million each. The court directed that the defendant’s fingerprints be obtained and a formal report be submitted. The case has been scheduled for a pre-trial conference on 6 May.

Prof. Peiris stressed that the CIABOC action against Jayakody is central to the NCM primarily moved over the irregularities ridden coal procurement process launched in 2025 that caused severe disruption to the power generation. Responding to The Island query after the media briefing, Prof Peiris expressed surprise that the JVP/NPP accommodated a person under investigation by the CIABOC. Having taken an utterly irresponsible decision, the JVP/NPP were now playing down the developing issue, prof. Peiris said.

The entire government parliamentary group faced the prospect of having its image tarnished by defending Jayakody, the former lawmaker said.

Prof. Peiris said that they intended to build a campaign around the issues involving the energy minister to expose the government. With yet another electricity tariff hike in the offing due to the growing demand for thermal generation as a result of coal-fired Lakvijaya power plant’s failure to meet the requirement[RA1] , the energy minister and ministry’s performances have to be examined, Prof. Peiris said.The timely release of the Auditor General’s report on controversial coal procurement should compel the government to decide on the energy minister’s fate or be prepared to face the fallout.

By Shamindra Ferdinando