News
Nippon Foundation helps South Eastern University
Ambassador of Japan Sugiyama Akira presented a collection of books on politics, economics, history, culture, literature and arts from the Nippon Foundation to Professor M.M.M Najim, Vice Chancellor of South Eastern University in the presence of M. M.M Rifaudeen, Librarian of the university on 28th September 2020.
An advocate of international peace, the Nippon Foundation is the foremost public welfare and philanthropic organization in Japan to promote Japanese language, spread cultural awareness and understanding of customs essential to coexist in harmony.
The South Eastern University is the third recipient in Sri Lanka to receive the books donated from the Nippon Foundation. Its “READ JAPAN PROJECT”, a global project commenced in 2008 to elicit a profound understanding of contemporary Japan through knowledge dissemination, has gifted over 65,000 books to 1,011 libraries in 136 countries and regions so far. The Embassy expects that this programme will uplift the interest of students in Japan and inspire them to pursue higher education in Japan from this reputed institution of Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Sugiyama in his remarks expressed his desire to further cultivate untapped potential of scholarly interactions with prestigious South Eastern University and hoped that the books would symbolize “rising hope” for the next generation, like the emblem of “rising sun” used in the South Eastern University.
Vice Chancellor, Professor Najim while expressing heartfelt appreciation for the books reiterated that this is a stepping stone to further strengthen the links established by academic staff who have studied in Japan while reaffirming that this donation will sprout manifold opportunities to better acquaint prospective students with the cultural diversity to accelerate academic exchanges between the two countries.
The event’s proceedings were closed by a guided tour of the university library where Ambassador Sugiyama viewed a specially arranged exhibition of the Japan-related books of the library.
News
Cabinet nod for MOU between Sri Lanka and Romania on the cooperation in the Labour Field
Romania, a country that has maintained diplomatic relationship with Sri Lanka for several decades in various fields, has become an increasingly popular destination among Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled Labour categories, especially in the fields of construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and services sectors.
At present, the recruitment of Sri Lankan workers to Romania is carried out by licensed private employment agencies under the
supervision of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau. However, since both parties have recognized the need of establishing a more organized and sustainable recruitment method due to increasing demand, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Romania regarding cooperation in the field of the labour sector with the following objectives.
• Establishment of proper mechanism for recruitment and management of workers.
• Promotion of ethical and transparent recruitment practices.
• Protection of rights and welfare of the migrant workers.
• Facilitation of regular discussions between the formal and relevant authorities ofboth countries.
• Improvement of technical cooperation, skills recognition, and capacity building in the labour sector.
News
New circular to replace Management Services Circular No. 01/2019
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance,
Planning, and Economic Development to repeal Management Services Circular No. 01/2019 , dated 15-03-2019, issued regarding the implementation of development projects, and to issue a new management services circular including updated provisions instead.
News
Four Chief Prelates urge President to appoint NAO official as Auditor General
Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas, in a joint letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has expressed concern over the protracted delay in appointing a permanent Auditor General.
The Chief Prelates have said that the appointment of an outsider as the Head of the National Audit Office (NAO) responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances will be inappropriate.
The Chief Prelates have said that they are of the view that Dharmapala Gammanpila, a senior officer with extensive experience within the Auditor General’s Department, is the ideal candidate for the top post. They have also emphasised that his appointment will strengthen the government’s efforts to promote economic prosperity.
Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.
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