News
Archaeological sites in North and East have to be protected against govt.- Gammanpila
By Anuradha Hiripitiyage
Archeological sites in the North and East had to be protected from the government and not from extremists or separatists, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila said yesterday in Colombo.
Gammanpila said that there were a large number of archeological sites in the North and East.
“According to a letter sent to the UNESCO, in 1983, by the late Minister Cyril Matthew, there were 276 identified sites with an archeological importance. More sites have been identified by 2023. We are going to hand over a proposal to the Speaker on 19 June asking him to appoint a parliamentary select committee on the destruction of archeological sites in the North and East,” he said.
Gammanpila said that former ministers Sarath Weerasekera, and Channa Jayasumana, as well as former State Minister Jayantha Samaraweera have also signed this proposal.
“The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs who met President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently made a number of false claims about the Kurundi Temple. On 21 June, a PHU team will visit the Kurundi Temple premises to investigate these claims made by TNA MPs. The TNA can’t obstruct our visit. Article 14 (1) of the Constitution guarantees our freedom of movement,” he said.
Gammanpila said that at this rate, President Ranil Wickremesinghe might appoint MP Shanakiya Rasamanickam as Director General – Archaeology, and MP MA Sumanthiran as the Minister of Culture.
“In other countries, people urge the government to protect archeological sites. In Sri Lanka we have to protect archeological sites from the government. Archaeological sites in the North and East have always faced danger when Ranil Wickremesinghe held power. So we have no option but to write to the UNESCO, urging it to protect out archaeological sites,” he said.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
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