News
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Silva fortifies Sri Lanka-Kenya bonds
Nairobi
– In response to an invitation extended by Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla, Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva is visting Kenya. Upon his arrival at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi, General Silva was accorded a grand reception by the Kenyan defence forces.
The visit signifies a deepening of ties between Sri Lanka and Kenya, underscoring a joint commitment to enhance defence cooperation and establish strategic partnerships. Accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Kenya, Kana Kananathan, General Silva engaged in extensive deliberations with Kenyan defence officials, focusing on areas of mutual concern and shared security objectives.
During bilateral discussions, both military leaders explored avenues for collaboration across various defence domains, encompassing counterterrorism endeavours, maritime security strategies, regional peacekeeping missions, and capacity-building initiatives. Discussions between Sri Lanka and Kenya underscored the pivotal role of defence diplomacy in fostering stability within the region and advancing global peace.
General Shavendra Silva, General Francis Ogola CDF kenya and Ambassdor Kananathan
General Shavendra Silva’s visit underscores Sri Lanka’s dedication to nurturing ties with African nations and underscores the growing importance of defence alliances in addressing contemporary security challenges. As both nations navigate intricate geopolitical terrains, engagements like these serve as catalysts for strengthening mutual understanding and cultivating enduring partnerships.
High Commission Kananathan said: “The warm reception and substantive dialogues observed during General Shavendra Silva’s visit epitomised the shared aspirations of Sri Lanka and Kenya to foster peace, stability, and prosperity within their respective regions and beyond. This diplomatic exchange not only underscores the significance of defence diplomacy but also highlights the enduring camaraderie between the peoples of Sri Lanka and Kenya. The robust relationship between Kenya and Sri Lanka has witnessed remarkable enhancement over the past years, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation and collaboration.”
News
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 to purchase four (04) automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport.
In addition, it is expected to extend the automated passenger clearance gates facility so far given only to the Sri Lankans
parallel to the e – passport issuance system to be introduced in the year 2027 also to the foreigners who travel to and from this country.
Furthermore, considering also the number of air passengers rapidly increasing with the fast – forwarding business and tourism field, the appropriateness to increase the total automated passenger clearance gates up to twelve (12) in number has been recognized.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to initiate the procurement and installation of 12
automated passenger clearance gates altogether with the already approved four (04) and another eight (08) automated passenger clearance gates adhering to the formal procurement procedure
Based on the observations submitted by the Task Force on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing for Terrorism, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 18.12.2024 to amend the Trust Ordinance No. 9 of 1917 including amendments proposed by the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the Trust (Amendment) Draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration
to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby, submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Action was taken to provide a fuel relief for the fuel consumers during the months of April, May and June of 2026 to redress by minimizing the impact caused to the day today life of the citizens of this country as well as the entire economy due to the price hike of petroleum fuel in the global market resulting from the war situation in the Middle East.
Government mediation is essential for minimizing the impact on the day to today life of citizens in this country due to that war situation not being ended further. Therefore, it has been planned to redress on the sale price for Auto Diesel and Industrial Diesel for a period of 03 months by the Government to provide relief to the public as well as to maintain the prices at a bearable level to the consumers without escalating the fuel prices in this country compared to the escalation of fuel prices
in the international market.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to
allocate provisions subject to the monthly limitations respectively as rupees 15 billion for the month of October, rupees 13.5 billion for the month of November and rupees 12.15 billion for the month of December to provide the said relief
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance
Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation
Establishment of a Spectrum Management and Monitoring System and a Quality of Service and Quality of Experience System for the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
Appointment of a Committee for the Restitution of Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage Held Abroad
Ten-Year National Action Plan on the Social Protection Sector (2026–2035)
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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