News
Chinese Ambassador briefs Mahanayakes on signal investments from them as positive message to international investors
Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong called on the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatte chapters, in Kandy, on Thursday, and briefed the Theras on the filling stations and the refinery to be established in the country, by Chinese companies.
He told the Mahanayakes that last year the head of Sinopec came to Sri Lanka and offered investments at a time when the FDI to Sri Lanka was at a low point.Soon Sinopec will open 150 gas stations in the country, he said.
“They also plan to refine four million tonnes of crude a day. Between 120 and 140 million dollars will be invested this year on these projects,” he said.
“As Sri Lanka is gradually returning to normalcy, one of the main concerns of the government is attracting international investments. Recently, China Merchants Group signed an agreement with SLPA to jointly build the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub, the first major FDI project after Sri Lanka defaulted last year. The total investment of USD 392 million will help promote Colombo Port as an important hub,” he told the media following the meetings with the Mahanayakes.
Zhenhong added that this investment by China Merchants Group will send a strong positive message to international investors.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain
Turkiye, Pakistan agree Saudi Arabia military deployment under Mecca pact
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