News
First Japanese ministerial level visit since cancellation of LRT project
Sri Lanka believes the forthcoming Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi’s visit will help improve relations undermined due to the cancellation of the USD 1.5 bn Japanese-funded Light Rail Transit Project by the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government in October 2020.
There hadn’t been a single visit at ministerial level since then. The then Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera was here in late 2018 during the Yahapalana administration.
Sources said that Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi would undertake a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka on the 28th and 29th of July. Sources said that the senior politician was expected to engage in detailed discussions on the ongoing debt restructuring process, which is co-chaired by the Japanese government, and several areas of bilateral cooperation, as a follow-up to the visit of President Ranil Wickramasinghe to Tokyo two months earlier.
President Wickremesinghe, several months ago, explained in Parliament how short-sighted policies caused irreparable damage to Sri Lanka-Japan relations.
Maintaining the momentum of the President’s visit to Japan, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Japan, Rodney Perera, engaged Hayashi pursuant to a personal invitation extended by the Japanese Foreign Minister to visit Akita Prefecture. In interactions held with the Minister, as well as senior officials of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Perera convinced the Japanese side of the importance of a high level visit from Japan to Sri Lanka in order to explore potential projects under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) signed between the two countries several months ago, renewable energy, maritime cooperation and mutual efforts to heighten private sector tie ups as important areas under the growing bilateral agenda.
The Japanese Foreign Minister’s visit here, with a delegation of more than 20 members, is also the first high-level visit from a country outside the South Asian region since last year. It is expected to enhance the scope of relations between Sri Lanka and Japan.Discussions with the President and the Prime Minister and bilateral consultations with the Foreign Minister are scheduled to take place.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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