News
FM says he needs to consult other ministries on whether to make public MoUs with India
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament yesterday that he would consult with other ministries before informing the House whether the government would present copies of the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) it had entered into with the Indian government.
Herath said so in response to a question raised by Tamil Progressive Alliance leader, MP Mano Ganesan. Minister Herath said he needed time to discuss the matter with the relevant ministries and, after consultations, would inform the House of the government’s future course of action regarding the MoUs.
Ganesan said he had no objections to the government entering into MoUs with India. “In fact, we have promoted the idea of strengthening bilateral relations with India. It was you who opposed such agreements when you were in the opposition. It is good that this government has entered into agreements with India. However, the people have a right to know about their contents. Can the Minister tell this House whether he will table them here for the benefit of MPs?” Ganesan queried.
Ganesan raised this question shortly after Minister Herath made a ministerial statement to the House regarding the progress of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka last week. Minister Herath said Sri Lanka had greatly benefited from Modi’s visit and assured that the government had always kept national interests in mind when entering into agreements with other countries.
SJB Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekera also referred to Article 157 of the Constitution, which requires the government to obtain a two-thirds approval in Parliament for agreements entered into with other countries.
Minister Herath responded, stating that this provision applied only to treaties, not to MoUs. “The treaty we hope to enter into with the United Arab Emirates and India to develop an energy hub wil require the stipulations outlined in Article 157. However, none of the other MoUs signed with India fall under this provision.”
By Saman Indrajith
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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