News
Indian Foreign Secy and Finance Minister hold discussions on strengthening ties
By Ifham Nizam
Visiting Foreign Secretary of India, Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday had discussions on further strengthening bilateral ties to face the present global crisis situation.
Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa appreciated Indian assistance to Sri Lanka and added mutual understanding would further enhance relations.
The Indian Foreign Secretary assured India’s support to uplift Sri Lanka’s economy, adversely affected by the pandemic.
He said Indian businessmen would be encouraged to explore opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s office said one of the topics of discussion centered on the resumption of tourism.
India has been Sri Lanka’s top source of tourists, with inbound tourism from India making up about 18% of the total tourists arrivals in pre-COVID times.
During the meeting, the two delegations discussed a number of sectors of mutual cooperation, including the further strengthening of bilateral relations, ongoing projects, tourism and the promotion of Buddhist ties.
Premier Rajapaksa appreciated Prime Minister Modi’s initiative to promote Buddhist ties. Secretary Shringla said it was a priority area of Prime Minister Modi.
Last year, during the virtual bilateral summit between the two Prime Ministers, the Indian Prime Minister announced a USD15 million grant for the promotion of Buddhist ties that aimed to deepen people-to-people linkages between the two countries.
Secretary Shringla said India was also looking forward to receiving the first pilgrims’ flight, from Sri Lanka, to the Kushinagar Airport, after it was upgraded as an international airport. This was also a request made by Prime Minister Modi during the virtual summit last year.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd donates Rs 100 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
England security in airport clash with camera operator
Sethmika stars as Sri Lanka under 19s crush Nepal by 8 wickets
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Pregnant Mothers to receive Rs 5000 Nutrition Allowance in December
640 deaths, 211 missing as at 6:00AM today (13)
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features4 days agoFinally, Mahinda Yapa sets the record straight
-
News6 days agoOver 35,000 drug offenders nabbed in 36 days
-
News5 days agoCyclone Ditwah leaves Sri Lanka’s biodiversity in ruins: Top scientist warns of unseen ecological disaster
-
Features7 days agoThe Catastrophic Impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah on Sri Lanka:
-
News6 days agoRising water level in Malwathu Oya triggers alert in Thanthirimale
-
Features4 days agoHandunnetti and Colonial Shackles of English in Sri Lanka
-
Business2 days agoCabinet approves establishment of two 50 MW wind power stations in Mullikulum, Mannar region
-
Business6 days agoSri Lanka betting its tourism future on cold, hard numbers