News

Lanka interested in NZ electoral system-Prof. Peiris

Published

5 years ago

2021/10/1

Underlining the positive nature of the current electoral system in New Zealand, Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has told New Zealand High Commissioner Michael Appleton that Sri Lanka wished to learn from the electoral system in his country and extract elements that are capable of adaptation to the domestic system.

Prof. Peiris met the NZ High Commissioner on Wednesday (29). HC Appleton congratulated Prof. Peiris on his appointment as the Foreign Minister and expressed commitment to work closely with him in the future to enhance the partnership between the two countries to further heights.

He mentioned that New Zealand has partnered with Sri Lanka in several fields, especially in the dairy and agricultural sectors, and it is high time now for both countries to identify new areas of cooperation in a spirit of friendship.

Prof. Peiris, while recalling the mutually beneficial partnership between Sri Lanka and New Zealand expressed his confidence that the opening up of the resident New Zealand High Commission in Colombo would immensely contribute to the further advancement of bilateral engagements between the two countries.

Noting Sri Lanka as one of the oldest countries that enjoy the universal adult franchise, Prof. Peiris explained the ongoing electoral reform process in Sri Lanka intending to expand the democratic representation in Parliament and other legislative councils. Underlining the positive nature of the current electoral system in New Zealand, the Minister informed that Sri Lanka wishes to learn from the electoral system there and extract elements that are capable of adaptation to the domestic system. Prof.

Peiris further informed that the government is very keen on reviving the domestic dairy industry given its wider impact on the farming community and consumers in the country and sought to continue the partnership with the New Zealand side to this effect. Collaboration in several other spheres including counterterrorism, trade, investment, and tourism was also discussed.

New Zealand opened its resident diplomatic Mission in Sri Lanka in August 2021, following a mutual agreement reached by the two countries to establish resident Missions, and Michael Appleton functions as the first resident High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka.

All News Advertisement

News

Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/29

Priyan

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

News

Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/29

Priyan

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.

News

Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/29

Priyan

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