News
Mahanayake Theras praise Samarasinghe’s diplomatic service
Text and Pix by SK Samaranayake
The Mahanayake Theras of the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters have commended former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Mahinda Samarasinghe for his “outstanding service” as a diplomat.
The Mahanayake Theras expressed their appreciation when Samarasinghe called on the Asgiriya Mahanayake Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera and the Malwathu Mahanayake Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera yesterday (09) to receive their blessings following his departure from the ambassadorial post.
The Malwathu Mahanayake Thera said Samarasinghe had rendered a significant service towards strengthening relations between Sri Lanka and the United States and securing a reduction in tariffs imposed on Sri Lankan exports.
The Thera, however, expressed regret that some officials in the foreign service had reached a point where they were not rendering any meaningful service to the country.
Speaking at a media briefing afterwards, Samarasinghe said he had decided to step down from the ambassadorial post after nearly five years for personal reasons and stressed that he had not come under any pressure from the Government to resign.
He said he had focused during his tenure on strengthening Sri Lanka-US relations and securing US support for Sri Lanka’s agreements with the International Monetary Fund.
Samarasinghe also said efforts had been made to limit tariffs imposed on Sri Lankan exports to 10 percent and secure a ship and a helicopter from the United States.
He said that although he had represented Parliament for 27 years, he had no intention of returning to active politics.
However, he said he remained willing to assist the Government if requested to provide support on international affairs.
Samarasinghe also said that, having decided to withdraw from the political arena, he would not comment on the current political situation.
News
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
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
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.
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
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance
Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation
Establishment of a Spectrum Management and Monitoring System and a Quality of Service and Quality of Experience System for the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
Appointment of a Committee for the Restitution of Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage Held Abroad
Ten-Year National Action Plan on the Social Protection Sector (2026–2035)
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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