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Manusha urges govt. to revive E-8 visa scheme

Published

5 months ago

2024/11/27

Former Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has urged the JVP/NPP government to revive the E-8 visa programme, claiming that it could benefit citizens across the country, regardless of their political affiliations.

Nanayakkara said that the visa schemd at issue was intended to create employment opportunities for Sri Lankans. “I personally went and requested these people to provide us with this E-8 visa category. Accordingly, they made arrangements to provide this E-8 visa category to Sri Lanka as well”, Nanayakkara said following accusations raised by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) on Monday that there had been irregularities related to the E-8 visa programme.

Nanayakkara attributed delays in implementing the program to internal disruptions at the SLBFE, particularly in the weeks leading up to elections. “Due to the behaviour and actions of certain officers of the Bureau,

it was finally not implemented. It can be implemented even now. If implemented, it is an opportunity to obtain thousands of new jobs,” he said.

Nanayakkara urged the current administration to revive the scheme, arguing that it could benefit citizens across the country, regardless of political affiliations. “We tell the Government and the Prime Minister – don’t lose this. It is not the people I chose politically; there are people all over Sri Lanka. Give anyone the opportunity to go abroad,” he appealed.

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IGP Deshabandhu Tennakoon informed to be present before the Committee of Inquiry on 19th May

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/8

Priyan

[file pic]

IGP T.M.W. Deshabandhu Tennakoon has been informed to be present before the ‘Committee of Inquiry to inquire and report its findings on IGP T.M.W. Deshabandhu Tennakoon in respect of acts of gross abuse of power’ on the 19th of May 2025.

This Committee met in the Parliament premises on several occasions as of now, and accordingly, for the first time, IGP T.M.W. Deshabandhu Tennakoon has been informed by the Committee, to appear before it, for future investigations.

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UNESCO Director General candidate Dr. Khaled El Enany meets Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/8

Priyan

Dr. Khaled El Enany – the UNESCO Director General Candidate of the Arab Republic of Egypt met with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka Dr. Risvie Salih at the Parliament premises recently (May 05).

During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed the long-standing and cordial bilateral relationship between Egypt and Sri Lanka, emphasizing their shared commitment to further strengthening ties in areas of mutual interest. Dr. El Enany outlined his vision as a candidate for UNESCO leadership, highlighting his dedication to fostering cultural collaboration and understanding among nations. Dr. Risvie Salih also highlighted Sri Lanka’s non-aligned foreign policy and long-standing relationship with Egypt.

The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka, and Chaminda Kularatne, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament of Sri Lanka.

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Samantha Ranasinghe sworn in as a Member of Parliament

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/8

Priyan

Samantha Ranasinghe was sworn in today (May 08) before the Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, as a Member of the Tenth Parliament.

Following the oath and affirmation before the Speaker, he signed the Members’ Roll placed before the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera.

Member of Parliament Samantha Ranasinghe has been thus appointed to fill the vacancy created due to the demise of Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, who served as a Member of Parliament from the Kegalle District representing the National People’s Power.