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Official state welcome ceremony for President Dissanayake held at the Japanese PM’s office
The official welcoming ceremony for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is on an official visit to Japan, at the invitation of the Japanese Government, was held on Monday (29) morning at the premises of the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office.
Upon arrival, the President was warmly received by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and a Guard of Honour was accorded to him by the Japan Self-Defence Forces. The President also inspected the parade.
Following the introduction of the delegations of the two countries, official discussions commenced between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Discussions focused on strengthening the longstanding friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka, and on expanding cooperation across a wide range of fields, including trade, investment, the economy, development assistance and regional security.
In line with this, documents were exchanged between the two sides on development cooperation, including the Project for the Enhancement of Productivity in the Dairy Sector and the Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme.
Addressing the joint media briefing afterwards, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasised that Sri Lanka’s stability and development, given its strategic location in the Indian Ocean, were of critical importance. He stated that Japan looked forward to further strengthening and expanding its partnership with Sri Lanka.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake observed that the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Japan is built on mutual trust, respect and strong people-to-people ties. He noted that the discussions with the Japanese Prime Minister marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations and stressed that Sri Lanka is committed to working alongside Japan to ensure that the agreements reached bring tangible benefits in the shared journey towards development and stability.
The President also extended his appreciation to the Government of Japan for its support in restarting 11 development projects in Sri Lanka, which had been halted due to the recent economic crisis, as well as for its crucial assistance in ensuring the success of the IMF-led debt restructuring programme.
Following the official talks, a joint statement was issued by both sides to the media.
Thereafter, the President, together with the Sri Lankan delegation, attended the luncheon hosted in his honour by the Japanese Prime Minister for the distinguished delegates.
Representing Sri Lanka at the occasion were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Western Province Governor Haniffa Yusuf; Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Japan, Professor Pivithuru Janak Kumarasinghe; Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy; and Duminda Hulugamuwa, Senior Economic Adviser to the President; together with a group of senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representing the Government of Japan a high-level delegation participated.
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Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)
The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”
The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)
The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.
Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad to participate in the upcoming ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup (50 Over).
The team will depart for the United Arab Emirates today [0 December 2025] and has been placed in Group B, alongside Nepal, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
Russia gifts 35 tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka squad named for ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup
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