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Parliament to take up SL–UAE investment pact for debate

Published

8 months ago

2025/08/25

Parliament is scheduled to sit from Sept 9 to 12 to take up treaty approvals, and condolence motions, according to the Committee on Parliamentary Business.

Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne said that on Tuesday (9), following questions under Standing Orders, the House would debate and vote on a resolution to approve the Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates. Under Article 157 of the Constitution, such agreements require approval by a special majority. The vote is set for 5 pm that day. Time up to 5.30 pm has been allocated for questions at the suspension of sittings.

On Wednesday, Sept 10, after the usual questions, Parliament will take up the Mediation (Civil and Commercial Disputes) Bill for its second reading from 11.30 am to 3.30 pm. The sitting would then continue with an adjournment debate, moved by the Opposition, until 5.30 pm.

On Thursday, Sept 11, the National Audit (Amendment) Bill would be debated at second reading, along with two supplementary estimates presented by the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, from 11.30 am to 5 pm Thereafter, questions at the suspension of sittings would be taken up until 5.30 pm.

On Friday, Sept 12, after routine business and questions, the House would devote its time from 11.30 am to 5 pm to condolence motions on the late former MPs Gamini Lokuge, P. Dayaratne, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, MH Cegu Isadeen, and Wijayasundara Bandara Ranatunga. The day’s proceedings would conclude with an adjournment debate, moved by the Government, from 5 to 5.30 pm, Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Kularatne said.

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INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo

Published

1 hour ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

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

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Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).

The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.

Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:

01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)

02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)

03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)

04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See

05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan

06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait

Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.