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President meets the head of Saudi Fund for Development

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A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) was held on Monday  (14) afternoon  at the Presidential Secretariat.

The primary focus of the discussion was to assess the current progress of projects implemented with assistance from the Saudi Fund for Development and to identify opportunities for new initiatives.

During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on the support provided by the Saudi Fund to Sri Lanka. Sultan A. Al-Marshad also expressed its willingness to place greater emphasis on digitalization, recognizing its importance in strengthening and enhancing the efficiency of key public services.

The discussions also focused on the continued implementation of the projects currently underway in Sri Lanka with the support of the Saudi Fund for Development.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake recalled the long-standing friendship between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia and expressed his gratitude for the unconditional support extended by Saudi Arabia during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis.

The President stated that the assistance provided by the Saudi Fund for Development for new projects would be allocated based on the priorities of the people and directed toward meeting those identified needs.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka, Khalid Hamoud Nasser Aldasam Alkahtani, along with Director General of Asia Operations Saudi Fund for Development Dr. Saud Ayid Al-Shammari and a delegation of representatives from the Fund, participated at the discussion.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and Director General of the Department of External Resources R.M.S.P.S. Bandara participated in the occasion.



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Cabinet nod for MOU between Sri Lanka and Romania on the cooperation in the Labour Field

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Romania, a country that has maintained diplomatic relationship with Sri Lanka for several decades in various fields, has become an increasingly popular destination among Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled Labour categories, especially in the fields of construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and services sectors.

At present, the recruitment of Sri Lankan workers to Romania is carried out by licensed private employment agencies under the
supervision of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau. However, since both parties have recognized the need of establishing a more organized and sustainable recruitment method due to increasing  demand, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Romania regarding cooperation in the field of the labour sector with the following objectives.

• Establishment of proper mechanism for recruitment and management of workers.
• Promotion of ethical and transparent recruitment practices.
• Protection of rights and welfare of the migrant workers.
• Facilitation of regular discussions between the formal and relevant authorities ofboth countries.
• Improvement of technical cooperation, skills recognition, and capacity building in the labour sector.

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New circular to replace Management Services Circular No. 01/2019

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by  the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance,
Planning, and Economic Development to repeal Management Services Circular No. 01/2019 , dated 15-03-2019, issued regarding the implementation of development projects, and to issue a new management services circular including updated provisions instead.

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Four Chief Prelates urge President to appoint NAO official as Auditor General

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Anura Kumara

Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas, in a joint letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has expressed concern over the protracted delay in appointing a permanent Auditor General.

The Chief Prelates have said that the appointment of an outsider as the Head of the National Audit Office (NAO) responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances will be inappropriate.

The Chief Prelates have said that they are of the view that Dharmapala Gammanpila, a senior officer with extensive experience within the Auditor General’s Department, is the ideal candidate for the top post. They have also emphasised that his appointment will strengthen the government’s efforts to promote economic prosperity.

Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.

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