News
President urges shedding of petty differences to achieve an economically strong Sri Lanka
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday called for unity, beyond petty differences, to build an economically strong Sri Lanka, declaring that the country’s greatest asset was its human resource and warning that there would be no place for racism or extremism in the nation’s future.
Addressing the 78th National Independence Day celebrations, at Independence Square, in Colombo, the President said Sri Lanka must embark on a path of rebuilding, rooted in its sovereignty, history and values, while embracing reform and progress. The national celebrations, held under the theme, ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’, commenced at around 7.30 a.m., paying tribute to those who sacrificed much to secure independence from British rule in 1948.
More than 4,500 personnel from the tri-forces and Police took part in the ceremony, alongside around 400 invited guests, including foreign diplomats. A special security and traffic management plan was also in effect, with over 2,000 Police officers deployed across Colombo to ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow.
In his address to the nation, President Dissanayake paid tribute to past generations who fought for the countrys freedom, describing them as heroic patriots whose sacrifices formed the foundation of the nation.
The land on which we stand today is drenched with the blood and tears of our ancestors, he said, adding that it was the duty of present and future generations to honour that legacy.
The President stressed that rebuilding Sri Lanka required drawing strength from the country’s proud history while rejecting harmful practices of the recent past. Economic development, he said, must not erode the foundations of the nation but instead be firmly rooted in the soul of the land and its people.
Emphasising the importance of human capital, the President said Sri Lanka must transform its human resources into a competitive force capable of standing alongside developed nations. He underscored the need to prioritise knowledge, unity and progress over ignorance, prejudice and division, and announced that the Government was ready to implement the most far-reaching education reforms in the country’s history to achieve this goal.
We are prepared to initiate a transformative era in education, he said, pledging to overcome resistance from outdated thinking, and expressing confidence that the people would support the reform process.
The President also highlighted the centrality of the rule of law, national unity and healthy international relations in rebuilding the country. True freedom, he said, could only be achieved through economic strength, supported by good governance and social cohesion.
Reaffirming his commitment to national unity, President Dissanayake said racism and extremism would not be tolerated, warning that both only weakened the nation. He called on all segments of society, including the Government, Opposition, public service and religious leaders, to unite with determination to rebuild Sri Lanka in every sphere.
As per the provisions of section 51 of the Public Finance Managaement Act No. 44 of 2024, the public should be issued with a report on the final budgetary situation for each year and, the report is then published in the official website of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Thereby the report has to be submitted to the Parliament. The final budgetary situation report (Annual Report) – 2025 has been prepared by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and published. The report contains the Public Finance Policy, strategies and challenges, economic trends in 2025, macro – economic and socio – economic indicators covering all sectors of the economy as well as description on the global economic growth.
Furthermore, it accompanies a detailed description government revenue and expenditure, cash flow management, financing the budget deficit and the loan structure.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the Report on the Final Budgetary Condition (Annual Report) – 2025 to Parliament.
Business
Cabinet nod to accept increased Loan Grant provided by the Asian Development Bank under Policy Based Loan Facilities – 2026
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 16.03.2026 to obtain United States Dollars 380 million from the policy – based loan facilities of the Asian Development Bank in the year 2026.
United States Dollars 100 million out of it is allocated for Trade, Investment and Industries Development Programme – Sub Programme 1. However, amidst the economic uncertainty resulting from the current Middle East crisis and the climatic tragedies, the Asian Development Bank has agreed to assist
by increasing a supplementary financing package of United States Dollars 100 million so that it will beMincreased up to United States Dollars 200 million.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to take further measures to obtain the said loan grant.
News
Submission of Revenue Protection Order Prepared under the Provisions of the Revenue Protection Act No. 19 of 1962 to the Parliament for its approval.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was given at the meeting held on 23.02.2026 to impose the custom import duty amounts under four (04) categories as 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% which had been executed only under three (03) categories in order to increase the target export income of the country, to execute the
recommendations of the national customs duty policies committee, and to implement new national sub division customs codes for promoting the local agricultural and industrial sector.
Imposing provisions in relation to the above, the Revenue Protection Order – No. 01/2026 under the Revenue Protection Act No. 19 of 1962 has been published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2478/03 of 03.03.2026.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the said revenue protection order to Parliament for its concurrence.
Report on the Final Budgetary Condition (Annual Report) – 2025 submited to parliament
Cabinet nod to accept increased Loan Grant provided by the Asian Development Bank under Policy Based Loan Facilities – 2026
Submission of Revenue Protection Order Prepared under the Provisions of the Revenue Protection Act No. 19 of 1962 to the Parliament for its approval.
Resettlement of unauthorized settlers affected by the Land Acquisition process for the implementation of Phase III of the Baseline Road Extension Project
Cabinet approves project to modernize school hostel facilities during the 2026–2028 period at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,008 million
New National Action Plan for Human-Elephant Conflict Management to be drafted
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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