News
Russian Ambassador encourages Sri Lanka to consider nuclear energy collaboration
By Rathindra Kuruwita
It is up to Sri Lanka to determine whether to collaborate with Russia’s state owned Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation in building a small nuclear power plant or not, says Levan S. Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation.
Ambassador Dzhagaryan said nuclear energy was a viable alternative for Sri Lanka. He added that he had mentioned the possibility of establishing small nuclear power plants in many meetings with Sri Lankan officials. “This will be a 110 megawatt power plant, and it can be in two blocks, one floating and one on the land, Dzhagaryan said.
“You need an alternative source of power. Don’t rely only on coal, or LNG. We have nuclear cooperation with India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Türkiye and Iran.”
Dzhagaryan added that there was a high-level delegation from Russia between 06 and 08 December. It was headed by Nikolai Patrushev, Chief Advisor of President Putin on security issues.
“They met President Wickremesinghe. They had very good discussions. Hopefully we will be able to implement some of the ideas that were discussed. We know that Sri Lanka is under pressure from some countries, but as a sovereign country, we think Sri Lanka will carry out its independent foreign policy,” he said.
Dzhagaryan added that he expects 200,000 tourists to arrive in Sri Lanka by February 2024 due to increased flight operations by Russian airlines to Katunayaka and Mattala airports.
Commenting on reports that Russia has floated a proposal to carry out a joint venture to develop Mattala airport, the Russian Ambassador said, a large number of Russian tourists arrive in Sri Lanka. AZUR air, Russia’s largest Charter airline, and Aeroflot, the flag carrier, and the largest airline of Russia, come to Katunayaka. Red Wings, specializing in scheduled and charter passenger transportation, flies to Mattala. Russians enjoy their stay in Sri Lanka. There were different proposals on Mattala and we expressed ours. It’s under consideration. Once again, it’s up to Sri Lanka to decide,” he said.
The People of Myanmar are facing immense hardships caused by the devastating earthquake on 28th March and as reported by the international media reports the death toll is over 2,700. Furthermore, it has been reported that many people are missing while, a large number of individuals have been injured and are receiving treatment.
Considering the long – term close relationship between the two nations as two Buddhist states, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to provide,
• A sum of United States Dollars One Million
• Transportation for the dry rations collected by Buddhist clergy and other donors
• To have a group of medical officers and health staff on standby for immediate departure to Myanmar if necessary
Latest News
Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to submit report on sanctions imposed on 04 Sri Lankans by the United Kingdom
Attention of the Cabinet of Ministers have been drawn on the decisions taken by the United Kingdom to impose sanctions on four Sri Lankan individuals recently, and have decided to appoint a committee comprised of three ministers to submit a report with recommendations on the further measures to be taken after studying the facts in the regard and to empower the committee to obtain the service of any officer/intellect deemed to have subject expertise in the relevant field and considered essential.
The committee will comprise of :
– Vijitha Herath Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
– Attorney – at – Law Harshana Nanayakkara Minister of Justice and National Integrity
– Aruna Jayasekara Deputy Minister of Defence
News
Revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to be submitted for the concurrence of the Parliament.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 17.03.2025 to amend the Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme by increasing the value of the benefits already being payed under the scheme.
The revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme has been published by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2429/02 dated 24.03.2025.
Accordingly, he Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Policy Plannng and Economic Development to submit the said revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Cabinet approves providing relief to the people of Myanmar
Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to submit report on sanctions imposed on 04 Sri Lankans by the United Kingdom
Revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to be submitted for the concurrence of the Parliament.
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