News

SAARC countries should come together to ensure post-Covid recovery – Dinesh

Published

5 years ago

2020/09/27

Sri Lanka has stressed the need for South Asian countries to collaborate to revive the economies of the region which is forecast to see an economic contraction of 4.8 per cent this year due to the Covid pandemic.

The comments were made by Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena when he led the Sri Lankan delegation to a virtual informal meeting of the Council of Ministers of the countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation on Thursday.

The annual event, which traditionally takes place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, was convened online due to the Covid 19 situation, the Foreign Ministry said.

Gunawardena pointed out “the importance of reviewing South Asia’s economic outlook, finding employment for the impacted workforce, revitalizing businesses, while increasing production,” the release said.

SAARC has the potential to become a catalyst in economic growth and prosperity. South Asia should expand cooperation in soft projects such as public health, poverty alleviation, agriculture, food security, environment, education and promotion of people to people contacts, he added.

The meeting was chaired by Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, facilitated by the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu. The newly-appointed Secretary-General of SAARC Esala Weerakoon also addressed the informal meeting.

The Sri Lanka delegation comprised Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Ministry the press release said.

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Cabinet approves providing relief to the people of Myanmar

Published

1 hour ago

2025/04/2

Priyan

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

Published

1 hour ago

2025/04/2

Priyan

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

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Revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to be submitted for the concurrence of the Parliament.

Published

2 hours ago

2025/04/2

Priyan

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.