News
Time has come to identify new contractors and expedite road development – Johnston
Minister Johnston Fernando instructed the relevant officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Highways, R. W. R. Premasiri to immediately look for new contractors, who could be used for road development projects and explore their potential.
He gave these instructions when the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Highways met in Parliament recently.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Highways instructed the relevant officials to take immediate action to expedite the development of roads in several districts, countrywide, including Matara, Kandy, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Badulla, Hambantota, Matale and Kalutara districts.
Member of Parliament Chandima Weerakkody pointed out the need to expedite the development of roads in the tourist zones, such as Galle, Rumassala and Unawatuna as the tourism industry in Sri Lanka was gradually picking up at present.
Expressing her views, MP Diana Gamage endorsed the proposal made by Weerakkody and pointed out that there were a number of very old iron bridges built by the British throughout Sri Lanka and they could be developed and made into very attractive tourist destinations.
She pointed out that there are popular tourist destinations around the world such as London Bridge in the UK and that Sri Lanka also had valuable and attractive tourist attractions such as the Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, adding that the development of those places could be very important for tourism.
Replying to this, the Minister Fernando said that it was a very important proposal and informed the officials to look into the steps that could be taken accordingly.
Madura Vithanage, MP pointed out that no systematic programme was being implemented to install electricity poles near roads.
MP Vithanage requested the Minister to discuss with the relevant parties and formulate a proper programme for the purpose and the Minister said necessary steps will be taken soon.
While MP Sanjeewa Edirimanne directed the attention on the development of several roads in the Kalutara District, MP Weerasumana Weerasinghe pointed out that more attention should be paid to the road works from the new town in the Matara area to the Godagama Expressway.
Minister Johnston Fernando said it is especially important to take the right steps as soon as possible for road development and instructed the relevant parties to take the necessary action as soon as possible.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee Angajan Ramanathan, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, State Ministers Dayasiri Jayasekara, Nimal Lanza and Janaka Wakkumbura and Members of Parliament Chandima Weerakkody, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Madura Vithanage, Sampath Athukorala, Isuru Dodangoda, Cader Mastan, Sanjeewa Edirimanne, Diana Gamage, and Goonetileke Rajapaksa, Members of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Highways V. Radhakrishnan, Amarakeerthi Athukorala and H. Nandasena also participated.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
ICC board votes to replace Bangladesh if they don’t travel to India
Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict – PM
Brook needs to ‘regain trust of players’ after New Zealand nightclub incident
Navy seizes 02 Indian fishing boats poaching in northern waters
Prime Minister participates in high-level bilateral meetings at World Economic Forum
Dushmantha Chameera, Dhananjaya de Silva return for England ODIs
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Editorial4 days agoIllusory rule of law
-
News5 days agoUNDP’s assessment confirms widespread economic fallout from Cyclone Ditwah
-
Business7 days agoKoaloo.Fi and Stredge forge strategic partnership to offer businesses sustainable supply chain solutions
-
Editorial5 days agoCrime and cops
-
Features4 days agoDaydreams on a winter’s day
-
Editorial6 days agoThe Chakka Clash
-
Features4 days agoSurprise move of both the Minister and myself from Agriculture to Education
-
Features3 days agoExtended mind thesis:A Buddhist perspective