News
Tiran explains police action to foreign diplomats
Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has explained the ongoing ‘Yukthiya’ operation to members of the Colombo-based diplomatic community.
The Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Commission has jumped to question the government operation. The Foreign Ministry said that Minister Alles provided an update on the progress made by the special operation against drug menace and underworld activities on the invitation of Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, recently.
The Bar Association and several civil society groups have criticised government action
Minister Sabry chaired the first briefing of the year for the members of the Colombo-based diplomatic Corps at the Ministry on January 11.
The Minister outlined several areas of progress made on many fronts in 2023 that led to a greater degree of stability, including debt restructuring, economic and legal reforms and reconciliation. Minister Sabry referred to 2024 as the year to revitalize the country’s economy, following the crucial achievements that have been made in overcoming the challenges of 2022.
Minister Sabry stated that the Government has taken concerted efforts towards the establishment of a Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation and ensured the gazetting of the draft Bill. He added that following extensive consultations with the stakeholders, it would be tabled in Parliament shortly. He also informed that the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation Bill was passed by the Parliament on 09 January 2024 and two more draft Bills will be tabled in the House on anti-terrorism, and the Office for Overseas Sri Lankans.
Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardene, Deputy Treasury Secretary R.M.P. Rathnayake, and Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane also briefed the Diplomatic Corps. Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam was also present.
The Senior Advisor on Climate Change to the President outlined Sri Lanka’s initiatives on climate change including the proposal to establish an International Climate Change University, launching the Tropical Belt Initiative for sustainable development, creating a Climate Justice Forum, and implementing the Sri Lanka Climate Prosperity Plan, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through renewable energy sources and green investment strategies. Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane focused on the country’s upcoming international engagements and incoming visits of foreign dignitaries.
Deputy Secretary to the Treasury made a presentation on the current economic situation and the envisaged way forward. Representatives of domestic institutions dealing with reconciliation such as the Office on Missing Persons, Office for Reparations, Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, Interim Secretariat of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Office for Overseas Sri Lankans were also present at the briefing. During the discussion that followed the presentations, the members of the diplomatic Corps expressed appreciation for the fruitful and useful briefing organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the current situation and the steps taken towards recovery and stabilization.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake met with Ms. Severine Chappaz, the newly appointed Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), on Tuesday (25) at the Presidential Secretariat.
Discussions focused on the ICRC’s support for the new government’s policy framework. As part of this collaboration, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has agreed to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to strengthen the Office on Missing Persons (OMP).
President Disanayake highlighted that the budget 2025 has allocated funds for on-going programs related to searching for missing persons.
Additionally, the President announced plans to celebrate “Sri Lankan Day” as a national initiative aimed at fostering unity and strengthening the country’s collective identity, transcending ethnic and religious differences.
The President expressed his gratitude to the ICRC for its humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka since 1989 and acknowledged its continued commitment to the country.
The meeting was also attended by Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, and Ruwanthi Jayasundara, Communications Manager of the ICRC.
The government is contemplating the implementation of a collaborative tourism initiative between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
This initiative was discussed on Tuesday (25) during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives, Masood Imad.
During the meeting, the High Commissioner congratulated the government on its recent electoral victory and expressed his satisfaction with the positive changes taking place in the country following the election results.
The discussions also emphasized the longstanding 60-year diplomatic relationship between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, focusing on strengthening and advancing this bilateral partnership.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake acknowledged and expressed his appreciation for the Maldives’ unique contributions in fortifying the ties between the two nations.
The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Maldives Foreign Secretary Fathimath Inaya, and Additional Secretary Aminath Abdulla Didi.
A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dewi Gustina Tobing, took place on Tuesday (25) at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the discussion, Ambassador Tobing extended Indonesia’s well wishes to the new government and reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening the 70-year-long friendship between the two nations.
The Ambassador highlighted that both Sri Lanka and Indonesia recently held simultaneous elections and established new governments. She further stated that Indonesia’s current administration will support the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, noting that measures have been taken to implement a similar initiative in Indonesia.
The discussions also focused on establishing vibrant trade agreements and free trade arrangements between the two nations.
Additionally, both parties explored opportunities to expand markets in a mutually beneficial manner while further strengthening economic, social and cultural ties.
Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage and Indonesian Deputy Ambassador, Fiki Oktanio, were also present at the meeting.
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