News
Unfounded fears raised over future engine of growth, says Johnston
Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday said that the Colombo Port City would be a driver of growth and foreign direct investment and allegations of it being a Chinese colony were baseless.
Addressing the media after attending a Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival in Kurunegala, the Minister said the Port City would be another special economic zone.
“When the Katunayake free trade zone was set up under the Greater Colombo Economic Commission in 1978 under the leadership of Upali Wijewardene, the same fears were raised and some expressed concerns. Now, we have many Special Economic Zones (SEZ), including Export Processing Zones (EPZs), Industrial Parks (IPs) and industrial estates. We currently have 12 EPZs and two IPs throughout the country. These areas are considered vital for attracting investment and building industry and the fears raised when the Katunayake EPZ was set up were not raised when other similar zones were set up at Biyagama and Koggala. The Port City too is going to be an SEZ with tax exemptions and more latitude for the investors. Like in the case of the Greater Colombo Economic Commission, which later became the Board of Investment, for the control of the Port City a special commission is proposed. The government has submitted a Bill to Parliament for that purpose. Taking chunks out of that Bill the Opposition and misled parties are now expressing fears,” the Minister said.
Fernando said that an SEZ could not become a colony of another country. “The UNCTAD has identified SEZ as a ‘geographically delimited area within which governments facilitate industrial activity through fiscal and regulatory incentives and infrastructure support’ and such zones are widely used in most developing and many developed economies.”
In similar delimited areas, governments facilitated industrial activity through fiscal and regulatory incentives and infrastructure support. There were about 5,383 SEZs across 147 economies worldwide. “None of those countries have lost their territorial integrity. Their SEZs have not become a threat to their sovereignty. We already have SEZs and India too has them. The fears being mongered are baseless.”
Asked for his comment on MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s recent statement that the Port City would become a Chinese colony, Minister Fernando stressed that nowhere in the Bill, did the government present a clause to imply that the Port City would be colonised by China. MP Rajapakshe should have raised his concerns at the SLPP group meeting instead of holding press conferences, the Minister said.
Fernando said land had been reclaimed from the sea near the Galle Face for economic purposes and not for people to fly kites.
High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer met with the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on 30th April
Welcoming the High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister expressed sincere appreciation for the continued support and cooperation extended by the Government of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, particularly the assistance provided following the Ditwah Cyclone.
Both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which are founded on mutual respect, friendship, and shared interests.
The meeting also focused on the importance of further strengthening collaboration in key sectors such as education, tourism, and sports, with a view to enhancing people-to-people ties and creating new opportunities for cooperation reiterating Sri Lanka’s commitment to deepening bilateral engagement.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Ms. Zunaira Latif, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
The Ambassador of Nepal to SriLanka, Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday (30th of April) at Temple Trees.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed sincere appreciation for the dedicated service and valuable contributions towards strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal during the tenure of Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali.
Both parties reaffirmed the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, which are based on shared cultural, religious, and historical linkages. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further deepening bilateral relations with Nepal and enhancing cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 01 May 2026, valid for 02 May 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
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