News
‘2021 challenging year, but govt. confident’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SLPP Chairman and Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday (1) said the government would surmount daunting challenges faced by the country in the New Year.
Prof. Peiris acknowledged that 2021 was going to be tough, but the leadership that had brought nearly three decades long war to an end in 2009 could successfully face new challenges.
The minister said so at the inauguration of a new building project at Mattegoda for the Engineering Faculty of the Sri Jayewardenepura University. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 3,624.96 mn.
Commenting on ongoing efforts to streamline the education sector, the one-time External Affairs Minister said that the government would consult all stakeholders, including the student community as regards the proposed reforms.
Prof. Peiris also addressed the Education Ministry staff yesterday, the first working day where he appreciated their support during an extremely difficult year. The Education Minister said that they went beyond duty to ensure the functioning of the system as the country struggled with rampaging corona pandemic.
Prof. Peiris said that there were two ways to tackle a challenge. The minister said: “We can conveniently refrain from taking tangible measures to address the problem. Continuously delaying a decision on a contentious issue is one way of handling it. Or, we can deal with the issue at hand by taking appropriate measures.”
The top legal academic pointed out that the decision to conduct Year 5 Scholarship examination as well as the GCE Advanced Level in last Nov/Dec 2020 proved challenges could be surmounted.
Prof. Peiris said that the government was determined to go ahead with plans in spite of difficulties. The Education sector couldn’t be neglected during the current difficult period.
News
President Anura Kumara Disanayake holds discussions with Secretary of the Communist Party of China for Sichuan Province
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who was on a four-day state visit to China, met with Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the Communist Party of China for Sichuan Province, this morning (17).
Chengdu, one of the happiest cities in China, is the capital of Sichuan Province and a leading city where the blend of cultural heritage and development harmoniously flourishes, offering its residents a high quality of life.
During the discussions, both sides explored the potential to elevate economic, trade, cultural, tourism, and intergovernmental relations between Sichuan and Sri Lanka to new heights. Sichuan’s significant achievements in various sectors, including energy, were acknowledged, and the President invited the Secretary of the Sichuan province to share their expertise and success stories with Sri Lanka.
President Disanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka is currently on a path to economic stabilization under a transparent and investor-friendly administration. He noted that the country is at a critical political turning point, with the current government empowered by a two-thirds majority granted by a united population from the north, east, west, and south. The government is fully committed to meeting the expectations placed upon it by its citizens.
Additionally, the President underscored Sri Lanka’s attractiveness as a destination for Chinese tourists and extended a warm invitation to the people of Sichuan to visit the island and experience its exceptional hospitality.
Joining the discussions were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake.
[PMD]
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL)’s Director of Communications Jayanath Herath announced that the PUCL has decided to reduce electricity tariffs by an average amount of 20% overall for a six month period with effect from midnight today (17)
Accordingly, tariffs have been reduced by 29% for consumers who consume less than 30 units of electricity in the domestic sector.
The consumers who consume between 31 – 60 units of electricity in the domestic sector will receive a 28% reduction of the tariff.
The consumers who consume between 61 – 90 units of electricity in the domestic sector will receive a 19% reduction of the tariff
The consumers who consume between 91 – 180 units of electricity in the domestic sector will receive a 18% reduction of the tariff
The tariff reduction for Government Institution is 11%, Religious Institutions is 21% , factories is 30% and for hotels is 31%
News
Chief observer of the Election Observation Mission of the European Union (EU) Meets Prime Minister
José Ignacio Sánchez Amor, Chief Observer of the Election Observation Mission of the European Union (EU) and Member of the European Parliament, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday [16th January].
Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka, and the Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Sri Lanka, accompanied Mr. Sánchez Amor. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office also participated in the meeting.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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