News
Defence Secretary underlines one of the primary duties of armed forces
Armed forces should always be geared to assist in the nation building process to revive the country ruined for three decades owing to LTTE activities, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Addressing the Graduation Ceremony of the Course Number 14 of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Colombo on Friday, the Defence Secretary said: “Wisdom and knowledge intertwined with professionalism for an officer is considered foremost, and therefore, we are in need of highly qualified, skilled and professional military officers to guide our forces towards a future which will be challenging and demanding”.
Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said countries were striving to reach higher profiles in diplomacy, informational, military and economic spears and therefore Sri Lanka needed its military to achieve the highest possible standards attainable without any exception.
“The government will expect an officer to lead their men to safeguard people against any threat whether it is manmade or natural, since current threats are mostly spinning as natural disasters/calamities endangering human life. Our military along with the Police and Civil Security Department extended a noteworthy service to the nation in combatting COVID 19 while saving people and it is still in progress”.
Hundred and thirty two (132) officers of Sri Lankan tri-forces and 18 officers of 11 foreign nations were received degrees at the event. Foreign student officers of Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia and Sudan were the alumnus of the DSCSC for this year.
Maj. Gen. Gunaratne also extended his gratitude to all the former and current Commandants, Chief Instructors and the Directing Staff for their tireless effort.
He being a former Directing Staff member also extended his best wishes to the officers to continue the achievements in future endeavours too.
Secretary of the State Ministry of Money, Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms, R.M.A. Rathnayake, Chairperson Defence Ministry’s Seva Vanitha Unit Chithrani Gunaratne, Acting Chief of Defence Staff and the Tri-Forces Commanders, KDU Vice Chancellor, Commandant DSCSC, former Commandants of the DSCSC, Additional Secretary Defence, Members of the Board of Management, Chief of Staff of Tri-Forces, respective Defence Attachés/Advisors in Sri Lanka, student officers including all foreign students and their families were also present at the ceremony.
Since the procedures that should be followed in obtaining and managing foreign debts are covered by the Public Debt Management Act No. 33 of 2024, the Foreign Debt Act No. 29 of 1957 and all the amendments thereto should be cancelled. The policy agreement has been provided at the cabinet meeting held on 09-12-2024 for that purpose. The clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the Foreign Debt (Abolishment) Draft prepared by the draftsman.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to publish the said draft in the Government Gazette and thereafter to present it to the Parliament for approval.
It was decided by the then Cabinet of Ministers at the cabinet meeting held on 02-09-2024 to liquidate the Co-operative Wholesale Corporation Act No. 47 of 1949 and to liquidate the said establishment.
However, there is a possibility to perform a decisive role for the Co-operative Wholesale Corporation in the implementation of government roles within the market operation with the objective of a continuous supply of quality goods and services to the public under a reasonable price through the promotion of market competitiveness in compliance with the “Rich country—beautiful life” policy framework.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Trade, Commercial, Food Security, and Cooperative Development to abolish the previous cabinet decision in respect of the liquidation of the Cooperative Wholesale Corporation and recommence the business activities of the said corporation based on a feasible business plan.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, to implement the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025-2029 with the coordination of all the ministries, departments, all government institutes, and the relevant stakeholders.
The role of the Bribery and Corruption Investigation Commission has been expanded by the Anti Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, from investigating and prosecuting offenses related to bribery and corruption to the implementation and regulation of anti-corruption policies to eliminate bribery and corruption.
Since the “Clean Sri Lanka” program of the government tries to uplift the moral development of the Sri Lankan Society, the necessity of the preparation and implementation of a strong national anti-corruption policy in such away covering all the sectors.
Foreign Debt Act No. 29 of 1957 and all amendments thereto to be repealed
Co-operative Wholesale Establishment to continue
Cabinet gives green light to implement National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025-2029
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