News
Devananda pledges solution to Indian poaching on SL fishing grounds
By Saman Indrajith
Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has pledged to provide a prompt solution to prevent Indian fishermen from illegally fishing in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka. He said he would do so after having talks with the Indian Embassy in Colombo and the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi, Parliament sources said yesterday.
Minister Devnanda made that promise at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries in the Parliament complex on Tuesday, sources said.
State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that Indian fishermen had been fishing illegally not only in the Northern and Eastern territorial waters but also in the Southern territorial waters and thus measures to put an end to such illegal activities had to be adopted with immediate effect.
Minister Devanda said he had said so in response to a concern raised by MPs Charles Nirmalanathan, S. Sridharan and the Deputy Chairpersons of Committees Angajan Ramanathan.
State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, Deputy Chairpersons of Committees Angajan Ramanathan and MPs (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi, Charles Nirmalanathan, S. Sridharan, Kader Masthan, Shantha Bandara, Chandima Weerakkody, H. M. M. Harees were present at the meeting.
Minister Devananda had said that the issue of illegal fishing by Indian fishermen had already been discussed with the Indian HC in Colombo on a number of occasions and that the matter has also been taken up during an online discussion held recently between Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
MP Nirmalanathan and the Deputy Chairpersons of Committees Ramanathan pointed out that the Sri Lankan Navy had intervened in the recent past to prevent Indian fishermen from entering the territorial waters of Sri Lanka, the current COVID situation has led to a large number of Indian fishermen crossing the border illegally. They and requested the Minister to find a solution to the issue even if it requires the intervention of the Navy.
MP Galappaththi requested the Minister to expedite the development of the Kirinda and Hambantota fishing harbours, and the State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that the Ministry of Fisheries was already working on them.
Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, met with a delegation from the World Food Programme (WFP) at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (11).
During the meeting, the WFP representatives agreed to continue their on-going programs in Sri Lanka without disruptions.
Although the food crisis in Sri Lanka has eased to some extent, the WFP officials expressed their willingness to extend further support through new programme whenever additional needs arise.
The WFP delegation included WFP Country Director Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, the Government Partnerships Officer Musthafa Nihmath and the Gerard Rebello , WFP Sri Lanka ‘s Deputy Country Director. Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, also attended the meeting.
News
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Finance to take necessary action to provide a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, from next week.
After reviewing the delay in adding the Rs. 3000 allowance to the October pension, the President directed that this amount be credited to the pensioners’ accounts within the next week.
These instructions were given during a meeting held on Thursday (10) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat with senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Despite the circular No. 02/2024 dated 2024/08/24 issued by the Public Administration Department to grant a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, funds were not allocated for this purpose.
Upon reviewing the matter, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake informed the officials of the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the required funds are provided.
Considering the hardships faced by pensioners due to the non-payment of the Rs. 3000 allowance with the October pension, and their subsequent requests, the President decided to proceed with the payment from this month, despite the prevailing financial difficulties of the government.
Since the October pension has already been credited to the pensioners’ accounts, the President instructed officials to ensure that the Rs. 3000 allowance is credited to their accounts within the next week, and from next month, this allowance will be added to the monthly pension.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena and several senior officials from the Ministry of Finance were present at this meeting
[PMD]
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on 08th October 2024, departed the island today (11th October), on successful completion of its formal visit. The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Colombo port, following naval traditions.
While the ship was in Colombo, the crew took the opportunity to explore some of the country’s tourist attractions. They also participated in various programmes designed to foster camaraderie between the two navies. Moreover, Sri Lanka Navy personnel attended briefings on the operational functions of the visiting ship.
WFP Assures Continuous Support to Sri Lanka
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ departs Island
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