News
Economic crisis: Lankan group appreciates Congresswoman Titus’s backing
Three Sri Lankan expatriates, as special attendees at an official State of Nevada Democratic Party gathering, in Las Vegas, where U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was the guest of honour, extended their unreserved gratitude to House Member Dina Titus for taking the leadership to assist Sri Lanka, in recent months, with food and nutritional requirements, foreign media reports said.
Sanje Sedera, Chairman of both Sri Lanka-America Chamber of Commerce and Sri Lanka-America Association of Las Vegas, along with two executive directors of both organizations Lalindra Wickremaratne and Daya Gamage, on behalf of the Sri Lankan people, thanked Congresswoman Dina Titus for taking the lead to impress upon Washington policymakers the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka.
Since Dina Titus, and nine other Congressmen, addressed an official communiqué to U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and USAID Administrator, Samantha Power, early August, Washington has taken swift measures to dispatch humanitarian assistance to Colombo, it has been noted. Sri Lanka-America Chamber of Commerce, a national entity, based in the Convention Capital of the world, Las Vegas, since its debut a year ago, has gradually been reaching to policymakers in Washington, D.C., U.S. Congressmen who have assignments in foreign affairs, agriculture and commerce and the U.S. Department of Treasury, on issues such as trade, investment and commerce between the two countries.
Two senior officials from the Treasury Department travelled all the way to Las Vegas to have a dialogue with the officials of the Chamber, in June this year. One of them had travelled to Sri Lanka, the previous month, to meet several Cabinet members, including Ali Sabry.
The Chamber, in recent months,has given top priority to find avenues to get humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, a spokesman noted.
The three officials of the two Sri Lankan expatriate organizations attended the ruling Democratic Party official gathering to have discourses with lawmakers to further encourage them to help enhance humanitarian assistance to the economically beleaguered Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan expatriates made House Speaker Nancy Pelosi knowledgeable during their conversation with her at this gathering.
Political activist and entrepreneur Sanje Sedera says that the close rapport he and other expatriates developed with Washington lawmakers and policymakers, during the past two decades, as well as using strategic diplomacy is bringing dividends at this hour of need for Sri Lanka.
Congresswoman Dina Titus remarked that she and her colleague in the Congress are aware of the plight of Sri Lanka and reiterated her commitment to assist Colombo, it has been reported.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
Minimum purchasing price of Samba and Kiri Samba paddy increased
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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