News
Environment Minister pledges to create Green Sri Lanka to mitigate Climate Change
By Ifham Nizam
Sri Lanka embraced the green development pathway despite the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday, adding that President Gotabaya Rajapaksha had established the Presidential Task Force for the creation of a Green Sri Lanka with sustainable solutions to mitigate Climate Change.
“I have been apponted the Chairman of the Task Force. I hope this Task Force will transform Sri Lanka into a greener economy,” Amaraweera said at the Asia Pacific Green New deal cooperation Forum in South Korea.
Amaraweera stressed that Sri Lankan had pledged to meet the carbon neutrality target by 2050. To achieve the global target international co-operation for Carbon Neutrality and Green Recovery was of utmost importance, he said.
Minister Amaraweera said Sri Lanka’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) reflect the ambition of the country to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in potential sectors in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement that the global community adopted and committed to save mother earth.
“In this trajectory, we believe that we have a responsibility to save the planet for our future generations. Therefore, Sri Lanka has submitted more ambitious mitigation targets in updated NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in July this year,” he said.
Updated NDCs of Sri Lanka represent quantified and robust greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and resilient building needs for the current decade. Sri Lanka’s NDCs were expected to be implemented with the support of public funds, private sector investments and external assistance. In that respect, international cooperation for addressing climate change was vital as it was a global issue, the Minister noted.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
PM pays condolence to pope Francis at the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo
President conducts an inspection tour of Kandy city
Sri Lankan delegation meets with US Trade Representative
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