News
Foreign powers have only shown their nudity – Johnny
Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday (4) said that the show being enacted in Geneva against Sri Lanka showed the duplicity of Western nations.
Addressing the media after participating in a tree planting campaign at Padukka, the Minister said that several Western nations had taken upon themselves the task of protecting human rights in Sri Lanka.
“Those countries sponsored the drafting of some UN documents that stated the LTTE too had committed war crimes with the intention of giving those documents a look of balance. “But those countries went all out to remove LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to safety shortly before the conclusion of the war. If their plans to save Prabhakaran had succeeded, the war would have continued resulting in death and destruction, forcible child conscription, political killings, extortion, civilian massacres. The North and the East of this country would still have been under the jackboot of Prabhakaran.”
The Minister said the UNHRC Chief Michelle Bachelet had decided to overlook facts and continued to harass Sri Lanka. “They do not listen to reason. Why the UNHRC overlooks facts about serious human rights violations committed by the LTTE is the question. Lord Naseby has revealed in the British Parliament that UNHRC allegations against Sri Lanka are baseless and manufactured lies.
“The UNHRC’s duplicity is obvious. What action the UNHRC took against the worst war criminals in the world, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former US President George W. Bush? They are responsible for killing more than 500,000 Iraqi children in their war against Iraq,” the Minister said.
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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