News
Gajaba Regiment present Military Salute to Gen. Shavendra Silva
Gajaba Regiment Troops presented a Military Salute to Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander, Shavendra Silva, who was promoted to the rank of a four-star General, at the Army Headquarters in conformity with military traditions on Thursday.
He was elevated in rank by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on December 28 for his services to the nation, together with the Secretary Defence, Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne.
The glittering military event began as General Shavendra Silva’s ceremonial motorcade reached the main entrance to the Commander’s Secretariat to be greeted to an elegant Guard Turnout salute, a formal military feature, presented by Gajaba Regiment troops after Colonel Indika Perera, Commanding Officer, HQ Battalion at the Army Headquarters received him.
Major General Prabath Dematanpitiya, Chief of Staff, extended a warm reception to the promoted Army Chief in turn and invited him to review the Guard-of-Honour parade, presented by two Officers and 48 Other Ranks of the Gajaba Regiment, along with Regimental colours.
As marching melodies began rending the air, General Shavendra Silva, together with the parade commander and accompanying Chief of Staff reviewed the colourful parade and proceeded to the special dais before taking the Guard of Honour salute, which signifies a mark of recognition and seniority of rank.
General Shavendra Silva called upon all to join hands to further foster the image of the organization and contribute to the nation-building tasks in a more vibrant manner.
“Promotion in the forces is not only a show of confidence and acknowledgment of hard work, but it is also proof that the Sri Lanka Army is an evolving professional institution, making it an attractive career”, General Shavendra Silva remarked.
NPP, SJB and SLPP won’t have parades
The ruling party National People’s Power (NPP) will celebrate May Day at Galle Face Green in Colombo. However, the NPP wouldn’t have a parade, party sources said.
The Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government in 2023 made Galle Face Green off limits for political rallies. But the incumbent government lifted the restrictions in November 2024.
The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will have its May Day rally at Talawakelle town. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 2 pm with the participation of SJB’s coalition partners, including Digambaram, Mano Ganesan.
The SLPP, too, decided against having a parade this time though it will hold a rally at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda.
The SLFP will hold its May Day event at its headquarters on Darley Road.
The Navy on April 28 carried out post-event maintenance efforts at Kandy Lake, following the Siri Dalada Vandanawa.
The collaborative efforts of the officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the Department of Irrigation, the Department of Archaeology and the Navy ensured the preservation of the lake’s natural beauty.
(Pic courtesy Navy media)
The Presidential Media Division (PMD) said yesterday that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had received an assurance from the head of the South Asia Division of the European Union (EU), Charles Whiteley during a meeting that the European Union would positively consider extending the GSP+ trade concession to Sri Lanka in its review.
The EU delegation, which arrived on Monday (28)., will be here till May 7. The EU delegation said the team would take stock of progress on the fulfilment of conditions linked to the granting of GSP+ trade preferences.
Political, Press, and Information Section of the Delegation said: “This is part of the regular biannual monitoring to which the Government of Sri Lanka has committed in order to benefit from GSP+. The Mission will meet government officials, relevant institutions, politicians, civil society, business associations, trade unions and will also make site visits.
Sri Lanka is one among eight low- or lower-middle income countries benefiting from the GSP+. This is a special incentive arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance that is open for vulnerable developing countries that have ratified 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and climate change, and good governance. The effective implementation of these 27 conventions is monitored with biannual missions and reports.”
Major May Day rallies in Colombo and Talawakelle
Navy cleans up Kandy Lake
EU delegation positive about extending GSP+ concessions
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