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Mangala warns Govt.

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By Chaminda Silva

Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday said that Sri Lanka couldn’t afford to act like North Korea, Venezuela or Eritrea in responding to UN resolutions after it had voluntarily become a signatory to all human rights conventions, passed at the UN over the years.

Addressing the media at Pitakotte, the former minister said that the incumbent government should place its trust in diplomacy without being confrontational. “That is step number one, because diplomacy can help you find all kinds of solutions. If you are going to accuse those who criticise you as your enemies, Sri Lanka is not going anywhere. Sri Lanka has voluntarily become a signatory to all human rights conventions passed at the UN and other entities over the years and therefore, now it can’t be acting like North Korea, Venezuela or Eretria.”

Samaraweera said Sri Lanka was a country which had always dealt with the world in equal terms. “The world loves us. Even in those four years, because once we started dealing with them, they were willing to go out of their way to help us. In fact, even at this moment when Sri Lanka’s economy is in doldrums and maybe falling towards the abyss, I think our foreign relations are more important than ever.”.

Responding to criticisms that the former yahapalana government had failed to take substantial measures to implement pledges made in the 30/1 Resolution, Samaraweera said they took several measures had to be adopted step by step to achieve reconciliation.

“We brought the Office on Missing Persons Bill. When it was presented in Parliament, the government MPs and ministers had to protect me from the then opposition MPs. We set up the OMP. In the 2019 final budget, we allocated funds for an allowance to be paid for the families of the missing persons. The Reparations Office was set up. The Cabinet paper on a Truth Commission was completed, but it got delayed due to President Maithripala Sirisena’s various requests.”said.

Samaraweera said the UN could not impose sanctions on Sri Lanka based on the resolution but individual countries could. “I always say that regardless of the decision making at the top level, the common citizens should not be oppressed. I request any country not to impose such sanctions that would affect the citizens.”

 

 



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Swiss ambassador meets President Dissanayake

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Dr. (Ms.) Siri Walt, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Sri Lanka, met  President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (09).

During the meeting, Ambassador Walt extended her congratulations to President Dissanayake on his recent election victory, conveying best wishes on behalf of the Government and people of Switzerland.

Ambassador Walt reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka, particularly through the ongoing IMF program, and expressed Switzerland’s readiness to assist in President Dissanayake’s efforts to combat corruption. She also emphasized Switzerland’s expertise in foreign direct investments (FDI) and tourism, offering assistance to Sri Lanka in these sectors to promote economic growth.

Further areas of collaboration discussed included constitutional reforms and labour migration, with Ambassador

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President discusses enhancing revenue and efficiency with Sri Lanka Customs and Inland Revenue officials

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a key meeting with senior officials from both the Sri Lanka Customs Department and the Inland Revenue Department at the Presidential Secretariat today (09). The discussions centered on strategies to enhance revenue generation and improve operational efficiency within both departments, in line with the government’s broader economic mandate.

During the meeting, officials from both departments presented the challenges they face in managing revenue and tackling tax evasion. They stressed the importance of strengthening coordination between the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and Customs to effectively combat these issues. It was highlighted that better collaboration would ensure more robust enforcement of tax laws and prevent tax leakage, further boosting the country’s revenue collection.

Representing the Sri Lanka Customs Department were  P B S C Nonis, Director General of Customs; Mrs. H W S P Karunaratne, Additional Director General of Customs; . C S A Chandrasekara, Additional Director General of Customs;  W S I Silva, Additional Director General of Customs;  S P Arukgoda, Additional Director General of Customs; J M M G Wijeratna Bandara, Additional Director General of Customs;  A. W. L. C. Weerakoon, Senior Deputy Director and  M R G A B Muthukuda, Chief Financial Officer, among other officials.

From the Inland Revenue Department, Mrs. W S Chandrasekara, Commissioner General;  B K S Shanta, Deputy Commissioner General; Mrs. J A D D B K Siriwardena, Deputy Commissioner General; Mrs. J D Ranasinghe, Deputy Commissioner General; D M N S B Dissanayake, Deputy Commissioner General;  H H S Samantha Kumara; and Ms. T M S Thennakone, Senior Commissioner, participated in the discussions.

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Vietnamese Ambassador meets President; explores possibility of enhancing direct flights between Vietnam and Sri Lanka

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The Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka, Ms Trinh Thi Tam, paid a courtesy call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (09).

During the meeting, Ambassador Tam conveyed her congratulations on behalf of the Government of Vietnam and expressed optimism for continued cooperation between the two nations.

Highlighting Vietnam’s achievements in foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade, President Dissanayake requested Vietnam’s assistance in fostering these sectors in Sri Lanka.

The discussion also explored the possibility of enhancing direct flights between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, with a focus on strengthening Buddhist ties and cultural connections. Ambassador Tam further pledged to explore opportunities to promote Sri Lanka as a key destination for Vietnamese tourists, thereby expanding people-to-people connections and boosting tourism.

 

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