News
New Bangladesh HC briefs President on socio-economic development in his country
The newly appointed High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka, Tareq Md Ariful Islam has presented his credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House in a formal ceremony.
Following the presentation of credentials, the High Commissioner had a meeting with the President, where they discussed ways and means to further deepen the bilateral relations between the two countries. High Commissioner Tareq conveyed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa the greetings and personal regards of the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He also conveyed to him the invitation of the President and the Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh.
High Commissioner Tareq appreciated President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for leading the country to greater socio-economic developments as well as for effectively dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Referring to the excellent bilateral relations existing between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and the multitude of commonalities, the High Commissioner expressed his commitment to work for further strengthening the ties between the two countries. He solicited the support of the host government in this regard.
He also shared with the President the tremendous socio-economic developments that Bangladesh has achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also discussed about the issues of enhancing bilateral trade, concluding bilateral FTA, enhancing shipping connectivity, signing of coastal shipping agreement, investment promotion, cooperation in pharmaceutical sectors, etc. Felicitating the High Commissioner for assuming his responsibility, President Rajapaksa reciprocated the greetings to Bangladesh President and Prime Minister and thanked them for the invitation extended to him. He shared his country’s experience in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and spoke about increasing cooperation between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka particularly in the areas of agriculture, agro-based products, regional tourism, investment promotion, ICT, high tech industry and education.
Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, and Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage were present at the ceremony.
The Aswasuma Welfare Benefit payment Scheme has been implementing from 01-07-2023 and this scheme has been finally amended by the Extra Ordinary Gazette No 2415/66 dated 21-12-2024.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to publish the following through a Gazette Notification, amending the benefits provided under the presently empowered Aswasuma Welfare Benefit payment Scheme within the provisions allocated by the budget estimate for the year 2025.
• To extend the period of entitlement of benefits for the transitional social category included in schedule 1 of the Aswasuma Welfare Benefit payment Scheme up to 30-04-2025.
• To increase the monthly assistance payment from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 provided to persons with disabilities and receiving treatment for kidney diseases and elderly persons, respectively, that are included in Schedule II of the said scheme and to
implement the said decision from April 2025.
• To extend the period of payment provided for the disable persons, kidney patients, and elderly persons given in the Schedule II, up to 31-12-2025 subject to the above proposals.
• Even though the payment of allowances under the transitional social category will be stopped after April 2025, the period of payment for disabled persons, kidney patients, and elderly persons, of these families will be extended up to 31-12-2025.
• Payment of relevant eligible persons by inclusion of newly forwarded applications of disabled and kidney patients subject to the maximum limit up to 31-12-2025.
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Fertilizer, financial subsidy to farmers who are cultivating the paddy in the Yala season 2025
The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to grant the approval to provide a financial subsidy for the farmers who are cultivating paddy in the yala season 2025 and for the farmers who are cultivating other crops in the paddy land, taking into consideration the proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation.
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Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted at their meeting held on 19.02.2025 to amend the Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022.
Clearance of the Attorney General has been given to the revised draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman in the regard.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the President in this office as the Minister of Digital Economy to publish the draft of the Personal Data Protection (Amended) Act in the government gazette notification and thereafter submit it to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Cabinet approves amendments to Aswasuma Welfare Benefit payment Scheme
Fertilizer, financial subsidy to farmers who are cultivating the paddy in the Yala season 2025
Cabinet approves the submission of amendments for the Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022
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