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Pakistan H C reiterates pledges made by PM Imran Khan to enhance ties with Sri Lanka
High Commissioner Maj. Gen. Muhammad Saad Khattak and Deputy High Commissioner Tanvir Ahmad at the press briefing held at the High Commission (pic by Nimal Dayaratne)
By Ifham Nizam
The Pakistan High Commission in Colombo yesterday reassured that Pakistan would strengthen and enhance ties between the two countries as spelt out by their Prime Minister Imran Khan during his recent visit to Sri Lanka.
Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Maj. Gen. (retd.) Muhammad Saad Khattak said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would grace the occasion when a high level delegation of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce visits here shortly for a confab.
Speaking to journalists, High Commissioner Khattak stressed that they would shift policies of geopolitics to geo-economics to enhance mutual trade benefits and bilateral trade, he added.
He recalled that the Pakistan Prime Minister had promised to find ways and means of promoting trade and connectivity with Sri Lanka, focusing on economics, social and academic ties.
The High Commissioner also said that rather than focusing on religious tourism alone there were plenty of others areas to explore.
Answering queries on Pakistan’s relief assistance to the people affected by floods, torrential rains, landslides and the Covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner said he had visited Anuradhapura, Kilinochchi, Arugam Bay and distributed dry rations among the affected families.
The High Commissioner said they would also focus on infrastructure development and poverty alleviation programmes in the affected areas.
Some people were not aware of the offers when it came to education and economic development, the envoy noted, adding that about 1,000 scholarships were on offer for Sri Lankans and 100 for medicine.
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“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
The book “Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” ,authored by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, was officially launched this morning (08) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The first copy of the publication was formally presented to President Disanayake by Mr. Siriwardana during the event.
It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and senior officials of SriLankan Airlines was held this afternoon (April 8) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions mainly focused on proposals to transform SriLankan Airlines into a more profitable state-owned enterprise. Special attention was also given to possible short-term and long-term solutions for the airline’s debt management.
The talks further explored new investment opportunities for the airline. The President instructed the officials to take all necessary steps to transform SriLankan Airlines into a profit-making entity.
Although the airline has recorded operational profits, due to past mismanagement and poor decision-making, it remains one of the leading loss-making state enterprises. The current government has decided to reverse the previous administration’s decision to privatize the airline. Instead, it plans to continue operating it as the national carrier while introducing a new management structure to ensure its profitability moving forward.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, President’s Senior Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Sarath Ganegoda along with several senior officials of SriLankan Airlines, were present at the meeting.
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
Former state minister arrested by CID
President meets with senior officials of SriLankan Airlines
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