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PM participates in innaugural session of SAARC Heritage Forum 2025
The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the inaugural meeting of the SAARC Heritage Forum 2025 for promoting Regional Art, Culture, Heritage Sites, Museums, and Archives organized by the Cultural Center (SCC) with the support of the Government of Sri Lanka on Tuesday (Sep 30) at the National Museum, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The forum which commenced on 30th of September will conclude on 2nd October.
SAARC Heritage Forum 2025 aims to bring together experts, professionals, and scholars in the field of Archeology, Cultural Heritage and Museums to foster dialogue, share knowledge, and explore innovative approaches towards the preservation and promotion of South Asia’s rich cultural heritage by strengthening cooperation, establishing the SAARC Heritage List with its Operational Guidelines and creating Cultural Trails that connect major Buddhist historical sites and facilitate access to sacred sites associated with Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and other faiths.
Addressing the inaugural occasion, the Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to call to action and call to reaffirm the shared vision of regional unity, regional vitality, and diplomatic renewal in preserving the cultural heritage and strengthening cooperation with SAARC. The Prime Minister further stressed the committed to supporting the institutionalization of the Forum as an annual event, with rotating leadership and inclusive participation.
Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to achieving the purpose and outcome this forum, the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that our cultural assets must be protected not only as the relic of the past but as resources that contribute to the identity, dialogue and inclusive development.
The event was attended by Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Faheem-ul-Aziz, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Andalib Elias, High Commissioner of Maldives, Masood Imad, Ambassador of Nepal, Purna Bahadhur, delegates representing SAARC, the Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC) Dr. Kaushalya Kumarasinghe, representatives of the European Union and Embassy of America and professionals, scholars and experts in the field.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
The National Business Facilitation Centre (NBFC), which is being established under the Presidential Secretariat with the aim of removing administrative and regulatory barriers that exist among government institutions in relation to investment and industry and expediting these processes, will be opened tomorrow (22).
The centre is being established on the President’s initiative with the aim of bringing about a positive transformation in the industrial sector. The centre will provide solutions to issues that arise in dealing with the government machinery when starting and operating a business, while also coordinating with the relevant government institutions to provide the necessary facilities.
The “ViYASA” National Business Facilitation Centre (NBFC) has been established at Building C-80, Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Colombo 07, and is headed by Senior Additional( Secretary to the President, Seevali Arukgoda.
The centre will be opened under the patronage of Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando and Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, with the participation of Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The website https://nbfc.presidentsoffice.gov.lk is also scheduled to be officially launched on the occasion.
President’s Media Division)
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Court of Appeal Judge M. Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea appointed as Acting President of the Court of Appeal
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Judge Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat this morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
(President’s Media Division)
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President instructs expediting further measures concerning Sivarasa Anojan, sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia
A discussion to review the further measures that could be taken regarding Sivarasa Anojan, a young Sri Lankan national who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, was held at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (21), under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The discussion focused on the measures taken to date concerning Sivaraasa Anojan and the further diplomatic and legal steps that could be pursued. Attention was also given to expediting the necessary further measures that could be taken to secure his release.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed officials to continue the necessary diplomatic engagement with the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia and to maintain close and continuous involvement in all further measures concerning the case.
Reaffirming the Government’s continued attention to the safety and welfare of Sri Lankans living and working overseas, the President also stressed the need for the relevant ministries and institutions to work in close coordination and pursue all possible measures that could be taken in connection with the case.
Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs Muneer Mulaffer, Governor of the Western Province Hanif Yusoof, Secretary – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism were also present at the discussion.
(President’s Media Division)
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
Justice Corea appointed Acting President of the Court of Appeal
Protest against setting up of cement factory in highly populated area near BIA
India funding 13 new bridges, Moragahakanda structure receiving priority
Cross-border supply chains seen as key to new business opportunities
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