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Speaker recalls Turkey’s prompt recognition of Lanka’s Independence

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Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywar-dena said that Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Sri Lanka after its independence and ever since Turkey had stood by Sri Lankans in many exigency situations.

The Speaker was grateful to Turkey for medical donations dispatched to Sri Lanka recently to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Speaker said this at the Sri Lanka – Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Association meeting held in Parliament recently. Rakibe Demet Sekercioglu, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Sri Lanka and several Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers and Members of Parliament were present at the meeting.

State Minister Susil Premajayantha, was appointed as the President of the Sri Lanka – Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Association and Parliamentarians J. C. Alawathuwala, Rishad Bathiudeen, and Mohamed Muzammil were appointed as the Vice Presidents of the Association.

MP Harshana Rajakaruna was appointed as the Secretary and MP Ishak Rahuman, was appointed as the Treasurer.

Before the election of the officer-bearers of the Sri Lanka – Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Association the Speaker made the welcome speech.

Speaker Abeywardena said: “On behalf of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, I warmly welcome this distinguished gathering present here today at this meeting to revive the Sri Lanka – Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Association for the 9th Parliament.

Sri Lanka and Turkey relations have a deep history dating back to the 19th century and the ties have been further strengthened and consolidated subsequent to the opening of resident diplomatic representations of the two countries: in Ankara in 2012 and in Colombo in 2013.

Sri Lanka – Turkey relations expanded to Trade, Economic, Defence, Tourism and Educational cooperation and currently enjoy extremely friendly and brotherly relations which continue to flourish and strengthen day-by-day.

I must not forget to mention here that Sri Lankans always admire friendship of Turkey as a true friend and Turkey stood by Sri Lankans in many exigency situations. With much gratitude, we remember that President Recep Erdogan, when he was Prime Minister in 2005 visited Sri Lanka after the tsunami in 2004 and gifted a housing settlement in “Midigama”, South of Sri Lanka for the families affected by the disaster.

Sri Lanka and Turkey have also worked closely in various international fora including at the United Nations in relation to Counter Terrorism Conventions. Although the two countries have already strengthened Economic and technical cooperation with each other by signing several agreements, I believe that there is still much room for enhancement of bilateral cooperation.

At the conclusion, I wish the success for future activities of this Association, and hope that the Sri Lanka – Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Association will further enhance the cordial relationship that exists between our two countries for many decades to come.’’

MPs Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Vijitha Berugoda, Mayadunna Chinthaka Amal, A. Aravindh Kumar, Ashok Abeysinghe, Sivagnanam Shritharan, Chandima Weerakkody, S.M.M. Muszhaaraff, A.L.M. Athaullah, Charles Nirmalanathan, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, Ali Sabri Raheem, W.H.M. Dharmasena, Velu Kumar, Niroshan Perera and Yadamini Gunawardena participated in the meeting.



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188 complaints received in the 24 hours ending 4.30pm on 11th November

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Saman Sri Rathnayake, Commissioner General of Elections (pic by Priyan de Silva)

The Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Rathnayake said that the EC  received 188 complaints during the 24 hours that ended at 4.30pm on Monday 11th November. Of the 188, 187 were of incidents related to the violation of election laws while one was an incident of election related violence.

The EC has received a total of 2999 complaints from 26th September to 11th November 2024 and have investigated and resolved 2353.

 

 

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Navy detain Indian fishing boat poaching in Sri Lankan waters

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The Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehend 12 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, during a special operation conducted off Chundikulam, Jaffna today (12th November 2024).

The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing boats, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen.

Including this apprehension, the Navy has held 66 Indian fishing boats and 497 Indian fishermen this year, and handed them over to authorities for legal action.

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Showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in Eastern, Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern provinces.

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Weather forecast issued at 05.30 a.m. on 12 November 2024 by the Department of Meteorology

A low-pressure area is likely to form over the south west Bay of Bengal today (12). Under its influence, atmospheric conditions will be favorable for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island from 13th November.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

Several spells of showers will occur in Northern Province. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere during the evening or night.  Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in Eastern, Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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