NPP News

(-Colombo, October 09, 2024-)

His Excellency, Most Reverend Dr. Brian Udaigwe, the Vatican Ambassador to Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (09).

During the meeting, the Vatican Ambassador congratulated President Dissanayake on his recent election victory, conveying heartfelt greetings from His Holiness Pope Francis, the Head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State. Ambassador Udaigwe also extended best wishes for the continued success and prosperity of Sri Lanka under the new President’s leadership.

In his remarks, Dr. Udaigwe expressed optimism about Sri Lanka’s future, stating that positive developments were forthcoming in line with the people’s aspirations. He commended President Dissanayake’s commitment to the welfare of the country and its citizens, offering the Vatican’s support in realizing the President’s vision for Sri Lanka.

The Vatican Ambassador also lauded President Dissanayake’s initiative to conduct transparent and credible investigations into the tragic Easter Sunday bombings. Dr. Udaigwe assured the fullest cooperation of the Vatican in supporting the President’s ongoing efforts to bring justice and healing to the victims and their families.

The meeting underscored the strong diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Vatican, with both leaders emphasizing mutual collaboration for the betterment of the nation and its people.

(-Colombo, October 09, 2024-)

The signing of the nominations of the National People’s Power candidates for the parliamentary elections will be held today (09) in the morning. It happened at the JVP head office from 10.00.

National People’s Power Secretary Expert Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva, lawyer Sunil Watagala and other party leaders participated in this event.

(-Colombo, October 08, 2024-)

The United States has committed to providing essential support to strengthen Sri Lanka’s economy.

In a meeting held today (October 08) at the Presidential Secretariat, Mrs. Julie J. Chung, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, announced that support would be focused on fostering an export-driven economy in the country.

Additionally, Ambassador Chung conveyed congratulations from US President Joe Biden to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivered through Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

She also noted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are prepared to offer financial support to help enhance the economic prospects of Sri Lanka.

The United States has pledged both financial and technical support for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s initiatives aimed at preventing fraud and corruption.

The US has also expressed its commitment to assisting efforts for good governance and ensuring the security of Sri Lanka whenever needed.

Additionally, the United States supports the new president’s programs focused on developing renewable energy, fostering an export-oriented agricultural industry, and alleviating rural poverty.

Ms. Julie J. Chung, the American Ambassador, further noted that the current program providing lunches for rural schools will be expanded to include urban schools in the future.

The event was attended by USAID Deputy Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives, along with economic expert Christopher Gooch.

(-Colombo, October 07, 2024-)

The Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Resident Mission in Sri Lanka, Takafumi Kadono, along with a delegation, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (07) at the Presidential Secretariat. The discussions focused on ADB’s ongoing commitment to support Sri Lanka’s economic and social development.

During the meeting, the ADB reaffirmed its dedication to continuing its projects in Sri Lanka, with particular emphasis on bolstering key sectors crucial to the nation’s recovery. Tourism was identified as a critical sector that holds immense potential for Sri Lanka’s economic growth. In this regard, the ADB assured further assistance in developing tourism infrastructure to harness the sector’s full potential.

President Dissanayake highlighted the importance of promoting tourism in the Northern Region, requesting ADB’s specific support to develop this area. The ADB delegation expressed its willingness to collaborate and provide resources for this initiative.

Beyond tourism, the ADB also expressed keen interest in aiding the development of Sri Lanka’s energy sector, small-scale entrepreneurs, and financial sector, emphasizing their role in fostering sustainable economic growth.

This continued collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s long-term development and recovery efforts.

(-Colombo, October 05, 2024-)

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this afternoon (05) to pay homage and receive blessings.

Upon his arrival at the historic Anuradhapura sacred site, the President first met with the Atamasthanadhipathi, Chief Sanghanayaka of Nuwara Kalaviya, and Chief Administrator of the Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya, Most Venerable Pallekumbura Hemarathana Nayake Thero. During this meeting, the President engaged in a brief discussion, inquiring about the Venerable Thero’s well-being.

Following this, the President proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he participated in religious observances. At the main Dhamma Hall of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the Atamasthana Chief Prelate, along with the Maha Sangha, conducted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings upon the President.

Also present at this religious ceremony were other Maha Sangha, including the Chief Incumbent of the Lankarama Viharaya Most Venerable Ralapanave Dhammajothi Nayake Thero , the Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweli Chathyaramaya Venerable Ethalawetunawewa Gnanatilake Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Thuparama Chathyaramaya Venerable Kahalle Gnaninda Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Mirisavetiya Chathyaramaya Venerable Welihena Sobitha Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Abhayagiri Chathyaramaya Venerable Dr. Kalanchiye Rathanasiri Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Historic Isurumuni Raja Maha Viharya Venerable Matawa Sumangala Thero and the Chief Incumbent of Anuradhapura Sri Sambuddha Jayanti Viharaya Venerable Nugatenne Pangnananda Thero.

During his brief address, the Atamasthanadhipathi Most Venerable Pallekumbura Hemarathana Nayake Thero emphasized that the responsibility of uplifting the lives of the innocent people of this country and protecting the nation, race, and religion now rests on the shoulders of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The Thero also pointed out that, as a leader emerging from the North Central Province (Raja Rata), the President has a special obligation to improve the lives of the people in the region who have long endured hardships. He further added that the Maha Sangha of the Mahavihara bestows their blessings upon the President to fulfil these responsibilities successfully.

The Chief Prelate went on to observe that the current political environment is not conducive to someone with wisdom and insight. However, the Maha Sangha believes that the new President has the ability to foster a healthy political culture in the country.

Venerable Hemarathana Thero also highlighted the importance of establishing a National Policy, stressing that if the President can craft a long-term, beneficial national policy with the support of all Members of Parliament, it would be a significant achievement.

Afterwards, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the Ruwanwelisaya, where he received blessings from the Chief Incumbent, Venerable Ethalawetunawewa Gnanatilake Nayaka Thero.

Subsequently, the President participated in religious observances held in front of the Ruwanwelisaya, during which the Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith to invoke blessings upon the President.

Governor of the North Central Province Wasantha Jinadasa, District Secretary Ranjith Wimalasuriya, former MP Wasantha Samarasinghe, Deputy Chairman of the All Ceylon Farmers’ Federation Susanta Navaratne, and Professor Sena Nanayakkara, along with others, were also present at these events.

(-Colombo, October 05, 2024-)

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the headquarters of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya in Wellawatte this morning (05) and received blessings from the Acting Supreme Maha Nayaka, Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithri Murthi Maha Nayaka Thero of Amarapura Nikaya.

The Nayaka Theros of the Secretariat of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya were also present at this occasion, where they invoked blessings for the President.