NPP News

(-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.

(-Colombo, October 05, 2024-)

President Anura Kumara Dissanayakevisited the headquarters of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya in Narahenpita this morning (05), where he met with the Chief Prelate, Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Nayaka Thero, Aggamaha Panditha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, and received his blessings.

The Anunayaka Theros, Lekhakadhikari Theros, and other senior Theros of the Nikaya were also present at the occasion. The Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith to invoke blessings upon the President.

The Deputy Chief Prelates, Secretarial Theros, and other senior monks of the Nikaya were also present at the occasion. They invoked Seth Pirith and bestowed blessings upon the President.

Following this, the President engaged in a brief discussion with the Chief Prelate and the Maha Sanga regarding the current economic, social and political situation in the country.

During the discussion, the monks requested that when appointing Ambassadors and High Commissioners, the President should ensure that qualified, intelligent individuals who can properly represent the country abroad are selected. Similarly, they urged the appointment of responsible individuals, free from political considerations, for the positions of Governors.

The Maha Sangha also emphasized that when appointing Secretaries to Ministries, the President should choose suitable individuals for the respective roles.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that his goal is to make all decisions in line with the policies outlined in his manifesto. He further mentioned that he plans to introduce relevant reforms after the upcoming General Election.

Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Nayaka Thero also expressed confidence that the trust placed in the President and his team by the people during the last Presidential Election will be fulfilled, and that the blessings of the Sangha are with him to help realize the expectations of the public.

(-Colombo, October 04, 2024-)

Following the appointment as the new President, the Chiefs of Defence Forces paid a traditional courtesy call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Accordingly, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera met with the President and engaged in a cordial conversation.

Commemorative tokens were also presented to mark the occasion.

(-Colombo, October 04, 2024-)

Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, who arrived in Sri Lanka this morning (04) on a one-day official visit, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon. At the outset, the visiting External Affairs Minister congratulated President Dissanayake on his election and conveyed felicitations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The discussions focused on furthering cooperation between the two nations in multiple sectors.

Dr. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s full support for Sri Lanka’s economic rehabilitation, highlighting India’s commitment to assisting in tourism, investment, electricity, energy services, and the dairy industry. He emphasized that Sri Lanka could leverage India’s vast market to boost its economic recovery. President Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for the financial support India provided during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis and stressed the importance of continued collaboration.

The meeting also touched on areas of mutual interest, including fisheries and promoting national unity.

On behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister Jaishankar extended an invitation to President Dissanayake to visit India at a mutually convenient date. President Dissanayake also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of India to visit Sri Lanka.

(-Colombo, October 04, 2024-)

The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka Azusa Kubota, met with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Kumanayake, for discussions on UNDP’s ongoing projects in the country and future collaboration between the UNDP and the Sri Lankan government, yesterday (03) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, Kubota expressed the organization’s eagerness to continue the UNDP projects in Sri Lanka and supporting Sri Lanka’s development initiatives.

Kubota praised the new government’s efforts in combating corruption and emphasized the importance of utilizing digital platforms to ensure transparency and efficiency in governance.

Kubota also highlighted the need to train government officials in digitalization to smoothly implement these reforms.

She assured Dr. Kumanayake that the UNDP is ready to provide the necessary support in this capacity to helping Sri Lanka advance its digitalization initiatives and to equip officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to adapt to digitalization.

(-Colombo, October 04, 2024-)

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake engaged in a discussion with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the Presidential Secretariat today (04), marking the second day of talks with the President.

Director of the IMF’s Asia Pacific Department Krishna Srinivasan, Senior Mission Chief Dr. Peter Breuer, along with other senior IMF representatives and the Sri Lankan delegation attended the discussions.

President Dissanayake aims to achieve the objectives of the program in partnership with the IMF, seeking alternative approaches that will alleviate the burden on the citizens.