NPP News

(-Colombo, October 22, 2024-)

The Deputy Chief of the Chinese Embassy Mr. Zhu Yanwei, met with Dr. Nandika Kumanayake Secretary to the President, at the Presidential Secretariat today (22).

They engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and China. They explored ways to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic ties between the two nations, underlining the importance of long-standing friendship and mutual respect.

(-Colombo, October 22, 2024-)

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Santhosh Jha, met with Dr. Nandika Kumanayake Secretary to the President, at the Presidential Secretariat today (22).

Their discussions focused on resolving the on-going fishing issues in the Northern Sea. Both parties emphasized the need for a long-term solution that would address the concerns of fishermen from both countries while fostering cooperation.

The conversation also included a review of the current Indian-granted projects in Sri Lanka, with both sides addressing existing challenges and discussing ways to overcome these hurdles. They further examined the progress of projects funded through Indian loans and agreed on the necessity

(-Colombo, October 22, 2024-)

The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon (22) at the Presidential Secretariat. During their meeting, Ambassador Qi made a donation of LKR 30 million (USD 100,000) as emergency flood relief to assist those affected by the recent flooding in the country.

In addition to immediate relief measures, the discussion also extended to a dialogue about long-term flood prevention and management strategies. They discussed sustainable approaches to enhance the resilience of communities against future flooding.

Recent reports indicate that heavy rains have led to significant flooding in several provinces, displacing thousands of families and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture.

(-Colombo, October 22, 2024-)

• Call for Formal Mechanism to Ensure Fair Pricing for Farmers and Consumers

• Efforts Underway to Lower Input Costs for Small and Medium Scale Rice Millers

– President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated the controlled price of rice will not change.

He also highlighted that plans are underway for a long-term program to create an organized agricultural plan, which would provide greater benefits to farmers.

President Dissanayake made these remarks during a discussion held today (22) at the Presidential Secretariat with rice millers and officials from the Department of Agriculture.

During this meeting, participants focused on the current prices of consumer goods, emphasizing the importance of controlling the price of rice, which is a staple food for the population.

The President noted to the rice millers that they had purchased paddy from farmers after the controlled price was established, and he believes it is unfair to alter the price of rice at this stage.

Additionally, he stressed the necessity for a formal mechanism that ensures farmers receive a fair price for their rice while also enabling consumers to purchase rice at a reasonable cost.

President Dissanayake noted that the price of rice has been artificially inflated, attributing this price instability to the long-term lack of enforcement of controlled prices.

During the discussion, the issue of stock hoarders was addressed, and the President instructed agriculture officials to register this group.

The conversation also highlighted the need to reduce input costs to alleviate the financial difficulties faced by small and medium-scale rice mill owners.

Dudley Sirisena, Nipuna Gamlath, Mithrapala Lankeshwara, Jayasiri Gunathilaka, Menaka Gamlath, and other businessmen representing the Rice Mill Owners’ Association, along with several officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, were also present at the meeting.

(-Colombo, October 22, 2024-)

• Provincial Councils Should Act to Improve the Living Conditions of the People

– Says the President at the Governors Meeting

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed the Governors to prepare and submit a new proposal aimed at rationalizing the Provincial Council mechanism.

The President also stated that, given the current government’s transitional period, the provincial councils must strive to deliver the best possible services to improve the living conditions of the people.

President Dissanayake made these remarks during a discussion held with the Governors this morning (22) at the Presidential Secretariat.

He urged the governors to engage in all possible economic and social initiatives to improve the living conditions of the public.

During the meeting, the President also highlighted the importance of establishing a new political culture and reiterated that the trust placed in him by the people should be fulfilled through effective action.

He reminded the Governors to avoid previous poor practices in the use of state assets and to remain committed to delivering quality public service.

Attention was drawn to existing vacancies in the health and education sectors under the Provincial Councils, with decisions made to find viable solutions.

The meeting included discussions on the lands in the Northern and Eastern provinces as well as finance.

Additionally, the President also made inquiries about the allocation of land to farmers in Kantale.

Participating Governors included Nagalingam Vedanayagam from the Northern Province, Champa Janaki Rajaratne from the Sabaragamuwa Province, Professor Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera from the Eastern Province, Kapila Jayasekera from the Uva Province, Bandula Harischandra from the Southern Province, Prof. Sarath Abeykoon from the Central Province, and Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri from the North Central Province.

(-Colombo, October 18, 2024-)

Senior Professor Kapila Seneviratne has been appointed as the new Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The official letter of appointment was handed over to him today (18) at the Presidential Secretariat by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Additionally, Senior Professor K.L. Wasantha Kumara has been appointed as the new Vice Chairman of the UGC. Other members appointed to the Commission include Senior Professors Rahula Athalage, O.G. Dayaratne, Subramaniam Raviraj, and President’s Counsel C.K.W. Unamboowa.