Category: Politics
We sent Letter of Intent to IMF; expecting a reply before end of this month: President
The island nation is expecting the go-ahead from the Executive Board of the IMF for its Extended Fund Facility arrangement before the end of this month. Speaking in Parliament, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that they are expecting IMF to do its duty by the fourth week of this month. “We received the letter of financial […]
Change of govt can only be brought about through a parliamentary election, says President
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the only way to bring about a change of government is through a parliamentary election and not through street protests, stating that the latter is not a viable option for the parliament. The President emphasized that a nation can become anarchic due to an economic collapse and urged everyone to […]
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry meets US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland
The Minister of Foreign Affairs at a luncheon meeting with U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland on 01 February 2023, discussed issues of importance to the two countries in further consolidating Sri Lanka–U.S. bilateral relations. Under Secretary Nuland carried a special message from U.S. President Joseph Biden to President Ranil Wickremesinghe felicitating Sri […]
US President extends warm wishes to Sri Lanka on its 75th Anniversary of Independence
US President Joseph R. Biden, in a warmly worded letter of felicitation, conveyed his best wishes to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the people of Sri Lanka on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of Sri Lankan Independence. The US President stated that he looks forward to strengthening and deepening the bilateral friendship even further and, […]
US Government expresses support for Sri Lanka’s on-going recovery efforts
U.S. Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, expressed her Government’s support for the on-going recovery efforts in the country. This was revealed during a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (1). During the discussions President Wickremesinghe extended his appreciation for […]
Sri Lanka & US Militaries Commence Joint Training Exercise
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps will commence exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) Sri Lanka 2023 with the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force in Colombo, Jan.19 – 26, 2023. CARAT/MAREX Sri Lanka is a bilateral exercise between Sri Lanka and the United States designed to promote regional security […]
End Arbitrary Detention of Student Activist: Human Rights Organizations
The Sri Lankan government should immediately end the arbitrary detention of Wasantha Mudalige, a student activist who was arrested on August 18, 2022, seven human rights organizations said today. Since August 21, Mudalige, 29, has been held on orders signed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a draconian law that […]
New Administration Fails to Reverse Damaging Policies of Its Predecessor: Human Rights Watch
The change of presidents of Sri Lanka in 2022 did not lead to any improvement in the country’s human rights record, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2023. During 2022, thousands of Sri Lankans took to the streets after years of misrule, impunity, and corruption undermined the rule of law and contributed […]
Former British Prime Minister meets the President
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a personal visit to Sri Lanka, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (02). During a friendly discussion, Cameron extended his best wishes to President Wickremesinghe for the New Year. President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and President’s Chief of Staff, Sagala Ratnayake, […]
500 new jeeps for Sri Lanka Police under Indian loan assistance
As the first phase of the 500 jeeps to be given to the Sri Lanka Police under Indian loan assistance, 125 new jeeps were handed over to the police today (22nd) at the Ministry of Public Security. The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Bagle, symbolically handed over the jeeps to the Minister of […]
Romesh de Silva PC Opines on Ranil Wickremesinghe After 50 Years at the Bar (full speech)
December 8, 2022 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s leading Silk Romesh de Silva PC delivered a speech felicitating President Ranil Wickremesinghe at an event in recognition of the President’s 50 years at the bar. The full speech is reproduced below: Today we are felicitating our president and deservedly so. The stated purpose is his completion of […]
President assures solutions to land issues in NP; 8 committees to resolve provincial land issues
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that eight (8) committees would be appointed at the provincial level to resolve the land issues. He also pointed out that all the land-related issues in the North and South of the country would be resolved accordingly. President Wickremesinghe made these observations while participating in the District Development Committee meeting held […]