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Sri Lanka says ensuring continued free market access to seafood products a tangible way for Europe to help North-East economic recovery
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Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha has said
“ensuring continued free market access to Sri Lankan seafood products was a tangible way
for Europe to help the economic recovery in the North & East of Sri Lanka”. He noted that
since the ending of LTTE terrorism that had dominated the region over the past 3 decades
less than a year ago, more than 2/3rds of Sri Lanka’s coastline which had previously
seen many restrictions due to security concerns had been re-opened to normal fishing
activity. Today, the fisheries sector had become a key source of livelihood to the
people of the North & East and it was the expectation of the Government that the
region provided considerable scope for expansion of seafood exports industry
capacity which could serve as an engine of growth in an area which had seen
little development in the recent past.
Read more...
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Sri Lankan seafood exporters gather under the ’Sri Lanka Pavilion’ for European Seafood Expo 2010
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For the second consecutive year six leading Sri Lankan seafood exporters gathered under the ’Sri Lanka Pavilion’
in the European Seafood Exposition held in Brussels from 27-29 April 2010.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels coordinated the presentation of the
national pavilion in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.
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Build new structures to achieve full potential of SAARC - President
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“Let us within our own grouping be bold enough to introspect.
We must take measures to improve the existing mechanisms through review,
rationalisation and reinvigoration. If there is a need, we should not
hesitate to build new structures and mechanisms, to enable SAARC to reach its full potential,”
said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his address to 16th SAARC Summit at Thimphu, Bhutan today.
Having a common South Asian voice in issues of Climate Change, with those who historically
contributed to climate change now sharing the burden of mitigating it; continued cooperation
in the battle against terrorism; taking economic progress beyond statistics to reach the village
level where most South Asians live, carrying out policies that strengthen the rural sector and
prevent the unwelcome movement from village to city; and, the search for South Asia’s own
home grown solutions to current and future problems were among the highlights of the President’s address.
Read more...
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New Cabinet sworn in
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The new Cabinet of Ministers of the UPFA government headed by President Mahinda
Rajapaksa was sworn in at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (23 April). 37 Ministers and 39 Deputy Ministers were sworn in.
The previous Cabinet comprised 51 Ministers, 39 non- Cabinet Ministers and 19 Deputy Ministers. Thus,
the new Cabinet is significantly smaller with the number of Cabinet Ministers reduced to 37.
Read more...
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Hon. D.M Jayaratne appointed as new Prime Minister
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General Secretary of the People’s Alliance (PA), Dissanayake Mudiyanselage
Jayaratne was sworn in as the Prime Minster before President Mahinda Rajapaksa
at Temple Trees, today (21 April 2010). Mr. Jayaratne entered parliament from Gampola
electorate following the General Election in 1970 from the United Front led by Mrs.
Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Born in June 7, 1931 he is one of the earliest members of the
Sri Lanka Freedom Party when it was founded in Kandy in 1951. He was educated at
Doluwa Maha Vidyalaya where he was later a teacher. He was later postmaster at
Doluwa, Gampola from 1960-62. Following the election in 2000 he was appointed
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Corporative. With the General Election
victory of the PA in 2004, he was appointed Minister of Post and Telecommunication
and Upcountry Development and later in 2005 he was appointed Minister of Post
and Telecommunication and Rural Economic Development under President Mahinda
Rajapaksa. From 2007 to date he has been the Minister of Plantation Industries.
Mr. Jayaratne is the 20th Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Read more...
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Total of 144 seats for UPFA
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With the final results of the re-polls, the UPFA will obtain 127 District basis
seats along with 17 National basis seats; a total of 144 seats in parliament which
is only 6 seats short of its target of a two-thirds majority (150 seats out of 225).
It has obtained a total of 4,846,386 votes (60.33 %) island wide. The UNP will obtain a total of 60 seats which comprise 51 on District
basis and 9 on National basis. ITAK and Democratic National Alliance have won a total of 14 and 7 seats respectively.
Read more...
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Foreign Ministry coordinates efforts through Sri Lanka Missions to assist Sri Lankan nationals affected by cancellation of flights due to volcanic ash over Europe
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, taking cognizance of the difficulties encountered
by Sri Lankan nationals in European capitals who have been affected by the cancellation
of a large number of flights to and from many European capitals due to the volcanic
eruptions in Iceland during the past few days which resulted in vast clouds of smoke, ashes and dust
covering the skies, has instructed all Sri Lanka Missions in Europe to take necessary action to render suitable consular assistance.
Read more...
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Sri Lanka calls for political will by the International Community to combat terrorism and trans-national organized crime
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Sri Lanka has called on the Member States of the UN to exercise their political
will to render tangible and meaningful assistance to other nations who face the
challenges of terrorism and trans-national organized crimes. Addressing the 12th
UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Salvador, State of Bahia,
Brazil last Thursday, 15th April 2010, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Brazil,
A.M.J. Sadiq who represented Sri Lanka underscored
the importance of international cooperation to combat terrorism,
money laundering and other trans-national organized crimes.
Read more...
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President Rajapaksa says “New Year festivities should further unite hearts and minds ”
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It is my belief that these New Year festivities should seek to further unite our
people in heart and mind, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
The New Year celebrations by Sinhalese and Tamils alike are most appropriate
in recognizing the kinship among us. This is the continuance of
strong cultural traditions that strengthen the bonds among the people of our land, he said.
I trust that this Sinhala and Tamil New Year which reflects the
unity and pride of our nation will be celebrated by all in the spirit of joy, peace,
sharing and contentment which will lead us to a future of prosperity, the President emphasized.
Read more...
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Sri Lanka conveys heartfelt sorrow to the Government and People of Poland on the tragic demise of President Lech Kaczynski
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H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa sent a condolence message on the tragic demise of His Excellency Lech Kaczynski,
President of the Republic of Poland, First Lady Maria Kaczynska and several others,
including members of Parliament, members of the clergy and senior civilian and military officials in a plane crash.
Read more...
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UPFA secures 117 seats out of 180 announced
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message Friday pledged to use the landmark ’judgement ’ by the voters at Thursday ’s parliamentary
general election to usher in economic prosperity and take the country to new horizons.
He said that all Sri Lankans have “fulfilled a sacred duty ” reposing faith in him and
the United People ’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
Of the 180 seats decided on - district-wise voting, the UPFA takes an unprecedented
lead with 117 seats. The remaining 45 seats of the 225-member legislature is yet to
be decided on - 16 after the final results of the Kandy and Trincomalee districts are announced
and the other 29 on the National List,
based on the performance of the political parties. The United National
Front (UNF), the main Opposition UNP backed alliance, secured only 46
seats, almost half the number of MPs elected from the UNP at
the previous general election in 2004.
Read more...
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General Election Voting Concludes
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Voting for General elections 2010 began this morning at 7am which will continue till 4pm today.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa cast his vote at the Medamulana, D. A.
Rajapaksa Vidyalaya, Hambantota this morning. This is the first
General election to be held in post-war Sri Lanka and the second major
election in four months following the Presidential Election in January
this year. Tight security is in place to ensure free and fair polls to
elect members to the 14th Parliament where 196 members will be returned
on the District List and 29 from the National List.
Read more...
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President Rajapaksa says “land freed by arms, is now being developed by plough”
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“The land freed by arms, is now being developed by the plough”,
stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa after receiving the Central
Bank Annual Report 2009 as the Minister of Finance, at the Central Bank on Monday (05 April).
This country received international recognition before
six months elapsed from the end of war. Sri Lanka was
identified as the best country to invest in and also
became the best tourist destination. This is because
of continuing development projects even during the period of war, the President further stated.
The Central Bank Annual Report states that Sri Lanka’s economy
demonstrated its resilience by growing at 3.5 per cent in 2009
amidst the most challenging domestic and external conditions.
’This remarkable performance was largely due to the steady recovery
in the economy since the second quarter of the year, resulting in
a notable growth of 6.2 per cent in the final quarter from a mere 1.6 per cent in the first quarter ’.
Read more...
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Friends meet with Foreign Secretary Jayasinghe
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Senior Sri Lankan officials on 17 March continued their meetings with European
politicians and officials. Foreign Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe and Justice Secretary
Suhada Gamlath were welcomed to the European Parliament by ’Friends of Sri Lanka’
from many nations and political groups.
The meeting focussed on post-conflict developments in Sri Lanka,
as well as the concerns related to Sri Lanka’s GSP+ status.
Geoffrey Van Orden, British Conservative MEP and Chairman of the ’Friends of Sri Lanka’
group said, “we strongly opposed the removal of Sri Lanka’s GSP+ status. However,
we now have to deal with a new situation and urge the Government to take every
step to forestall the actions of those that lack sympathy and understanding of Sri Lanka’s years
of torment and difficulty. We encourage a rapid return to normalcy and constructive engagement with the EU.”
Read more...
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Delegation of Senior Officials visits Brussels
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A delegation of senior officials of the Government of Sri Lanka consisting
of the Attorney General, the Hon. Mohan Pieris P.C., Secretary of the Ministry
of Finance & Planning, Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary of the Ministry of Justice & Law Reforms,
Mr. Suhada Gamalath and the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Mr. Romesh Jayasinghe is at present in Brussels.
Read more...
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Confidence and hope for Indo-Lanka bi-lateral relations – Nirupama Rao
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The Indian Foreign Secretary Shrimathi Nirupama Rao who met President Mahinda Rajapaksa today congratulated the President
for his resounding victory in the recent Presidential Election, said she observed that
so much had taken place for the better in Sri Lanka since she was last here as High Commissioner.
During the meeting at Janadhipathi Mandiraya she said the victory of the President gave much cause for confidence
and hope for bi-lateral relations between India and Sri Lanka in the future, and that the Indian Prime Minister
looked forward to an early visit by President Rajapaksa to India.
Read more...
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“Special Panel on Sri Lanka uncalled for and unwarranted” – President to Ban Ki-moon
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa has pointed out that the intention of the UN Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon to appoint a panel of experts to advice him (i.e. the SG)
on Sri Lanka is totally uncalled for and unwarranted.In a telephone
conversation between the President and the UNSG yesterday (March 05, 10),
arising from a letter written by the UNSG on February 25, President
Rajapaksa was emphatic on this position.
Read more...
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