– President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed that Sri Lanka has the potential to become an attractive tourist destination through well-planned urban development that transcends traditional construction methods.
President Dissanayake made this statement during a discussion with officials of the National Physical Planning Department at the Presidential Secretariat, today (05).
The President directed officials to develop city planning initiatives that embody Sri Lankan identity in their implementation.
The government’s approach to develop both urban and rural areas and enhance the country’s economy through a focus on the rural economy was extensively discussed. The President emphasized the significance of preserving the identity of rural culture and the livelihoods of the rural populace throughout this development process.
The Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando; the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mahinda Siriwardana; the Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Russel Aponsu; the Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, Ranjith Ariyaratne; the Director General of the National Physical Planning Department, W.R. Ruchira Vithana; and a group of officials from the Department of National Physical Planning attended this discussion.
– The President stated during a discussion with senior officials of Sri Lanka Customs.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that structural reforms will be implemented within Sri Lanka Customs to establish an institutional framework that aligns with contemporary needs.
The President made these remarks during a discussion held with the senior officials of Sri Lanka Customs today (05) at the Presidential Secretariat concerning the Budget-2025 and the institutional restructuring.
The discussion also addressed critical issues such as inefficiencies, fraud, corruption and public dissatisfaction with the current functioning of the Customs Department.
In response to these challenges, President Dissanayake emphasized the adoption of new technologies aimed at accelerating departmental operations and enhancing service delivery efficiency.
The new restructuring plans for the department were thoroughly discussed, during which President Anura Kumara Dissanayake directed the officials to enforce stringent laws aimed at eliminating inefficiencies within Sri Lanka Customs.
Furthermore, the President emphasized the need for expediting human resource management, recruitment processes, and the acceleration of infrastructure development.
The President also acknowledged the revenue targets successfully achieved by Customs in the previous year and highlighted the necessary measures that the Customs Department must adopt to achieve the revenue target for the current year.
The Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando; the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mahinda Siriwardana; the Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Russel Aponsu; the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs, P.B.S.C. Nonis; along with a group of senior officials from Sri Lanka Customs, also participated in this discussion.
President Calls for Nationwide Promotion of Religious and Cultural Enlightenment
In response to a request by President Anura Kumara Disanayake, it has been decided to hold a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic for the general public from April 18 to 27.
The exposition will be open to the public on April 18 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and thereafter, from April 19 to 27, daily from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
A preliminary discussion on the event took place today (March 2) at the President’s House in Kandy, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
President Disanayake expressed his gratitude to the Mahanayake Theras for granting the Buddhist community of Sri Lanka the opportunity to partake in this sacred event after 16 years. He emphasized that the Buddhist people of Sri Lanka aspire to see the Sacred Tooth Relic revered and worshipped throughout their lifetime.
The President also expressed his belief that this occasion would help restore the declining civility in the country and serve as a catalyst for religious and cultural enlightenment.
Highlighting the significance of organizing such events for the promotion of Buddhist enlightenment, President Disanayake conveyed his hope that this exposition, which coincides with the New Year celebrations, would help guide the country toward a new direction.
He anticipated the participation of hundreds of thousands of people, with large crowds expected to attend the exposition over the course of the ten-day event. The President stressed that it is the responsibility of all to ensure the public can worship the Sacred Tooth Relic without hindrance and assured that the government would provide full support to facilitate this opportunity for all.
During the discussion, it was decided to establish three separate lines for the public to venerate the Sacred Tooth Relic during the special exposition. President Disanayake instructed officials to follow the guidance of the Mahanayake Theras regarding the safety of both the Sacred Tooth Relic and the public.
It was also proposed that schools in Kandy be closed during the period of the exposition, with alternative dates for student education to be scheduled.
Considerable attention was given to ensuring adequate sanitary facilities for devotees and managing waste effectively. Plans were also made for a vehicle management system to handle the increased traffic during the event.
Additionally, extensive discussions were held regarding the provision of healthcare, drinking water, and other essential services for the public. There was also a proposal to allow people who wish to provide food for devotees to register for the “Dansal”.
Further discussions focused on the importance of decorating the event in a manner that promotes Buddhist enlightenment and raises awareness about the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
The meeting was attended by Maha Sangha led by the Malwathu and Asgiri Anunayake Theras, Minister of Buddhist Affairs, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senavi, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha, Governor of the Central Province Sarath Bandara Samarasinghe Abayakoon, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, District Secretary, Divisional Secretaries, heads of line institutions, and senior officials from the tri-forces and police.
A discussion on the current security situation in the country was held today (27) at the Presidential Secretariat between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and senior officials of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The meeting focused on future security measures, with in-depth discussions on enhancing the Sri Lanka Air Force as a maritime security air force within the Indian Ocean region. The Air Force’s support for operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Army and Navy was also extensively deliberated.
Additionally, the meeting addressed the budgetary allocations for the Air Force in the latest national budget, as well as the current requirements of the force.
The discussion was attended by Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, and several other senior Air Force officials.
• The responsibility of revitalizing both the economy and the fractured social fabric falls on everyone.
– President instructs the District Secretaries
President Anura Kumara Disanayake directed the District Secretaries to allocate Rs. 1,400 billion in recurrent expenditure for the implementation of productive projects at the grassroots level over the next eight months.
The President made these remarks during a discussion held with the District Secretaries, today (27) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The President also emphasized that by developing the rural economy, the country’s economic growth could be elevated by 3% to 4%. He stressed the need to enhance existing economic opportunities and identify new sources of growth during the expansion of the economy to rural areas.
The pension schemes proposed in the 2025 budget were also deliberated upon during this meeting.
Moreover, the President pointed out that there is a prevailing negative perception of the public sector and that inefficiency within government services has contributed to this situation. He underscored the necessity of creating satisfied and effective government officials, and emphasized the need to improve the efficiency of public services.
Currently, 30,000 vacancies have been identified within the public service, and the President stated that the government plans to recruit for these positions in categories, which would complete the mid-level staffing of the public service.
The President emphasized that development is not limited to constructing buildings and bridges but also involves uplifting the fractured social structure, a responsibility that primarily lies with the District Secretaries.
Additionally, the District Secretaries raised issues specific to their districts, which were brought to the President’s attention, and extensive discussions were held on possible solutions and proposals.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Dr. Chandana Abeyratne; Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Alok Bandara, as well as the District Secretaries.
A discussion between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) was held today (27) at the Presidential Secretariat. The meeting focused on the proposals presented in the current budget regarding doctors’ salaries and allowances, as well as the challenges faced by medical professionals in carrying out their duties.
Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, President of the GMOA Dr. Sanjeewa Thennakoon, Secretary of the GMOA
Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa, and several other GMOA representatives attended the discussion.
A Development Partner Dialogue (Donor Conference) related to the “Clean Sri Lanka” program, a key government initiative, was held today (27) at the Presidential Secretariat with the aim of adopting an approach to secure contributions for the said program.
The primary objective of the conference was to gather proposals and support from participating representatives for the “Clean Sri Lanka” program.
The Development Partner Dialogue, jointly organized by the United Nations and the Presidential Secretariat under the leadership of Marc-Andre Franche United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, was held under three main sessions.
Several diplomatic missions, including the British High Commission, Australian High Commission, Canadian High Commission, Indian High Commission, and the embassies of Japan, China, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, attended the event. Additionally, key international development partners, such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and International Monetary Fund (IMF), were also present.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Employment and Tourism, and its affiliated departments participated in the discussions.
The Netherlands government is prepared to engage in port-related investments in Sri Lanka.
This was revealed by the Ambassador of Netherlands to Sri Lanka, H. E. Bonnie Horbach during a meeting held today (27) at the Presidential Secretariat between President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening the longstanding mutual relations between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, as well as potential support the Dutch government could provide for the promotion of tourism, port activities, and investment in Sri Lanka.
An agreement was reached to receive support from the Dutch government for the conservation of culturally and historically significant creations, research activities at the University of Colombo, as well as educational and training programs for Sri Lankans.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake expressed expectations for support from the Dutch government for tourism, port operations, and investments.
Ambassador Horbach acknowledged the points presented by the President in the recent budget proposals and discussed potential assistance from the Dutch government to elevate the “Clean Sri Lanka” program to a new level.
The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Deputy Ambassador of Netherlands Iwan Rutjens, and a Policy Officer for Political Affairs at the Embassy of Netherlands Namal Perera.
A discussion on Sri Lanka’s current security situation was held today (26) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
During the meeting with senior naval officers, attention was drawn to future security measures concerning the country’s security situation.
Extensive discussions were held on maritime operations conducted to ensure national security, including efforts to curb arms and drug trafficking via sea routes and surveillance missions in deep-sea waters.
Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and several senior naval officers participated in the meeting.
Maha Shiva Rathri is a sacred and joyous occasion celebrated by Hindu devotees across the world in reverence of Lord Shiva. This divine night marks the celestial union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, as well as the powerful Tandava, Shiva’s cosmic dance of creation and destruction. It symbolises the triumph of wisdom over ignorance, dispelling the darkness of illusion and lighting the path to enlightenment.
On this auspicious night, Hindu devotees observe fasting and engage in spiritual practices, praying for the darkness of ignorance to be replaced by the radiance of wisdom. It is also a time to seek divine blessings for prosperity, peace and fulfilment in life.
The union of Shiva and Parvati is a profound representation of knowledge and power coming together. It reminds us that breaking free from the illusions of division allows us to embrace the truth with open eyes. Today, as we stand at the dawn of a new era, this message is more relevant than ever. Let us tear down the barriers that have kept us apart for generations and unite as one, casting aside discord and embracing togetherness. This is a moment to nurture interfaith harmony, celebrate our diversity and move forward with love and mutual respect, dedicating ourselves to the progress of our beloved motherland.
As we journey towards a brighter future, it is our collective responsibility to build a nation grounded in unity and strength. We are stepping into a time of transformation, embracing political, economic and social renewal, shaping a future that holds promise and hope for all.
On this sacred night, as the glowing lamps of Maha Shiva Rathri illuminate our surroundings, let them also illuminate our hearts, guiding us with unwavering faith along the path we have chosen. Let us walk forward together, hand in hand, in the spirit of peace, unity and shared prosperity.
May this Maha Shiva Rathri bring fulfilment, happiness and boundless blessings to all Hindu devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world.