Pakistan President Asif Ali Sardari's SRI LANKA TOUR

Pakistan President Asif Ali Sardari's  SRI  LANKA  TOUR

Pakistan President Asif Ali Sardari arrived in Sri Lanka this evening in a special flight on a four-day official visit from November 27-30.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa welcomed his Pakistani counterpart at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport.

Sri Lanka Army held an honor guard to welcome the Pakistan President.

Indian Credit line for Northern Railway

USD 416 Million Indian Credit line for Northern Railway

A Credit Agreement for USD 416 million for the construction of the Northern Railway line was signed between India and Sri Lanka .

This was signed in the presence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and India's Minister of External Affairs, S M Krishna who arrived Thursday evening on a three day oficial visit to Sri Lanka. During the visit of Indian Minister two Indian consulates will be opened in Hambantota and Jaffna today and tomorrow respectively while a plaque with regard to
the Northern Railway is to be unveiled tomorrow. The ground breaking ceremony for the housing project will also take place in Ariyalai tomorrow.

The Managing Director of Exim Bank of India, Mr. Nadeem Panjetan signed the agreement for the Indian side while the Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundara signed for the Sri Lankan side.

The construction of the railway line will be carried out in three segments, from Madhu to Talaimannar, Madawachchiya to Madhu and Omantai to Palaly.

In addition, letters were exchanged between Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundara and the Indian High Commissioner, Ashok Kantha for the first phase of the 50,000 housing project for the IDPs funded by India, after the meeting between the President and the Indian Minister.

Initially 1000 houses will be constructed in a cluster format on land given by the Sri Lanka government.

The meeting between President Rajapaksa and the Indian External Affairs Minister was cordial and friendly where Minister Krishna felicitated the President on his assumption of duties for the second term.

It was decided that Kapilawasthu relics will be brought from India to Sri Lanka next May for the 2600 Sambudda Jayanthi celebrations.

The discussion was mainly based on the follow up of the Joint Declaration between India and Sri Lanka when President  Mahinda Rajapaksa visited India in June this year, which the Indian Minister termed as a landmark visit.

The President informed the Indian External Affairs Minister about the resettlement of IDPs which is progressing rapidly.

The Indian Minister noted that the two countries have a historic relationship with a conducive atmosphere to strengthen those relations. He added that the two countries have the ability to discuss any issue in a constructive manner and the President endorsed these sentiments.
                                                                                                          
Both sides expressed satisfaction on Sri Lanka's post-conflict reconstruction and economic progress.

The Indian delegation included the External Affairs Minister, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Indian High Commissioner. The Sri Lankan delegation included Prof. G L Peiris, External Affairs Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe, Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundara, Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga and Minister for Power and Energy, Champika Ranawaka.

visit of the Chairman Senate Mr. Farooq Hamid Naek and Mr. Saleem Mandaviwalla, Chairman BOI to where they participated in the swearing in ceremony

Visit of the Chairman Senate Mr. Farooq Hamid Naek and Mr. Saleem Mandaviwalla, Chairman BOI to where they participated in the swearing in ceremony 

In a special gesture of friendship and solidarity form the Government of Pakistan towards the Government of Sri Lanka, the Chairman Senate Mr. Farooq Hamid Naek   represented the Government of Pakistan along with Mr. Saleem Mandaviwalla, Chairman BOI in the swearing in ceremony of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who assumed the charged for the 2^nd term of office in Colombo on 19^th November, 2010.

In interaction with the Sri Lankan President Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Chairman Senate Mr. Farooq Hamid Naek handed over the congratulatory message from the President of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari to the President of Sri Lanka Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa for assuming the charge for his 2^ndtenure of Presidentship. He also conveyed the greeting and best wishes from the Government and people of Pakistan to the Government and people of Sri Lanka on the occasion.

The Chairman, Senate also had interaction with the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Speaker of the Maldives and other foreign envoys attending the ceremony and participated in the official lunch hosted by the President of Sri Lanka. 

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have continued to maintain strong, robust and reliable relations, through increased interaction at the highest political level and in the people-to-people domain. Record representation in trade activities by delegations from both countries have given the opportunity of reinforcing bilateral trade with impressive increase in the volume of trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

During his stay in Sri Lanka, the Chairman Senate also held several high profile meetings with the top leadership of Sri Lanka. These interactions included a meeting between the Chairman Senate and the Speaker of Sri Lanka Parliament Mr. Chamal Rajapaksa. During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to further enhance the level of cooperation between the traditional allies and friendly countries of Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the spheres of trade, economic, political and diplomatic integration.  The Chairman Senate invited the Speaker and Sri Lankan Parliamentarian delegation to visit Pakistan in January, 2011.

The Chairman Senate also thanked the Chairman of Sri Lankan Parliament for his support in the reactivation of the Sri Lanka Pakistan Parliamentary friendship Association. The Sri Lanka Pakistan Parliamentary friendship association is a bipartition grouping of Sri Lankan Parliamentarian, which is aimed at enhancing the inter Parliamentary coordination and mutual support.

The Chairman, Senate also attended the official lunch with the members of Sri Lanka Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Association which was hosted by the High Commission of Pakistan.

SLMC to sit with Govt Bench in Parliament today

SLMC to sit with Govt Bench in Parliament today

The Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Mr Rauff Hakeem said that all 8 Parliamentarians of his party will sit with the Government Benches at the time of the presentation of the Budget in Parliament this afternoon.

Mr Hakeem told news.lk that before that they would formally join the Cabinet when the new cabinet of ministers is sworn in by President at
the Presidential Secretariat forenoon today.

“As at present we have been offered one ministerial and a deputy ministerial portfolio” said Mr. Hakeem confirming their joining the
government.

When asked whether they will cross over the chambers to the government side he said such a step looks awkward as by the time they may be  the
members of the Cabinet of ministers. Therefore, “there is no need for cross over but still some of our members will have to sit in the opposition side later as the seats in the government benches are already filled.” quipped Mr. Hakeem.

The New Cabinet Sworn in

   The  New  Cabinet Sworn in


Prime Minister D.M.Jayarathne , 09 Senior Ministers, 49 Cabinet Ministers & 31 Deputy Ministers were sworn in before the President this morning (22 Nov) at the Presidential Secretariat

Following is the list of Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers  and their portfolios:

 Cabinet Ministers

1.Prime Minister
   D. M. Jayaratne                                             – Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs

  Senior Ministers

 2.Mr. Ratnasiri Wickramanayake                    – Good Governance & Infrastructure Facilities

 3.Mr. D E W Gunasekara                                – Human Resources

 4.Mr. Hon Athauda Seneviratne                             – Rural Affairs

 5.Mr. P. Dayaratne                                          – Food & Nutrition

  6.Mr. A. H. M. Fowzie                                           – Urban Affairs

 7.Hon S. B. Nawinna                                       – Consumer Welfare

  8.Mr. Piyasena Gamage                                  – National Assets

  9. Prof. Tissa Vitharana                             – Scientific Affairs

  10.Dr. Sarath Amunugama                         – International Monetary Cooperation


Other Cabinet Ministers

11.Mr. Nimal Siripala                                       - Irrigation & Water Resources Management

12.Mr. Maithreepala Sirisena                            – Health

13.Mr. Susil Premajayantha                              – Petroleum Industries

14.Mr. Arumugam Thondaman                         - Livestock and Rural Community Development

15.Mr.Dinesh Gunawardena                            - Water Supply & Drainage

16.Mr.Douglas Devananda                  - Traditional Industries & Small Enterprise Development

17. Mr. A. L. M. Athaullah                   - Local Government & Provincial Councils

18. Mr. Rishad Bathiyutheen                - Industry & Commerce

19. Mr.Champika Ranawaka                - Power & Energy

20.Mr.Hon. Wimal Weerawansa           - Construction, Engineering Services, Housing & Common                    
                                                                   Amenities   
21.Mr. Rauff Hakeem                            –Justice

22.Mr. Basil Rajapaksa                           –Economic Development

23.Mr.Vasudeva Nanayakkara              – National Languages and Social Integration

24.Mr. S. B. Dissanayake                       – Higher Education

25.Mr. Prof G.L. Peiris                           – External Affairs

26.Mr. W. D. J. Seneviratne                   - Public Administration & Home Affairs

27.Mrs. Sumeda G Jayasena                    - Parliamentary Affairs

28.Mr. Jeevan Kumaranatunga               – Postal Services

29.Mr. Pavithra Wanniarachchi              – Technology and Research

30.Mr. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa         – Environment

31.Mr. Tissa Karaliyadde                       – Child Development and Women's Affairs

32.Mr. Gamini Lokuge                           – Labour and Labour Relations

33.Mr. Bandula Gunawardena               – Education

34.Mr. Mahinda Samarasinghe               – Plantations

 35.Mr.Rajitha Senaratne                        – Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Development

36.Mr. Janaka Bandara Tennakoon        – Land and Land Development

  37.Mr. Felix Perera                                 – Social Services

 38.Mr.C B Rathnayake                               – Private Transport Services

 39.Mr.Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena                 – Agriculture

40.Mr. Keheliya Rambukwella                           – Mass Media and Information

 41.Mr.Kumara Welgama                                   – Transport

42.Mr. Dullas Alahapperuma                              – Youth Affairs and Skills Development

43.Mr. Johnston Fernando                                  – Cooperatives and Internal Trade

44.Mr. Chandrasiri Gajadeera                            – Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms

45.Mr. Salinda Dissanayake                               – Indigenous Medicine

 46.Mr.Reginold Cooray                                     – Small Export Crops Promotion

47.Mr. Dilan Perera                                            – Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare

48.Mr. Jagath Pushpakumara                              – Coconut Development and State Plantations

                                                                            Development

 49.Mr.T B Ekanayake                                        – Culture and Aesthetic Affairs

 50.Mr.Mahinda Amaraweera                             – Disaster Management

  51. Mr. S M Chandrasena                                    – Agrarian Services and Wildlife

 52.Mr. Gunaratne Weerakoon                            – Resettlement

  53.   Mr. Mervin Silva                                            – Public Coordination and Public Affairs

54.Mr. Mahindananada Aluthgamage                – Sports

55.Mr. Dayasritha Tissera                                   – State Assets and Enterprise Development

56.Mr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya                          – Telecommunication and Information Technology

57.Mr. Jagath Balasuriya                                    – National Heritage

58.Mr. Lakshman Seneviratne                            – Productivity Promotion

59.Mr. Navin Dissanayake                                 – State Management Reforms

Deputy Ministers

1.Mr.Susantha Punchinilame,                         - Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development

 2.Mr.Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena,             - Economic Development

 3. Mr. Rohitha Abeygunawardena                   - Port & Highways

  4.  Mr.Pandu Bandaranaike                              -Indigenous Medicine

  5.Mr.Jayarathne Herath,                                 -Industry & Commerce

 6. Mr.Duminda Dissanayake                           - Youth Affairs & Skills Development

 7.Mr.Lasantha Alagiyawanna,                       - Construction, Engineering Service, Housing &                    

                                                                           Common Amenities
 8.Mr.Rohana Dissanayake,                             - Transport

  9.Mr.H.R.Mithrapala,                                     - Livestock & Rural Community Development

10.Mr.Nirmala Kothalawala                             - Port & Highways,

 11.    Mr. Premalal Jayasekera,                              - Power & Energy

  12.Hon. Geethanjana Gunawardena                    - Finance & Planning
  13.Mr. Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan             - Resettlement

  14.Mr. Faizer Musthapa,                                    - Technology & Research

 15.   Mr. Indika Bandaranayake,                         - Local Government & Provincial Councils

16.Mr. Mutthu Sivalingam                                - Economic Development

.17. Siripala Gamlath,                                   - Lands & Land Development

18. Mr.W.B.Ekanayake                                     - Irrigation & Water Resources Management

19.    Mr. Chandrasiri Sooriyaarachchi,                 - Social Service

20.    Mr.Nandimitra Ekanayake                          - High Education

21.        Mrs.Nirupama Rajapaksa                              - Water Supply & Drainage

22. Mr.Lalith Dissanayake                                 - Health

23. Mr.Sarana Gunawardena                             - Petroleum Industries

 24.Mr.Vijith Vijayamuni Soyza                        - Education

 25.Mr.M.L.A.M.Hisbulla                                 - Child Development & Women’s Affairs

 26.  Mr. Weerakumara Dissanayake                    - Traditional Industries & Small Enterprises   Development  
                                                                   

 27.Mr. G.D.S.Gunawardena                             - Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs

 28.Mr.Earl Gunasekera,                                    - Plantation Industries

29.Mr. Segu Dawood                                        - Co-operative & Internal Trade

30.  Mr. Abdul Cader                                          - Environment

31. Mr.Dullip Wijesekera                                   - Disaster Management

No polythene at Botanical Gardens

No polythene at Botanical Gardens

The uses of polythene at Botanical gardens are to be banned from the beginning of next year.

According to  Director of Botanical Gardens Dr Cyril Wijesundera  
that more than three tractor loads of litter mainly polythene is being removed daily from the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens itself. These numbers sometimes exceeds he said.It's  huge  environment problem.

The use of polythene has increased the threat to nature which prompted the Department to take this action he said.  Awareness Programmes on the ban will be held for the visitors at the Gardens within the comings months.
.Accordingly visitors to Peradeniya, Haggala, Henarathgoda Gampaha Botanical Gardens will be subjected to checks for any polythene wrappers. Steps have also been taken to provide alternate meal wrappers at the venues for visitors. Visitors have also been requested to use plantain leaf wrapping for their meals by the Botanical Gardens Department. 

The Department, as a measure to ban the use is also to introduce alternative wrappers and accordingly cloth bags will be made available at the entrance of the Gardens said Dr Wijesundera. The bag will carry the logo of the Botanical Gardens Department so that they could be used at all three gardens in the Country.

Meanwhile visitors have also been advised to use banana leaf wrapping for their meals by the Botanical Gardens Department.

The Royal Botanical Garden, at Peradeniya and is visited by 1.2 million people per year. It is the largest botanical garden on the island.