• To sustain the provincial council system in the future, existing shortcomings must be rectified.
• The responsibility of formulating laws solely lies with the Parliament and his role is limited to presenting proposed laws on behalf of the country – President tells the All-Party Conference.

During the All-Party Conference at the Presidential Secretariat today (26), President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the significance of discussing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution with all parties, as it is a matter that affects the entire country. He highlighted that a decision on this matter should involve input from all relevant parties.

The conference was organized to update the Parliament’s party leaders on the National Reconciliation Program and the North-East Development Plan.

President Wickremesinghe recalled that neither he nor the previous seven Executive Presidents had the authority to pass new laws to address existing problems; that power rested solely with the Parliament. He asserted that he was bringing forth relevant proposals for the betterment of the country, but the responsibility of implementing them lay with all the representatives in the Parliament, as he alone couldn’t achieve it with his single vote.

The President noted that seven out of the nine provincial councils were located in areas with a majority of Sinhalese. If the provincial council system were to be maintained, he emphasized the need to address the shortcomings that had already been experienced. He suggested granting provincial councils powers over subjects currently under the central government, including grassroots activities like agriculture and tourism.

According to President Wickremesinghe, the central government should formulate policies for the country, while provincial councils should provide the necessary facilities for the successful implementation of development activities in all fields. Collaboration between all parties and levels of government was crucial for progress and development.

In addition, President Ranil Wickremesinghe called for collective discussions among all parties to decide on granting police powers to the Provincial Councils as outlined in the 13th Amendment of the Constitution.

Furthermore, President Wickremesinghe proposed arrangements that would allow members of the Provincial Councils to concurrently hold positions and be appointed as Members of Parliament, while members of Parliament could also serve as members of the Provincial Councils.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Former President Maithripala Sirisena, Tamil National Alliance Leader and Member of Parliament R. Samppanthan, M. A. Sumanthiran, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and Member of Parliament Sagara Kariyawasam, as well as other Members of Parliament such as Dallas Alahapperuma, Wimal Weerawansa, Gevidu Kumaratunga, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Udaya Gammanpila, Sarath Weerasekera, Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, C.V. Vigneswaran, and Lakshman Kiriella, participated and expressed their views during the event. Numerous party leaders and representatives from various parties were also present at the occasion.

• Rs. 10 billion rupees for the modernization of postal service

Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki hands over the Technical Standards prepared by Japan on the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting DTTB project to Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana. Mass Media Ministry Secretary Anusha Palpita, JICA Sri Lanka chief representative Tetsuya Yamada and other officials are also participated.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the historic Kataragama shrine and actively participated in religious rites yesterday (03). During his visit, he met with Venerable Kobawaka Dhamminda Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Kiriwehera Viharaya, and had a brief conversation, inquiring about his well-being. The President then joined the religious rites conducted at the Kiriwehera Seya and received blessings.

A significant highlight of the President’s visit was his participation in the final day of the Kataragama annual Esala Maha Perahara. He had the honour of placing the casket on the ceremonial elephant, Kandula, symbolizing the commencement of the Perahara. Additionally, President Wickremesinghe sought blessings at the Kataragama Saman Maha Devalaya.

Several dignitaries accompanied the President during this event, including his Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Minister of State Mr Shashendra Rajapaksa, former Basnayaka Nilame of Kataragama Temple, Member of Parliament Mr Milan Jayathilaka, Thai Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mr. Poj Harnpol, former Colombo Municipal Councilor Mr Kitsiri Rajapaksa, and several others.

Decisions taken by the cabinet of Ministers on 26.06.2023

• Will not affect the banking system stability or the stability of any public or private bank.
• Will not affect any interest on bank deposits of over 50 million depositors that is currently being paid.
• Foreign as well as domestic debt restructuring proposals to be submitted to Cabinet tomorrow – Says President in Gampaha.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured that the restructuring of domestic debt will have no impact on the membership balance of any public funds, including the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). He emphasized that the rate of return for superannuation funds will not be affected in any way.

Furthermore, the President stated that the restructuring of domestic debt will not pose any threat to the stability of the country’s banking system, whether it be public or private banks. He specifically mentioned that the deposits of more than 50 million bank depositors will remain unaffected, and there will be no changes to the current interest rates paid on bank deposits.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also announced that proposals for restructuring both foreign and domestic debt will be presented to the Cabinet tomorrow (28).

The President made these statements while inaugurating the Gampaha District Secretariat Administrative Complex, ‘Laksiyane Mandiraya,’ which has been constructed with the aim of providing efficient and regular government services to the people of the Gampaha district. The complex, with an expenditure of nearly Rs. 4 billion, stands at seven stories tall.

It was highlighted that Sri Lanka’s total public debt, comprising both domestic and foreign debt, amounted to $83,700 million by the end of 2022, representing 128.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Of this amount, the foreign debt totalled $41,500 million, accounting for 63.6% of the GDP. The President also noted that the domestic debt at that time stood at $42,100 million, which constituted 64.6% of the GDP.

The President highlighted the urgency of restructuring the country’s debt, stating that without such measures, the public debt would exceed 100% of the GDP by 2035. He emphasized that foreign creditors have already expressed their agreement to participate in the debt restructuring process.
To ensure debt sustainability in Sri Lanka, the President emphasized the need for restructuring both external and domestic debt. Acknowledging the significant burden carried by foreign creditors, he mentioned that the country is set to receive 17 billion US dollars from them in the next five years. The President emphasized the importance of local creditors also contributing to this effort.

The proposed debt restructuring plan has been designed with the primary objective of safeguarding the public’s bank deposits. The President underlined the responsibility of protecting the depositors of all banks regulated by the Central Bank. He assured that the proposed domestic debt restructuring method poses no harm to bank depositors and will not lead to a collapse of the banking system. On the contrary, it will pave the way for a restructuring process that can rebuild the economy.

The President further stated that the country’s economic recovery, reduction in interest rates, the government’s ability to provide subsidies easily, and the reduction of both domestic and foreign debt burden in the next decade will yield positive results benefiting the people of the country.

During his official visit to France, the President engaged in discussions with Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Netherlands Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag, American Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi regarding foreign debt restructuring. The President highlighted the progress being made in Sri Lanka’s financial sector during these discussions. He expressed satisfaction that they were all eager to assist in reversing the crisis in Sri Lanka and affirmed their commitment to contribute significantly to the country’s economic recovery.

The President also said that during a recent telephone conversation with the Indian Finance Minister, Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, she had expressed her country’s intention to positively contribute to Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring and economic stability. The President said that he would hold detailed discussions on the matter during his upcoming visit to India.

The President also mentioned that Foreign Minister Ali Sabri, who is currently on an official visit to China, has agreed to enhance bilateral relations and strengthen economic ties between the two countries. Minister Sabri held fruitful discussions with China’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Qin Gang, sharing their views on deepening cooperation.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe further revealed that, during a meeting with the Chinese Finance Minister, Liu Kun, in Beijing, he was briefed on the economic stabilization and progress plan of the country. Minister Ali Sabri expressed gratitude for China’s special contribution during the previous crisis.

During the visit, the President held discussions with the Chairman of the Chinese Exim Bank, Wu Fulin, and other Chinese officials appointed for the purpose of restructuring Sri Lanka’s foreign debt. They assured their commitment to contribute to the debt restructuring process in the best possible manner.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga, Nalin Fernando, State Ministers Shehan Semasinghe, Prasanna Ranaweera, Sisira Jayakodi, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Janaka Wakkambura, Gampaha District Development Committee Chairman and Members of Parliament Sahan Pradeep, Nimal Lanza, Sudarshanee Fernandopulle, Milan Jayathilaka, President’s Senior Adviser on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardena, Western Province Governor Roshan Gunathilaka, and other dignitaries.

Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunewardhana and Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando were the Chief Guests at the final day of the ‘Industry 2023’ National Industry Exhibition held at the BMICH yesterday.

The exhibition which began on June 22 to coincide with the the National Industry Day ended yesterday.

The Government also announced a National Industry Week from June 22 to 28 and the Ministry of Industry and the Industrial Development Board jointly held the exhibition in line with the programme to move the country towards an export-oriented manufacturing economy.

The opening ceremony of the ‘Industry 2023’ exhibition was held at the invitation of the Minister of Plantation Industries and Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, headed by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of State for Small and Medium Enterprise Development Prasanna Ranaweera and Minister of State for Primary Industries Chamara Sampath Dasanayake and other distinguished ministers and foreign ambassadors.

The 9th  International Day of Yoga organised by the High Commission of India together with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre was held at the Independence Square despite the drizzle that fell on Saturday (17). Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay together with Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana and Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC at the event.

• The online system of issuing foreign passports commences.
• Digitization is to be implemented in all government sectors.

During the launching ceremony of the online issuance of passports at the Homagama Divisional Secretariat, President Ranil Wickremesinghe reiterated his commitment to preserving freedom of expression. He highlighted the repeal of the criminal defamation law, a step that no other country in the region has taken.

The Immigration and Emigration Department will introduce a system where passport applications can be submitted online, so that the public can obtain their passports within three days, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said.

• There should be a designated month for conducting the G.C.E (Advanced Level) examination.
• An effective system must be in place to oversee both state and private schools – Emphasizes President Wickremesinghe.

During the first discussion of the expert committee appointed to support the ministerial committee for the national education policy framework, President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the crucial role of human resources in the development of any country. Drawing inspiration from the progress achieved by developed nations, the President stressed the importance of establishing a robust education system and cultivating a skilled workforce to accomplish the objectives of becoming a developed country by 2048.

President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic has invited world leaders, including President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to participate in the highly anticipated Global Leaders’ Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. The event, scheduled to take place in Paris on 22 and 23 June, aims to address the pressing challenges faced by the world today.

The Summit highlights the urgency of finding solutions to the multiple crises plaguing the global community. These crises range from climate change and biodiversity loss to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, and growing inequalities. Such issues have significantly restricted the financial manoeuvrability of nations and pushed public debt levels to record highs, jeopardizing the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Kunming-Montreal agreement on biodiversity.

Recognizing the need for a new financial pact to confront these challenges, President Macron extended a formal invitation to President Wickremesinghe, emphasizing the importance of collective action. The Summit aims to establish a shared vision for reforming the multilateral financial sector and charting a path towards a decarbonized global economy that aligns with the SDGs.

France, as the host country, seeks to bridge various transformation agendas, including the Bridgetown Initiative, with key events on the international calendar in the coming year. These events include the 18th Summit of G20 Leaders in New Delhi, the United Nations Summit on the SDGs in New York, and COP28 in Dubai. By bringing together a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including government representatives, international organizations, civil society, and private sector actors, the Summit aims to generate a collective vision and implement the necessary changes for a sustainable future.

President Macron expressed his appreciation for President Wickremesinghe’s presence at the summit, emphasizing the importance of collective success in shaping a better future for generations to come. The event holds the promise of fostering economic, social, and environmental capital, surpassing the achievements of previous generation