I would like to wish a very Happy Deepavali to all those celebrating the Festival of Lights in Sri Lanka and around the world. Lighting a lamp at this joyous occasion, symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance, states Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Deepavali Message.

The message:”Deepavali is also a reminder that we must dedicate ourselves to overcome every challenge together as a community. It is through unity that we can defeat ignorance and ensure that compassion prevails in our heart. As a nation that defeated the evils of ignorance and separation time and time again, may the radiance of lamps lit, continue to bring peace and unity to our land.

“As we strive to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic together, we must also strive to uplift each other and ensure our shared quest of a bright and peaceful future for Sri Lanka is realized. I wish all Hindu devotees in Sri Lanka and world over, a very happy, safe and peaceful Deepavali”.

Hindu devotees across the globe light lamps and engage in religious observances with the expectation of dispelling darkness of ignorance and illuminating wisdom today, states President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a Deepavali Message.

The message: “Deepavali festival is a renowned cultural celebration where the devotees extend wishes of enlightenment and share greetings with love and compassion. In my view, cultural festivals of this nature provide a great opportunity to build communal reconciliation and mutual understanding among the people and empower ethnic and religious harmony.

“At a time when the entire world is facing unprecedented difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such an opportunity to observe and celebrate one’s own religious beliefs is, indeed, a consolation. I believe Hindu devotees living in the country and overseas would jointly commit themselves to God to seek solace during this Deepavali festive season. I believe it would be a blessing for our objective to establish a righteous society and a healthy country. I wish all those who celebrate this festival of enlightenment would attain the inner peace they expect”.

President invites industry pioneers to join…

 15,000 houses for middle class people…

 36,884 housing units before the end of 04 years…

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested construction industry pioneers to commence work on a large number of housing projects simultaneously for the benefit of low, middle and upper middle income earners covering different areas of the country.

President pointed out that the construction must proceed fast in a creative and eco-friendly manner using new technology and methods.

President Rajapaksa made these remarks during a meeting with the officials representing 10 companies engaged in the construction industry at the Presidential Secretariat, today (11).

The number of houses expected to be built for the middle class in the next three years is 15,000. The government expects to build 36,884 housing units in four years to meet the demand from both low and upper middle income earners.

The first phase of projects will be implemented centering Peliyagoda, Kolonnawa, Bloemendhal, Kottawa – Makumbura, Kottawa – Palaturuwattha, Boralesgamuwa, Malabe, Kandy – Getambe and Anuradhapura cities.

Local entrepreneurs in the construction sector are given the opportunity to join this initiative. President further said that it is expected to meet the housing demand of a large number of young people from all sectors including the executive and entrepreneur categories. For this purpose, commercial banks will provide loans at concessionary interest rates that can be repaid in 30 years.

President pointed out that with the commencement of construction, thousands of employment opportunities will be created by way of supplying necessary materials. President Rajapaksa also emphasized the need to carry out all activities continuously with fullest commitment in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All worksites must function in compliance with health recommendations. President hoped that these projects would also strengthen the country’s economy.

Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing Mr. Sirinimal Perera, officials of the Ministry of Urban and Housing Development and officials from several construction companies were also present at the discussion.

• Special attention to protect people with non-communicable diseases
• Every regional dispensary in the country to be activated

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa emphasized that special attention should be paid to protect those who are suffering from non-communicable diseases from COVID – 19 virus.

Medical experts point out that 93% of the COVID deaths reported in past few days in Sri Lanka, as well as in other countries were due to the infection by corona virus of people suffering from non-communicable diseases. People with heart ailments, diabetes, kidney problems and cancer are more vulnerable to infect with the virus. Most of the deaths have occurred without displaying symptoms of COVID and subsequent PCR tests confirmed that they were COVID infected.

President directed relevant parties to give priority to address this situation and disseminate applicable guidelines and conduct awareness campaigns soon to protect those suffering from non-communicable diseases and to prevent from infection.

President made these remarks during the daily briefing with the members of the Task Force on COVID Prevention held at the Presidential Secretariat today (11). At today’s meeting in addition to the current status of COVID – 19 spread and the progress of control, measures to be taken, areas to be studied to protect people and to ensure their overall health security in the event of emergence of similar viruses in the future were also discussed at length.

While recognizing hardships faced by the people in accessing major hospitals, President emphasized that regional dispensaries system across the country should be made fully functional as soon as possible. He also said that required resources such as doctors, nurses, midwives and other staff should be provided to these dispensaries expeditiously.

It should be continuously monitored whether the parties involved in the delivery of goods to isolated areas are following correct mechanisms. President said no one should be allowed to enter or leave these designated areas.

Current situation at prisons and measures taken to prevent further spread of the diseases were also discussed in length.

President instructed officials to take necessary steps to prevent movements from the Western Province where the majority of the COVID infected were identified to other parts of the country.

Ministers Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Keheliya Rambukwella, Members of Parliament Premanath C Dolawatta, Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga and members of the Task Force were present during the discussion.

With institutional and personal donations and direct deposits the balance of the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund reached Rs. 1,668,379,121.74 as of 31.10.2020. Until today (10.11.2020) Rs. 402,190.701 out of the said amount has been allocated/spent for the following activities.

Activities approved by the Management Committee:

The Fund was established on 23.03.2020 following a decision taken by the Cabinet of Ministers on 18.03.2020. The management of the Healthcare and Social Security Fund is carried out by  a board of highly skilled professionals representing areas of administration, finance and banking. The board comprises Ministry Secretaries, Director General of Health Services, audit and banking experts.

The board is headed by the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Prof. W. D. Lakshman.

When an institution requires funds for activities related to controlling COVID, with the approval of the committee, the money is spent by the relevant institution in accordance with the government procurement regulations. Thereafter the Fund reimburses the particular amount. Under no circumstances the committee engages in a direct purchase or direct expenditure. The Accounts Branch of the Presidential Secretariat is entrusted with the responsibility of auditing the Fund and these activities are subjected to comprensive auditing by the Auditor General.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said the country’s health sector is capable of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and what is needed is the support of the people.

The COVID pandemic is a health issue. The responsibility of protecting the people against the virus and steering the country forward lies with the health sector and the Government.

The President said that he strongly believes that Sri Lankan doctors and the health sector, one of the best in the world, can easily achieve the target.

President Rajapaksa made these remarks during the daily discussion with the members of the Task Force on COVID Prevention held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday(9).

“We have three options in the face of the spread of the pandemic. The first is to lock down the entire country by imposing curfew. The second is not to do anything at all. Carrying our normal activities while controlling the disease is the third option and we opted for that,” the President added.

“Our doctors and the hospital staff were able to diagnose COVID infected in the first stage and treat them accordingly. Therefore, intensive care services were not required. People must also extend their support in controlling the spread of the disease and preventing infection.”

The President reiterated that media are responsible and duty bound to communicate health guidelines that need to be followed to the public.

“Following the successful containment of the virus, the media as well as the people have forgotten everything and shirked responsibility. The result is the current situation. The country cannot remain closed until the pandemic is wiped out from the world. We have to understand the ground reality and act accordingly. Infected persons are reported daily even from areas that have been closed for nearly 40 days. This shows that the pandemic cannot be controlled by lockdowns alone,” the President said.

“Closing down the country is the easiest solution. But people have to live. It is my responsibility to keep the economy going while ensuring all the activities including employment, agriculture and fishing move forward. The daily expenditure by the Government for PCR tests exceeds Rs.60 million. A huge sum of money is spent daily on the entire process including quarantine. It is a personal responsibility of the people to comprehend this situation and avoid falling prey to the disease,” the President noted.

Ministers Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Keheliya Rambukwella, Member of Parliament Madura Vithanage, Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga and members of the Task Force were present during the discussion.

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Zoom yesterday. The two leaders shared their experience on administrative matters according to reports.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane, Education Minister and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Prof.G.L. Peiris, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, SLPP General Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam and several Provincial Councillers participated in this discussion.

Head of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China, Song Tao, Communist Party Secretary of Hainan province Liu Cigui and several other officials participated.

The State Katina ceremony was held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the historic Somawathi sacred premises in Polonnaruwa today (8).

This is considered to be the first occasion since the reign of King Parakramabahu II to hold a Katina ceremony sponsored by the state.

It is the tradition since the days of ancient kings to cultivate cotton, spin yarn and use the cotton cloth woven from yarn to sew the Cheevara (Bhikkus robe) and presented to Maha Sangha.

Arriving at the Katina Cheevara Pooja ceremony organized with the approval of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa , President Rajapaksa met the Chief Incumbent of Somawathi Raja Maha Vihara Ven. Pahamune Sumangala Thero and received blessings.

After observing religious rituals President attended the ceremony.

Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara brought the Katina Cheevara followed by the alms giving.

President bequeathed it to Maha Sangha.

Anu Nayaka Thero of Malwatta Chapter Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thero delivered the main sermon.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena, State Ministers Siripala Gamlath and Roshan Ranasinghe and several others were present on the occasion.

Cabinet approval has been granted to the proposal made by Youth and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa to provide a loan subject to a maximum of one million rupees for the implementation of new small and medium scale projects.

This loan scheme is aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 40 to further their business ventures. Young Entrepreneurs who engage in Information technology (IT), agriculture, dairy, animal husbandry, tourism promotion related projects and innovative and machinery design projects can apply for this loan up to maximum of Rs. 1 million.

At the suggestion of Minister Namal Rajapaksa, this loan scheme operates under the “Small Business Development Division” of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed officials to strictly monitor the self-quarantine process now under way to contain the spread of COVID -19 virus even after the curfew is lifted.

All families identified as having close contacts with COVID infected were directed to self-quarantine at their homes. Their number is closer to 84,000 in 31,457 houses islandwide. In the Western Province 40,676 belong to 13,911 families are currently undergoing self-quarantine.

President Rajapaksa issued these directives during the daily meeting with the members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Prevention held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (5).

While paying special attention to close associates and the areas they belong to in the event infected persons are found in the community, and if necessary, President advised to declare those areas as isolated. Importance of concentrating on estates and flats was discussed in length.

It was decided to restrict the economic centers to wholesale trade only. President noted that trade activities should continue while strictly adhering to health guidelines and continuously conducting PCR tests.

Every step has been taken to continue operations at the Free Trade Zone in Katunayake. The President also instructed to carry out random and continuous PCR tests in the trade zone under the supervision of the Health Ministry and Sri Lanka Navy with the assistance of private hospitals.

Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, MP Madura Vithanage, Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundera, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga and members of the Presidential Task Force were present during the meeting.