2006-03-28
2026-10-27
H.E Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Dosari, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, met with the Hon. Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker of Parliament, recently at the Parliament of Sri Lanka, reaffirming the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.The meeting underscored the longstanding friendship and enduring partnership between Qatar and Sri Lanka, as the two countries mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, reaffirming their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation and exploring new avenues of engagement for the mutual benefit of both nations.Welcoming the Ambassador, the Hon. Speaker underscored the strong and cordial relations between Qatar and Sri Lanka and highlighted the significance of continued high-level engagements in deepening bilateral ties. He recalled recent high-level visits between the two countries, noting their important contribution to strengthening mutual understanding and expanding avenues for cooperation.The Speaker also acknowledged the valuable contribution of the Sri Lankan workforce in Qatar, particularly its role in supporting Qatar’s development and contributing to Sri Lanka’s economy through remittances. He expressed appreciation for the support extended by the State of Qatar to Sri Lanka and emphasized the importance of further strengthening cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.Highlighting the role of parliamentary diplomacy in fostering closer international partnerships, the Hon. Speaker expressed Sri Lanka’s readiness to establish a Sri Lanka - Qatar Parliamentary Friendship Association. He noted that such an initiative would provide a meaningful platform for dialogue, the exchange of experiences and best practices, and closer engagement between the parliamentary institutions of the two countries.Ambassador Al-Dosari reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to working closely with Sri Lanka as a trusted friend and partner, emphasizing the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations and promoting closer people-to-people connections. He also highlighted the potential for expanding cooperation in key sectors, including tourism, trade, investment and other areas of mutual interest.Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to exploring new opportunities for collaboration, strengthening existing partnerships and translating the longstanding friendship between Qatar and Sri Lanka into tangible benefits for their peoples. During the visit, Ambassador Al-Dosari expressed his appreciation for the architectural significance of the Parliament building and the natural beauty of its surrounding environment. He also participated in a guided tour of the Parliament premises.
2026-10-27
If society expects political leaders to be free from corruption and act with honesty, honesty and ethical values must also be upheld throughout society, stated the Hon.Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Rizvi Salih.He made these remarks while attending the inaugural session of the Student Parliament of Wellawatte Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam as the Guest of Honour. The event was held recently at the Old Parliamentary Chamber of the Presidential Secretariat.Pointing out that the country’s political leaders are elected by society itself, the Deputy Speaker emphasised the importance of students, as future leaders, developing honesty, ethical values and a sense of responsibility from their school days.The programme was jointly organised by Wellawatte Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam, the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, with the aim of providing the school’s female students with practical experience of parliamentary procedures.At the event, Senior Additional Secretary to the President (President’s Fund), Mr. Subash Roshan, explained the services provided to students and the general public through the President’s Fund.Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Colombo, Professor A. Sarveswaran, also participated in the event and educated the students on the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Mr. T.N.M.P. Shahid, the principal officer of Parliament explained the role and functions of Parliament.The inaugural session of the Student Parliament commenced with the election of the Speaker and the swearing-in of student Members of Parliament. Thereafter, the student ministers presented their proposals to the House, outlining the programmes they hoped to implement within the school under their respective ministries.Certificates were awarded to the student Members of Parliament who participated in the programme by the distinguished guests. The vote of thanks was delivered by Mrs. Sindhuri Padmaraj, the teacher in charge of the Student Parliament at Wellawatte Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam.This programme was conducted as part of the ongoing series of Student Parliament programmes jointly implemented by the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the Presidential Secretariat.The event was attended by Director General of Presidential Public Relations Mr. Dharmasiri Gamage and Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla. Mrs. Malarvizhi Sreekumar, Deputy Principal, represented the Principal of Wellawatte Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam, Mrs. Arundhathi Rajavijayan. Officials of the Department of Communication of Parliament, teachers, parents and students were also present.
2026-10-23
Of the Rs. 25,000 million allocated for the ‘Prajashakthi’ National Poverty Eradication Programme, Rs. 23,000 million has been allocated for projects identified by Community Development Councils at the district level, while the remaining Rs. 2,000 million is being utilised to implement medium-scale projects identified at the national level, according to a written response tabled in Parliament by Hon. Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.These details were revealed in the Minister’s response to questions raised by Hon. Ajith Gihan, Member of Parliament, seeking oral answers.According to the response tabled in Parliament, under the Prajashakthi National Programme, a total of 15,725 projects valued at Rs. 24,221.38 million have been initiated. Of these, 15,316 projects are being implemented under livelihood development, 273 projects under education, and 136 projects under health. Community Development Councils established at the Grama Niladhari Division level are responsible for identifying projects that directly address the multidimensional poverty identified in their respective districts and Divisional Secretariat Divisions. These projects are being implemented under several key areas, including the production economy, food security, social environment, human resource development, care and protection, supply networks, and accessibilityAll these projects are scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2026.Meanwhile, specialized projects for schoolchildren with disabilities are being implemented by the Department of Social Services and the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities. The Ministry of Education and other line ministries also provide financial assistance and other concessions to schoolchildren with disabilities.In addition, specialized projects, financial assistance, concessions and welfare programmes are being implemented to empower persons with disabilities and their families.
2026-10-22
A range of research activities is being carried out to improve productivity in pepper cultivation, including studies on genetic characterisation and evaluation, disease and pest management, crop improvement, plant nutrition management, agronomic practices, post-harvest technology, value addition and measures to minimise the impact of climate change, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne said.The Deputy Minister made these remarks in Parliament while responding to questions raised for oral answers by Hon. Sarath Kumara, Attorney-at-Law, Member of Parliament.He further stated that Gampaha, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Hambantota, Kurunegala, Badulla, Monaragala, Ratnapura and Kegalle have been identified as the main pepper-producing districts in Sri Lanka.The pepper varieties currently cultivated in the country include the local variety, Panniyur 1 and local selections such as Dingiri Rala, Kohukumbure Rala and Bootawe Rala.Several programmes have been introduced to expand pepper cultivation. These include the free provision of planting materials, investment assistance for establishing new cultivations, the distribution of free pepper plants under small-scale home gardening programmes, and the provision of technical knowledge and other assistance to improve productivity.Measures are also being taken to help pepper cultivation adapt to changing climatic conditions through the introduction of suitable irrigation methods. In addition, investment assistance is provided for equipment and systems to prevent animal damage, while efforts are being made to strengthen disease and pest management.The Deputy Minister noted that Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are being promoted to ensure that pepper products meet international standards. Investment assistance is also provided for post-harvest technology and equipment to improve product quality and encourage the production of value-added products.Furthermore, initiatives are being implemented to convert pepper cultivations into organic farming systems to facilitate access to overseas markets. Technical guidance and investment assistance are provided to obtain the necessary organic certification and other relevant certifications. The establishment of export-oriented agricultural villages is another measure being pursued to expand the sector.The Deputy Minister further stated that farmers are provided with knowledge on pepper cultivation through media channels and awareness programmes. In addition, advisory services are offered to pepper producers to support exports, while initiatives are being implemented to connect producers with suppliers and buyers.
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