Ramesh Pathirana: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna says that they are ready for an election at anytime.A public meeting in the series of public rallies of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, titled – 'Let's stand together' – was held in Nawalapitiya on Sunday (16).The public meeting was held under the chairmanship of SLPP Leader and the former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.Speaking at the event, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse admitted that although they may have made mistakes, there have been people in history who have made mistakes before. "When something goes wrong, we have a chance to fix it. We don't need to be ashamed," he said. He alleged that while many know the truth of what happened, many still act as if they do not know, and stick by their lies for the shame of not being able to take back their accusations.Acknowledging the protest which took place at the same location today, the former Prime Minister said that it is unclear what they demand, and he has no idea as to what they expect."We know there is a section of this country against us.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that he did not consider seniority when appointing the new Cabinet of Minister, on Monday (18).“Ministerial positions are not mere benefits, it is a great responsibility,” he told the new Cabinet in Colombo, urging them NOT to use additional benefits as Ministers.He said that he expects honest, efficient, and untainted governance from the new cabinet, while ridding the institutions vested with them of corruption, and convert them to be committed to serve the public.“Most of the public institutions are in financial crisis and those need to be rectified,” said the President, adding that this is an ideal opportunity to introduce the system change that the people are calling for.The President also appealed from the youth to support in this endeavor.The President’s Media Division said that there were NO amendments to the ministerial positions held by the President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris, & Finance Minister Ali Sabry, PC.

1. Dinesh Gunawardena – Public Administration, Internal Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government.2. Douglas Devananda – Fisheries3.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan Government believes that the consignment of 1 million metric tons of rice from China is produced using organic fertilizer.Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dallas Alahapperuma told reporters that it is not possible to give definite answers as to whether the Chinese rice was produced using organic fertilizer or not.“I will inform you after consulting Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena over the matter,” he said during the weekly Cabinet Media Briefing where it was announced that China would deliver 1 million metric tons of rice to Sri Lanka as a grant.Joint Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister (Dr) Ramesh Pathirana told reporters that the consignment will reach Sri Lanka in March 2022.The grant is to mark the 70th anniversary of the Ceylon-China Rubber-Rice Pact, signed between Sri Lanka and the Peoples Republic of China in 1952.

Sri Lanka’s Joint-Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana says the island nation has kept it doors open to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to provide support on debt restructuring.The Minister made the above remarks when asked whether Sri Lanka would restructure its debt.He noted that debt restructuring is one option and a need has arisen to talk to the agencies and countries and the debt owners.Minister Pathirana further added that currently talks are held with the World Bank and Asia Development Bank (ADB) and are also liaising closely with neighbouring India, China and Japan to support Sri Lanka.” So we are quite confident that we should be able to manage this crisis”, Dr.

Colombo: Sri Lanka has ordered 13.5 million Oxford AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines in addition to the 500,000 doses gifted by India, and the country may not use Chinese vaccines in the second phase of immunisation, a government spokesman said on Tuesday.Ramesh Pathirana, who is also the Minister of Plantations, said Sri Lanka is likely to go only with the AstraZeneca vaccines for the second phase of vaccination as the Chinese and Russian vaccines are not ready yet."The Chinese vaccine has not submitted the papers relating to phase three trials," said Pathirana.For the first round of vaccinations, the government has placed an order for 10 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India at a cost of USD 52.5 million