President Maithripla Sirisena expressed his, shock, deep pain and dismay over the brutal attacks on places of religious worship and other civilian establishments.
He said that that he has instructed all law enforcement agencies and defence services to take every possible step to maintain law and order and conduct speedy investigations into the dastardly attack and bring the culprits and those who were behind this conspiracy to book.
“I have given instructions to take very stern action against the persons who are responsible for this conspiracy,” the President said and added that all required steps have been taken to fulfill the responsibilities as a government.
President Sirisena appealed to the nation to act with utmost restraint and patience, and not to be misled by baseless rumours and false stories. He also urged the people to extend unstinted support and cooperation to the government for the steps taken at this trying occasion.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe issuing a special statement on the fatal explosion which took place around the country today (21), stated that law would be strictly enforced against the persons who are behind these attacks. Stating that relevant parties have been instructed to take stringent action to ensure the law and or order of the country, the Prime Minister requests everyone to join hands in this cause.

The complete statement of the Prime Minister is as follows:
“On behalf of the Government, I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the injured persons and the relations of the deceased consequent to the recent attacks occurred this morning. I see this as an attempt to make the country and its economy unstable.
I condemn these attacks which targeted religious places and some hotels. We all should join hands to protect law and order. I have already instructed the Secretary / Defense, Tri Forces Commanders and the Inspector General of Police to take stringent action to ensure law and order in the country.
Further, I and some ministers had a discussion with the President in this regard. Secretary to the President, Attorney General, and Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary / Disaster Management and Security Chiefs were among the present.
Law will be strictly enforced against the persons those who are responsible for these attacks after finalizing the investigations.
We shall bear with this unfortunate situation and work together to uphold the law and order.

 President Maithripala Sirisena joined the ritual of planting a fruit sapling today (15th) morning at the auspicious time 11.17 am in the presidential official residence.

The auspicious time to plant a sapling was 11.17 a. m. today morning, facing the East, suitably wearing a white dress was added to this Sinhala and Tamil New Year rituals.
President appealed to all Sri Lankans to plant a sapling or a seed at the auspicious time 11.17 a. m. today, thus fulfilling the individual responsibility for the sake of the future generation and sustenance of environment.

 Keeping with the tradition, President Maithripala Sirisena performed New Year rituals today (April 14) at his Official Residence in Colombo.

The President joined the ritual to light the hearth with Mrs. Jayanthi Sirisena and other members of the immediate family.
The President planted a sapling at his official residence at the auspicious time.
Thereafter he engaged in the tradition of transactions for the New Year.
Many people including Parliamentarians and artists visited the President’s residence to greet the President for the New Year.
Issuing a message to mark the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, President Maithripala Sirisena called on the people of the country to collectively commit themselves to fulfill national expectations.
Meanwhile, a custom of tree planting has been added to this year’s New Year customs. The auspicious time to plant a sapling is 11.17 a. m. tomorrow, facing the East, suitably wearing a white dress.
President Maithripala Sirisena appealed to all Sri Lankans to plant a sapling or a seed at the auspicious time 11.17 a m tomorrow, thus fulfilling the individual responsibility for the sake of the future generation and sustenance of environment.

Senior journalist, newspaper editor, and author Kalakeerthi Dr. Edwin Ariyadasa, author and lyricist Lucian Bulathsinghala and veteran media personality Karunaratne Amarasinghe receiving the Lifetime Awards from President Maithripala Sirisena at the BMICH Journalists in the country have a free and a suitable environment for their reporting at present under the present government, Non-Cabinet Minister of Mass Media Ruwan Wijewardene said.He said the journalists appear on behalf of the entire society and therefore, it is their role to expose the real truth to the society. The minister was addressing the country’s first ever Presidential Media Awards Ceremony held at the BMICH yesterday.

He said, the web media at present have become the most-used type of media by the people due to their busy lives. “But, due to some web media which provide misleading information to the public, many web media providing true information have faced difficulties,” the minister said.
“Journalists are not ordinary people. They have to engage in their profession disregarding their personal lives, the minister said and added that therefore, they expect to help them to go ahead with the new technology.Addressing the ceremony, Northern Province Governor and a member of the Panel of Judges Dr. Suren Raghavan pointed out the need of an investigative journalistic culture in the country to address the prevailing issues.
He said there is no such culture in the country simply because journalists are afraid for their lives. “We need to address this issue,” he added. Raghavan also suggested setting up a Commission or a regulatory body for journalistic ethics. “This is more important than anything else”, he added.

 Several programs under the National Food Production Program launched

The second phase of ‘Rata Wenuwen Ekata Sitimu’ (Let’s be together) national development program was launched yesterday (08th) targeting Batticaloa District.
In accordance with the instructions and guidance of President Miathripala Sirisena, the Presidential Secretariat commenced the Programme of Ekata Sitimu (Let’s be together) with the aim of monitoring the implementation of national development projects such as Gramashakthi Programe, National Drug Prevention Programme, Protect Children National Programme, National Chronic Kidney Prevention Programme, National Food Production Programme and Environment Protection Programme and special development projects and various programmes implemented by the different Ministries ensure that they are implemented efficiently and productively for the benefit of the public.
This program will also help to identify the public issues already identified by the government institutions and work to solve these issues with maximum efficiency through the state mechanism.
The very first program was held in the Puttlam district recently and it is now planned to implement as the Island wide program at district level.
The second phase of the project will be held until on 12th of April covering all (14) Divisional Secretariats in Batticaloa District.
At the same time, several development programs were implemented under the National Food Production Program in several Divisional Secretariats in the district.
Its first programme was held at Thanthamelai area in the Manmunei Divisional Secretariat where of supplementary food crop seeds were distributed and awareness programs for farmers were also held.
In addition, TOM EJC mango plants, Water pump, peanut seeds were also distributed and awareness program for farmers in Manmulai, Kokkadicholai area were conducted.
The program was organized in Manmunaiiputthu, Kirankulam Central area and the Eravur Pattu, Mawalayaru area at Koralayapattu Central area. Additional seeds were distributed among farmers and held awareness program for farmers as well.

 The 52nd National “Aluth Sahal Mangalya” ceremony, which is one of ancient rituals to offer the inaugural harvest to the triple gems of Buddhism, was held at the historical Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena, yesterday (07).

The event had been organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Services under the guidance of the Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Dr. Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayaka Thera.
A large number of farmers from different parts of the country were present at the traditional ceremony. Blessings were invoked, for the country and the nation, at the event, with the wishes of timely showers, bountiful of harvest and prosperous economy for the country.
It is a traditional customary in Sri Lanka to offer the inaugural harvest of the paddy cultivation, which is also known as the “Buddha Boghaya”, to the Buddha and deities.

 Sri Lanka will be a developed country only if it becomes the hub of the Indian Ocean, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the third meeting of the Asia Europe Political Forum (AEPF) and International Conference of Asian Political Parties 2019, launched in Colombo, yesterday.

“Sri Lanka has a very friendly relationship with other countries in the region. India has been our historical partner, which in fact, extends up to Pakistan and Bangladesh. We have an excellent relationship with Japan since the San Francisco Peace Conference, and we are one of the first countries which recognised the People’s Republic of China. The best example of this friendliness would be our expressway. China, Japan, India and ourselves all together have constructed the expressway in the country,” the Prime Minister said.“We are maintaining these relationships, else Sri Lanka cannot be the hub of the Indian Ocean,” he added.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also highlighted the importance of the Maritime Silk Road initiated by China under the theme, ‘One Belt One Road’.“The Mediterranean sea and the Indian Ocean are the oldest trade routes in the world. We have to remember, a bulk of world transport goes through the Indian Ocean. We are now putting together this system back which was broken by the Western colonial powers,” he said.“Japan and India currently working together on the Asia-Africa growth corridor and India itself are focusing towards the region with their, look West, act East and neighbourhood first policy,” he added.
India is our partner from our history. We share same civilization with Pakistan and Bangladesh. We joined Japan at the San Francisco Conference. Despite the opposition from the United States, Sri Lanka recognized People's Republic of China and first signed a trade agreement. We will maintain this situation. We do not get caught up in someone's competition."
"Many people consider that the Hambantota port is a Chinese military base. I accept that there will be an army camp. But it is a Sri Lanka navy camp. Once installed, a Sri Lankan Rear Admiral will be in control. Any ship from any country can come there. But we control the operations," the Prime Minister added.
Speaking further, the Premier said Sri Lanka can develop only if it becomes the hub of the Indian Ocean and in another twenty years Sri Lanka will become the hub in the Asian market.
The Third meeting of the Asia-Europe Political Forum (AEPF) and the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) will be held in Colombo from 5 to 7 April 2019.Approximately (90) ninety participants representing political parties in Asia and Europe are expected to be in attendance at this International Conference.
The Conference is organized by the Ministry of Primary Industries and Social Empowerment in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister Daya Gamage will be the co-chairman of the conference.The ICAPP, established in 2000, aims to promote mutual understanding between Asian and European countries. Sri Lanka is a functioning state of ICAPP.
The international conference is being held with the objective to promote cooperation among different political parties in order to enhance mutual understanding and confidence among Asian countries, to promote regional co-operation and to create an environment for sustainable peace and prosperity.

 The ‘Budget 2019’ was passed in Parliament yesterday with a majority of 45 votes.Following a division called by the UPFA at the end of Third Reading, it received 119 votes in favour and 74 votes against.The UPFA group divided into two groups during the vote, with MPs associated with Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) led by Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa voting against the Budget together with some SLFP MPs while the rest of the SLFP MPs choosing not to turn up for the vote.

Notably, SLFP MPs Dilan Perera and S.B. Dissanayake voted against.A total of 31 MPs were absent. Notable absentees included MPs UPFA MPs Mahinda Amaraweera, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Mahinda Samarasinghe and Duminda Dissanayake. MPs Dr Wijayadasa Rajapakshe and Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera were also absent.
TNA MPs Sivasakthi Anandan and S. Adeikkalanathan were also absent.The JVP MPs voted against while 13 out of 16 TNA MPs voted in favour. Opposition MP from the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) Muthu Sivalingam voted in favour while CWC Leader Arumugam Thondaman was absent.All parties aligned with the United National Front (UNF) voted in favour of the Budget.
MPs Asoka Priyantha, Ananda Aluthgamage and S. Viyalendran, who recently joined with the UPFA, voted against the Budget. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera moved further amendments to the Budget winding up a month-long budget debate. The Budget 2019 themed ‘Empowering the People and Nurturing the Poor’ was presented by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera on March 5.
The Second Reading of the Budget passed with a majority of 43 votes in Parliament on March 12. After the final vote, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya hosted the traditional dinner party to all MPs at the Speaker’s Residence with about 80 visiting foreign Parliamentarary delegates also participating.
Supplementary Estimates passed without a division
The Supplementary Estimates to provide for the expenditure of Megapolis and Western Development Ministry and Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry were passed in Parliament yesterday without a division.Thirty Supplementary Estimates were moved by Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella subsequent to the final vote of the Budget in place of the defeated Expenditure Heads of the two ministries. The UPFA in a surprise vote defeated the Expenditure Heads of the two ministries on March 28.
The supplementary estimates were presented by suspending the Standing Orders and nobody called for a division. TNA Leader R. Sampanthan said that his party abstained from voting for the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Speaker said that would be noted. Parliament will meet again on May 7.

 The Presidential Media Awards with a view to evaluate the mission carried out by journalists as well as their contribution to the field for establishing an excellent media culture in the country will be held on April 10, 2019 at the BMICH in Colombo under the patronage of the President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe.

The primary objective of organizing this award ceremony on annual basis is to evaluate skills, talents and special capabilities of journalists towards ushering in a media culture with social responsibility.
It is also aimed at encouraging the media in building up a well-informed civil society and to provide state sponsorship for journalists through evaluation of their performance covering the entire mass media field. Further, the identification and evaluation of talents, skills and the core competencies of journalists by Providing guidance and motivation to felicitate professional journalists will be an opportunity for young and energetic journalists to excel in the field of mass media

Applications submitted for awards should be a production of their own preferably sent through heads of the institution but it is also possible to submit it directly with the senders own certification.

Accordingly, only the creative work done within the period between 01.01.2017 and 31.12.2017 were considered for awards. The main criteria considered to be qualified for the awards were that the creative work should be their own and the relevant production must have been prepared as suitable to Sri Lankan viewers/ listeners. No foreign creations were considered.

The main committee was presented with nomination recommended for awarding through sub committees consisted of professionally qualified senior journalists appointed by the Ministry with the recommendations of media heads.
Following the advertisements published in the media on 13 July 2018, 1674 nominations were received within the specified period. It is expected to award to each field from all three languages. The numbers of awards to be given away are 51 covering all categories inclusive of the four life time awards.

In addition to selecting the award winners for their creations, the panel of judges have selected four distinguished media personnel for life time award. They are Dr.Edwin Ariyadasa in the field of Print Media, Mr.Karunarathna Amarasinghe in the field of Radio, Mr.Lucien Bulathsinhala in the field of Television media and Mr.Lakshman Jayawardene for the contribution in the field of web media.

This has been organized by the Ministry of Mass Media under the direction of Minister Ruwan Wijewardane and the supervision of the Secretary Ministry of Mass Media Mr.Sunil Samarweera.