The current economic and global crises have become the biggest challenge faced by us Sri Lankans in our recent history. We should overcome this challenge with unity and better understanding. The difficulties you experienced in the face of the challenge are many. The government is taking measures to secure the normal life of the people from the current complex situation by properly understanding these challenges.

Welcoming the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year with fresh aspirations has been our much valued practice since ancient times. This time too we celebrate the dawn of the New Year with the same expectations and fresh hopes.

The genuine right of the New Year belongs to our children. I’m aware that you are sensitive about preserving this traditional spirit for the children.

I recall the sacrifices made by you, especially by the persons who are engaged in special duties, who have lost the opportunity to join their children to experience the New Year festivities as well as Sri Lankans living abroad.

I wish you all a happy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year, in which we’ll overcome present challenges.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and K. M. M. Siriwardena as the new Finance Secretary.

The President’s Media Division announced that both have received their letters of appointment from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday (7) evening.

The president Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed a team of eminent economic and fiscal experts as Members of the Presidential Advisory Group on Multilateral Engagement and Debt Sustainability on Wednesday (6).

The Members of the Advisory Group are ; Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Former Governor, Central Bank and Former Director, Economic Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Prof.Shantha Devarajan, Professor of the Pracitice of Development, Georgetown University and Former Chief Economist, World Bank and Dr Sharmini Coorey, Former Director, Institute of capacity Development of the IMF Institute, and Former Deputy Director, Africa Department, IMF.

The Presidential Advisory Group will undertake discussions with relevant Sri Lankan institutions and officials engaging with the IMF, to provide guidance that will address the present debt crisis and lead towards sustainable and inclusive recovery for Sri Lanka.

The G.C.E A/L practical exams started from today as per the schedule, Commissioner General of Examinations, L. M. D. Dharmasena said.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday (04) invited all political parties representing parliament to accept ministerial portfolios and “come together to find solutions to the ongoing national crisis.”

“Considering this as a national need, the time has come to work together for the sake of all citizens and future generations. The President invites all political parties representing in the Parliament to come together to accept ministerial portfolios in order to find solutions to this national crisis,” a statement from the president’s office said.

An extremist group was behind yesterday's unrest near President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence in Mirihana, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

It has been revealed that a group of organized extremists were protesting near the Jubilee Post in Nugegoda, suddenly became riotous and turned violent, the PMD said in a statement.

Many of those involved in the incident have been arrested and many have been found to have been organized extremists, they said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh hold discussions on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris held discussions with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen MP, on the sidelines of the 5th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit held in Colombo under the Chairmanship of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on 30 March, 2022.

Among the matters discussed were the progress with regard to a Preferential Trade Agreement, cooperation in the field of higher education, synergies in respect of the apparel industry in the two countries, greater connectivity and integration between the ports of Colombo and Chittagong, and collaboration in international trade.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Thailand hold discussions on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris held discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Thailand Don Pramudwinai, on the sidelines of the 5th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit held in Colombo on 30 March, 2022 under the Chairmanship of the President of Sri Lanka Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The Ministers discussed practical modalities of cooperation over a wide range of areas including support for activities connected with Theravada Buddhism and the Buddha Sasana, travel of pilgrims, support for the gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka, collaboration in the field of tourism, innovative methods of paddy cultivation and inland fisheries and the development of the small and medium sector industries.

President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa chaired the 5th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Colombo on 30 March, 2022 in virtual mode.

The Summit was attended virtually by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bhutan Dr. Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba and the Prime Minister of Thailand General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Rtd.). The Foreign Minister of Myanmar Wunna Maung Lwin representing the government of Myanmar also joined the Summit virtually.

Opening the Summit, the President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa stated that since it’s founding in 1997, BIMSTEC has grown into an important platform for countries in this region to support each other by sharing their experiences, strengths and expertise. He stated that this is especially important given that the region’s geo-strategic importance, economic strength and the size of its populace, which accounts for over one fifth of the world’s population. He further stated that enhanced cooperation between member states will be necessary not only for economic recovery, but also for greater economic prosperity, better public health, and improved regional resilience in the long term. Alluding to the theme of the Summit, 'BIMSTEC: Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy Peoples,' the President stated that these aspirations are well reflected in the theme chosen for this Summit and that through collective actions of the leaders of the region, BIMSTEC will gear towards meaningful intra-regional cooperation.

The Summit, taking a significant step towards consolidating the grouping, adopted the BIMSTEC Charter today in Colombo. On this occasion, President Rajapaksa observed that the signing of the BIMSTEC Charter would be a significant step towards increasing the organisation’s role, not just within the region, but also as a driving force from Asia in global affairs.

The President of Sri Lanka highlighted the importance of trade and investments within the BIMSTEC region given its strategic location at the center of the Indian Ocean and also highlighted that the resources in the Bay of Bengal should be preserved and managed equally. He called for collectively establishing mechanisms to prevent unregulated, unreported and illegal fishing practices as well as overfishing, which threatens livelihoods in coastal communities.

All the seven leaders at the Summit emphasized the need to accelerate BIMSTEC’s agenda on trade and investment and the need to ensure that private sector and start-ups of the BIMSTEC countries work closer. Adopting the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity, the leaders reiterated the implementation of projects on maritime, transport cooperation and road connectivity.

The leaders also witnessed the signing ceremony of three legal instruments during the BIMSTEC Summit. Representing Sri Lanka, Minister of Justice Ali Sabry signed the BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matter, while the Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation between Diplomatic Academies/Training Institutions of BIMSTEC Member States was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris.

Minister of Communications and Informatics Johnny G. Plate and Sri Lankan Minister of Mass Media and Information Dullas Alahapperuma discussed efforts to tackle the infodemic and cooperation opportunities in the media sector. "The meeting with the Sri Lankan Minister of Mass Media and Information has discussed the government's effort in tacking misinformation and disinformation," Minister noted on Tuesday.

The 5^th BIMSTEC summit starts today in Colombo. The Senior Officials and the Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Thailand will arrive in Sri Lanka for the BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and Ministerial Meeting scheduled to be held on the 28 and 29 March, 2022 respectively while the Foreign Minister of Myanmar will participate virtually.

The President of Sri Lanka will chair the 5th BIMSTEC Summit on 30 March, 2022 with the virtual participation of leaders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Thailand. Myanmar will be represented by the Foreign Minister of Myanmar at the Summit.

During the Summit and preceding meetings, the delegates will discuss the progress of the BIMSTEC as a regional group. The Summit is also expected to adopt the BIMSTEC charter and sign several legal agreements.

Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana (CIAR) commenced International Regional Flight Operations after five decades. Parallel to the commencement of flight operations, the New Taxiway and Overlaid Apron was opened at the CIAR to facilitate smooth flight operations.

Island Aviation Services Limited, wholly-owned by the Government of the Maldives and the Maldivian National Airlines commenced international regional flight operations between its main hub at Velana International Airport (VIA)and CIAR.

The inaugural flight from VIA to CIAR, DHB 300, 50-seater aircraft touched ground at 9.00 a.m. today (27) and was welcomed by a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival followed by an inaugural ceremony to welcome dignitaries and guests.

Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa, State Minister of Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Sri Lanka Omar Abdul Razzak, State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development, D.V. Chanaka, Major General (Rtd.) G.A. Chandrasiri, Chairman AASL, Board of Directors and senior officials of Airport Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, and officials of Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) were present on there.

CAASL implemented an aggressive strategy to utilise its resources effectively to contribute to the development of the aviation industry in Sri Lanka. As a result of pursuing the opportunities, AASL was able to re-commence regional flight operations to the Maldives, connecting Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana after a period of 50 years. Initially, the airline will operate scheduled flights, (Dash-8 aircraft with 50 seats) between Sri Lanka and the Maldives (Colombo) three times a week and the frequency will be increased to five from May 2022.

The Schedule flights are Q2 944 MLE 0600 RML 0840 on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, while Q2 945 RML 0940 MLE 1120 also on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

CIAR was the first international airport in Sri Lanka, established in 1935. CIAR is managed and operated by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL).