The new stretch from Matara-Godagama to Hambantota-Barawakumbuka of the southern expressway, E01, was declared open by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

This 56-Kilometer long extension, 30 kilo meters from Godagama to Beliatta and 26 kilo meters from Beliatta to Barawakumbuka has been built at a cost of Rs.169 billion.

With the opening of the new stretch, the southern expressway becomes the first such road in the in South Asia, which directly connects two international airports and two international ports.

Godagama (Matara) – Mattala (Hambantota) full extension of the SEW is 96 kilometers long and will be built at a cost of Rs. 225 billion. This comprises with eight inter-changes namely Godagama, Aparekka, Beliatta, Kahagalla, Angunakolapelessa, Wetiya, Sooriyawewa and Andarawewa.

The Sooriyawewa exit has been built targeting the vehicles reaching the Sooriyawewa International Cricket Stadium.

This also comprises with 14 bridges and several under and over passes. One such over pass of 700 meters will be helpful to the wild animals in the Aparekka, Dandeniya reserve to cross the road without harm.

The President and the Prime Minister opened the new phase at the Godagama-Palatuwa entrance and left for Barawakumbura through the expressway after ceremonially purchasing the first and the second tickets at the toll gate respectively.

MP Namal Rajapaksa drove the vehicle travelled by the President and Minister of Roads and Highways Johnston Fernando drove the vehicle travelled by the Prime Minister to Barawakumbuka. Both President and the Prime Minister waved to the crowds flocking at the Aparekka and Beliatta entrances and also received blessings by the Maha Sangha there.

Construction of this new extension of the SEW was to end on April 11 this year according to the contract but, it was finished 50 days prior to the agreed day.

Belluna Co. Japan and Asia Capital PLC, the developers of 447 Luna Tower recently met with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo, for a discussion which was focused on the current Sri Lankan market and economy.

The Japanese delegation informed the Prime Minister of Japan’s optimistic approach to further invest in to the country.

Belluna Co. has already invested over USD 220 million into Sri Lanka and currently envisaged up to USD 450 million.

The Prime Minister reassured the delegationof the government’s fullest support with the current and future investments, which further strengthened Belluna’s confidence in the local market and in the Sri Lankan economy.

In addition, Belluna Co. Japan and Asia Capital PLC have also invested and acquired a prime block of land in the heart of Colombo for yet another mixed development project which will be announced in the near future.

The meeting was coordinated through the Senior Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister, Nivard Cabraal with Belluna Co and Asia Capital PLC officials.

These large investments highlight the commitment of both companies to its current projects in the local market and confidence of its potential growth for the future.

The current government has further strengthened Japan’s interest in Sri Lanka, and Asia Capital PLC plans to bring in a further substantial amount of foreign direct investments to the country.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says his aim is to eradicate poverty with the creation of a people-centric economy.

The President made these remarks addressing the 22nd National Conference of the All Ceylon Samurdhi Development, Agricultural Research and Production Assistants Union held at the Temple Tress, today (20). The Conference was organized under the theme ‘A people’s era where Samurdhi and agricultural rights are guaranteed’.

During this event, permanent appointments were given to 176 Samurdhi and Agricultural Officers. These appointments were granted under the programme to hand over permanent appointments to newly recruited Samurdhi Officers during the last five years.

The objective of the government is to raise income levels to create an environment where people from all strata of society could live happily. As part of this programme, the government plans to recruit 100,000 unskilled and low educated individuals from low income families. The assistance of the Samurdhi and Agricultural Research Officers are needed in selecting them, the President said.

‘The number of our public servants is 1.5 million. Public money is spent to ensure their rights and privileges. If the Treasury receives state revenue in a proper manner, the government can guarantee privileges and rights of all sectors. As a government we are ready to ensure all the rights of public servants. Public servants in turn should fulfill their respective responsibilities towards the country,” the President further stressed.

It is the responsibility of the public officials to facilitate the endeavours that are being undertaken to make the lives of the general public convenient.  President Rajapaksa requested the state officials to apply their wisdom directly to state administration services and suggested them to submit practical proposals in order to promote living standards of the people as well as the economic growth.

“Absence of a second or a follow-up generation in agricultural sector is an issue. Lack of infrastructure development, non-existence of an appropriate market, market monopoly and mismanagement of the existing infrastructure facilities lead to this crisis. It is essential to address these issues immediately and promote agriculture among the younger generations.” President added.

President Rajapaksa explained that several rules and restrictions have adversely affecting the general public. President stated that it is the responsibility of the state officials to relax these rigid laws and restrictions and to make their lives more convenient.

“The incumbent government will not use unwise decisions or faults of our predecessors as an excuse. We are ready to overcome those challenges left over by the former government. For this purpose government needs the support of all state officials” President Rajapaksa noted.

Ministry Secretaries Mr. S. Mahanama  and Mr. Ashoka Alawatta, Samurdhi Director-General and the General Secretary of Samurdhi Association, Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi and members of the All Ceylon Samurdhi Development, Agricultural Research and Production Assistants Union were present for this event.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stressed that no room will be left for separatism, terrorism and religious extremism to raise its head again.

He said the country will never be affected by separatism, terrorism and religious extremism which brought havoc to the country.

The President was speaking while inaugurating the national programme to renovate 100,000 kilometres of rural and alternative roads at Galaha, Kandy yesterday. With the programme launch under the theme “Route to Prosperity” (Saubhagyaye Mawatha) the construction of a road from Peradeniya to Rikillagaskada via Galaha was jointly launched by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Galaha, Kandy yesterday.

The construction of this road is a long felt need of the people as this road has not been renovated for three decades.

The President said the project, which renovates 100,000 kilometres of rural and alternative roads countrywide, is a fulfillment of a proposal in the election manifesto at the last Presidential election. The Government will fulfill all the pledges made in the election manifesto.”

The President said that the best, experienced and capable people have been appointed to key positions regarding national security, since the government believes that the protection of national security as a must.

“Utmost priority is being given to national security,” the President added.

Speaking on the productivity of the state service, the President noted that the Government has been strengthening the state service in order to provide an effective service to the nation.

“State officers can work impartially and take impartial decisions,” the President said.

“The people asked for a secure country during the Presidential election. Therefore, this Government is duty bound to work on strengthening national security of the county. There will be no compromise with regard to national security which is given utmost priority,” he highlighted.

President Rajapaksa said that massive development projects were initiated during the period between 2005 to 2015.

Speaking on achieving economic prosperity, the President said that unemployed graduates will be absorbed into the government service by March 1.

President Rajapaksa said the former government had failed to carry out a single investment proposal after 2015.

The President speaking on the moves to strengthen the rule of law said that unlike the former government, this government will never interfere with the judicial system. During the previous regime,FCID, CID and Justice Ministry officials etc.were advised on cases before courts by the politicians. He pointed out the need for the judicial system to function in an impartial and productive manner.

Even though the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) says that a person accused of a crime is deemed innocent until proven guilty according to law, this principle does not seem to apply to Sri Lanka’s Army Commander or even to his family members, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

The Prime Minister issuing a statement yesterday, strongly criticized the US decision to impose a travel ban on Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva and his family members based on unfounded allegations.

He also stressed that his Government had decided to withdraw from the process of co-sponsorship in relation to Resolution 30/1.

The full statement of Prime Minister Rajapaksa: “The United States of America has prohibited the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva or members of his family from entering that country. Even though we are now in the 21st Century, even members of his family who have not been accused of any wrongdoing, have been subjected to a collective punishment reminiscent of the practice in medieval Europe. The people should be the judge of how fair this is. Even though this collective punishment has been meted out on the grounds that the Army Commander had committed violations of human rights, no one knows what these allegations are.

“From the discussion that has taken place with regard to the collective punishment imposed on the Army Commander and his family, it becomes clear that the political divide in this country is between the patriotic camp which puts the country first, on the one hand, and born traitors who are waiting for the first opportunity to betray the country, on the other hand,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said the contribution by the Honganji Foundation led by the Most Ven. Ohtani Chohjun towards strengthening the relations between Sri Lanka and Japan over the decades has been monumental.

The Prime Minister was attending the ceremony of awarding the Great

The Honganji Foundation Cultural Promotion Foundation of Japan has a long history. It has contributed immensely to improve the socio-economic and cultural ties of the Buddhist community worldwide.

Whilst emphasizing that Japan and Sri Lanka have stood by each other during difficult times, President Mahinda Rajapaksa thanked the Honganji Foundation for opening a Japanese gallery at the New International Buddhist Museum in Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister also added that the most Ven. Ohtani Chohjun is the cousin brother of the previous Emperor of Japan and is an elite academic of the University of Tokyo and the University of Sorbonne in

The most Ven. Ohtani Chohjun was recognised for his contributions in developing interconnections between the Mahayana Buddhism and the Theravada Buddhism.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri, Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena, Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando, State Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Nimal Lanza, Dullas Alahapperuma and Thilanga Sumathipala along with MPs parliament staff and many invitees participated.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stated that his resolution is to transform Sri Lanka as the most favourable country for investments.

The President addressing a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat with officials attached to the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife yesterday morning, declared that Sri Lanka needs to form a legal framework that would safeguard the environment and lead to the development of the country simultaneously, the President Media Division issuing a communiqué said.

President Rajapaksa advised all institutions to cooperate with each other in order to amend the acts, rules and regulations that would address the needs of the present day.

President Rajapaksa added that it was the responsibility of all the state officials to preserve the environment and propose convenient procedures and methodologies for the general public.

The President instructed the officials to be efficient in the issuance of licenses which in return would motivate both local and foreign entrepreneurs and investors.

President Rajapaksa reflected that license sought several years ago for aqua parks in the Northern Province had not been approved even for today.

The President stated that the implementation of those aqua parks would create employment opportunities for many and assist in promoting reconciliation among communities.

The President emphasized the importance of establishing laws which would equally preserve the environment and promote the living standards of the people.

The Japanese Government will ensure that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s scheduled visit to Japan will be successful and productive, assured Japanese Ambassador Akira Sugiyama.

He met with President Rajapaksa yesterday afternoon (17) at the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s Media Division in a communiqué said.

President Rajapaksa would be participating at the global conference “The future of Asia”, which is to be held in Tokyo from May 28-29.

This two-day event where government leaders, business executives and academics from the Asia Pacific region share their visions for a better region is an annual event since 1995.

In the past, this conference had largely focused on North-East Asia and South-East Asia. President Rajapaksa would be one of the first leaders from the South Asia to bring a fresh insight to this conference.

The projects that are in the pipeline such as the digitalizing of National Television, the Colombo Port East Terminal and the proposed LNG projects were also discussed.