The Ambassador for Republic of Italy in Sri Lanka Rita Giuliana Mannella called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (02).

The Ambassador conveying her and her government’s congratulations to the President on his assumption to the high office said that her government expects to work in wider cooperation with Sri Lanka moving ahead with a new vision.

She expressed her confidence that Sri Lanka will forge ahead swiftly in every spheres including economic and social under the President and pledged her country’s fullest cooperation to make this plan a success.

A delegation of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Sri Lanka headed by its Ambassador Trine Jøranli Eskedal was also met President Rajapaksa today.

The delegation extended good wishes of the Government of Norway and pledged their country’s fullest support to the President.

Additional USD 50 million to combat terrorism
Agreed to release all Indian fishing boats detained in Sri Lanka
Indian PM pledges fullest support to make ”Saubhagyaye Dekma” policy framework of the new President, a reality

The Government of Sri Lanka has taken serious note of the alleged criminal incident concerning a locally recruited staff member of the Embassy of Switzerland in Colombo, on Monday 25 November 2019.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who left the country in the afternoon for a two day state visit to India reached New Delhi yesterday evening (28).

Twenty new Secretaries to the Ministries have been appointed last evening (27). Their letters of appointment were handed over by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat.

The swearing-in ceremony of State Ministers & Deputy Ministers of the new government was held this morning (27). The ceremony, presided by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, is taking place at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

The Election Commission along with its Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya met with the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in the request of the support from the Parliament in legislating Media guidelines in order to ensure the conduct of Elections independent and just.

The US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s Office 22th Noember.

The new Cabinet of Ministers were sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat, today (22).

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been sworn-in as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, before newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The event, graced by many other distinguished guests, is taking place at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

New Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will shortly assume duties in his new post.Former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who officially stepped down this morning, were also present on the occasion.
Earlier today, former Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe stepped down from his position and tendered his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.Meanwhile the interim Cabinet of Ministers, which was scheduled to be appointed today, has been put off until tomorrow (22), political sources said.

Mahinda Rajapaksa had served as Opposition Leader of Sri Lanka until his appointment as the new Premier today.This is the third time Mahinda Rajapaksa is taking office as the Premier. He had been appointed Prime Minister after the UPFA had gained a slim majority at the Parliamentary Elections of 2004.He had briefly served as Prime Minister again, for a period of just 52 days, during the time of the constitutional crisis in the country in October last year.Two brothers are holding the top positions in the government for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka.

Six new Governors were sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, said the President’s Media Division.

Dr. Seetha Arambepola (Western Province), Lalith U. Gamage (Central Province ) , Raja Collure (Uva Province), Dr. Willie Gamage (Southern Province), A.J.M. Muzammil (North-Western Province), Tikiri Kobbekaduwa (Sabaragamuwa Province), were thus appointed.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has arrived in Kandy this morning, to pay homage to the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.This marks the first time that President Rajapaksa has visited the Kandy area since he assumed the presidency.

The President is scheduled to visit chief prelates of Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters after paying homage to the Temple of the Tooth Relic.Subsequently, Rajapaksa is set to visit the Chief Prelate of the Ramanna Chapter, Most Ven. Napane Pemasiri Thera at the Vidyasagara Pirivena, Hurukaduwa, Menikhinna.The President will later call on Ven. Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Thera of Gatambe.