President Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to depart the island tomorrow morning (23) for an official visit to Singapore and Japan.

While in Singapore, he will meet with Mr. K. Shanmugam, the Law and Home Affairs Minister, along with high-ranking diplomats.

The President’s visit to Japan, scheduled from May 24 to 27, will include discussions with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional and international matters.

Additionally, meetings are planned with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Finance Minister Shun’ichi Suzuki, and Digital Transformation Minister Taro Kono.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will also address the Nikkei Forum’s 28th Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 25 and 26.

This international conference convenes leaders to discuss political, economic, and regional issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

The President will engage with the Japan-Sri Lanka Business Cooperation Council, the Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association and the Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce in Japan.

It is worth noting that this is President Wickremesinghe’s second visit to Japan during his current tenure, following his attendance at the funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in September 2022.

The visit aims to strengthen cooperation and foster friendly relations between the two countries.

The President will be accompanied by Professor Maithree Wickramasinghe, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Senior Advisor to the President on Economic Affairs Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, the President’s Director of International Affairs Mr Dinuk Colombage, and the President’s Private Secretary Ms Sandra Perera.

(President’s Media Division)

In a backdrop where the government is trying to bring an Act to regulate social media including YouTube and Facebook, certain elements’ usage of social media for purely commercial purposes is actually pushing towards the introduction of such measures, Professional Web Journalists’ Association (PWJA) President Freddy Gamage said.

He expressed these views following an inquiry made by ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ over allegations that there is an increase in profane content on social media platforms.

Further commenting on the issue, Mr. Gamage said that his Association foresaw that this situation would arise.

“Accordingly, we prepared a code of ethics for those who are engaged in online news and presented it to the highest authorities in the country back then,” he said.

Mr. Gamage added that a video released by one Sathish Nadesan through the YouTube channel ‘Colombo Comedy Central’ under the title ‘Tiger’ has come under heavy criticism over his use of language.

He further noted that leading local companies such as CBL (Munchee) and Singer should be ashamed for trying to get publicity through this questionable video.

The video is shown below : 

Meanwhile, it was recently said during a meeting with newspaper editors and electronic media news directors at the Presidential Secretariat that the President is considering the idea of introducing an Act similar to the Telecommunications and Social Media Act of Singapore.

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that intelligence agencies have reported that there is a possible threat to his life.

The minister said this in response to a question raised by journalists while attending a special news briefing held at the Ministry today.

“I have received an intelligence report stating that there may be threats to my life. Though there are such threats, I have accepted this position to continue the work needed to be done. While I am in this position, I have to eliminate underworld activities and drug trafficking. Even if there were threats, I will not take a step back. I will take another step forward instead,” he said.