RANIL MEETS VIETNAM COUNTERPART

Vietnam – Sri Lanka Presidents meet

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong expressed Vietnam’s willingness to serve as a bridge for enhancing relations between Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka.

He emphasized that Vietnam is committed to taking the initiative in strengthening economic, social and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in bilateral talks with President Vo Van Thuong during the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) international forum in Beijing today (18).

During the meeting, President Vo Van Thuong underlined this commitment in strengthening ties between the two countries. The discussions between the leaders covered various critical issues impacting both nations.

To bolster the relationship between Sri Lanka and Vietnam, it was agreed to formulate a comprehensive action plan, with the foreign ministers of both countries taking the lead.

Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank, provided insights into Sri Lanka’s current economic situation and future prospects. The Vietnamese President also shared Vietnam’s experiences in rebuilding its own economy and the challenges encountered during the process.

The leaders engaged in extensive discussions on establishing economic and trade links between the two nations, as well as Sri Lanka’s agricultural modernization program. This dialogue was underscored as a fresh approach to charting a path forward together.

The event was attended by Foreign Minister Mr Ali Sabry, the President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and President’s Chief of Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayaka and the Sri Lankan delegation.

NEWS

Urban population surpasses 44%

A recent survey conducted by the National Physical Planning Department has revealed that the urban population of Sri Lanka has increased to 44.57%.

According to this survey, out of the 12,773 Grama Niladhari (GN) Divisions in 276 Divisional Secretariat divisions, 3,025 GN Divisions have been identified as urban areas which is 23.68%.

Colombo has been named as the district with the highest percentage of urban population in the country which is 96.74%.

The urban population in Gampaha District is 76.76% and in Jaffna district 67.28%.

The lowest percentage of urban population is recorded in Mullaitivu District which is 2.84%.

The urbanization of the country was recorded as 18.2% according to the last survey conducted in 2012 regarding urbanization.

Urbanization of an area is measured based on several criteria.

Among them are criteria such as population, population density, number of supermarkets, clothing stores, filling stations, banks, private schools and private hospitals within 10 km, number of flats within a GN Division, percentage of houses provided on rent and lease basis and how many people are employed in the non-agricultural sector.

The purpose of this survey conducted by the National Physical Planning Department is to identify the urban areas in Sri Lanka and to systematically indicate the appropriate criteria for it.

The Cabinet had also appointed an advisory committee chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing to provide advice for this survey.

According to this survey, the two local councils of Homagama and Kolonnawa in Colombo District and all the local councils in Gampaha District have been rapidly urbanized, Director General of the Department Gamini Hewage said.

He also said that many areas in the other districts are also being rapidly urbanized.

This survey report is to be submitted to the Cabinet after getting approval from the President and all district committees.

NEWS

Uddhika was shot at by MSD officers?

Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (18) to send the pistols of the two police officers deployed to provide security to MP Uddika Premaratne to the Government Analyst to ascertain whether they fired shots at the MP.

The Chief Magistrate issued this order taking into consideration a further report submitted by the CID.

Submitting the report to the Court, the CID said that a comprehensive investigation has been launched regarding this shooting incident. The CID informed the Court that no suspect has yet been identified as being involved in the shooting incident.

The CID told the Court that it is necessary to send the two pistols issued to the two Police officers assigned to protect the MP for the investigation regarding this incident to the Government Analyst and to call for a report.

Accordingly, the CID requested that the relevant side arms (the two pistols) be sent to the Government Analyst to carry out an investigation and issue an order for the relevant investigation report to be submitted in court.

NEWS

INS ‘Iravat’ arrives in Colombo

Indian Navy Ship Airavat, Shardul-class Landing Ship Tank (LST) arrived in Colombo today (18).

The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.

INS ‘Iravat’ is a 124.8m long, Landing Ship Tank – Large (LST – L) vessel manned by a crew of 170 and the ship is commanded by Commander Rindu Babu. The Commanding Officer of the ship called on Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Saman Perera at the Western Naval Command Headquarters this morning.

During the ship’s stay, the crew members will conduct several training programmes in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Navy and are also expected to visit some of the tourist attractions in the country. Meanwhile, the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 19th October.

(navy.lk)