Archive for September 30th, 2008
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Train accident in Ganemulla, One dead
The Kandy bound intercity express train and a slow train plying from Colombo to Polgahawela have collided in Ganemulla this afternoon, sources said.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
Fort explosion: 3 injured
A female and two male persons were confirmed injured in today’s explosion in the Colombo Fort and they have been admitted to the National hospital for treatment, hospital sources confirmed.Investiations into the incident are being carried out by the Police.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
Sri Lanka on course to achieve MDGs by 2015
Participating on behalf of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the interactive Round Table discussions segment of the high level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) held on the fringes of the UN General Assembly sessions in New York last Saturday (27),Speaking further, he emphasized that sustainable development should be viewed in the context of the people, as governments represent the people, and therefore, imposition of economic sanctions ought to be avoided as it is only the citizens of that country who would suffer the adverse consequences. The Minister, while associating himself with the sentiments that were expressed by the President of East Timor, who spoke earlier, urged the removal of sanctions on Cuba as a vital step for the betterment of its people. He stated that it is imperative to seek people-centric development to ensure that the people are the real beneficiaries of development programmes.
Referring to the economic strategies of the Sri Lanka Government, Minister Bogollagama pointed out that free education had resulted in a 94% literacy rate and similarly, free health services have resulted in an average life expectancy of 74 years. Further, he referred to the fact that there are no major diseases in Sri Lanka and that malaria as an epidemic has been eradicated.
Later, on the same day, making an intervention at the meeting of G11 Foreign Ministers in New York, Foreign Minister Bogollagama called for Lower Middle Income countries such as Sri Lanka to work closely with other countries in this grouping to address developmental challenges and vulnerability to external turbulence in the global markets. He observed that such action was imperative as this segment of countries is increasingly being marginalized on global platforms.
The Minister informed the Group that the Cabinet of Ministers in Sri Lanka had approved Sri Lanka becoming a signatory to the G11 Framework Agreement on Economic, Trade and Cultural Cooperation. He also welcomed the decision to hold a G11 Business Forum on the sidelines of the G11 Summit in May 2009. He envisaged that this Forum would be able to bring together, representatives of the private sector in the G11 countries to promote connectivity through the exchange of business delegations.
Minister Bogollagama also commended the Jordanian King’s initiative in establishing contacts with the G8. He emphasized that this dialogue should be focused on specific issues such as food security, transfer of technology, alternative sources of energy and other areas of primary interest to G11 members. He also proposed that this interaction between the G11 and the G8 be held annually. As the G11 is still in its formative stages, it was agreed that members should work closely to forge links that would be mutually beneficial at an economic level. The G11 agreed to re-convene in May 2009 at the Dead Sea in Jordan.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
Sri Lanka seeks early return of democracy in Fiji
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama emphasized the need for a time bound approach to facilitate Fiji’s return to democratic rule, while addressing the 30th meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) held in New York last Saturday (27).The Minister pointed out that while the initiative of a “President’s Forum” to facilitate political dialogue for electoral reforms was a positive initiative, the envisaged role had been stymied due to a number of disagreements among the stakeholders. He said that the issues are not insurmountable, but needed the sincere political will to this end.
Minister Bogollagama said that the role being performed by the Pacific Island Forum is important in bringing about a democratic solution to the question of governance in Fiji. He stated that Sri Lanka supports the continued regional and international efforts to achieve legitimate constitutional rule in Fiji and requested the Commonwealth Secretary General to continue his engagement in this endeavour. The CMAG decided to meet in early 2009 to review the progress and consider further measures if necessary, consistent with the Millbrook Plan of Action.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama also met with the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, David Miliband on the sidelines of the CMAG meeting. He elaborated Mr. Mliliband of the current political developments in Sri Lanka.
The Minister recalled the meeting between Lord Mark Malloch Brown, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province during his recent visit to Sri Lanka. He explained that the strategy which was followed in the Eastern Province is being replicated in the North and that military engagement was necessary to eradicate terrorism from that region, in order to create the necessary ground conditions for the establishment of democratic institutions.
The Minister also took the opportunity to refer to Sri Lanka’s application for the extension of the EU GSP + facility. He pointed out that having successfully overcome the challenge of terrorism and re-established democracy in the Eastern Province, the empowerment of the people is a major priority for the Government. Therefore, obstacles which hinder Sri Lanka’s market access to the EU would only serve to hurt the people. In this context, he hoped that the EU would consider this aspect when examining Sri Lanka’s application for the extension of the EU GSP + facility.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
