(-Colombo, December 05, 2024-) Digital economy expected to generate USD 15 billion in revenue within the next five years – President highlights these goals upon assuming duties as Minister of Digital Economy President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the need for the support of all professionals to digitize the country and actively participate in the process, […]
(-Colombo, December 05, 2024-)
Digital economy expected to generate USD 15 billion in revenue within the next five years
– President highlights these goals upon assuming duties as Minister of Digital Economy
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the need for the support of all professionals to digitize the country and actively participate in the process, at a time when the expectations of the political establishment and digital technologists are aligned.
He further assured that he would firmly stand by this vision at any time.
The President shared these remarks while addressing officials of the Ministry of Digital Economic Affairs after assuming duties as the Minister of Digital Economic Affairs today (05).
Highlighting the benefits of digitalization, the President stated that it has the potential to enhance the efficiency of economic activities and elevate the country’s economy to greater heights.
The President highlighted that the government’s primary objectives are poverty eradication, transforming social attitudes, and advancing digitalization.
The President emphasized that a country’s development cannot be achieved solely by constructing buildings. Reflecting on the past, he recalled the existence of a dedicated construction ministry two decades ago and noted that currently, construction activities are being undertaken by every ministry.
He revealed that during discussions with the Ministry of Education authorities and university chancellors last year, no attention was given to education reforms, with the focus remaining solely on building construction.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also highlighted that despite the Ministry of Labor possessing two large buildings, there has been no reduction in public queues, stressing that digitalization is essential to address such issues effectively.
The Ministry has outlined a plan to generate an income of USD 15 billion within the next five years through the digital economy.
Efforts will also be directed towards increasing the digital workforce to 200,000 and digitizing the entire country within the same timeframe.
Engineer Eranga Weeraratne assumed duties as the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy during this occasion.
Secretary attended the event to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Senior Advisor to the President on Digital Affairs Hans Wijayasuriya, who is also the Chairman of ICTA, along with a group of officials.
(-Colombo, November 26, 2024-) This afternoon (26) at JVP headquarters in Pelawatta, Battaramulla, Australian High Commissioner Paul Stephens and JVP General Secretary Tilwin Silva met. Australian Deputy Commissioner Lalita Kapoor, Second Secretary of the Australian High Commission Matthew Lord and Research and Information Officer Trivan Annakkarage were present at the event. Views were exchanged on […]
(-Colombo, November 26, 2024-)
This afternoon (26) at JVP headquarters in Pelawatta, Battaramulla, Australian High Commissioner Paul Stephens and JVP General Secretary Tilwin Silva met.
Australian Deputy Commissioner Lalita Kapoor, Second Secretary of the Australian High Commission Matthew Lord and Research and Information Officer Trivan Annakkarage were present at the event.
Views were exchanged on the current economic, social and political situation in the country.
(-Colombo, November 25, 2024-) A group of Chinese government representatives including the Deputy Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Ambassador met with the JVP leaders at the JVP headquarters yesterday (24) afternoon. JVP General Secretary Comrade Tilvin Silva and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation […]
(-Colombo, November 25, 2024-)
A group of Chinese government representatives including the Deputy Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Ambassador met with the JVP leaders at the JVP headquarters yesterday (24) afternoon. JVP General Secretary Comrade Tilvin Silva and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Comrade Bimal Ratnayake participated in the event.
Attention was drawn to the long-standing political friendship between the Communist Party of China and the JVP and the future work of the government.
Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation also met with the Secretary of the National People’s Power, Specialist Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe, and a group of National People’s Power MPs elected to the government.
(-Colombo, November 18, 2024-) The government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to advance Sri Lanka’s economic recovery within the context of the mandate. Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer and the IMF delegation met with President Dissanayake and key ministers of the newly-formed government at […]
(-Colombo, November 18, 2024-)
The government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to advance Sri Lanka’s economic recovery within the context of the mandate. Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer and the IMF delegation met with President Dissanayake and key ministers of the newly-formed government at the Presidential Secretariat today (18), to discuss the next steps in the IMF program.
The IMF team congratulated the President and his government on their decisive electoral victory, expressing optimism about the collaboration. President Dissanayake, in turn, underscored his administration’s responsibility to uphold the people’s mandate, emphasizing that the success of the IMF program hinges on rebuilding public trust in governance.
Highlighting his government’s commitment to addressing the pressing needs of the people, President Dissanayake urged the IMF to maintain a balanced approach that considers the hardships faced by citizens. He assured that under his leadership, social spending allocations would be utilized effectively, with priority given to combating child poverty and malnutrition and providing better support for differently abled individuals.
The IMF delegation noted that allocations for social spending under the previous administration had not been fully utilized, prompting President Dissanayake to pledge proactive measures to ensure efficient allocation and utilization of resources.
Governance and anti-corruption were also central to the discussions. The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to the fight against corruption, a key component of the mandate granted by the people. He assured the IMF team that his government would implement stringent laws to enhance the legislative and institutional structures to uphold transparency and accountability.
The meeting marked a positive step forward in the collaboration between the government and the IMF, laying the groundwork for a coordinated effort toward economic recovery and long-term stability.
(-Colombo, November 18, 2024-) The Cabinet Comprises 21 Members The new cabinet of the National People’s Power (NPP) government was sworn in today (18) before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat. The cabinet comprises 21 ministers, with President Dissanayake assuming responsibility for the portfolios of Defence, Finance, Planning, and Digital Economy. Dr. Harini […]
(-Colombo, November 18, 2024-)
The Cabinet Comprises 21 Members
The new cabinet of the National People’s Power (NPP) government was sworn in today (18) before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.
The cabinet comprises 21 ministers, with President Dissanayake assuming responsibility for the portfolios of Defence, Finance, Planning, and Digital Economy.
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya took the oath as the Prime Minister, and the list of cabinet ministers is as follows:
01 President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Minister of Defence
Minister of Finance
Planning and Digital Economy
02 Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education
03 Mr. Vijitha Herath Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
04 Prof. Chandana Abeyratne Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, Local Government
05 Attorney Harshana Nanayakkara Minister of Justice, and National Integration
06 Ms. Sarojani Savithri Paulraj Minister of Women and Child Affairs
07 Mr. K.D. Lalkantha Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock and Irrigation
08 Mr. Anura Karunathilake Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing
09 Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekar Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
10 Prof. Upali Pannilage Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment
11 Mr. Sunil Handunneththi Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development
12 Mr. Ananda Wijepala Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs
13 Mr. Bimal Rathnayake Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation
14 Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
15 Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa Minister of Health and Media
16 Mr. Samantha Vidyarathna Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure
17 Mr. Sunil Kumara Gamage Minister Youth Affairs and Sports
18 Mr. Wasantha Samarasingha Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development
19 Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena Minister of Science and Technology
20 Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando Minister of Labour
21 Eng. Kumara Jayakody Minister of Energy
22 Dr. Dhammika Patabandi Minister of Environment
Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President also attended the swearing-in ceremony.
(-Colombo, November 15, 2024-)
(-Colombo, November 15, 2024-)
