President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says by 2028, the government will have laid the foundation for a stable and self-reliant Sri Lankan economy, one capable of meeting its external debt obligations independently.

The President emphasised that true sovereignty cannot exist amidst economic collapse, reaffirming that the government’s ultimate goal is to restore national sovereignty through economic stability and self-reliance. 

President Dissanayake further called upon all public officials and citizens to actively contribute to this national effort, highlighting that the ongoing reform process requires a collective and sustained commitment from everyone.

The President made the remarks today while delivering the keynote address at the international conference “Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery: Debt and Governance” in Colombo.

This landmark conference was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). (Newswire)

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Opposition MPs who participated in the All-Party Conference convened by the government today expressed support for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s efforts to address the reciprocal tariffs imposed on Sri Lanka by the United States.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva described the discussions with the government and other opposition members as productive. Speaking to the media, he said there was consensus on responding to the challenges of the US tariffs. “The President respected our views and we had a very productive discussion,” he said. 

Posting on X, de Silva said there was a “common agreement that while we do everything to strengthen trade with [the] world [the] immediate issue is to arrive at a ‘HS Code based bilateral trade deal’ with the US.” He also underscored the urgency of resuming talks on the Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement (ETCA) with India.

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said his party raised concerns over the potential loss of the European Union’s GSP Plus trade concession, which could affect Sri Lanka’s apparel sector. He also highlighted the need to address both import and export tariffs, particularly the CESS, which he claimed benefits a select group of businessmen.

However, Rasamanickam noted that ITAK did not agree with the contents of a letter presented to the President by MP Dilith Jayaweera’s party.

SJB MP S. M. Marikkar said there were no significant differences between the government’s proposals and those of the opposition. “It appears that we are in agreement on certain things like investments, markets, and free trade agreements,” he said.

The All-Party Conference, chaired by President Dissanayake, was held at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss the US-imposed tariffs on Sri Lankan exports.

Previously, Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, revealed the meeting was organized following a request by 12 opposition party leaders to meet with the President to address the issue.

The administration of US President Donald Trump recently imposed a 44% reciprocal tariff on Sri Lankan goods, effective April 9, 2025, as part of Trump’s revised trade policy.

On Wednesday night, Trump announced a 90-day pause on the new tariffs for affected countries but escalated trade tensions with China by imposing a 125% levy on Chinese exports to the US. (Newswire)

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Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, has announced that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will convene an all-party meeting this week to discuss the recently imposed US tariffs. 

In a statement on ‘X’, Minister Rathnayake said the President will meet all party leaders at the Presidential Secretariat tomorrow, 10 April 2025.

“The discussion will focus on the impact of unusual US Tariffs on our exports. Today morning, 12 opposition party leaders requested to meet the president to discuss the issue,” he added. 

The Donald Trump-led US Government recently imposed reciprocal tariffs on several countries, including Sri Lanka. 

A 44% tariff was imposed on Sri Lankan goods by the United States under President Donald Trump’s revised trade policy, effective from 09 April 2025.

The move, described by the U.S. as a reciprocal measure in response to what it claims are Sri Lanka’s 88% trade barriers on American goods, places Sri Lanka among the countries facing the highest tariff rates globally. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reportedly invited all opposition party leaders for an all-party conference to discuss the US tariff issue and its impact on Sri Lanka.

An opposition MP told Newswire that the President has convened the meeting for tomorrow at the Presidential Secretariat.

The move follows requests from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several other opposition MPs, urging the President to hold a discussion on the matter.

However, there has been no official communication from the President’s Office regarding the meeting so far. (Newswire)

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A conference titled ‘Riding the Indian Wave: World’s Fifth Largest Economy on Sri Lanka’s Shores’ was held in Colombo on Thursday (27 Mar), exploring how Sri Lanka can strategically leverage its proximity and connectivity to India. 

This conference was hosted by Verite Research with the support of the High Commission of India in Colombo and Hayleys Advantis.

According to the Indian High Commission, the day-long conference in its three sessions explored how Sri Lanka can strategically leverage its proximity and connectivity to India, an emerging global economic powerhouse, to enhance exports, attract investments, and drive sustainable economic recovery.

Setting the stage, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, delivered the welcome remarks highlighting how India’s multi-sectoral advancements can contribute to regional prosperity. He underlined the ‘India Opportunity’ for Sri Lanka, particularly in areas of technology, logistics and skill development.

This was followed by the keynote address by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, who emphasised the special bonds between India and Sri Lanka as a unique strength for Sri Lanka to ride the wave of India’s emergence. Proposing Joint Ventures as the way forward, he identified entrepreneurs and innovators to be leading this shared pathway.

The hybrid conference saw over a hundred participants, including senior policymakers, industry leaders, economic experts, members of think-tanks and the media community from Sri Lanka and India.  

The conference is another initiative by the High Commission of India to encourage and promote conversations at Track 1.5 and Track 2 levels in order to further enrich the canvass of the India-Sri Lanka partnership, engage community on both sides in formulating the future roadmap and enhance mutual trust and goodwill between the people of the two countries. (Newswire)

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The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka proudly announces the return of its premier National HR Conference, NHRC 2024, set to take place on June 5th and 6th at the Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.

Themed “Navigating the HR Horizon,” NHRC-2024 aims to tackle the pressing challenges and opportunities that are reshaping the future of Human Resources, particularly in the wake of the unprecedented convergence of pandemic aftershocks, economic turbulence, and evolving employee expectations.

Mr Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM Sri Lanka, emphasized the importance of staying ahead in this dynamic realm to create workplaces that meet the evolving needs of employees and organizations. He highlighted the significance of the NHRC-2024 as a platform for HR professionals to assess and maximize their impact on their organization’s future. With an expected participation of 1200 from corporates, paid sector organizations, other industries, and foreign participants, NHRC 2024 promises to be a transformative event. Air Vice Marshal Manoaj Keppetipola, Chairman of the NHRC 2024 Conference, will elucidate the theme and rationale behind the selection of speakers and topics during the conference briefing.

NHRC 2024 is honoured to feature Mr Nick Jonsson as its Keynote Speaker. Mr Jonsson brings a wealth of expertise in business networking, mental health advocacy, and personal development, garnered through his role as the co-founder of Executives’ Global Network (EGN), spanning across Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. His impactful contributions are evident through his best-selling book, “Executive Loneliness,” and his recognition as a LinkedIn Top Voice in 2023. As an accomplished Executive, Life Coach, and Ironman athlete, Mr. Jonsson is committed to excellence and mental well-being. His insights promise to enlighten and inspire attendees, positioning him as a leading figure in fostering resilience and wellbeing in today’s dynamic professional landscape.

NHRC 2024 will feature Technical Sessions led by industry luminaries, including Dr Tanvi Gautam, Dr Rohan Fernando, Ms Thilanka Abeywardena, Mr Damitha Jayasinghe, M D Howard Nicholas, Prof Sarath Kotagama, Mr Jehan Perinpanayagam, Dr Romesh Ranawana, Ms Amanthi Perera, Mr Hiran Cooray, Ms Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Mr Isuru Gunasekera, Ms Bani Chandrasena, Dr Sweta Adatia, and Ms Zahara Ansary. These sessions will offer practical insights and strategies to enhance participants’ skills and elevate strategic thinking in their organizations.

This year’s conference will focus on four key areas under the theme “Navigating the HR Horizon:” integrating generative AI (GenAI) in HR management, promoting employee wellbeing, enhancing employee engagement for sustainability, and responsible leadership in sustainability. Central to the discussions is incorporating generative AI (GenAI) within HR management, showcasing its potential to transform HR processes. GenAI’s capabilities in content creation, data analysis, and talent trend identification promise to streamline operations and offer valuable insights. Another focal point is employee wellbeing, highlighting HR’s pivotal role in fostering healthy work habits and providing mental health support, especially in the digital age. The conference also underscores the significance of employee engagement for a sustainable future, advocating for a people-centric management approach and the integration of principles from Green Human Resource Management (GHRM). Lastly, the conference explores the imperative of responsible leadership in sustainability, stressing adaptability, proactiveness, and resilience in today’s ever-evolving landscape.

NHRC 2024 will also host the National HR Exhibition, inviting participants to explore the latest HR innovations and the Great HR Debate, offering a platform for stimulating intellectual discourse. Additionally, the event will feature the presentation of the Lifetime Gold Award to a distinguished HR leader.

Registration for NHRC 2024 is now open, with early bird discounts available until May 10th. For more information on registration, sponsorship opportunities, and event details, please visit cipmlk.org or contact Dilan at 0716 450 613. Registration fees for non-members of the public are set at LKR 25,000/-. CIPM members can avail themselves of a discounted rate of LKR 21,500/-, while CIPM students are offered an even lower rate at LKR 19,000/-. Foreign participants are welcome to join at a USD 250/-registration fee.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our Strategic Partners, Sitrek Group and Nippon Paint Lanka Pvt Ltd, Official Partners Wijeya Newspapers, David Pieris Leisure (Pvt) Ltd, British Council, Asiri Health and Monarch Imperial, and Co-Sponsors HNB and Colombo Stock Exchange.

At the media briefing scheduled for May 7th, Mr Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and Mr A V M Manoaj Keppetipola, Chairman of NHRC Committee 2024, jointly unveiled the NHRC 2024 Website, symbolizing the commencement of this impactful event.

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