The “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Presidential Task Force convened yesterday (13) at the Presidential Secretariat under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, focusing on delays in contracted infrastructure projects following the Ditwah disaster, obstacles to achieving 2026 project targets, and the overall progress of the programme.

During the meeting, it was revealed that Rs. 13,505 million has already been allocated for 50,554 partially damaged houses, while Rs. 11,510 million has been provided for 4,918 fully damaged houses.

Extensive discussions were held on the restoration of highways, railways, bridges, and other damaged infrastructure, as well as measures required to accelerate housing construction, resettlement, and support for families still residing in relief camps.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya instructed officials to visit affected areas to assess current conditions, stressing the importance of restoring daily life for communities swiftly. She emphasized the need for close coordination with line ministry officials to ensure effective implementation.

The Prime Minister also directed Task Force members to hold urgent discussions with Governors, District Coordinating Chairmen, District Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, and line institution officials to expedite ongoing rebuilding projects. (Newswire)

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The “Clean Sri Lanka” Presidential Task Force, chaired by Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, met yesterday (12) at the Presidential Secretariat to review the current progress of the programme and outline future plans.

The meeting placed strong emphasis on the new waste management programme being rolled out through local authorities across the island. 

Members also discussed the establishment of a Project Management Unit within the Presidential Secretariat to coordinate and oversee implementation, while receiving updates on its progress.

Attention was also directed toward transforming selected cities into model cities, alongside initiatives within the Colombo Municipal Council area. 

These include waste management, urban beautification, canal cleaning, sewerage system modernization, and the restoration and maintenance of public parks. 

The need for a dedicated Project Management Unit to supervise these projects was underlined.

Further discussions highlighted the importance of organizing next year’s activities with greater focus on the social and ethical pillars of the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, which form two of its three primary pillars. (Newswire)

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The Presidential Task Force for Rebuilding Sri Lanka convened yesterday (05 Mar) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, during which extensive discussions were held on nationwide recovery and reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah.

The Task Force, established to coordinate relief, rehabilitation, and long-term development, reviewed the progress of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” initiative and foreign assistance received for the dedicated fund. 

Officials confirmed that a comprehensive assessment report on disaster-affected housing and infrastructure is expected by the end of this month.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya stressed the importance of prioritizing displaced individuals in housing programs, warning of potential social issues if families remain in camps for extended periods. 

District Secretaries from affected areas joined via Zoom to present their concerns and proposals.

Among those present were Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Public Administration Dr. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, Minister of Labour and Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Housing Susil Ranasinghe, Deputy Defence Minister Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and senior officials, including Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and Chief of Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi.

The Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to delivering swift relief, restoring essential infrastructure, and ensuring sustainable recovery for communities affected by the cyclone. (Newswire)

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The government has launched several initiatives aimed at improving facilities and services for tourists ahead of the upcoming tourist season.

The Special Task Force appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take urgent measures for the promotion of the tourism industry met for the second time at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (14).

Accordingly, the meeting focused on facilitating visa issuance and streamlining the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) process for tourists.

Discussions were also held on increasing the number of airport counters to minimize congestion upon tourist arrivals and regarding the enhancement of online ticket purchasing options at locations where tourists are required to buy tickets during their visits to tourist attractions. 

Attention was further drawn to addressing the challenges faced by tourists and other stakeholders in the tourism sector.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe, Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, along with key industry leaders, including Chairperson-CEO of John Keells Holdings PLC Krishan Balendra, Vice President – EKHO Hotels and Resorts Nihal Muhandiram and other representatives from the tourism sector, participated in the meeting. (Newswire)

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Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, has instructed officials to investigate not only ragging but also all forms of violence taking place within the university system and other higher education institutions across Sri Lanka.

Speaking during a meeting held today (July 2) at the Ministry of Education, with members of the National Task Force on the Elimination of Ragging and Campus Violence, PM Amarasuriya emphasized the need to develop practical recommendations and initiate immediate action to curb these issues.

She reaffirmed that the task force, appointed for a three-year term, would be empowered with the necessary authority and state backing to examine incidents of violence by both academic and non-academic staff and students, and to take appropriate measures.

Representatives of the task force highlighted several contributing factors to violence in higher education, including a lack of proper relationships between students and staff, toxic student attitudes toward ragging, and the misuse of violence as a means to demand respect or assert authority. They also pointed to the stress created by academic pressure and the power dynamics within faculties.

PM Amarasuriya stressed the need for both short-term and long-term strategies, calling for updated legal frameworks and mechanisms to tackle violence, along with mindset-changing programs. She noted that legal action alone would not suffice and that preventive educational measures must also be adopted.

Also addressing the meeting, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Madhura Senewiratne, underlined the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of students subjected to any form of violence. (Newswire)

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Governor of the Western Province, Hanif Yusuf, has established a task force titled “War on Dengue” to eliminate the Chikungunya and Dengue diseases from the Province.

Secretary to the Ministry of Health of the Western Provincial Council, L.A. Kalukapuarachchi, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Task Force.

A preliminary discussion on an action plan to eradicate the rapidly spreading diseases across Sri Lanka was held, with the participation of the Task Force, at the Western Province Governor’s Office today.

A lengthy discussion was held on mosquito-borne diseases, including Chikungunya and Dengue, and the measures that can be taken to eradicate the diseases. 

Speaking during the meeting, Governor of the Western Province, Hanif Yusoof, said he would take all possible steps in this regard and would provide full support to implement these plans.

The Western Province’s Chief Secretary and Health Ministry Secretary, Secretary to the Ministry of Local Government of the Western Provincial Council, Western Provincial Health Services Director, Colombo Municipal Council officers and Sri Lanka Police officials participated in the discussion. (Newswire)

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A Gazette notification has been issued establishing a Presidential Task Force to implement the government’s ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme.

Accordingly, the Presidential Task Force consists of 18 members, including the President’s Secretary Dr. N. S. Kumanayake and the Commanders of the tri-forces.

The Presidential Task Force is tasked with Planning, guiding, implementing, reviewing the progress, and completing the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme within a given time frame aiming to achieve the objectives of elevating society to a more advanced status through a social, environmental and ethical awakening.

It is also tasked with creating an organisational structure to facilitate the implementation of this programme from the national level to the rural level.

Gazette : http://documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2024/12/2415-59_E.pdf (Newswire)

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Minister of Labour Manusha Nanayakkara has emphasized the need for a comprehensive multi-stakeholder task force to implement programmes aimed at the welfare of workers in Sri Lanka.

According to the Ministry of Labour, the task force is to be formed by combining relevant ministries and the International Labour Organization (ILO). 

Minister Nanayakkara has requested the ILO to conduct a study on the programmes implemented for the welfare of workers by the Ministry of Labour. 

According to the Ministry of Labour, a discussion on the above was held today at the Ministry premises.

It was attended by Imon Brimblecombe, Chief Technical Adviser of the International Labour Organization and Head of the Regional Action Service Unit, and Mariko Ouchi, Senior Social Security Specialist of the ILO, among others.

Minister Nanayakkara during the meeting emphasized the need to establish this task force involving all relevant parties including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Empowerment, and Trade Unions and Employers’ Associations in addition to various departments of his Ministry.

He further emphasized the importance of the ILO acting as an observer and playing a key role in these discussions.

The Ministry has recently taken the necessary steps to implement a comprehensive labour reform programme with the introduction of an unemployment insurance system, maternity benefits, and new methods of providing compensation to workers. (NewsWire)

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The Presidential Secretariat has organized 54 institutions that provide investor facilitation services under seven Task Forces in a bid to create a business-friendly environment in the country.

The President’s Media Division (PMD) stated that the Presidential Secretariat has established the Task Forces to simplify business processes on the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

The aim is to simplify the processes involved, reduce the time taken, and make information readily available to increase efficiency.  Task Forces have been given clear deliverables and have made concrete commitments to deliver them. 

The first review was held on the Task Force on Registering a Business, which focuses on legal reforms and operational improvements to facilitate business entry at the Registrar of Companies. The Task Force has committed to delivering key outputs such as developing a digital signature system, incorporating ultimate beneficiary ownership into the Companies Act, and simplifying existing forms used by the Registrar of Companies (RoC).

The second review focused on the ‘Registering Property’ Task Force, which aims to improve the steps involved in land registration, required certificates, and related payments. The Task Force is composed of seven institutions, including the Surveyor General’s Department, Colombo Municipal Council, Western Province Revenue Department, and Information & Communication Technology Agency. The Task Force is committed to implementing the e-Land System to minimize the time, cost, and procedures involved in dealing with title searches, registering e-deeds, and obtaining building/street line certificates.

The Task Force has decided to initially concentrate on improving the Colombo area and has committed to establishing an online facility for title search and issuing folio extracts, establishing a system for online stamp duty opinions, developing a system to facilitate deed registration, preparing the Cadastral Plan and web publishing, and digitizing scanned old survey plans. The land parcel-based information web service for the Western Province has already been launched.

The Task Force has given its commitment to deliver outputs such as an online system for a title search at the Colombo Land Registry, an automated stamp duty calculation system at the Western Province Revenue Department, and an automated system for deed registration at the Colombo Land Registry by the end of 2023. 

The PMD added that the Ministry of Technology will address inter-agency connectivity and digitalization issues to facilitate the Task Force in meeting its targets. (NewsWire)

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