GOSL News

Fifty buses (50) were handed over to the President under the second phase of the project.

A token of another fifty buses (50) were handed over to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat premises today in the morning (05)out of the 500 buses to be provided by the Indian Government to uplift the public transport service in rural areas across the country.

The documents of the buses were handed over to the President by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay.
The President inspected two of the buses after declaring them open by cutting the ribbons.

These buses are provided by the Indian Government as a part of a project which is implemented in parallel to the 75th Independence Day Celebration and its first fleet of 75 busses were handed over to the Sri Lankan Government recently.

Another fleet of 40 buses have been directed to the registration and hence 165 buses have already been provided out of the 500 buses that are to be provided as per the request made by Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena from the Indian Government. The project is to be completed by March 2023.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed to direct these buses to all SLTB bus depots island wide to uplift the public transport service in rural areas across the country.
Minister of Transport and Highways and Minister of Mass Media Bandula Gunawardena, State Minister of Transport Lasantha Alagiyawanna, State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama, MP Rajika Wickramasinghe, MP Muditha Prishanthi, First Secretary of Indian High Commission Irina Thakur, SLTB Chairman, Commissioner General of Motor Traffic, CEO of Lanka Ashok Leyland Umesh Gautam were also present at the occasion.

 (PMD)

The ceremonial tradition was executed at the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, under the guidance of the Commanding Officer of the ship, Captain Indika De Silva.

According of a Gun Salute is considered as a mark of respect and the highest honour of 25-gun salute is only accorded to nothing but the nation. Going by this time-honoured custom, Sri Lanka Navy today executed this military honour from SLNS Gajabahu to coincide with the 75th Independence Day celebrations and this rare occasion was televised/broadcast live through electronic media.

The custom stems from naval tradition in the 14th century, where warships were firing their cannons indicating they were effectively disarmed, to signify the lack of hostile intent towards the opposition. The same gesture has been reciprocated by cannon in coastal fortifications, to indicate the incoming ship that they are defused. It has become a custom over time.

Since the Royal Navy had 7 cannons on their ships early years, the gun salute had been conducted using 7 cannons. In 1948, the Royal Navy had fired a 15- Gun Salute at the Galle Face Green on the first Independence Day. In the following year, it had been executed on board HMCyS ‘Vijaya’ using one cannon. Commencing from 1948, the Navy has uninterruptedly performed this military honour at the Galle Face, on board ships, at Galle Buck Bay and Colombo Lighthouse.

On the 73rd Independence Day (2021), the Sri Lanka Navy honoured the nation by according a 25-gun-salute on board SLNS Samudura and on the 74th Independence Day (2022) on board SLNS Gajabahu.

Traditionally, the main mast of a ship is dressed with maritime signal flags when a Gun Salute honor is presented. Accordingly, to deck out the vessel with flags for this ceremonial occasion, the main mast of SLNS Gajabahu had been dressed with signal flags denoting the phrase ‘25 Gun Salutes for the Nation’.

Bursts of gunfire presented from four 47mm guns fitted onboard SLNS Gajabahu rent the air in the city of Colombo, rekindling the national spirits. Meanwhile, the gunfire party comprised Commanding Officer SLNS Gajabahu Captain Indika De Silva, Executive Officer Commander Sumudu Dissanayake and Gunnery Officer, Lieutenant Commander Milinda Yapa.

SL Navy

The 75th National Independence Day celebration was held under the theme “Namo Namo Mata – A Step towards the Century”, under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena this morning (04) at Galle Face Green.

The event was organized with great pride and dignity ensuring minimal cost and the aim was to showcase the pride and past glory of the Sri Lankan nation to the world.

The Sri Lanka Army clarinet players heralded the arrival of the President with fanfare and he was received on arrival by the Chief of Defence Staff, Tri Forces Commanders and the Inspector General of Police and was escorted to the main flag post.

The day’s events commenced with the President unfurling the National Flag amidst the rhythm of traditional drums (Magul Bera) and the blowing of conch shells.

Thereafter, the President was escorted to the special podium while 105 students recited the National Anthem followed by the reciting of Jaya Mangala Gatha and ‘Devo Vassathu Kalena’ Gatha.

Two minutes of silence was observed to commemorate all Sri Lankans who have sacrificed their lives for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

Thereafter, 21 gun salutes were fired and the three armed forces, the police and the Civil Defence Force coloured the 75th Independence Day celebration parade showcasing Sri Lanka’s sovereignty to the world.

The vehicle carrying the statue of the Lion, symbolizing the strength and magnanimity of the Sri Lankan nation, joined the parade with 100 personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Service Department marching ahead carrying national flags.

The parade also included armoured vehicles of the Tri forces, parades representing regiments and armed forces, including 21 retired officers and 29 disabled officers, followed by the Tri-forces march past and bands.
An air show including Kafir aircraft displaying the Sri Lanka Air Force air power added colour to the event, while Sri Lanka's naval power was also proudly displayed by a Sri Lanka Navy sail past. A colourful parachute show added an element of excitement to the parade.

The Maha Sangha and other religious leaders, First Lady Professor Maithree Wickramasinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers, Governors, Members of Parliament, and foreign delegates including Hon. (Dr) Bimala Rai Paudyal – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Hon. Takei Shunsuke – State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Hon. Jai Bir Rai – Minister of Education and Skills Development of Bhutan, Hon. Abdulla Shahid – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Dr A.K. Abdul Momen – Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Hon. Hina Rabbani Khar – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Hon. V. Muraleedharan – Minister of State for External Affairs of India and Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland – Secretary General, Commonwealth participated in the 75th Independence Celebration.

In addition, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the President, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Defence Secretary and other ministry secretaries, Chief of Defence Staff and Tri-Forces Commanders, Director General of the CSD, security heads, state officials and war heroes were also among those who attended the Independence Parade.

The President's Office strongly rejects the false reports about diplomatic event in Kandy

The President's office has focused its attention on the false information circulating on social media regarding the diplomatic event that was held at the President’s House in Kandy on the 02nd, where 11 newly appointed Ambassadors and 6 High Commissioners presented their credentials to the President.

Certain groups have criticized the police escorting the diplomats under special security, to attend the event.

Several special functions including the programs of the 75th National Independence Day celebration on February 04th were organized in Kandy under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Simultaneously arrangements were made to hold this program at the President’s House in Kandy.

Respecting the tradition of the civilized countries of the world, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations established in 1961, it is the responsibility of any government in power in Sri Lanka to give diplomatic recognition to Ambassadors and High Commissioners when they come to present their credentials.

In such a background, the President's Office strongly rejects the attempts made to spread false information that misleads the public.

President’s Media Division (PMD)

• Envoys of the African Continent commend President’s efforts in maintaining peace in the country

President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged all the nations in the world which are undergoing difficulties to be united in seeking solutions.

Addressing the African Envoys meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (03), President Wickremesinghe explained the new phase of Sri Lanka's foreign policy, adding that Sri Lanka and Africa have been there for each other during times of trouble. Sri Lanka also shares a commonality with many African States in respect of its legal system.

Sri Lanka also maintains significant economic ties with the African region, though there is scope for further growth.

Investment, tourism, and migration flows have also grown in recent decades, though the African Continent remains small in terms of total flows to Sri Lanka.
Foreign Diplomats of the African Continent commended President Wickremesinghe’s efforts in maintaining peace in the country and his commitment to reconnecting and strengthening relations with the African continent.

The Diplomats said that they focused on further strengthening the bilateral relationship by aiming at economic cooperation and investment, expanding tourism in Sri Lanka, and granting South African assistance, guidance and counselling in setting up a credible truth-seeking mechanism to achieve a lasting reconciliation amongst communities. They also look forward to air and maritime connectivity to enhance the relationship with Sri Lanka and ensure continuous engagement.

Speaking further the President said that 75 years ago Sri Lanka gained independence and worked together with India, Pakistan and Burma to ensure the countries that had gained independence during that period were able to make their voices heard. The end result was the Colombo Power Conference attended by these four powers and Indonesia. It was then decided to call the Afro-Asia Conference.

The none-aligned movement gave the African countries a chance to demonstrate that they too have a voice in the affairs of the World.

During the 1980s, the power structures of the world began changing with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, the focus was mainly on Sri Lanka as a result of the war and even after the war, the focus was still on the country due to issues regarding the economy and efforts on reconciliation. That phase is now coming to an end.
President Wickremesinghe appreciated the African countries for all the support given to Sri Lanka in Geneva.

“Now as we see a genuine shift of power from West to East and to Asia and then Africa, that shift of power must continue. As we see that East Asia along with China is emerging, South Asia together with India and Africa will also follow towards the latter part of this century. So we must keep this relationship strengthened to ensure we have a bigger voice.
There are two issues, one is the Ukraine situation which we are refusing to get involved in and the other one is the situation that is building up in Taiwan.

What is happening in the world today is one-sided. Especially in the case of Africa, it needs to get more resources and develop a stronger voice. Sri Lanka supports Africa in this measure. Next is climate change. While billions are being given to the Ukraine war, very much is being pledged for Climate change. So we have to make our voice heard when we go to the UAE and we have to ensure that there is no compromise. My personal view is it should be a take or leave the situation.

In these areas, Sri Lanka’s policy now is to look at the Western Indian Ocean and towards Africa. Sri Lanka has relations with the Middle East, but Africa is what Sri Lanka has to engage in politically, economically, culturally and with some of the other countries, sports-wise. Especially, Sri Lanka needs to open political dialogue with the African Continent.
There are Sri Lankan companies that are willing to invest in Africa and we are encouraging them to connect with African countries. Africa will be important with Trans-African highways. It makes sense for all of us to work together. Therefore, whatever Sri Lanka can do to help, we will,†the President said.