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This was announced by Minister of State for the Commonwealth, UN and South Asia and Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, who visited Sri Lanka on 1-2 October, the UK High Commission said in a statement.

Speaking on his visit, Lord Ahmad said, “I am delighted to announce the launch of a new phase of our Conflict, Stability and Security Fund in Sri Lanka. It will bring more than £10 million of targeted UK programme funding over the next three years. These funds will support peacebuilding and dialogue; resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced communities; and engagement with institutions tasked with protecting the rule of law across the country. I know that many of these issues are close to your hearts, and vital for the future success of Sri Lanka”.

In a programme unfortunately cut short by flight delays, Lord Ahmad met political and religious leaders from across Sri Lanka’s communities.

In his meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena they agreed on the importance of reconciliation, and the need for governments to play an active role in encouraging inter-community dialogue and tackling discrimination.

Lord Ahmad had a wide-ranging meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana to discuss continued strengthening of the bilateral relationship between UK and Sri Lanka.

In his meeting with Leader of the Tamil National Alliance R. Sampanthan, they discussed the shared responsibility of political leaders and communities in ensuring minority concerns and aspirations are heard and addressed.

Freedom of Religion or Belief was a key theme throughout the visit. In his meetings with faith leaders and ministers, Lord Ahmad stressed the importance of religious freedoms and protections for minority groups. He reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to promoting these values, and his firm belief that societies that protect religious freedoms and its minorities are more stable, prosperous and likely to be more resilient against violent extremism.

He met with policymakers and advocates to discuss the role of women in peace-building and issues related to conflict-affected women, including gender-based violence, access to justice and stigma. He met the President of Sri Lanka Unites and Commonwealth Points of Light recipient Prashan de Visser to discuss their work on youth and reconciliation. The Deputy High Commissioner attended the opening of the new Sri Lanka Unites centre in Puttalam.

Lord Ahmad visited the St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, one of the targets of the Easter Sunday attacks, to pay his respects. During the visit, Lord Ahmad also met Sri Lankan business leaders to exchange ideas on opportunities for economic growth and development, and strengthening trade ties between Sri Lanka and UK, it added.

Accordingly, Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya has informed political party representatives about the Commission’s decision when political party representatives had called on him on Wednesday.

Deshapriya has said these offices could not be used for activities aimed at promoting presidential candidates and that all posters and cut-outs put up by the presidential candidates would be removed by October 7 when nominations are accepted.

The Commission has also discussed steps to be taken against the abuse of state resources for election campaign work.

Rajapaksa’s spokesman, MP Dullas Alahapperuma said that Rajapaksa was avoiding the media based on legal advice.

He said that several cases have been filed against Rajapaksa locally and his lawyers have advised him to stay away from the media as a result.

Alahapperuma further noted that Rajapaksa is a media friendly person but is being forced to avoid the media as a result of the court cases.

The MP made these observations during a news briefing held in Colombo yesterday.

“Our government will not sign any agreement which could result in negative impacts to the country,” he said.

He made this statement addressing the United National Party (UNP) convention yesterday (3).

Premadasa noted that government assets will not be sold to any foreign entity. “Joint ventures will be encouraged to help unprofitable state institutions. However we will maintain majority ownership,”

“We need a leader who can take firm decisions. We need a leader with a backbone but who is also sensitive to the needs of the people.” Premadasa pointed out.

The presidential hopeful further pledged that he will devote his entire life to serve the general public.

Premadasa said his government will put a stop to corruption through a rigorous anti corruption programme and nepotism would not be allowed under any circumstances.

United National Front (UNF) presidential candidate Minister Sajith Premadasa says he is prepared to forego his salary and benefits if elected as President in order to address the increasing wealth disparity in the country.

Premadasa made this observation at a press conference held at the official residence of Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday.

“More than 45% of the population lives under a daily wage of Rs. 900. These people earn less than 30,000 a month. The Census and Statistics Department says a minimum of Rs.  55,000 is needed for food and non food expenses to run a family of four,” Premadasa observed.

He further noted that 55% of the national income was distributed among the richest 20% while only 5% of the national Income was distributed among the poorest 20%.

“I will contribute my own salary and benefits for this cause once elected as President,” Premadasa said, adding that his government would introduce target driven measures to eliminate such inequality and improve living standards of the people.

Accordingly, the Palaly Airport will be renamed as Jaffna International Airport, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said.

The Ministry further informed that the Batticaloa Airport will be renamed as the Batticaloa International Airport and the Ratmalana Airport as the Colombo Ratmalana International Airport.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka’s International Airports will increase to five.

The newly-modified Jaffna International Airport is scheduled to be opened on 17 October.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation indicator code (ICAO CODE) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) station code for the above International Airports will be as follows:

Jaffna International airport:
ICAO CODE : VCCJ
IATA station code: JAF

Batticaloa International airport:
ICAO : VCCB

ICAO :VCCC
IATA station : RML

Former Galle Mayor Methsiri de Silva has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court (SC) requesting the gazette notification announcing the November 16 presidential election be suspended.

The petitioner has also requested that the Elections Commission’s decision to call for nominations on October 7 be suspended as well.

The petitioner notes that the term of office of the current President is six years and if it is limited to five years it would have an effect on the sovereignty of the people.

Chairman of the Elections Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya and members of the commission have been cited as respondents.

However, political analysts say that the petition filed before the Supreme Court could be seen as an attempt to delay the date of holding presidential elections since Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa is facing litigation over his eligibility to contest at the election due to doubts over his citizenship.

Rajapaksa has sought approval from the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar to travel to Singapore from October 9-12.

The Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar has imposed an overseas travel ban on Rajapaksa over an ongoing case.

Meanwhile, a writ application filed before the Court of Appeal by two civil society activists are to be taken for consideration today and tomorrow.

Rajapaksa’s maiden election rally is to be held on the 9th in Anuradhapura, which is the same day he has requested to travel overseas.

SLPP member, MP Susil Premajayantha charged that the National Peoples’ Movement (NPM) presidential candidate, Senanayake should be held accountable for the April Easter Sunday attacks.

He made this comment in response to a question posed on the impact Senanayake’s candidacy have on the vote base at the elections.

“Senanayake as Army Commander, cannot rid himself off the responsibility of the loss of lives that occurred due to the devastating Easter Bombings,” Premajayantha said.

Meanwhile, SLPP presidential candidate, Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s spokesman Dullas Alahapperuma explained that during the last election, 17 presidential candidates contested in addition to Maithripala Sirisena and Mahinda Rajapaksa and that the 17 candidates together were only able to secure a total 137,000 votes.

“Mushrooming candidates is a common occurrence during Presidential elections. People know who to vote for. In the coming weeks, people will know which forces control these so called presidential candidates,” he added.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to submit a Vote on Account for the first four months of 2020.

The Vote on Account as opposed to a full budget will be presented as a Presidential election will take place on 16th November 2019.

The Vote on Account will cover state expenditure from 01.01.2020 to 30.04.2020 after which a full budget will be presented by the new government appointed following the presidential election.