President meets King Charles III after Queen’s funeral

 tOKYO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong in Tokyo on Tuesday (27), and said that his priority was to bring into effect the Free Trade Agreement with Singapore.During the discussions President Wickremesinghe informed the Singaporean Prime Minister that an international trade office was being established in the President’s office.Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong welcomed the news, and stated that Singapore was looking forward to investing in Sri Lanka once again.President Wickremesinghe invited the Singaporean Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka next year when the country celebrates its 75th Independence Anniversary.

Tokyo (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in Tokyo on Tuesday (27).During the meeting, Foreign Minister Hayashi welcomed Sri Lanka’s progress with the IMF and expressed his country’s willingness to take a leading role in Sri Lanka’s creditor talks.President Wickremesinghe expressed regret over the breakdown of relations between Japan and Sri Lanka following the cancellation of several investment projects by the former Government. The President stressed that he was keen to restart those projects.The President also indicated that the Government was interested in Japan investing in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy projects.Japan Foreign Minister Hayashi explained that Japan had increased its commitment to renewable energy and would be willing to explore future investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.The Foreign Minister also explained that Japan would begin the skilled worker examinations in January 2023 for Sri Lankan migrant workers.The President appreciated the support extended by Japan on the international stage and expressed the Government’s willingness to support both Japan’s and India’s campaign to become permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Ambassador Cindy Hensley McCain, the United States Permanent Representative to the UN Agencies in Rome met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday (25) and had a productive discussion.US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung also joined the meeting.Discussions were carried out considering the ongoing economic hardships on Sri Lankans, as well as exploring the many ways the United States of America & Sri Lanka are working together to meet urgent humanitarian needs.United States Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome Ambassador Cindy McCain will visit Sri Lanka until September 28th to highlight U.S. food assistance programs in Sri Lanka and reinforce the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued instructions to resume the program of awarding scholarships through the President’s Fund to students who have passed the G.C.E O/L examination and are qualified to follow the G.C.E A/L.Accordingly, it has been decided to award scholarships to 2,970 students from the 99 Educational Zones. It has been decided to select 30 qualified scholarship winners from each of the 99 education zonal offices of the island.The selected scholarship winners are expected to be offered a bursary of Rs.5,000/- per month for a maximum period of 24 months until they appear for the G.C.E A/L) examination.Once this year’s G.C.E.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to leave the island early tomorrow morning (26) on an official visit to Japan and the Philippines.During his two-day official visit to Japan, the President will participate in the funeral ceremony of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, and will hold bilateral discussions with the Japanese Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Finance Minister during this tour.Thereafter, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to leave for the Philippines to preside over the meeting of the Governors of the Asian Development Bank.During his visit to the Philippines, President Wickremesinghe will hold discussions with the President of the Philippines Bongbong Marcos and the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Masatsugu Asakawa.The President is scheduled to return to the island upon completion of his official tour on the 30th of September.Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayake, Director of International Affairs Dinuk Colomboge, Director of Media Shanuka Karunaratne, Director of Sustainable Development Randula Abeyweera and Private Secretary to the President Sandra Perera will accompany the President on his official tour.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka is due to meet on Monday (26) to discuss the gazette notification issued designating several areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.Several parties, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) have already expressed concern in this regard, in relation to its legitimacy.On Friday (23), Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared multiple areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued instructions to resume the program of awarding scholarships through the President’s Fund to students who have passed the G.C.E O/L examination and have become qualified to follow the G.C.E A/L examination.Accordingly, it has been decided to award scholarships to 2,970 students from the 99 Educational Zones. It has also been decided to select 30 qualified scholarship winners from each of the 99 education zonal offices of the island.The selected scholarship winners are expected to be offered a bursary of Rs.5,000/- per month for a maximum period of 24 months until they appear for the G.C.E A/L) examination.Once the results of this year’s G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) exam is released and the G.C.E Advanced Level classes commence, applications for scholarships will be called through newspaper advertisements.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) says that it is gravely concerned with regard to the Gazette published by President Ranil Wickremesinghe designating several areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.The CPA points out that a close examination of the Official Secrets Act No.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his gratitude to the Venerable Maha Sangha for their contribution on conserving electricity at religious shrines and the precedent it sets for society.The President said this in a special letter today (23) addressed to the Maha Nayaka Theras’ of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Amarapuraand Ramanya Chapters about the difficulties faced by religious institutions due to the electricity tariff revision.In his letter, the President has said that the electricity crisis has arisen as a direct result of the country’s snowballing economic crisis over the last few years, and that he sees it as the responsibility of the government led by him to resolve all these issues in a systematic manner for the benefit of the people and the entire religious community of the country.By 2022, 42,950 Buddhist temples and other registered religious and social services in the country are connected to the country’s main power grid. In 2021, 91 million units of electricity (91 Gwh) have been provided.Under the current system of electricity charges, the Electricity Board has charged Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) emphasizes that the section 2 of the Official Secrets Act enables to declare any land, building, ship, or aircraft as a prohibited place, and does not empower the Minister to declare large areas as High Security Zones.On Friday (23), Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared multiple areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.  Accordingly, unless the prior written permission of the Inspector General of Police or Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Western Province is obtained, no person shall conduct or hold a public gathering or procession whatsoever on a road, ground, shore or other open area situated within the High Security Zones.The BASL states that it is deeply concerned with regard to the e declaration of certain areas in Colombo as High Security Zones, and whether the purported order of the President also seeks to create offences under the said order which are not found in the Principal Act.The statement reads; " It is also of utmost concern that the purported order imposes stringent provisions in respect of bail by stating that a person taken into custody in connection with an offence under the said orders shall not be granted bail except by a High Court.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared multiple areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.The details in the extraordinary gazette are as follows:Parliament ComplexOn the NORTH by :- From Polduwa Junction to the Speaker's Residence, Kumbukgaha Duwa Road, Rajamalwatta Road, Jayanthipura Junction, Jayanthipura Road and Parliament Road including Diyawanna Lake.On the EAST by :- From Jayanthipura Junction to Outer Vehicle Park of the Parliament (Alcatraz Park), Parliament Ground, Keangnam Junction, Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Road, Pahalawela Road to Kimbulawala Junction including Diyawanna Lake.On the SOUTH by :- From Kimbulawala Junction to Pin Niyara Junction of Thalawathugoda Road, Area up to Pin Niyara including Sudarshana Mawatha, Daham Mawatha, Gamage Mawatha, Eeyam Poruwa Temple Road, Byroads and MP’s Quarters – Madiwela, Pita Wella Road at the back of MP’s Quarters including Diyawanna Lake.On the WEST by :- From Pin Niyara Junction to Beddagana Junction of Thalawathugoda Road, Polduwa Junction including Diyawanna Lake along Beddagana Road, Polduwa Road, Wehera Kanda Road, Beddagana, Nippon Road Supreme Court Complex, High Court Complex- Colombo, Magistrate Court Complex- Colombo and Attorney General’s DepartmentOn the NORTH by :- From Dam Street, Aluthkade Street to Belmont StreetOn the EAST by :- From Belmont Street to Adhikarana Mawatha Junction along Sanchi Arachchi Gardens RoadOn the SOUTH by :- Parcel Roundabout, Sanchi Arachchi Gardens RoadOn the WEST by :- St.Sebastian Hill Street, Mihindu Mawatha, St.Sebastian StreetPresidential Secretariat, President's House, Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters and Police HeadquartersOn the NORTH by :- From NSA Roundabout to Police Headquaters

Queens reign signified transformation from Ceylon to Sri Lanka – PresidentCOLOMBO (News 1st) – As Queen of Ceylon, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's reign signified the transformation of our country from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a Condolence Vote in Parliament on Friday (23)."The great political upheaval started under her. The 1956 election victory, the emergence of the ethnic issue, the coming of the free education generation, the state control of the economy, two coup d’etat against the government and the start of the armed uprisings in the South," he added.Full Speech by the President:“Amongst all the letters of congratulations I received on becoming the president, the one that was sent by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was special.

Queens reign signified transformation from Ceylon to Sri Lanka – PresidentCOLOMBO (News 1st) – As Queen of Ceylon, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's reign signified the transformation of our country from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a Condolence Vote in Parliament on Friday (23)."The great political upheaval started under her. The 1956 election victory, the emergence of the ethnic issue, the coming of the free education generation, the state control of the economy, two coup d’etat against the government and the start of the armed uprisings in the South," he added.Full Speech by the President:“Amongst all the letters of congratulations I received on becoming the president, the one that was sent by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was special.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II has put a renewed focus on the future of the Commonwealth, with some experts predicting more realms — particularly those in the Caribbean — will hasten to sever their ties with the monarchy.Although there are 56 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, only the United Kingdom and 14 other nations share the British monarch as their head of state, including Canada. That number has been dwindling since the organization was first formed in 1926, and experts say it will continue to do so regardless of who sits on the throne.“I think (the queen’s death) may simplify the discussion, but it doesn’t change the fact that this has been an ongoing process of nations becoming more independent over time,” said Francine McKenzie, a professor of history at Western University in London, Ont.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's proposal for Debt Restructuring will be discussed online on Friday (23).Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena told News 1st that all creditor nations will join the discussion, and the plan is to provide them a better understanding on Sri Lanka's Debt Restructuring process.Sri Lanka will be represented by the Finace Ministry Officials and personnel from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.On Thursday (22) foreign diplomats in Sri Lanka assured President Ranil Wickremesinghe of their support to get the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Sri Lanka to recover from the economic crisis, said the President's Media Division.They made this assurance on Thursday (22) at the Ambassadors’ Forum on Debt Restructuring and IMF Program held at the President’s Office chaired by the President.Ambassadors from 23 countries, both members and non-members of Paris Club participated at the Forum.The foreign ambassadors expressed their confidence that Sri Lanka would be able to get out of this situation.President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that it was the government’s expectation to overcome the economic challenge that the country is facing and assured that all possible measures would be taken in the endeavour.Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana explained the progress of the discussions held with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the current economic situation in Sri Lanka.President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that it was a challenge the country had to face to ensure a better future for the next generation.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The foreign diplomats in Sri Lanka have assured President Ranil Wickremesinghe of their support to get the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Sri Lanka to recover from the economic crisis, said the President's Media Division.They made this assurance on Thursday (22) at the Ambassadors’ Forum on Debt Restructuring and IMF Program held at the President’s Office chaired by the President.Ambassadors from 23 countries, both members and non-members of Paris Club participated at the Forum.The foreign ambassadors expressed their confidence that Sri Lanka would be able to get out of this situation.President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that it was the government’s expectation to overcome the economic challenge that the country is facing and assured that all possible measures would be taken in the endeavour.Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana explained the progress of the discussions held with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the current economic situation in Sri Lanka.President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that it was a challenge the country had to face to ensure a better future for the next generation.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers are yet to be briefed on the IMF Staff-Level Agreeement that was reached with official recently, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the Speaker.The Speaker said the President has noted that though an agreement was reached between the IMF Staff and Sri Lankan Officials, it has to be approved by the Executive Board of the IMF."Before that discussions need to happen with the other creditor countries, and their reports also need to be added and until such time it will not be decided by anybody," the Speaker informed the house."So, before that there will a cabinet briefing once the President receives all the details. The opposition, the Speaker, interested parties will be invited for that briefing.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Rt. Patricia Scotland QC yesterday (20), during his visit to the United Kingdom (UK) to attend the State Funeral Service of the Late HM Queen Elizabeth II.They discussed Sri Lanka’s engagement with the Commonwealth Secretariat and matters of mutual interest.President Wickremesinghe also attended a reception hosted by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs the Rt.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Agriculture says that a bundle of urea fertilizer will be sold for Rs.10,000/- in the Maha season as well as in the Yala season.The Ministry said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe approved the request made by Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.Also, 50kg of Urea fertilizer will be sold at Rs.15,000/- for tea cultivation and maize cultivation.Arrangements have been made to provide Bandi fertilizer apart from Urea fertilizer.In the meantime, Minster Amanraweera has also advised that after the paddy cultivation of the Yala season is completed, districts such as Ampara, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, and Monaragala should immediately provide the fertilizer needed for the Maha season.The paddy cultivation activities of the Maha Season in the above districts are to commence at the beginning of October.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Bonnie Horbach as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka based in Colombo. She presented credentials to president Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the Presidential Secretariat recently.COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka appointed Khalid Hamoud Nasser Aldasam Alkahtani as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka based in Colombo. He has presented credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, recently at the Presidential Secretariat.Sri Lanka’s relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia go back several centuries. People-to-People contact between the two countries has flourished since ancient times.Readers from Arabia visited and transited  Sri Lanka as Sri Lanka was the center of the maritime route between the east and the west.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – It’s not a secret that we are all broke as a country, and we have to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, said Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a meeting with the Sri Lankan Diaspora.President Ranil Wickremesinghe who visited the United Kingdom to attend the funeral ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II had met with the Sri Lankan Diaspora in Britain on Monday (19) afternoon." We have already started discussions with the IMF and staff level agreement is there. We have to talk to India, China and Japan and to the private creditors.

(From L to R): Britain's King Charles III, Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Camilla, Queen Consort, Sir Timothy Laurence, Mr Peter Phillips, Sophie, The United Kingdom’s first family is notoriously private and may seem mysterious to some, but the death of Queen Elizabeth II has once again thrust the royal family’s scrutinized dynamic into the public eye. Immediate members are taking part in the days-long ceremonial traditions of laying a monarch to rest. Here is a look at the key faces and players in the royal family:Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, became king immediately following the death of his mother. His coronation is still being planned and has yet to be announced. Meanwhile, the 73-year-old monarch has been under intense media scrutiny and has taken a grueling schedule.

Great Britain and the world said goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II on Monday during the state funeral for the 96-year-old British monarch.

LONDON - Britain and the world said a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II at a state funeral Monday that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers — and crowds that massed along the streets of London to honor a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age.A day packed with funeral events in London and Windsor began early when the doors of 900-year-old Westminster Hall were closed to mourners after hundreds of thousands had filed in front of her flag-draped coffin. Many had waited for hours in line, including through cold nights, to pay their respects in an outpouring of collective grief and respect."I felt like I had to come and pay my final respects to our majestic queen.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, passed away at Balmoral aged 96 on the 8th of September, after reigning for a period of 70 yearsAfter days of lying in state, the body of the late Queen Elizabeth II has begun its final journey as a part of the grand state funeral.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who travelled to Westminster to attend the funeral, paid his respects on Sunday (18).Since it opened last Wednesday, hundreds of thousands of people have gone to pay their respects to the late monarch – with many standing for more than 10 hours in a queue that stretched across central London.Today, the Lying-in-State will end and the Coffin will be taken in Procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey, where the State Funeral Service will take place.Following the State Funeral, the Coffin will travel in Procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. From Wellington Arch, the Coffin will travel to Windsor and once there, the State Hearse will travel in Procession to St.

Canada’s governor general says she believes King Charles III is committed to working on reconciliation between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples as he takes over as monarch from his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

LONDON - The world is preparing to say its last goodbyes to Queen Elizabeth II as her state funeral is set for Monday.Events surrounding Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral on Monday cap 10 days of national mourning and are expected to be watched by hundreds of thousands of people packed onto the streets of London and millions around the world. The late monarch died Sept. 8 at 96 years old.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Several ministries which were under the purview of President Ranil Wickremesinghe have been assigned to five acting Ministers.The relevant ministries have been reassigned for the period during which the President will remain away from the island for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.Accordingly, Pramita Bandara Tennakoon has been appointed as Acting Minister of Defense, Ranjith Siambalapitiya as Acting Minister of Finance, and Geeta Kumarasinghe as Acting Minister of Women and Children Affairs.Moreover, Kanaka Herath will  function as the Acting Minister of Technology while Dilum Amunugama will be functioning as the Acting Minister of Investment Promotion.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stopped to view Queen Elizabeth‘s casket ahead of a meeting with King Charles III in London.

King Charles found out about his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II’s failing health just a few minutes before the public became aware, according to reports. Appearing on True Royalty TV’s The Royal Beat, Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent Jack Royston revealed how the King was told the horrible news at his Scottish home of Dumfries House with his wife, now the Queen Consort, Camilla. Camilla had been preparing to be interviewed by Jenna Bush Hager, the daughter of former US President George W.

the British monarchy, a new poll suggests — despite nearly equal support both for and against preserving those ties.The Ipsos poll, conducted exclusively for Global News just days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, found support for a referendum on the future of the monarchy has gone up since last year, from 53 per cent in 2021 to 58 per cent today.“(Canadians) would like to have their say,” said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs.Whether support continues to grow for holding a vote on the issue will likely depend on “the performance of King Charles III and what people feel about him after we get out of this period of mourning” for the queen, Bricker added. Canada ‘came of age’ under Queen Elizabeth II, Trudeau says as MPs offer tributes Ipsos interviewed over 1,000 Canadians online earlier this week for the survey.The results suggest King Charles has a lot to prove with the Canadian public.While 82 per cent of respondents said they approve of Queen Elizabeth’s performance as monarch, just 56 per cent agree Charles will do a good job in her place.

King Charles III, just like his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, is keeping his given name despite the historical baggage associated with it.Charles Philip Arthur George, who acceded to the throne Thursday after the death of his mother, could have chosen another name to be used during his reign. King Charles III’s name loaded with history But his decision to retain his birth name comes as no surprise, royal observers and historians say.“He’s quite comfortable in his own skin, his own name and his own identity,” said Keith Roy, a spokesperson for the Monarchist League of Canada.“His own reputation is strong enough that he can maintain his name,” he told Global News.As the longest-serving heir to the British throne, Charles has been in the public eye for as long as he’s been alive, so a name change at this point in his life would’ve been “quite jarring” according to Roy.The last time a British monarch changed their name was in 1936, when Queen Elizabeth II’s father, who was born Albert Frederick Arthur George and called Bertie by friends and family, chose King George VI as his title to honour the memory of his father, King George V.

LONDON - Queen Elizabeth II's coffin will leave Buckingham Palace for the last time Wednesday as it is taken amid somber pageantry on a horse-drawn gun carriage past crowds of mourners to the Houses of Parliament, where the late monarch will lie in state for four days.Crowds began massing early along the flag-lined road outside the palace for the procession from the monarch's official London residence to the historic Westminster Hall at Parliament. King Charles III, Prince William, Prince Harry, and other members of the royal family will walk behind the coffin.Thousands of people are gathering on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace and along the banks of the River Thames hours before the coffin procession begins.

Queen Elizabeth II.Premier Doug Ford said Ontario will mark Sept. 19 — the day of the Queen’s funeral in London — “as a provincial day of mourning in lieu of a provincial holiday.”“The people of Ontario may observe a moment of silence at 1 p.m.

BELFAST, Northern Ireland - Cheering crowds greeted King Charles III on Tuesday in Northern Ireland on his tour of the four parts of the United Kingdom, where the visit drew a rare moment of unity from politicians in a region with a contested British and Irish identity that is deeply divided over the monarchy.Hundreds of people lined the street leading to Hillsborough Castle near Belfast, the royal family’s official residence in Northern Ireland, in the latest outpouring of affection following Queen Elizabeth II's death on Sept. 8.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II is sure to send shockwaves through the economies of both the United Kingdom and Canada as experts say the brand value of the British royal family is at risk with the loss of its longest-reigning monarch.

Canada will have a “prominent” role in the lying-in-state and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom says, as preparations in London shift into high gear with one week to go before the ceremony.