{"id":96535,"date":"2019-12-17T23:16:57","date_gmt":"2019-12-18T06:16:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=96535"},"modified":"2020-02-04T15:46:24","modified_gmt":"2020-02-04T22:46:24","slug":"gotabaya-rajapakse-1-month-as-president-of-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2019\/12\/17\/gotabaya-rajapakse-1-month-as-president-of-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"Gotabaya Rajapakse \u2013 1 month as President of Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A non-politician is today Sri Lanka\u2019s President.\nWithin a month itself not only has he reconfirmed confidence of those who voted\nfor him, he is tilting the confidence of those who didn\u2019t in his favor. It is\nwithout doubt that the country is visibly inspired and rejuvenated judging by a\nwave of changes taking place across the country \u2013 artists and youth are painting\nwalls in themes & colours, our youth are winning international sports\nawards, we have the Mrs. World, Mrs. Asia and Mr. Universe, youth starting\nfarming trend, the roads looking cleaner and everyone being sent a message to\ndo their bit and the country would automatically rise and shine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 16th<\/sup>\nNovember 2019 Sri Lanka went to the polls to elect a President. By 17th<\/sup>\nNovember morning itself the outcome was clear. It was to become a historical\nlandslide victory, a shock to many but a win for the nationalist and patriotic\nforces of Sri Lanka who gathered to once more protect the nation from division\nor separation. Whatever any say, the voters converged realizing the nation was\nat grave risk as a result of the weak and appeasing policies of the former\ngovernment. Gotabaya Rajapakse promised them a nation that would prosper on Sri\nLanka\u2019s historical heritage terms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

18\nNovember: Taking Oaths as 7th<\/sup> President of Sri Lanka in Anuradhapura<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Breaking\ntraditions Gotabaya Rajapakse took oaths at sacred Maha Maluwa of Ruwanwelia\nMaha Seya, Anuradhapura, our first citadel in front of Chief Justice Jayantha\nJayasuriya. Noteworthy was his address to the Nation that he would lead the\nnation based on the Buddhist philosophy which upholds principles of equality\n& justice. He called upon nations to respect the sovereignty of Sri Lanka.\nHe invited all to join in the journey of delivering his vision for Sri Lanka. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heads\nof India, Pakistan, China wish the new President <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sri\nLanka\u2019s stock market rises to highest in year<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All\nstate institutions to remove photos of President & replace with National\nEmblem<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19\nNovember: Assumes duties at the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former\nPresident Maithripala Sirisena together with many other political party leaders\nwere present<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19\nNovember: Appointment of 3 Secretaries & Director General of TRC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President\u2019s\nSecretary \u2013 Dr. P B Jayasundara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defense\nSecretary \u2013 Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treasury\nSecretary\/Min of Finance \u2013 S R Attygalle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director\nGeneral of Telecommunication Regulatory Commission \u2013 Oshada Senanayake <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspector\nGeneral of Police Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri\nFernando have been further remanded<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former\nPresident Maithripala Sirisena has been reappointed as the Chairperson of the\nSri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne passes away<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20\nNovember: Paying homage to Sacred Tooth Relic \u2013 Dalada Maligawa, Kandy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The\nPresident received by the Diyawadana Nilame. President paid calls to the\nMahanayaka theroes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ravinatha\nAryasinha appointed Foreign Secretary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

21\nNovember: Former President sworn as Prime Minister \/ 6 New Governors sworn <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former\nPresident Mahinda Rajapakse sworn in as Prime Minister. Also present were\nformer President Sirisena and former PM Ranil Wickremasinghe having tendered\nhis resignation earlier that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is\nthe 3rd<\/sup> occasion Mahinda Rajapakse has served as PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History\nis made with two brothers holding posts of President & Prime Minister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 new governors also sworn:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raja\nKollure \u2013 Uva Province<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seetha\nArambepola \u2013 Western Province<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J. M.\nMuzammil \u2013 North Western Province<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lalith\nU. Gamage \u2013 Central Province<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willy\nGamage \u2013 Southern Province<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tikiri\nKobbekaduwa \u2013 Sabaragamuwa Province<\/p>\n\n\n\n

22\nNovember: New Cabinet of Ministers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

16 member cabinet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extraordinary\nGazette issued calling\non armed forces to maintain public order<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

27\nNovember : 35 State Ministers & 3 Deputy Ministers sworn in<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabinet\nof Ministers has decided to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 15% to 8%.\nThe ceiling for VAT has been raised to Rs. 25 million turnover per month from\nexisting Rs. 1 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabinet\napproved to remove the Nation Building Tax (NBT), Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Tax\nand Withholding Tax on interests<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabinet\nhas further decided to reduce the telecommunications levy by 25% (from 30% to\n5%)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

income\ntax on the construction industry has also been reduced from 28% to 14%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

all\nreligious places are exempted from taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

28\nNovember: 6 Member Committee of Professionals appointed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appointments\nto State institutions will be via recommendation of a panel comprising headed\nby Sumith Abeysinghe, former Secretary to the Cabinet and Lalith Weeratunga and\nothers include Susantha Ratnayake, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Dian Gomes, Dr.\nPrasanna Gunasena and Prof. Jagath Wellawatte. Applications for posts called\nwith deadline put at 18Dec2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IT\nsector to be exempt from all taxes \u2013 Bandula Gunawardena<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

President\ndeparts for India for first overseas visit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign\nMin. issues release on threatening incident concerning local Swiss Embassy\nworker <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

29\nNovember: Indian Foreign Minister calls on President<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subramanyam\nJaishankar arrived to formally invite President to visit India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indian\nNational Security Advisor Ajit Doval also called on the President <\/p>\n\n\n\n

30 November: President\nvisits India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

President\nGotabaya meets India\u2019s President Ram Nath Kovind<\/p>\n\n\n\n

India\ngrants $400m credit line to Sri Lanka with additional $50m to combat terrorism<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President\nvisited Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi and planted a tree to mark his\nvisit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

President\nmeets 2 army staff officers who had trained with him in India. Dr. V K Singh\nwas Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1\nDecember: GOSL orders investigation on alleged Swiss embassy abduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secretary\/Foreign\nRelations Ravinatha Aryasinha together with Secretary\/Defence Major General\n(Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne and relevant officials met with the Ambassador for\nSwitzerland in Sri Lanka Hanspeter Mock and the Deputy Chief of Mission to\nbrief on investigation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will\ndrop 19A if we get 2\/3 majority, President tells foreign media<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2\nDecember: GOSL orders investigation on alleged Swiss embassy abduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An\nincident allegedly to have been committed on 25 Nov 2019 of a local recruit\nworking for the Swiss embassy Colombo being abducted <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canadian\nHigh Commissioner in Sri Lanka David McKinnon calls on President<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director\nGeneral of the Dept of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and former\nAmbassador to China calls on President <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3roviding\nrelief to natural disaster struck districts via District Secretaries and\nDisaster Management Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sri\nLanka Parliament prorogued till 3rd<\/sup> January 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3\nDecember: UAE and NZ Envoys calls on President<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UAE\nenvoy in Sri Lanka Ahamed Ali Al Mualla paid a courtesy call on President\nGotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joanna\nKernpkers envoy of New Zealand in Sri Lanka also called on the President <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former\nCOPE Chairman and Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti has instructed to keep the\nforensic audit reports of the CBSL Scam at the COPE Secretariat as a\nconfidential report until the next COPE Committee is established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A. R.\nDeshapriya has been appointed as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange\nCommission (SEC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swiss\ncourt rules Tamil Tigers not a criminal organization, acquits 12 suspected\nfundraisers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4\nDecember: Governors to North Central & Eastern Province sworn in<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms.\nAnuradha Yahampath as Eastern Governor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof.\nTissa Vitharana as North Central Governor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UPFA\nMP Ranjith De Zoysa passes away<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK\nConservative Party manifesto endorses two-state solution for Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singapore\nAG\u2019s Chamber studying documents requesting Mahendran\u2019s extradition to SL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Permits\nfor transport of sand, soil, clay abolished<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nForeign Ministry of Switzerland and the Swiss Ambassador in Sri Lanka has\nrequested permission to take the Swiss embassy staffer,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5\nDecember <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

64\nsuspects arrested for having links with NTJ further remanded<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

National\nColleges of Education to be upgraded into university faculties – <\/strong>a program to make all teachers of the\ncountry graduates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabinet\nalso approved the appointment of an expert committee representing the fields of\nEducation and Higher Education to implement the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ranil\nnominates Sajith as Opposition Leader<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 December<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazette\nissued banning re-export of spices & allied products<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK\ncourt finds Brigadier Priyanka Fernando guilty, imposes fine of GBP 2,400<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7\nDecember: President visits Vidyalankara Pirivena & calls on Chancellors of\nKelaniya & Sabaramaguwa Universities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chancellor\nof University of Kelaniya Ven. Dr. Walamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thero <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chancellor\nof the Sabaragamuwa University Ven. Prof. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Thero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vidyalankara\nPirivena – Ven. Walamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thero<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nPresident also visited Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya and met Chief Incumbent Ven.\nKollupitiye Mahinda Thero and Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thero and other Maha Nayaka\nTheros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nPresident also visited the Chief Incumbent of Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya Ven.\nAluth Nuwara Anurudda Thero  .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President\nGotabaya Rajapaksa later arrived at the Abhayarama Temple in Narahenpita.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

government\nhas established a National Authority under the Ministry of Defence to ensure\nthe safe use of Scheduled Chemicals In the industrial sector without hindering\ntheir proper functioning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sri\nLanka\u2019s Caroline Jurie crowned Mrs. World after 35 years<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Port\nCity: Ceremony to add 269 hectare of land to Sri Lanka commences – Colombo Port\nCity officially declared part of Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sri\nLanka tops India in South Asia Games athletic events after 28 years<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8\nDecember<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brigadier\nSuresh Sallay appointed Head of state intelligence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brigadier\nChandana Wickremesinghe has been appointed as the new Spokesperson for the Sri\nLanka Army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9\nDecember: Secretaries to State Ministries appointed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

32\nSecretaries appointed to State Ministries<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President\ntells new State Ministry Secretaries to commit to attitudinal transformation  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10\nDecember <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brigadier Priyanka Fernando has been appointed as the new Director of Real Estate and Quartering of the Sri Lanka Army<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

11\nDecember<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No\nplace for Sri Lankan refugees in India\u2019s citizenship amendment bill?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

12\nDecember: Afghan envoy calls on President<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ambassador\nof the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Sri Lanka M. Ashraf Haidari  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

President\nmet officials of Ministry of Power & Energy & institutions under its\npurview<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Govt.\ndecides to increase number of national schools to 1,000<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabinet\ngrants approval for change in Z-Score system<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daya\nRatnayake appointed Ports Authority chairman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

13\nDecember: Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister and delegation meet President \/\nASEAN leaders also arrive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooperation\nin Information and communication technology (ICT), harbor infrastructure\nincluding Eastern Container Terminal\n(ECT),<\/strong> expressways, agriculture, digitalization of television transmission,\ndisaster prevention and security cooperation discussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ASEAN\nenvoys from Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia joined arrived\nto wish the President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Constitutional\nCouncil unanimously approved the nomination made by President Gotabaya\nRajapaksa, to appoint High Court judge Ms. M.D.S. Abeyratne as the Court of\nAppeal Judge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK General Election: Boris Johnson\u2019s Conservative Party wins\noverall majority<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overseas travel ban imposed on Patali Champika<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public cautioned of persons using President\u2019s name fraudulently<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

14 December<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japanese Foreign Minister calls on Sri Lankan counterpart &\nPM Rajapaksa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two persons who made white van\u201d claims at Rajitha\u2019s media\nbriefing arrested<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kotahena Police logbooks replicated with fabricated information\non Easter attacks, PCoI told<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

15 December<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

State Minister of Railway Services C. B. Ratnayake said that\nsteps will be taken to introduce a prepaid card for railway passengers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

British PM Boris Johnson thanks Tamil community in UK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new National Policy Framework titled \u2018Vistas of Prosperity\nand Splendour\u2019 has been released to the public by the government<\/p>\n\n\n\n

http:\/\/www.adaderana.lk\/news.php?nid=59640<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

16 December<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public\nurged to inform on imposters misusing President\u2019s name<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minority\nTamils misled for decades by politicians \u2013 President<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the authorities of the\nPresidential Secretariat to cease the use of plastic drinking water bottles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AG\norders for arrest of Swiss Embassy staffer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swiss\nAmbassador calls on President<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17 December<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

US\nEmbassy issues security alert for American citizens in Sri Lanka<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The country is off to a good start but\nas the Swiss bogus abduction example and Swiss reaction shows the external\nelements that have contributed to Sri Lanka\u2019s inability to sustain its growth are\nlikely to be once more up to mischief. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The country must be now alert to these\ndangers & mechanizations more than ever. It is therefore time that the\ncountry and citizens begin to remove the political lens and put on patriotic\nlens and chip into rebuild the nation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the nation-haters can please apply for asylum or think of re-locating to countries they feel happier in without trying to help external elements destroy Mother Lanka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shenali D Waduge<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A non-politician is today Sri Lanka\u2019s President. Within a month itself not only has he reconfirmed confidence of those who voted for him, he is tilting the confidence of those who didn\u2019t in his favor. It is without doubt that the country is visibly inspired and rejuvenated judging by a wave of changes taking place […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1498,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-shenali-waduge"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1498"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96535"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96535\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}