PM commences talks with diplomatic community

After assuming duties at the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe held preliminary talks with foreign envoys representing India, Japan, USA and China.

Discussions with the Indian High Commissioner - Gopal Baglay focused on the measures being taken for economic recovery, while the High Commissioner promised to continue to assist Sri Lanka.

The Japanese envoy - Mizukoshi Hideaki also pledged their continued support towards the stabilisation of Sri Lanka’s economy. The Japanese Ambassador is to visit Tokyo tomorrow. 

Both envoys discussed the measures being taken to gather support from other foreign nations to help Sri Lanka's economy.

Meanwhile, PM Wickremesinghe had discussed the upcoming visit of the US treasury team with the US Ambassador - Julie Chung. The meeting also broached on the subject of the 19th Amendment and the strengthening of the oversight committees in Parliament.

The Chinese Ambassador - Qi Zhenhong had also expressed his country’s willingness to continue to support Sri Lanka while also pledging to review existing assistance provided to the country.

Separately,  an emergency meeting was held with the attendance of former ministers Kanchana Wijesekara and Susil Premajayantha along with Sagala Ratnayake and senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Petroleum Resources. 

Discussions focused on the prevailing energy crisis in the country and the measures that can be taken to ease the burden on the public.