Inaugural meeting of BIMSTEC Health Ministers and Senior Officers of BIMSTEC of Health Sector in Sri Lanka on 10th and 11th November

The Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye have taken a further step towards strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in civil aviation with the signing of the Protocol Amending the Air Transport Agreement between the two countries.

The Protocol was signed today (27 October 2026) in Ankara by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment of Sri Lanka Arun Hemachandra and Enver İskurt, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye.

The signing marks an important step in strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in civil aviation between Sri Lanka and Türkiye.

Improved air connectivity has the potential to create greater opportunities for tourism, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, bringing the two countries and their communities closer together.

The Government of Sri Lanka appreciates the cooperation and commitment of the Government of the Republic of Türkiye in advancing this initiative.

The signing of the Protocol reflects the shared commitment of Sri Lanka and Türkiye to further strengthening their bilateral partnership and promoting closer connectivity between the two countries.

The second phase of the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program has been planned to achieve the long-term objectives of the government, such as increasing the food security of the dry zone areas, strengthening water resource management, increasing the ability to be resilient to climatic changes, and
minimizing poverty.

Accordingly, under this phase, the following tasks are expected to be completed:

• Completion of the remaining parts of the main tunnel including the excavation of the 07km long tunnel and completion of all the works related thereto.

• Construction of open and covered channels, waterways, and minor tunnel sections with a total length of approximately 68 kilometers.

• Construction of an approximately 8 km part of the Ellapothana Irrigation Project canal.

• Establishment of commercial agricultural development infrastructure for the development of about 13 pressure distribution networks for supplying the reliable and efficient irrigation water for higher value crops and field crops.

• Transformation of agricultural production systems by introducing climate-resilient value chains and expanding farmers’ access to financial services and agricultural project services.

Since the estimated total cost for the 2nd phase of the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program is US$ 536.5 million, it has been proposed to obtain the relevant funds under the co-financial methodology with the multi-development partners.

Accordingly, the Asian Development Bank has agreed to provide
US$ 200 million. Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 20-07-2026 to conduct negotiations with the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) for obtaining US$ 60 million as a part of the proposed co-financial provision.

Subsequent to these negotiations, the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has agreed to provide a loan facility comprising two components of US$ 48 million and US$ 12 million.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development
to enter into an agreement with the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) to obtain a US$ 60 million loan facility for the aforementioned project.

The Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting is a high-end international platform that provides the opportunity to conduct policy discussions for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in member countries, as well as share experiences and good practices, and strengthen cooperation among member countries.

Sri Lanka has agreed to host the 14th meeting of the event. The
meeting is expected to be attended by ministers responsible for women’s affairs from member countries, senior government officials, representatives of recognized civil society organizations, and representatives of relevant stakeholder organizations.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted their consent to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Women’s and Child Activities to host the 14th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting in Sri Lanka scheduled during the first quarter of 2028