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The Presidential Secretariat has refuted reports that a person serving a term for financial fraud had been given a presidential pardon.

In a statement, it said it has taken note of reports claiming that an individual named W.H. Athula Tilakaratne, who had been serving a sentence at the Anuradhapura Prison, was released under the Presidential Pardon granted on the occasion of Vesak 2025, and that a serious irregularity may have occurred in connection with this incident.

As per the Article 34 (1) of the Constitution, the Head of State is vested with the authority to grant a pardon to convicted prisoners.

Under this Constitutional provision, the names of eligible inmates are selected by prison authorities and submitted to the Ministry of Justice.

After a review by the Ministry, the final list is forwarded to the Presidential Secretariat for approval by the President.

However, in relation to the above incident, the official list of 388 inmates recommended for pardon submitted by the Commissioner General of Prisons to the Presidential Secretariat under reference number 06/01/Proposal/Pres.Pardon/List/05-12/2025 dated May 6, 2025 does not include the name of the individual in question, who had been convicted in connection with a financial fraud case at Anuradhapura Prison.

Accordingly, this individual was not among those approved by the President to receive a pardon.

In response to this, the Presidential Secretariat officially submitted a complaint to the Criminal Investigation Department yesterday (06), under the title “Release of a Prisoner Without Presidential Approval Under the Presidential Pardon”, requesting a special investigation into the matter.

A formal inquiry will be conducted and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against any responsible officials found to have been involved in this unauthorized release, it said.

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has acknowledged the deep-rooted environmental and administrative crises facing Sri Lanka, placing significant blame on political authority and calling for urgent reform.

The speech, delivered before a gathering of officials and stakeholders to mark World Environment Day, began by highlighting the contrast between Sri Lanka’s natural beauty and the hidden tragedies beneath. The President reflected on the country’s transformation from a land once free of natural disasters to one plagued by landslides, floods, and droughts.

A key focus was the escalating human-elephant conflict, with statistics revealing that approximately 172 people and 450 elephants die annually due to these encounters. The President emphasized the breakdown of harmony between humans and nature, calling it a national tragedy.

The address took a bold turn as President AKD directly accused political figures of contributing to environmental degradation. From illegal sand mining and rock quarrying to deforestation and unauthorized mining, the President pointed to political protection and ownership as root causes.

President Dissanayake also criticized segments of the administrative system, citing corruption in departments such as the RMV, Immigration, Customs, and the Ministry of Environment. While acknowledging that not all officials are complicit, the President urged the bureaucracy to shed outdated practices and embrace reform.

The President pledged full political support for systemic change and warned that those unwilling to change would be changed.

The National Poson Week begins today (June 7).

The Poson Week will continue until June 13, with the National Poson Festival planned to be held, centered around the sacred cities of Anuradhapura, Mihintale, and Thanthirimale.

Anuradhapura District Secretary K.P. Ranjith Wimalasooriya said that all necessary arrangements have been made for the convenience of devotees arriving for the National Poson Festival.

He also mentioned that a special mobile app has been created to provide necessary facilities to devotees during the Poson period.

Anuradhapura District Secretary also stated that this mobile app is expected to be introduced to reduce traffic congestion and to provide convenience for devotees visiting Anuradhapura. It will include information about parking facilities, locations where ‘dansals’ are held, first aid centers, as well as areas prone to road congestion.

Mount Lavinia Magistrate Chathurika de Silva today (5)ordered that former Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake, along with three other suspects, be remanded until June 19. The order follows the discovery of a gold-colored T-56 assault rifle at the Havelock City apartment complex in Wellawatte.

The suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, which is under investigation by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). During today’s court proceedings, President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Dissanayake, drew the magistrate’s attention to an affidavit submitted by a TID sub-inspector to obtain a search warrant.

According to the affidavit, a suspect in custody claimed during interrogation that a yellow and black travel bag—previously located at No. 56, Skelton Road, Colombo 05—was later found in a room belonging to Vishaka Iraingani Kumari at the Elibank Tower in Havelock City, Colombo 06.

However, the suspect, also a cook, reportedly stated that he was unaware of the bag’s contents.

President’s Counsel Mendis pointed out inconsistencies between the affidavit and a subsequent TID report, which claimed that the bag containing the firearm was handed over by the third suspect to the first suspect. The affidavit did not mention the presence of a firearm in the bag, raising questions about the reliability of the statements.

Mendis emphasized that the statements made by the first, second, and third suspects were contradictory and questionable.

A previous court order had authorized a search of Duminda Dissanayake’s residence in Anuradhapura. TID officers reported that nothing suspicious was found, although they were unable to open a safe due to the absence of a key.

Investigators also discovered several airline tickets—purchased online by Dissanayake’s brother—inside the same bag that allegedly contained the firearm. These tickets are now part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities have requested that the T-56 rifle and a CD containing CCTV footage from the first suspect’s residence be sent to the Government Analyst’s Department to confirm the weapon’s classification under the Firearms Ordinance and verify its presence at the location.

The magistrate granted this request and ordered the evidence to be submitted for forensic analysis.

TID officers informed the court that they intend to seek advice from the Attorney General as soon as the investigation concludes.

Due to the potential for interference with the investigation, the magistrate denied bail for all suspects and ordered that they be produced in court again on June 19.

Duminda Dissanayake was arrested on May 23.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed K.G.P. Pushpakumara as the Chief Secretary of the Western Province.

The official letter of appointment was handed over to Pushpakumara today (06) at the Presidential Secretariat by Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

MP Dayasiri Jayasekara appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this afternoon (4) to provide a statement. While his visit to the CID has been officially confirmed, the specific details of the questioning have not been disclosed.

Reports suggest that the statement may be related to the alleged release of 323 containers and the disbursement of funds from the Presidential Fund—both subjects of recent public scrutiny. However, authorities have not confirmed the exact nature of the inquiry.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (6) formally indicted former Minister Mervyn Silva, before the Colombo High Court on charges of amassing wealth disproportionate to his lawful income.

The indictment, presented before High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi, alleges that Silva violated provisions of the Bribery Act by unlawfully acquiring assets worth millions of rupees.

These include luxury vehicles, high-value properties, and multiple bank accounts.

Following the indictment, the court granted bail to Silva under two personal sureties of Rs. 5 million each. The case is scheduled to be taken up again on July 11, 2025.

Education Minister and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya says there are no immediate plans to cancel the Grade 05 Scholarship Examination.

Addressing the Parliament today, the PM pointed out that the examination cannot be abolished immediately, as it could only be carried out in line with certain other reforms.

She further said that steps will be taken to minimise the pressure on students sitting for the examination, and that this will be done by 2028 and 2029.

PM Harini Amarasuriya made the remarks in response to a question raised by opposition MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne in Parliament today.

A progress review meeting on projects under the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing was held= at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The discussion covered urban development efforts aimed at enhancing Sri Lanka’s appeal as a tourist destination, ongoing canal purification and solid waste management in the Colombo District, water supply projects, and housing assistance programs, the President’s Media Division said.

President Dissanayake directed officials to ensure that all projects are completed within their original timelines without delays.

Attendees included Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing Anura Karunathilaka, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development Ranjith Ariyaratne, Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Russell Aponsu and Kapila Janaka Bandara, as well as senior officials from the relevant ministries.

After nearly a decade, SriLankan Airlines has added a new aircraft to its fleet.

The Airbus A330-200, registered as 4R-ALT, arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport this morning (4).

The aircraft, previously operated by Garuda Indonesia, was acquired on a lease basis and is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. It features 18 Business Class seats and 242 Economy Class seats, all equipped with wireless in-flight entertainment and USB charging ports, offering passengers a modern and comfortable travel experience.

Before landing, the aircraft performed a low-altitude fly-past along the western coastline—from Colombo Port City to Moratuwa—drawing crowds along the shoreline who gathered to witness the grand arrival.

The fly-past was a suggestion by Captain Patrick, and executed under the command of Captain Rajinda Ranatunga, who piloted the aircraft from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

The aircraft touched down at 9:30 AM, where it was greeted with a traditional water salute at the airport.

Speaking to the media, Chairman Sarath Clement Ganegoda emphasized that this addition is part of a broader strategy to scale operations. “Rather than downsizing, we are expanding to reach a scale that ensures profitability,” he stated.

He also reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to financial independence, noting that SriLankan Airlines has not sought Treasury support in recent months and aims to continue operating without burdening the state.

With this addition, the airline’s fleet now stands at 23 aircraft, and the new A330-200 will be deployed across both short- and long-haul routes, depending on operational requirements.

A tree planting and conservation initiative was launched Wednesday along Marine Drive, from Kollupitiya Railway Station to Wellawatte, in observance of World Environment Day.

The project, part of the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, is being led by the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat Office. On its first day, 1,600 Takkada (Scaevola taccada) saplings were planted, with a target of reaching 6,000.

Scaevola taccada, listed as a threatened species on the Red Data List, is known for its resistance to saline environments. The plant grows up to six feet and is considered suitable for urban settings due to its dense foliage and compact size.

The project involves state institutions, private sector organizations and members of the public. Participating agencies include the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Railways, Road Development Authority, Urban Development Authority and Colombo Municipal Council. It is sponsored by LB Finance PLC and Hemsandu Marketing Company.

Colombo Municipal Councillor Vraie Cally Balthazaar and Senior Additional Secretary to the President G.M.R.D. Appuhamy were among those in attendance.

Professor K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) following the resignation of Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya.

Prof. Hemapala served as the Secretary to the Ministry of Energy in Sri Lanka.

Prior to that appointment, he served as Professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Moratuwa University.

This appointment has been officially communicated in a filing with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on June 03, 2025.

It notifies that the resignation of Chairman / Member (Non-Executive/Independent) Eng. (Dr.) D.J.T. Siyambalapitiya was ratified at the Board meeting held on May 27, with immediate effect.

It also notifies that the same board meeting ratified the appointment of new Chairman / Member (Non-Executive / Independent) Eng. (Prof.) K.T.M.U. Hemapala with immediate effect.

Dr. Siyambalapitiya had tendered his resignation as Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) on May 11. He had been appointed to the post on September 26, 2024.