News

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Most Ven. Dr. Gallelle Sumanasiri Thera as the Chancellor of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

The official letter of appointment was presented to Most Ven. Dr. Gallelle Sumanasiri Thera this afternoon (14) at the Presidential Secretariat by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

Most Ven. Dr. Gallelle Sumanasiri Thera, who has been appointed as the Chancellor of the Rajarata University, is the Chief Incumbent of the Harankahawa Molagoda Rajamaha Viharaya.

He also serves as the Kandy District Secretary of the All-Ceylon Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya and previously held the position of Vice-Chancellor of the Homagama Pali and Buddhist University.

The event was attended by Ven Denike Ananda Thera, Ven. Karagaswewa Vajira Thera, Ven. Vitharandeniye Nanda Thera and several other monks and laypersons. Following the official appointment, the Secretary to the President engaged in cordial discussions with the Maha Sangha and other attendees.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the 2025 World Governments Summit, met with the Prime Minister of State of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah yesterday afternoon (11).

During the discussion, President Disanayake highlighted Sri Lanka’s improved political and financial stability, emphasizing the expanded potentials in investment and tourism sectors.

Both leaders focused on strengthening trade relations and diversifying markets between the two countries. They also discussed the importance of exploring new strategic initiatives to enhance economic cooperation.

President Disanayake expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah and the State of Kuwait for its support in securing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan facility, acknowledging its contribution to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

Additionally, the President noted that approximately 155,000 Sri Lankan workers are employed in Kuwait, contributing USD 700 million in annual remittances, which serves as a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s economy.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, accompanied the President on this visit. (PMD)

The Attorney General has filed indictments against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe before the Colombo High Court.

The indictments have been filed under the Money Laundering Act, related to a Rs. 59 million joint account belonging to the duo.

Previously, the Police had filed charges against both under the Money Laundering Act after investigations since 2016 found Rajapaksa was unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the funds.

According to the investigation, the funds in question were placed in fixed deposits and bank accounts, including a joint account maintained with Daisy Forrest.

The Attorney General then directed the Police to name Forrest as a suspect in the case.

As a result, both Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Forrest were formally named as suspects in the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court last Sunday (Feb 11), with charges filed under the Money Laundering Act.

The convenor of the Nawa Sinhale National Movement, Dan Priyasad, has been arrested by Sri Lanka Police this morning (11).

He was arrested upon arrival in Sri Lanka from Dubai at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Ada Derana reporter said.

He will be produced before the Galgamuwa Magistrate’s Court, according to police.

Police Media Spokesperson SSP Buddhika Manatunga stated that the Nikaweratiya Divisional Crimes Unit had initiated an investigation against Dan Priyasad over an alleged incident of forcing the Nan Eriya Police OIC not to arrest a drug trafficker in 2024.

In this regard, the Galgamuwa Magistrate’s Court had issued a foreign travel ban against Dan Priyasad and also a warrant to arrest Priyasad and produce him before the court.

(Ada Derana)

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage today appointed the new National Sports Council, in accordance with the provisions of the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973 with the aim of advising the Minister on matters relating to the promotion, development and governance of sports in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Rugby legend and former CEO of Sri Lanka Rugby, Priyantha Ekanayake has been appointed as the new Chairman of the National Sports Council.

The following prominent figures have been appointed as members of the council:

1. Priyantha Ekanayake (Chairman) - Former Rugby Player and former CEO of Sri Lanka Rugby
2. Prof. Samantha Nanayakkara - Professor in Sports Studies, University of Colombo, and Sport Psychologist
3. Rukman Wekadapola - International Boxing Referee
4. Sidath Wettimuny - Former Sri Lankan Cricketer
5. Chanaka Jayamaha - Civil/Commercial Lawyer and Non-Executive Independent Director at Colombo Dockyard PLC
6. Rohan Abeykoon – Former Rugby Player and former Chairman of National Rugby Selection Committee 
7. Niroshan Wijekoo – Former Badminton Player and former National Champion (Singles)
8. Murad Ismail – Former member of Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL)
9. Roshan Mahanama – Former Sri Lanka Cricketer and former ICC Match Referee
10. C. Ratnamudali - Lecturer at Moratuwa University and former Secretary of Sri Lanka Beach Volleyball Association
11. Sriyani Kulawansa – Former Sri Lankan Hurdler and Olympian, Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist
12. Malik J Fernando – Co-Chairman of MJF Group, and Dilmah Tea
13. Shanitha Fernando – Former Rugby Player

The Ministry of Energy has announced the appointment of a five-member committee to provide recommendations for enhancing the stability of the national electricity grid.

This decision was made under the directives of the Minister of Energy, Engineer Kumara Jayakody.

According to Ministry Secretary Udayanga Hemapala, the committee was established in response to a recent unexpected power outage.

The committee is chaired by Professor Lilantha Samaranayake from the University of Peradeniya.

The committee's mandate includes providing both short-term and long-term recommendations to prevent future power outages. They have been instructed to submit their recommendations within a week.

India's Adani Green Energy said it will withdraw from two proposed wind power projects in Sri Lanka, according to a letter sent by the company to a Sri Lankan government agency.

The Sri Lankan government said last month it has started talks with the Adani Group to lower the cost of power from the $1 billion projects.

"It was learnt that another Cabinet appointed negotiations committee and Project Committee would be constituted to renegotiate the project proposal," the company wrote in a letter addressed to the chairman of Sri Lanka's board of investment.

"This aspect was deliberated at the Board of our company and it was decided that while the company fully respects the sovereign rights of Sri Lanka and its choices, it would respectfully withdraw from the said project," the letter, dated February 12, said.

Source: Reuters

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the implementation of a new Employee Provident Fund (EPF) Management System to improve efficiency in handling Sri Lanka’s largest pension fund.

With 21.5 million member accounts and 77,000 active employers, the EPF has assets totaling Rs. 4.2 trillion as of October 2024, maintaining an annual growth rate of over 9% in recent years.

Given the increasing volume of transactions, the need for a modern IT system capable of managing large-scale data efficiently was identified, the government said.

In 2021, a project was launched under the World Bank’s Financial Sector Modernization Project to develop the new system. The planning and specifications were completed with the consultancy of PricewaterhouseCoopers India.

Subsequently, the Cabinet has now approved a proposal by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, to select an integrator for the system’s implementation.

Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached an agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments to strengthen economic and investment relations between the two countries.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the agreement was reached during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s three-day official visit to the UAE to attend the World Governments Summit 2025.

The agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments was signed by the UAE’s Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Mohamed Bin Hadi Al Hussaini and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath.

This bilateral agreement establishes a secure legal framework to expand investment opportunities in global markets while ensuring the protection of foreign investments.

The purpose of this agreement is to facilitate and strengthen foreign investments between the two nations by ensuring investor rights protection, promoting economic cooperation, and establishing comprehensive investment protection mechanisms, dispute resolution frameworks, and policy structures. This agreement will also contribute to strengthening global economic partnerships and creating opportunities for exploring new investment prospects in Sri Lanka.

This agreement underscores the importance of bilateral economic development and financial stability while demonstrating the commitment of both the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka to strengthening economic cooperation. It aims to foster trade and business expansion in Sri Lanka while promoting a transparent and stable investment environment.

Furthermore, this agreement also highlights Sri Lanka’s commitment to enhancing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and fostering a more attractive investment landscape. By enhancing investor confidence, it is expected to generate new business opportunities and contribute to economic progress.

The PMD added that this agreement will reinforce the long-term partnership between the UAE and Sri Lanka, facilitating sustainable investments and advancing trade and financial collaborations between the two countries.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with his delegation, arrived at Dubai International Airport this afternoon (10) to participate in the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025, which is scheduled to take place from February 11 to 13 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Upon arrival, the delegation, including the President, was warmly welcomed by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and other state officials.

Also present at the reception were Embassy of Sri Lanka to the United Arab Emirates Chargé d’ affaires Thakshila Arnolda and Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and the Northern Emirates Alexi Gunasekera, along with representatives from the Sri Lanka Embassy in Dubai.

This afternoon, President Disanayake is scheduled to meet with Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Chairman of the Master Investment Group and the ruler’s representative for Ras Al Khaimah. During this meeting, discussions will focus on strengthening economic and investment cooperation between Sri Lanka and the UAE.

Following the said discussion, the President is expected to attend the ‘TIME 100 Gala Dinner’ at the renowned Museum of the Future in Dubai.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath, is also accompanying the President on this visit

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has addressed the main session of the 2025 World Governments Summit in Dubai, where he outlined Sri Lanka’s vision on economic growth, innovation and governance reforms.

In his speech the Head of State also highlighted Sri Lanka’s commitment to sustainable development and international cooperation.

Today (12) marks the third day of the President’s official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake who is currently attending the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai held several high-level bilateral discussions with Heads of State, on Tuesday (11).

During the day, the President met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Prime Minister Sharif extended his congratulations to President Dissanayake on his government’s significant electoral victory in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, President Dissanayake also met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The discussions revolved around the potential for Sri Lanka to leverage the United Kingdom’s expertise and specialized knowledge in various sectors.

President Dissanayake also met with the Prime Minister of State of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah on the sidelines of the summit.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced a plan to manage electricity demand across four zones in Sri Lanka today and tomorrow.

This decision follows a nationwide power outage yesterday that caused all three generators at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai to become inoperative.

As part of the power supply management, supply of electricity will be cut off for 1 hour and 30 minutes in each zone between 3:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

The Public Utilities Commission has granted approval for the CEB’s request to implement these measures.