News

The initial step in the digitalisation of government services, ‘GovPay’, will be officially launched under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on February 7th, 2025, said the President's Media Division.

This ground-breaking initiative will streamline and modernize how government institutions handle payments, enabling seamless transactions through a secure and efficient digital platform, it added.

our senior police officers have been transfered with effect from 5th February.

– Senior DIG Sanjeewa Dharmaratne → Transferred to Senior DIG in-charge of Western Province (Previously Sabaragamuwa Province)

– Senior DIG K.P.M. Gunaratne → Transferred to Senior DIG in-charge of Sabaragamuwa Province (Previously Western Province)

– DIG N.L. Wijesena → Appointed as Senior DIG in-charge of the Welfare Division (Previously Kalutara Division)

– DIG D.J. Padmini → Appointed as DIG in-charge of the Kalutara Division

Sri Lankan corporate leader and executive Deshamanya Kandiah “Ken” Balendra has passed away at the age of 84.

Born in 1940, Balendra has held many corporate positions in Sri Lanka and the region. He served as the first Sri Lankan chairman of John Keells Holdings Ltd., the largest conglomerate in the island.

He was the chairman of Brandix Lanka Ltd. and the South Asia Regional Fund of the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

(Ada Derana)

A Defender vehicle belonging to the Presidential Secretariat was involved in an accident in the Thalawa area at around 1.00 am today (01), leaving four individuals hospitalized, according to the Thalawa Police.

The incident occurred while the vehicle was returning to Colombo following an event held in Jaffna yesterday (31).

Following the accident, the injured individuals were initially admitted to Thalawa Hospital in another vehicle that was accompanying them, and were subsequently transferred to Anuradhapura Hospital for further treatment.

Anuradhapura Hospital sources reported that two of the injured were placed in the Intensive Care Unit due to the seriousness of their conditions.

It has been confirmed that the driver involved in the accident is employed by the Presidential Secretariat, while the other injured individuals are officers from the Presidential Security Unit, who are attached to the Sri Lanka Police.

Police suspect that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel leading to the accident.

Thalawa Police have initiated further investigations into the incident.

(Ada Derana)

Renowned Sri Lankan industrialist and businessman Deshamanya Harry Jayawardena has passed away at the age of 82.

Don Harold Stassen Jayawardena, popularly known as Harry Jayawardena, was the chairman of Melstacorp PLC and served as the Honorary Consul General for Denmark in Sri Lanka.

Forbes had listed Jayawardena as one of the richest people in Sri Lanka.

Jayawardena had also served as the chairman of both Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka and Aitken Spence, the first Sri Lankan companies ever to be listed on the Forbes List of best managed companies outside the USA.

The police have introduced a new hotline, 1997, to allow the public to report illegal activities, including drug trafficking, large-scale corruption, and crimes that could threaten national security.

The hotline operates 24 hours, with its main operations center set up at the Special Bureau Headquarters attached to the Police Headquarters.

Acting IGP has directed all officers to maintain strict confidentiality regarding the information received via this number.

The hotline can be used to report a range of issues, including drugs and criminal activities, misuse of government vehicles and property harassment or safety issues faced by foreign tourists, incidents of bullying in universities and educational institutions, police bribery or misconduct, and environmental crimes.

For the public in the Northern and Eastern provinces, the hotline 107 is available to report in Tamil.

Salaries will be increased in this year's budget, considering the recommendations of the report of the Udaya R. Seneviratne Committee appointed by the previous Wickremesinghe administration to investigate salary discrepancies of government employees, Finance Ministry sources reveal. It is learnt that an amount between Rs. 7,500 and Rs. 10,000 will be added to the basic salary according to the existing salary scales. The increase in the basic salary will be made according to each salary scale.

Sources in the Finance Ministry say that the formula for increasing the salaries of government employees has been prepared by the Finance Ministry and that the President, as the Finance Minister, will decide the amount to be increased.

However, the relevant salary increase is to be announced in the 2025 budget, which will be presented by the President in his capacity as Finance Minister in February.

The relevant salary increase is scheduled to be implemented in April.

Even when the country was struggling, the previous Wickremesinghe government increased salaries by Rs. 10,000 from January 2024.

The arrears of Rs. 15,000 that were to be paid in this regard are scheduled to be paid in instalments of Rs. 5,000 each from January to March this year.

Economic analysts say that since the country's economy has been in a good state for the past four quarters and government revenue has increased by about 38%, there is a possibility of increasing the salaries of public servants by more than Rs. 10,000.

The President also said recently that a tangible salary increase will be implemented for government employees.

Former Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Priyantha Mayadunne who was arrested today (30) by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over alleged financial misappropriation, has been granted bail by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Accordingly, he has been ordered released on a personal bail of Rs. 200,000 after being produced before the Fort Magistrate.

The CID had arrested him in connection with investigations into the alleged misuse of Rs. 183 million obtained from the Cooperative Fund for the ‘Isuru Saviya’ commemoration event held in Kurunegala in 2011 to celebrate International Cooperative Day.

According to Police Media Spokesperson, SSP Buddhika Manatunga, the CID submitted extracts of its investigations to the Attorney General (AG), who later determined that there was sufficient evidence to file charges against the suspect.

Accordingly, Priyantha Mayadunne, who then served as an Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested by the CID officers today and is expected to be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court, while the CID continues further investigations.

www.adaderana.lk/

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has allocated Indian Rs 5,483 crore for aid to foreign nations, slightly higher than last year’s Indian Rs 4,883 crore.

The overall budget for the MEA stands at Indian Rs 20,516 crore, with aid to neighbouring and strategic countries remaining a crucial component.

The Indian MEA budget has placed a key emphasis on India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Indian Rs 4,320 crore – 64 per cent of the total scheme portfolio – has been earmarked for the country’s immediate neighbours for several initiatives like large infrastructure projects such as hydroelectric plants, power transmission lines, housing, roads, bridges and integrated check-posts.

Bhutan Retains Top Spot Bhutan continues to be India’s largest foreign aid recipient, receiving Rs 2,150 crore in 2025-26. This is an increase from last year’s allocation of Rs 2,068 crore. India remains Bhutan’s primary development partner, with funding directed towards infrastructure, hydropower projects, and economic cooperation.

Maldives Boost Amid Diplomatic Reset India’s allocation for the Maldives has increased from Rs 400 crore to Rs 600 crore. This comes at a time when Male is attempting to mend ties with New Delhi following tensions over President Mohamed Muizzu’s pro-China stance after his electoral win.

In early 2024, India withdrew its military personnel from the Maldives. Now, with Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon visiting India earlier this month, efforts are underway to restore cooperation.

Afghanistan’s Aid Reduced Afghanistan has seen its aid allocation decrease from Rs 200 crore last year to Rs 100 crore in 2025-26. This is still a sharp decline from the Rs 207 crore granted two years ago. India has been cautious in its dealings with the Taliban government, limiting its engagement to humanitarian aid and economic cooperation.

Earlier this year, senior diplomat Vikram Misri met with Taliban officials in Dubai, marking the highest-level contact since Kabul’s takeover. Discussions centred around trade and India’s interest in Iran’s Chabahar Port, which serves as a crucial alternative trade route bypassing Pakistan.

Despite these engagements, India has yet to officially recognise the Taliban government.

Myanmar Sees Increased Aid Myanmar’s allocation increased from Rs 250 crore in the 2024-25 budget to Rs 350 crore for 2025-26 amid ongoing turmoil in the country, where ethnic armed groups have taken control of vast territories, including areas bordering India’s northeastern states.

The Centre recently tightened the rules for the movement of people across the India-Myanmar border. The new rules restrict movement from 16 km under the free movement regime (FMR) to 10 km, on either side.

Other Key Allocations India has maintained its allocation for Nepal at Rs 700 crore. The allocation for Sri Lanka saw an increase from Rs 245 crore to Rs 300 crore as the crisis-hit southern neighbour recovers from an economic meltdown.

Aid to Dhaka remains unchanged at Rs 120 crore amid a diplomatic rift between the two countries following former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster last year. Ms Hasina has been granted asylum in India, with the Muhammad Yunus-led government demanding her return.

Aid to African nations rose to Rs 225 crore from Rs 200 crore last year. The African Union joined the G20 in 2023 when India hosted the summit.

Latin America’s allocation has been increased

from Rs 30 crore to Rs 60 crore. Last year, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita embarked on a nine-day official visit to Mexico, Grenada, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda, underscoring the deepening ties between India, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The allocation for Chabahar Port in Iran remains at Rs 100 crore. The port project serves as a vital trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Disaster Relief allocation saw a massive increase from Rs 10 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 64 crore this year. India has consistently been one of the first to respond to global disaster relief initiatives. India was among the early responders when Turkey witnessed devastating earthquakes in 2023. India also sent relief to flood-hit countries like Laos and Vietnam in 2024.

Beyond direct financial aid, India is also expanding its soft power outreach. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has received Rs 351 crore, up from Rs 331 crore last year. Support for International Training Programs stands at Rs 1,247 crore. (NDTV)

Western Province Governor Hanif Yusuf filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today regarding allegations linking him to the recently released red-flagged containers.

Addressing the media, Hanif Yusuf said that people who have been pushed out of the political arena are making such allegations and he cannot remain silent due to the negative impact on his reputation as the Western Province Governor.

He further said, filing a complaint with the CID today, he has requested a proper investigation into the matter.

Recently, allegations were made by opposition MPs and social media claiming that Expolanka Holdings, of which Hanif Yusuf is a founder, was behind the clearance of some containers.

Earlier this week, Western Province Governor Haniff Yusoof denied allegations linking him to the clearance of 330 red-flagged containers from the Colombo port.

Issuing an 08-point statement clarifying reports about the release of the 323 imported cargo containers, Sri Lanka Customs detailed the procedures followed when releasing goods and also explained delays in inspecting certain shipments.

Stating that none of the containers were imported under the name of Expo Lanka, Customs officials also confirmed there was no risk of illegal imports of firearms, gold, or narcotics, nor any loss of customs revenue due to the containers’ release.

Justice Mohammed Laffar Tahir, the senior-most judge of the Court of Appeal, has been appointed as its Acting President.

He was sworn in before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (02).

The appointment follows the pre-retirement leave of the current President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Bandula Karunaratne, which has been accepted by the President.

This appointment will remain in effect until a new Acting President of the Court of Appeal is appointed in accordance with the Constitution.

Warrant Officer Samitha Dulan Kodithuwakku of Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police (SLCMP), who achieved a remarkable feat by winning a silver medal in the Men’s F44 Javelin Throw event setting a new world record of 67.03 meters at the Paris Paralympics 2024, was presented with a new javelin by the Prime Minister at the Ministry of Education on January 29.

The Director of Sports of Sri Lanka Army- Ms. Subhashini Niranjala Weerasinghe, who met Warrant Officer Samitha Dulan Kodithuwakku when he participated in the 2024 Paralympic Games in France, has planned to present this special javelin during her visit to Sri Lanka.

Mrs. Subhashini Niranjala Weerasinghe and Samitha Dulan’s coach, Mr. Pradeep Nishantha, were present at the occasion.

National and international achievements of Samitha Dulan. With a record at the 2016 Army Amateur Athletics Championships – Gold Medal

2018 Army Para Athletics Championships – Silver Medal

2019 National Para Athletics Championships – Gold Medal

2020 National Para Athletics Championships – Gold Medal

2021 Paralympic Games in Japan – Bronze Medal

2022 National Para Athletics Championships – Gold Medal

2022 Army Para Athletics Championships – Gold Medal

2022 Indian Open Para Athletics International Championships – Silver Medal

2023 Australian Open Para Athletics Championships – Silver Medal

2023 World Championships in France – Bronze Medal

2023 Asian Athletics Championships in China – Silver Medal

2024 World Championships in Morocco – Gold Medal

2024 World Para Championships in Japan – Silver Medal

2024 Paralympic Games in France – Silver Medal