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Sri Lanka's Cabinet Spokesperson & Minister Bandula Gunawardena confirmed that the Chinese ballistic missiles and satellite tracking vessel was requested to delay their visit due to concerns voiced by India.

He said that a request was made from China to defer the arrival until Sri Lanka cleared out the concerns of its neighbor India.

"The Chinese government was awarded the same privileges awarded to any other country in order to seek services from Sri Lanka, and it is done in a manner that does cause harm to any third party," he told reporters in Colombo on Tuesday (16).

The Yuan Wang 5 entered the Hambantota deep sea port at around 8:30 AM on Tuesday (16). Yuan Wang 5 is a third-generation tracking ship of the Yuan Wang Series. It has top-of-the-line antennas and electronic equipment to track ballistic missiles and satellites.

A special welcome ceremony was organized at the Hambantota Port on Tuesday (16) morning, under the auspices of the Chinse Ambassador to Sri Lanka.

The Yuan Wang 5, a Chinese research and survey vessel that led to much controversy in recent weeks officially entered the Sea of Sri Lanka on Monday (15).

Sri Lanka granted permission for the high-tech Chinese tracking vessel Yuan Wang 5 to dock at the Hambantota Port in a backdrop marred with controversy.

Diplomatic clearance for the Chinese vessel to make a port call at the Hambantota port from 11-17 August​​ 2022 for replenishment purposes was granted by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, due to concerns raised by various factions including India, the Ministry requested China to defer the visit of the said vessel to the Hambantota port.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not provide any reason for the request.

When the request to defer the visit of the vessel was made, the Yuan Wang 5 had already set sail to Sri Lanka leaving its port of origin on the 14th of July, and it was already in the Indian Ocean. The vessel thereafter slowed down and moved over the Ninety East Ridge, a mid-ocean ridge on the Indian Ocean floor named for its near-parallel strike along the 90th meridian at the center of the Eastern Hemisphere.

Upon entering the Sea of Sri Lanka on Monday (15) evening the Yuan Wang 5 must comply with the conditions of maintaining its unique vessel identifier and refrain from conducting any form of research and survey activity in the Sea of Sri Lanka.

Yuan Wang 5 is a third-generation tracking ship of the Yuan Wang Series. It has top-of-the-line antennas and electronic equipment to track ballistic missiles and satellites.

The Chinese Research Vessel fleet boats of twin vessels identified as Yuan Wang 5 and Yuan Wang 6.

Sri Lankan government on Friday (Aug 12) has gazetted the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill.

The said Bill, published under the directives of Power & Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, allows selected specific sectors of the economy to individually import necessary fuel quantities.

Accordingly, the government will issue licences to identified parties for importing petroleum products.

On April 25, the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was received for the proposal tabled by Minister Wijesekera in this regard.

As fuel is essential for all economic activities in the country, it is appropriate to issue licenses to selected specific sectors of the economy to import and use the fuel they require individually, the government has said.

Subsequently, the legal draftsman was advised to draft a Bill to amend the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Act, No. 33 of 2002, in order to make provisions to issue licence to properly identified parties.

India handed over a Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft to the Sri Lankan Military on Monday (15).

Earlier this year Sri Lanka was in talks with India to acquire three Dornier aircraft for the Sri Lankan military, and the first delivery will be made to the island nation on Monday when India usher in its 75th year of Independence on August 15, 2022.

The first ever Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft from India to enhance the maritime surveillance capabilities of Sri Lanka was inducted to Sri Lanka Air Force Fleet on 15th August 2022 in a ceremonial procession.

During the Defence Dialog between India and Sri Lanka on 09th January 2018 in New Delhi, Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) sought the possibility of obtaining two (02) Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft from India to enhance the maritime surveillance capabilities of Sri Lanka.

As a sequel to the request of Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), the Government of India (GOI) has agreed to provide one (01) Dornier 228 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from Indian Naval Fleet on gratis basis for initial two (02) years of the interim period since it would be required two years to manufacture new aircraft.

Afterwards, the Indian Government expressed their assent to provide a brand new Dornier 228 Maritime Patrol Aircraft free of charge. Subsequently, another brand new Dornier 228 will be inducted to Sri Lanka Air Force through mutually agreed terms and conditions between both countries.

The Indian Naval Dornier (INDO – 228) is a Short Take Off and Landing (STOL), multirole light transport aircraft with a turboprop twin-engine, produced since 1981. Dornier GmbH of Germany being the Original Equipment Manufacturer has produced 245 aircraft during the period of 1981-1998. Subsequently, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has commenced the production of Dornier aircraft, under the license of Dornier GmbH since 1993.

With the comradeship of neighboring India, the first ever Dornier will be inducted to SLAF Fleet on 15th August 2022 in a ceremonial procession under the patronage by the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickramasinghe and High Commissioner of India, Gopal Baglay with the authentication by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Gunerathne (Retd) and under the supervision by Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at SLAF Base Katunayake.

The aircraft will be flown and maintained only by 15 SLAF crew who were specifically trained in India for a period of four months consist with pilots, observers, engineering officers and technicians along with the supervision by GOI technical team attached to SLAF comprising of engineering officers and technicians. The team would undertake comprehensive supervision of aircraft, airframe, Aircraft Support Equipment, Ground Support Equipment, relevant documents and would ascertain the serviceability of all the assets.

The SLAF intends to effectively employ the Dornier aircraft specifically to conduct Maritime and Coastal Surveillance Operations within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Search and Rescue Operations (SAR), Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) and Maritime Pollution Monitoring and Control within Sri Lankan Search and Rescue Region (SRR) to attain SLAF ultimate vision of “Ensuring the National Security through Effective Employment of Airpower” within Sri Lankan Airspace.

The Government Information Department confirms that 9 COVID-19 deaths have occurred on 11th of August.

The deceased include 04 between ages 30-59, and 05 over the age of 60.

Meanwhile, 162 COVID-19 cases have been reported, totaling the full number of COVID-19 patients discovered in Sri Lanka to 667,735.

The Power cut for today (15) will remain at 1 hour & 20 minutes and will be extended from tomorrow (16), said the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka.

It said that this was due to the breakdown of Unit 1 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, as it would take approximately 14 to 16 days to repaid.

The official announcement of the power cut will be released once approved by PUCSL.

Sri Lanka's Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera announced that there has been a breakdown in Unit 1 of the Norochcholai Power Plant.

"Technical staff is working to identify the fault. Unit 2 is undergoing scheduled maintenance work. Unit 3 will continue to operate," he tweeted.

The Minister said that West Coast & other Fuel Power Plants will be used to manage the supply.

Rev. Fr. Jeewantha Peiris who surrendered to the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court on Friday (12) was released on bail.

He was charged with engaging in an unlawful protest by violating a court order.

The Magistrate rejected a request made by the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Division to remand Rev. Fr. Jeewantha Peiris, and he was released on two personal bails of Rs. 500,000/-.

In addition, Rev. Fr. Jeewantha Peiris was barred from traveling overseas by the court and was also ordered to report to the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Division on Saturday (13) morning to provide a statement.

Aragalaya Activist Dhaniz Ali who was arrested for unlawfully entering the Sri Lanka Ruvapahini Corporation, and interrupting its broadcast was released on bail.

Aragalaya Activist Dhaniz Ali was released on a cash bail of Rs. 25,000/-, and two personal bails of Rs. 500,000/- each.

The order was made by Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe.

Aragalaya Activist Dhaniz Ali was produced in court by the Department of Prisons, and the suspect was ordered to visit the Cinnamon Gardens Police and provide a statement.

Dhanish Ali and three others have been futher remanded until 26 August.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage issued the order today (12) when the case was taken up at court.

The suspects were remanded on charges of trespassing into the Presidential House and damaging property.

The Fort Police had requested the court to further remand the suspects as investigations related to the incident are still being carried out.

The Magistrate accepted the request and ordered the suspects to be remanded for two more weeks.

The Ministry of Defence has lifted the ban imposed on six international Tamil organisations and 316 persons by the Sri Lankan government.

Issuing an Extraordinary Gazette notification, the Ministry has lifted the ban imposed during the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government and later the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration.

Among the groups that have been de-listed is the Global Tamil Forum (GTF), an influential diaspora group based in the UK.

GTF Spokesman Suren Surendiranan is among the individuals who have also been de-listed.

Awarding letters of appointment to the Chairperson and members of the National Sports Council was held on 10th August 2022 at the National Sports Council, Torrington Avenue, under the patronage of the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Roshan Ranasinghe.

Former Sri Lanka Cricket captain, Arjuna Ranatunga was appointed as the Chairperson of the National Sports Council which comprises Tri-Service Commanders and other members, who presented letters of appointment on 10th August.

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne was appointed as a member of the National Sports Council.

Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage Commander of the Army was also appointed as a member of the National Sports Council of the Ministry of Sports.

Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana was appointed as an active member of the National Sports Council as well.

The National Sports Council has been established with the notion to advise the Minister on matters connected with the promotion, development, and control of sports in Sri Lanka.

The National Sports Council's roles encompass consulting the Minister on the development of sports, its policies and to improve the nation's sports infrastructure and standards. Additionally, in accordance with the instructions of the Minister of Sports, basic preparations must be made to establish a new sports act and national sports policy.

Additionally, plans must be drawn to establish infrastructure, develop players to the professional level and recommendations must be made to the Minister regarding the selection of the national teams, school sports and special initiatives with the goal of creating a plan to improve school sports together with the Ministry of Education and making plans in place to create a sports economy using new trends and industrial areas like e-sports.

This is the first time in the sports history that Tri Forces Commanders were appointed as the active members of the National Sports Council in recognition of Tri Forces commitment to uplift the sports of Sri Lanka.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved power cuts of 1 hour and 20 minutes for 15th and 16th August as follows;

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1hour and 20 minutes from 5:00 pm to 9:00pm.

The overseas travel ban imposed on Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Ex-Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa was extended to the 5th of September 2022, by the Supreme Cout of Sri Lanka.

The Former President, his brother, and several others have been named as respondents in two petitions seeking an order on the government to conduct an immediate investigation against those responsible for the current economic crisis.

The petitions by Professor Mahim Mendis, TISL, Chandra Jayaratne, Jehan CanagaRetna, and Julian Bolling claim that the respondents named in the petition are directly responsible for the unsustainability of Sri Lanka’s foreign debt, its hard default on foreign loan repayments, and the current state of the economy of Sri Lanka.

The petition calls for the respondents to be held accountable for their illegal, arbitrary, and unreasonable acts or omissions which culminated in the current crisis.

These petitions were taken up in the presence of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, and Justice of the Supreme Court Buwaneka Alivihare, Vijith Malalgoda, L. T. B. Dehideniya, and Murdhu Fernando on Wednesday (10).

President's Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appearing for the petitioners noted that the Rs. 681 Billion tax break given to businessmen after Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as President, is the root cause of the economic crisis.

He said that awarding such a tax break even when the IMF had warned against it, citing that it could lead to an economic crisis, is a short-sighted decision.

The petitioners allege that the Former Finance Ministers Mahinda Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, and Former Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal are responsible for the economic crisis.