News

A special discussion was held (08) at the Presidential Secretariat, led by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake the Secretary to the President, and attended by officials from the Irrigation Department, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and related Ministries. The meeting focused on determining if the Salinity Barrier is indeed contributing to the floods leading to agricultural damage.

It was decided that a thorough study is necessary to address these concerns and that the Engineering Department of the University of Peradeniya will assist in this investigation. The Secretary to the President supported this proposal and directed the officials to create an action plan based on the findings from the study.

Additionally, officials reported that saltwater intrusion has adversely affected livelihoods, with many residents losing farmland. The Secretary highlighted that restoring normal conditions is both a government and official responsibility and directed further action to address flooding in the Matara area.

Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed officials to prepare a proposal based on a study by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Peradeniya. The solutions derived from this report will guide the second phase of the project, with necessary funding requests to be submitted.

He also emphasized the importance of implementing a structured flood management plan for the Matara district and directed the coordination between the Irrigation Department and Water Supply and Drainage Board to establish a sustainable flood management plan in Matara.

The Secretary noted that there have been complaints from residents by the river banks regarding the adverse effects of the salinity barrier, which has led to the loss of farmland and livelihoods along the Nilwala River. He stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to address this issue urgently and to restore normalcy. Additionally, he directed officials to continue working towards solving the flooding issue in the Matara region.

Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife, Shashi Prabha Ratwatte, were remanded today until November 18 under charges related to the illegal use of a vehicle that was reportedly assembled without proper authorization.

They was produced before Nugegoda Magistrate Ruwani Jayawardena after investigations by the Mirihana Police revealed the luxury vehicle, found at the couple's residence on Shalawa Road, Embuldeniya, Mirihana, had been illegally assembled

The vehicle was also discovered without a valid number plate.

The investigation has uncovered that the vehicle's chassis number was fraudulent, and the couple had been using it since 2020.

Attorney DIG Ruwan Gunasekara said they swapped license plates with fraudulent ones and used them on another vehicle, a Toyota Lexus. Video evidence of the vehicle’s use has been submitted to the Government Analyst for further examination.

In addition to charges under the Motor Traffic Act and the Penal Code, the case also involves violations of the Customs Ordinance and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The Director of Customs testified in court today as part of the ongoing investigation.

Lohan Ratwatte was arrested by the Mirihana Police on October 30, while his wife appeared before the court on November 4 and was remanded until today.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya convened a meeting yesterday with senior officials from key government institutions, under the Ministry of Technology and public sector institutions providing information technology services.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of advancements in science and technology within the ministry and reviewed the ongoing progress of IT services to foster Sri Lanka’s development.

Key discussion topics included digitization efforts, the integration of artificial intelligence, and current challenges to IT development in the public sector.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya recently met with key figures from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), including Mr. Sumathi Dharmawardena, President’s Counsel, the newly appointed Independent Chair of the ICC ACU, and Mr. Alex Marshall, (CBE, QPM) General Manager of Integrity and Human Resources, ICC.

During the discussion, Mr. Alex Marshall noted Sri Lanka’s progress in combating corruption in cricket over the past seven years, emphasizing the importance of player education and strengthening the Ministry of Sports’ Special Investigations.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Andrew Ephgrave, Senior Manager, of ICC ACU Operations; Mr. Vije Bandara, Senior Attorney and Director General of Legal at the President’s Office; Mrs. Illeperuma, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Sports; and Prof. Shemal Fernando, Director General of Sports.

The Ministry of Education has said that schools will be closed on November 13 and 14 due to the general election.

According to the ministry, the decision to grant the holidays was made in response to a request from the Election Commission.

All schools are scheduled to reopen on November 18.

The 2024 general election will be held on November 14.

Specialist Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen has been acquitted from all charges by the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court, Ada Derana reporter said.

The case against Dr. Shafi, who had been accused of allegedly amassing assets through suspicious means, performing illegal sterilization surgeries and having links to terrorist activities, was taken up for hearing today (06).

The Kurunegala Magistrate ordered the case to be dismissed, after the Attorney General’s Department informed court today that there was not enough evidence to proceed with the case, and ordered the acquittal of defendant Dr. Shafi from all related charges.

Furthermore, the court also lifted the overseas travel ban which was imposed on Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen, according to Ada Derana reporter.

In the year 2019, Dr. Shafi was arrested for allegedly amassing assets via suspicious means.

Accusations were also made against him by various parties claiming he had performed illegal sterilization surgeries on women who were treated by him during their caesarean deliveries.

He was later detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

In this backdrop, a large number of complaints were lodged at Kurunegala Teaching Hospital and Dambulla General Hospital by mothers who claimed to have been treated by Dr. Shafi and experienced complications in conceiving.

(adaderana.lk)

Political parties make impractical promises in order to gain power, notes general election candidate Keshal Jayasinghe.

A contestant for Colombo from ‘gas cylinder’, he said Ranil Wickremesinghe was the only candidate who had not made false promises at the recent presidential polls.

Politicians should give up the practice of making false promises to the people at least now, Jayasinghe told ‘Heta Dawasa’ programme of Advocata Plus YouTube channel.

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has questioned the recent decision of the Public Security Ministry to decrease the number of personnel provided for her personal security as a former Head of State.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary to the Ministry, former President Kumaratunga said it has come to her attention that her security detail of 50 has been reduced to 30 as per the new decision.

She further said that a letter by the Police Officer in charge of her area of residence has cited the highest level of threat to her among the former heads of state and that her security detail requires a minimum of 50 personnel.

Among the former Presidents, Mahinda Rajapaksa has been provided with a security detail of 243 consisting of Police and Army personnel, Maithripala Sirisena has been granted 109 Police officers, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa a security detail of 200 consisting of Police and Army personnel, she pointed out.

Against such arrangements, she questioned why a decision had been taken to only reduce her security detail, despite severe threats to her, further raising doubts about whether there exists a plan to assassinate her, similar to her husband in 1988.

The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for severe lightning in 21 districts, effective until 11.30 pm today.

Accordingly, thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Central, Uva, Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Trincomalee and Ampara districts during this period.

The Met Department warned that there may be temporary localized strong winds during the thundershowers.

The public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva has strongly criticised former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, accusing him of deceiving the public and undermining democratic principles.

Silva’s remarks came as tensions rise ahead of the upcoming General Election.

“Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was defeated, is once again trying to mislead the people by lying. He has asked us to learn about the constitution from him, but he has no right to talk about the constitution and democracy,” Silva charged. He pointed to Wickremesinghe’s history, claiming, “Ranil Wickremesinghe, who sabotaged constitutional elections, destroyed democracy, and even ignored court orders, one can learn about dictatorship from him, not about democracy and the constitution.”

Silva criticised Wickremesinghe for allegedly exploiting public resources, adding, “Since 1977, Ranil Wickremesinghe has lived on public money. Even after being defeated in politics, he is still asking to live on public money. The people have made a decision regarding Ranil Wickremesinghe; now we remind him to accept defeat and live with the loss.”

Amidst these pointed critiques, Silva highlighted the importance of resisting the resurgence of what he described as misleading propaganda from political opponents.

“It is difficult for those who were in old politics, who were defeated by the people in the Presidential election, to bear that defeat. Therefore, they have started repeatedly slandering and spreading false propaganda against the compass,” Silva said.

Silva asserted that the JVP aims to bring genuine change and urged the public to support their bid for a stronger Parliamentary presence.

“A strong Parliamentary power is needed to implement the series of policies that we presented to the country. We request the people to give that strong and stable power from the Parliament,” he said.

Accusations of falsehoods and divisive tactics were also levelled at other political entities.

“They still did not apologise for lying to society before the Presidential election. Those defeated groups ran ugly propaganda inciting racism and bigotry. Political criticism is not a problem, but such false propaganda that confused religions and races continued on the platforms of both the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Ranil Wickremesinghe,” Silva emphasised.

Silva underscored the peaceful nature of the recent Presidential election, highlighting, “Although six weeks have passed since the end of the Presidential election, we have set a record as an election in the history of our country where no post-election violence occurred. Our policy is not to hurt others, but to win the hearts of others,” he said. “Misleading the public is a social crime,” Silva added.

The JVP General Secretary also expressed concern over misinformation being spread among northern communities, stating,

“These campaigns are also carried among the people of the north. Many facts have been revealed regarding the false propaganda carried using distorted videos. It is requested to defeat such groups that lie to the people and to win the victory of the National People’s Power, which can build national unity and the country.”

Silva called on Sri Lankans to reject what he termed as baseless accusations and divisive rhetoric. “Some of our comrades’ comments are being cut and edited, and distorted ideas are repeatedly being shared. All they know is lying. All the people are requested not to believe the false slanders that the Opposition imposes on people on the basis of racism and religious beliefs. The National People’s Power works for the purpose of creating a Sri Lankan nation without racial or religious differences,” he declared.

Silva expressed optimism about the public’s response to the JVP’s platform and noted their progress. “A background has been prepared for the general election where the people can vote without fear or doubt, without using state power or public resources. A cabinet consisting of three people, including the President, is now ruling the country. Meanwhile, we have confirmed the realistic feeling that the country is moving on a new path by providing the reliefs that can be given to the people. That is why many people who did not vote for us in the last Presidential election are lining up to vote for us this time,” Silva stated.

In closing, Silva appealed for national unity against misinformation campaigns. “Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians are all requested to unite and defeat those who spread such false propaganda. More lies will be told in the next few days. Rejecting those false slanders, the NPP is requesting to be given a strong Parliamentary majority,” he said.

(ft.lk)

Two newly appointed Ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (07).

The two new envoys, His Excellency Adel Ibrahim, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and His Excellency Mr. ISOMATA Akio, Ambassador of Japan, also paid courtesy calls on the President following the presentation of credentials.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to recall Ambassadors and High Commissioners from 15 countries.

As detailed in a letter in this regard has been issued by the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This decision affects officials in positions that are not part of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service.

Notable individuals among those recalled include:

Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and former Chief Justice Mohan Peiris.

British High Commissioner and former Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

Indian High Commissioner, Former Ambassador Kshenuka Senewiratne.

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia and former Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chitranganee Wagiswara.

Ambassador to Japan Rodney Perera.

Former Air Force Chief, Sumangala Dias as Malaysian High Commissioner.

Ambassador of Nepal, Former Air Force Commander, Sudarshana Pathirana.

Former Navy Commander, Nishantha Ulugethenna Cuban Ambassador.

Former Navy Commander Ravindra Wijegunaratne, as High Commissioner of Pakistan.

Uday Indraratne as Ambassador of The United Arab Emirates.

High Commissioner of Kenya V. Kananathan.

Brother of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's wife, High Commissioner of Seychelles Srimal Wickramasinghe.

Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Shahid.

The Ministry has said that based on the advice of the subject minister Vijitha Herath, suitable candidates from the Foreign Service will be appointed to these positions in the future.

(newsfirst.lk)