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Brigadier Franklin Joseph USP officially assumed duties as the new Director Media and Spokesman of the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday (Jul 22). He officially assumed responsibilities from Colonel Nalin Herath, who previously served as the Director Media and Spokesman.

Brigadier Franklin Joseph, a distinguished officer of the Sri Lanka Army Engineers Corps, brings with him over three decades of exemplary service marked by professionalism, leadership and a deep commitment to national security.

He served with distinction as the Centre Commandant of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers prior takeover the duties as the Director Media.

The Constitutional Council has ratified President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s nomination of Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena as the next Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.

Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, one of the most senior justices in the Supreme Court was nominated by the President recently.

Accordingly, the Constitutional Council, which convened today, ratified the nomination.

Chief Justice Murdu Fernando is scheduled to retire on July 27, and a new Chief Justice is to be appointed to fill the vacancy shortly.

The Cabinet of Ministers have approved, tourists from 40 more countries to visit Sri Lanka without paying visa fees.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath stated this while addressing the "Hotel Show 2025" exhibition, which commenced today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that 
the country is seeing an increase in global tourism. In response, the government has made key policy changes, including a recent Cabinet decision to offer visa-free entry to visitors from an additional 40 countries. This expands the total to 47 countries worldwide whose citizens can now visit Sri Lanka without paying a visa fee.

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, announced today that Sri Lanka is shifting away from an education system solely focused on pass/fail examination outcomes. The government’s objective is to deliver quality education to children through the introduction of a module-based system.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya made these remarks while addressing a media briefing held at the Ministry of Education in Isurupaya today (23), regarding the new education reforms scheduled for implementation in 2026.

The awareness session for media personnel representing various media organizations on the upcoming educational reforms was conducted by Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, and Dr. Ashoka de Silva, Deputy Director General of the National Institute of Education.

Responding to questions from journalists, the Prime Minister stated, "We, as teachers, parents, and students, have grown accustomed to an education system designed primarily around examinations. However, with this module-based system, students will engage in diverse learning activities and undergo continuous assessments."

The General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) Ordinary Level examination under the new curriculum is scheduled to commence in 2029, while the module system will be introduced for Grades 1 and 6 starting in 2026.

"We have three years to observe this system," the Prime Minister explained. "Based on the evolving circumstances and needs, we are prepared to make the necessary adjustments. We have never claimed that these reforms are final. We expect to revise them in line with future developments. Furthermore, we welcome suggestions and feedback from all stakeholders."

The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to reduce classroom sizes to 25–30 students, noting that some classrooms currently exceed 40 students due to admissions granted on the basis of recommendations from previous Ministers and Secretaries of Education. "Our government has entirely discontinued this practice," she affirmed. "Going forward, only the officially sanctioned number of students will be admitted into schools." Addressing concerns about the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, the Prime Minister stated, "No decision has been made to abolish the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination. In order to do so, we must first address disparities among schools, which cannot be resolved overnight. Our aim through these reforms is to alleviate the pressure and stress this examination places on children."

She further stated that the reforms include a proposal for the Ministry of Education to assume full responsibility for the operation of early childhood development centers, including the training of early childhood educators.

Mr. Madhura Seneviratne, Deputy Minister of Education, also addressed the media briefing, stating, "These reforms place strong emphasis on teacher training. It is one of the five core pillars we have outlined. A dedicated training program for teachers has been planned and will commence in August."

Several upcoming meetings are scheduled to brief university academics, teacher unions, and education officials on the proposed reforms.

A discussion took place yesterday afternoon (24) at the Presidential Secretariat between the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and a delegation from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, along with representatives from Japanese trade, commerce and industry sectors.

This delegation from Japan has arrived in Sri Lanka to explore opportunities for increasing Japanese investment in the country.

The Japanese delegation, focusing on new investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, is scheduled to hold discussions with public and private sector companies in the upcoming days.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Roshan Gamage, Director for Southwest Asia, Trade Policy Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Toshiyuki Shimano, Deputy Director Hiromi Sumi, Regional Representative for Southwest Asia, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Toyokazu Nagamune, along with representatives from Japanese trade, commerce and industry and officials from the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka also attended the meeting.

Neither the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) nor the government has taken any decision to impose restrictions on vehicle imports at present, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has clarified while responding to recent media reports.

The Governor made this statement during a press briefing held at the CBSL today (23), following the announcement of the Central Bank’s monetary policy statement.

When inquired by Ada Derana business correspondent regarding recent reports suggesting that the government and the Central Bank were contemplating on imposing restrictions on vehicle imports, Dr. Weerasinghe asserted that the market will remain open and the Central Bank has not paid any attention to restrict imports.

Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe stated that the government also has no such intention, and he is of the view that the Subject Minister has made a statement indicating that there would not be a change in the decision to open the market for vehicle imports.

He further noted that, while there is currently no move to impose restrictions, the Central Bank is mindful of potential risks.

“From a macroprudential standpoint, it continues to monitor the stability of the financial system and the borrowers’ capacity to repay loans. In this context, certain adjustments have been made,” he added.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a discussion this afternoon (24) at the Presidential Secretariat with relevant Ministers and Officials regarding the protection of wild elephants and the safeguarding daily lives of rural community.

During the meeting, the President inquired into the current situation regarding the increasing harassment incidents involving wild elephants and their disruptive impact on the daily lives of rural populations.

Officials briefed the President on the prevailing situation and the longstanding difficulties faced by relevant institutions in addressing this issue effectively, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

President Dissanayake emphasized that under no circumstances should wild elephants be subjected to harm or harassment and stressed the importance of identifying short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions.

The President directed officials to conduct in-depth assessments at the village level and noted that effective solutions need to be provided with the support of both political leadership and the public, the PMD said.

The President instructed the relevant Ministers and Officials to immediately assign 5,000 members of the Civil Security Force as assistants to address the current shortage of human resources.

President Dissanayake further directed that the number of vehicles allocated to officers of the Department of Wildlife be increased, noting that the current shortage hampers their duties. Accordingly, immediate steps are to be taken to procure cabs and motorcycles for this purpose.

In addition, the President called for the prompt preparation and submission of necessary plans for the proposed 800 kilometres of electric fencing and the restoration of 16 elephant corridors, aimed at preventing wild elephants from encroaching into villages, the statement added.

President Dissanayake also called for an immediate resolution to communication gaps within the Department of Wildlife Conservation and emphasized the need to establish a streamlined system for public access to information and assistance.

Among those present were Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala, Minister of Environment, Dhammika Patabendi, Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, K.R. Uduwawala, Acting Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasuriya, Director General of the Department of Civil Security, Major General Palitha Fernando, Director General of the Department of Wildlife, M.S.L.R.P. Marasinghe, Deputy Director (Elephant Conservation) V.L. Thaufeen, DIG of the Environmental Division, Bimshani Jasin Arachchi, Conservator General of Forests, S.C. Palamakumbura, as well as representatives from the security forces and the Department of Forest Conservation.

--PMD--

A discussion on streamlining the process of medicine supply was held this afternoon (22) at the Presidential Secretariat. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, along with the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni and officials from the Ministry of Health, participated in the meeting.

During the discussion, the procurement and distribution of medicines were reviewed. The President instructed officials to streamline the mechanism to ensure a continuous supply of essential medicines to the public without any shortages or delays.

Attention was drawn to the existing issues and weaknesses within the medicine procurement process and distribution mechanism.

The President also instructed officials to take immediate steps to address any medicine shortages reported in certain hospitals. He further stressed the importance of preventing such situations from recurring in the country and urged them to swiftly develop the necessary long-term plans for this purpose.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further highlighted that the necessary funds for medicine procurement by hospitals have already been allocated by the Treasury. He emphasised the collective commitment required to guarantee high-quality healthcare services for the people of this country.

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered the shipping company responsible for the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster to pay USD 1 billion in compensation to the Sri Lankan government.

The payment is to cover the extensive environmental and economic damage caused by the vessel’s fire and sinking off the country’s western coast.

The court found that the failure to prevent the disaster constituted a violation of fundamental human rights, and held several parties accountable.

The ruling was delivered by a five-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Murdhu fernando, Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Shiran Gunaratne, Achala Wengappuli, and Priyantha Fernando.

The compensation order follows series of fundamental rights petitions filed by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and members of the fisheries community, who suffered severe losses due to the environmental fallout and disruption to livelihoods.

The court directed that the compensation be paid within one year from the date of the ruling, with the first installment due by September 23, 2025.

Named respondents in the case include the Minister of Environment, Minister of Fisheries, Minister of Ports, the Chairman of the Ports Authority, the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, the local agent of the X-Press Pearl vessel (Sea Consortium Lanka Pvt Ltd), the Marine Pollution Prevention Authority, the Central Environmental Authority, and the Attorney General, among others.

A debate on the proposed National Education Reform Council is set to take place on Thursday (24).

The decision was made during today’s meeting of the Parliamentary Business Committee, chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

In a related development, the committee also decided to defer the debate on the controversial Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill.

The debate, which was originally scheduled for this week, will now be held on a future date.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake officially received the credentials of five newly appointed ambassadors and one high commissioner at a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.

Among the diplomats was Sergey Viktorov, the first-ever resident Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka, marking a historic milestone in bilateral relations.

Kazakhstan becomes the first Central Asian nation to establish a resident diplomatic mission in Colombo, signaling a new chapter in regional cooperation.

The other envoys who presented their credentials included:

Alem Woldemariam – Ambassador of Eritrea (resident in New Delhi)

Jagnnath Sami – High Commissioner of Fiji (resident in New Delhi)

Alisher Tukhtaev – Ambassador of Uzbekistan (resident in Islamabad)

Yousef Mustafa Abdelghani – Ambassador of Jordan (resident in New Delhi)

Dasho Karma Hamu Dorjee – Ambassador of Bhutan (resident in Dhaka)

The ceremony was attended by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The Committee of Inquiry appointed to investigate Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandhu Tennakoon has found him guilty of all charges of gross abuse of power and misconduct.

The committee has unanimously recommended his removal from office.

The findings were announced in Parliament this morning by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

The Speaker described the occasion as “historic,” marking the first time such a recommendation has been made against an IGP under the country’s constitutional framework.

The inquiry was conducted under the provisions of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, following a resolution passed in Parliament on April 4 this year.

The three-member committee was chaired by Supreme Court Justice P.P. Surasena and included Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman of the National Police Commission (ex-officio).

Speaker Wickramaratne said the report, which concluded Tennakoon was guilty under Section 8(2) of the Act, will be tabled in Parliament and made available to the public due to the high level of public interest.

He also said that a resolution to remove the IGP will be included in the Order Paper of Parliament for a future vote by Members of Parliament.