News

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has expressed his complete support for the direction Sri Lanka is pursuing under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayake to strengthen national unity, promote reconciliation and safeguard Human Rights.

He made this statement during a meeting with President Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (26), as part of his visit to Sri Lanka.

The High Commissioner commended the current political and social transformation taking place in the country and noted that people in both the North and the South have placed strong confidence in the President and the Government. Mr. Volker Türk stated that during his visit to Sri Lanka, he was able to gain a clear understanding of the on-going transformation taking place in the country. He expressed his belief that the people of Sri Lanka are now placing a renewed optimism for a brighter future.

The issue of missing persons was also discussed in detail. The High Commissioner observed that families of the missing whether in the North or the South share the same pain and emphasized the expectation of the UN Human Rights Office that the Sri Lankan Government will honour the trust these families have placed in it.

The discussion further stressed the importance of strengthening and restructuring the institutional framework responsible for addressing the issue of missing persons. It was noted that past political cultures had hindered these institutions from effectively delivering on public expectations and protecting the rights of citizens.

In his remarks, President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that, as a political movement that has directly faced the experience of the missing persons his administration has a deep understanding of their pain.

The President emphasized that his government is fully committed to implementing the necessary reforms to ensure national unity, foster reconciliation and safeguard human rights across the country.

The President also emphasized that restoring economic stability remains a top priority of his administration. While recognizing the scale of the current challenges, the President reiterated his Government’s strong determination to address them and called for the continued support of the international community.

President Disanayake further said that international cooperation, including the support of the UN Human Rights Office and other global institutions, is essential for accurately conveying Sri Lanka’s actual circumstances to the global community and improving the nation’s international reputation.

Also present at the meeting were several senior officials from the United Nations, including UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche, Chief of the Asia-Pacific Section of Global Operations Division Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) Rory Mungoven, Desk Officer of OHCHR Elaine Chan, Senior Human Rights Adviser at the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Laila Nazarali, Development Coordination Officer, Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Azam Bakeer Markar and Public Information Officer of the OHCHR Anthony Headley.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, among other officials. (PMD)

The National Transport Commission has announced that bus fares will be reduced by 2.5% with effect from July 1.

This announcement was made during a discussion held this afternoon between officials of the Ministry of Transport and bus union representatives.

The meeting was convened to discuss the annual revision of bus fares, scheduled to take effect on July 1.

However, reports suggest that the bus unions have expressed their opposition to the government’s proposal.

If a fare reduction is imposed, there will be no changes to the minimum and second-tier fares. Adjustments however will apply to fares beyond those tiers.

Former Secretary of the Ministry of Health Janaka Chandragupta, who was arrested earlier today, has been remanded until July 8, Ada Derana reporter said.

He was remanded after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Janaka Chandragupta was arrested this morning by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), after recording a statement regarding the alleged procurement of substandard drugs.

Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, a specialist neurosurgeon attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, and two others who were arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), have been further remanded.

The three suspects were arrested on June 17 in connection with the alleged sale of medicines at higher prices through a third party.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (24) rejected the bail applications of three suspects, including Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, who were remanded on charges of bribery until today.

Accordingly, Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali ordered that the suspects be further remanded until July 8.

The decision was made after considering the facts presented by officials of the Bribery Commission and the arguments put forward by the defense counsel.

(Ada Derana)

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has participated in a special community event titled “An Evening with Dr. Harini Amarasuriya” in Surrey, British Columbia, during her ongoing visit to Canada.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the event offered a unique opportunity for the religious leaders and members of the Sri Lankan origin community to interact with the Prime Minister.

PM Amarasuriya arrived in Canada on Tuesday to attend the Meeting of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors in Vancouver.

Upon her arrival, she was warmly received by senior officials from the Government of the Province of British Columbia, the Commonwealth of Learning, and the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa, in coordination with and facilitated by Global Affairs Canada.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) says it has detected a new launch of ballistic missiles from Iran.

Sirens are expected to sound in northern Israel in the coming minutes.

The announcement comes shortly after Israel said it had agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with Iran.

Israel’s defence minister says he has instructed the military to “respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire with intense strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran.”

Israel Katz’s comments appear to have come before the military detected Iranian missiles in northern Israel a short while ago.

It is unclear at this stage which Iranian strikes he is referring to, although medics say five people were killed in Beer Sheba overnight after missiles fired by Tehran. (Times of Israel/ Sky News)

The Attorney General today served indictments before the Colombo High Court Special Trial-at-Bar on former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and 11 others over the alleged import of substandard Human Immunoglobulin vials.

The indictment consists of a total of 13 charges.

In 2022, amidst the country’s economic crisis, a number of high-ranking health officials were allegedly involved in the purchase of medicine stocks by changing existing procurement procedures and creating a false shortage of drugs in the country.

In such a context, three patients in Kandy, Matale, and Colombo who had used human immunoglobulin vaccines, one of the types of medicines purchased from the above mentioned medicine stocks, had developed complications, raising concerns about the quality of the medicine.

Accordingly, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) launched an investigation based on two complaints received regarding this matter.

Subsequently, a case was filed before the Maligakanda Magistrate Court, naming 12 individuals as suspects.

These include the owner of the company that supplied the substandard drugs, Sudath Janaka Fernando, former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, former Secretary to the Ministry of Health Janaka Chandragupta, and a group of other high-ranking officials in the health sector.

Although 10 suspects in the case were arrested and produced before the court, they were remanded and later released on bail.

However, the first suspect, the supplier of the substandard human immunoglobulin vaccines, is still in remand custody.

In this context, on June 19, Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, who last reported the progress of the investigations to the court, stated that the Criminal Investigation Department’s probe into the substandard Human Immunoglobulin vials case, which lasted one year, eight months, and six days, has now been concluded.

Accordingly, the Attorney General served indictments today before the Colombo High Court Special Trial-at-Bar on former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and 11 others accused in the case.

The indictment was served before a three-judge bench of the Colombo High Court comprising Justices Mahen Weeraman, Amali Ranaweera, and Pradeep Abeyratne.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya departed for Canada this morning to attend the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors.

PM Harini Amarasuriya will participate as the representative of the South Asian region in the event, which will be held from 24 to 26 June in Vancouver, Canada.

According to the PM’s Office, the summit will primarily focus on key sectors of education and training of children and women, higher education, teacher education, lifelong learning, and the integration of digital technology to enhance active learning.

Discussions will also focus on the topics of investing in innovation and research, supporting the digital transformation of institutions and organizations, implementing effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and promoting gender equality.

Former Secretary to the Health Ministry, Janaka Chandragupta, has been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

He was arrested after arriving at the commission this morning (26) to record a statement regarding the alleged procurement of substandard drugs.

Qatar has temporarily suspended all air traffic in its airspace, citing safety concerns for its citizens, residents, and visitors.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar announced the decision following rising tensions in the region and threats of Iranian retaliation against the United States.

In a statement released via its official social media account, the Ministry said, “The competent Qatari authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country’s airspace out of concern for the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors.”

Moreover, flight tracking platform Flightradar24 said that inbound flights to Doha’s Hamad International Airport began diverting to alternate airports on Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the US and the UK have told their citizens in Qatar to shelter in place “until further notice”.

The US embassy in Qatar suggested in a notice online that Americans do so “out of an abundance of caution”. The UK government said it was issuing its warning in response to the US alert.

The warnings come after the State Department told US citizens in international locations to “exercise increased caution,” after the US bombed three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday. Iran has threatened to retaliate.

In a statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a number of countries were urging precautions, but the embassy notice did “not necessarily reflect the existence of specific threats”.

“The security situation in the country is stable,” the statement said, adding that “the relevant authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors”.

Qatar is home to the largest US military base in the Middle East, Al Udeid Air Base. About 8,000 US citizens live there, according to the State Department.

The US has about 40,000 troops stationed in the Middle East.

The message from the US Embassy was followed by warnings from other groups in Qatar, including several universities that asked students to go home.

Bilateral relations between the US and Qatar are “strong”, according to the State Department, which says Qatar has helped play a financial, political and military role in dealing with turmoil in the region.

• Agencies

The Department of Examinations has announced that the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will be held from 10 November to 05 December 2025.

Issuing a statement, the Exam Department said that online applications will be accepted from 26 June to 21 July 2025.

School candidates have been requested to apply through their respective principals, while private candidates are required to submit applications independently using their National Identity Card (NIC) number.

Applicants are instructed to visit the official websites, www.doenets.lk or www.onlineexams.gov.lk/eic, to carefully read the guidelines and submit their applications accordingly.

A printed copy of the application must be retained for future reference, the department said.

The Exam Department further said that usernames and passwords for school applications have already been issued to school principals.

The department added that no extensions will be granted under any circumstances for submitting applications beyond the midnight deadline on 21 July.

For further inquiries, candidates may contact the Exam Department via:

Telephone numbers : 011-2784208 / 011-2784537 / 011-2785922

Hotline : 1911

Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Exam Department urges all candidates to complete their applications within the stipulated time frame to avoid disqualification.

A delegation from the Maldivian President’s Office arrived at Sri Lanka’s Presidential Secretariat today for a study tour scheduled to run until June 27.

The visit focuses on areas such as archives and records preservation, stores management, inventory control, and stock preservation, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

During their stay, the officials will tour the Department of National Archives, Sri Lanka Customs, Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat, and Parliament.

Eight officials are participating and met with Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage for discussions, joined by other Secretariat staff.