News

Minister of Public Security Vijitha Herath said that the government has taken steps in the past 24 hours to address the visa issuance issues that have arisen.

Accordingly, effective midnight today (26), people will once again be able to obtain visas using the previous system.

The government has also initiated an immediate audit to examine the irregularities related to the services provided to VFS. This audit will thoroughly investigate the discrepancies, and appropriate legal action will be taken as required.

Veteran Sri Lankan traditional dancer, choreographer and teacher, Deshamanya Dr. Vajira Chitrasena has passed away at the age of 92.

Vajira and her husband Chitrasena are known for their close bond with India and for their contributions in strengthening the ties between the two countries in the field of arts.

She made her debut as soloist in the role of Prakriti in the ballet ‘Chandali’ in 1952.

Her rise to stardom was coupled with unswerving discipline and dedication both as teacher, performer and choreographer, even as she illumined her husband’s career.

She was announced as an honorable recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award for her achievement in arts in January 2020 and the award was given by Indian President Ram Nath Govind during the Padma Awards Investiture Ceremony which was held on 8 November 2021.

(adaderana.lk)

Officials from the Ministry of Power and Energy have informed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the country currently has sufficient fuel reserves to meet consumption needs, the President’s Media Division (PMD) reported.

The President stressed the importance of maintaining these reserves to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability for the public and urged officials to efficiently plan for fuel procurement for the upcoming year. The President further assured his full support in facilitating these efforts, the statement said.

During the meeting held today (26) with Ministry officials, President Dissanayake directed them to devise a plan for distributing solar panels, received through Indian aid, to 800 Piriven. He emphasized the need for a clear roadmap from the Ministry to ensure smooth implementation of this initiative.

The President also highlighted the importance of expediting projects financed by the Asian Development Bank and other foreign loans. He announced plans to establish a committee tasked with approving foreign-aid projects within three months, with the aim of accelerating their execution. Through this process, he noted, projects supported by foreign aid can be implemented more efficiently.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake underscored the urgency of accelerating rural development projects and swiftly implementing a system to ensure funds are directed to villages, noting that this approach would rapidly strengthen the rural economy.

He expressed confidence in the vital role that government officials play in these efforts and emphasized his expectation that all will work with dedication to achieve these goals.

The discussion was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Prof. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Energy; and a group of other officials.

--PMD--

President Anura Dissanayake has appointed new secretaries for two key ministries.

Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha has been appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.

Meanwhile, former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ravi Senaviratne has been appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security.

Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Illukpitiya has been ordered to be remanded in custody by the Supreme Court today.

This order comes as a result of his failure to comply with the interim order issued by the Supreme Court on August 2, which voided the government's decision to issue visas under the electronic visa system.

The ruling was made by a bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Kumuduni Wickramasinghe, and Achala Wengappuli.

The court had previously issued an interim order suspending the issuance of online visas and directing the controller general to issue visas under the old visa issuance system, thus voiding the electronic visa system.

Although more than a month has passed, the Controller General has willfully disregarded the court's order, leading petitioners, including Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rauff Hakeem, and M. A. Sumanthiran, to inform the court on September 13 to take appropriate legal action against him.

Considering the submisions made in court the supreme court justices noted that the Controller General had willfully ignored the court's order and therefore was in contempt of court.

As a result, during today's hearing, the petitioners filed contempt of charges against the Controller General.

The Supreme Court Justices emphasized that ignoring the Supreme Court's orders is a serious matter and that it is the responsibility of Supreme Court Justices to uphold the rule of law, instructing prison officials to take him into custody.

The Supreme Court Justices ordered that he be remanded in custody until the conclusion of the petition examination.

Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumara has been appointed as the new Presidential Secretary by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

This announcement was made by the Department of Government Information following President Dissanayake's swearing-in as the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka.

In related news, the Parliament has notified the Election Commission of a vacancy in the 9th Parliament.

This vacancy arises from President Dissanayake's resignation from his position as a Member of Parliament for the Colombo Electoral District, following his assumption of the presidential office.

The notification to the Election Commission was issued by the Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera.

Parliamentarian Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, today (24) at the Presidential Secretariat. She took the oath in the presence of Honourable President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Additionally, the Cabinet of Ministers was appointed, and they are as follows:

Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn-in as ninth executive president of Sri Lanka at a ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo this morning (23).

He took his oaths before chief justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.

The new president, in his inauguration speech, said he would be committed to the maximum to safeguarding democracy.

Dissanayake also said that he was not a magician, but an average citizen, who knows things and also there are things unknown to him.

My objective is to take better decisions by using what I know and gathering what I don’t know, he said.

The Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunathilake, has resigned from his position.

In a letter addressed to newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, he has officially informed of his decision to step down from the position.

In the letter, he further stated that he had worked with utmost dedication for the development of the Western Province, public service in the province, and for the benefit of its people, in accordance with the powers vested in him as Governor, since his appointment to the position on March 25, 2020.

He also mentioned that he was fortunate to have led the public service of the Western Province in efforts to enhance the safety and health of the people during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, as well as during other crises in recent years.

Prime minister Dinesh Gunawardena has tendered his resignation to the president.

He has tendered his letter of resignation to president Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Gunawardena has stated in the relevant letter that as the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka has been elected in the presidential election held on September 21, he will resign from his position in accordance with Article 47 (2) of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Gunawardena has also congratulated the newly elected President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, following his victory in the presidential election last night.

“I respectfully offer my congratulations to you for being elected as the 9th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the Presidential election held on 21st September 2024.

“I hope that you as the President will be able to provide welfare to the people by continuing the work we have done to recover and lift the country and the countrymen from the difficult and challenging situation that Sri Lanka has faced,” he said in a message.

(adaderana.lk)

NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, a distinguished academic, rights activist, and university lecturer, has been appointed as the 16th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Known for her work in education and social justice, Amarasuriya’s appointment marks a significant milestone in Sri Lankan politics.

Amarasuirya becomes Sri Lanka’s third woman prime minister, with the title held previously by Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

The new prime minister stands out as the first academic-turned-politician to take office.

Amarasuriya entered Parliament through the NPP national list in 2020.

In a special address, President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his deep gratitude to the people of Sri Lanka for the mandate granted during the 21st presidential election. He acknowledged that, in accordance with the will of the people, the leadership of the country should now be passed on to President Anura Dissanayake.

President Wickremesinghe extended his sincere thanks to all those who supported him during his tenure. He reflected on his role as a caretaker, stating that he had guided “the beloved child of Sri Lanka” across significant challenges, symbolized by the “Vine Bridge,” and expressed his confidence that under President Dissanayake’s leadership, the journey will continue safely and successfully.

The full transcript of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s speech is shown below;

“Ayubowan!

Dear Citizens,

The people of the country have given their decision at this Presidential Election held on 21st September 2024. Therefore, we must respect their decision and act according to that mandate to ensure the functioning of the country.

Two years ago, I took over a bankrupt country and a collapsed economy at an extremely turbulent time.

I accepted the challenge at a time when no one else had the courage to face it.

I successfully completed the responsibility that history put upon my shoulders.

I was able to rescue my motherland from bankruptcy within a short period of two years.

I believe this to be the most important thing I could do for my country during my political career.

Inflation was 70% when I took over the country, but I could reduce it to 0.5% during my time as the President.

I increased the Foreign Reserve, which was at USD 20 Million when I came to power, to USD 5.7 Billion.

I was able to ensure that the Sri Lankan Rupee which was 380 against the US Dollar, came down to a strong and solid amount of 300.

Also, when I took over, the economic growth of the country was negative 7.3% (- 7.3%). But I was able to increase it to positive 2.3% (2.3%). I am happy and proud about it.

I believe that the future generation of the country will give the proper assessment for my historical political role, the way it deserves.

I am aware that my place in history as the ruler of this country will be decided not today, but in future.

I followed the right path and saved people from hunger and sorrow. I hope that the new President will also follow the right path and put an end to the remaining issues that the people are facing.

I was eventually able to carry the dear child called Sri Lanka along a long distance safely – on the dangerous rope bridge.

Close to the very end of the rope bridge, people have decided to handover the dear child called Sri Lanka to President Anura Dissanayake.

Mr. President, here I handover to you with much love, the dear child called Sri Lanka, whom we both love very dearly. I wish that you will be able to carry this child away from the bridge to the other bank, even safer than the way I carried the child.

I will be devoted to serving my motherland with or without power, with or without a post or powers, for the rest of my life.

I wish to thank everyone who supported me, who did not support me, and all the citizens of the country during my time as President. Thank you.”