News

A new chairman and two new board members have been appointed to the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), A.M.N. Ratnayake has been appointed as the new chairman of the Foundation.

The two new board members include R.J.M.A.P. Sampath and Nalin Perera.

The appointment letters were presented today (Jan 06) at the Presidential Secretariat by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has called for an in-depth investigation into the growing trend of students pursuing Advanced Level education staying away from school.

During an observation tour of the Maharagama National Institute of Education, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the significant decline in classroom attendance, particularly among boys. She emphasized that addressing this issue is crucial to ensuring equal educational opportunities for all children.

Furthermore, Dr. Amarasuriya noted that it is unacceptable for children to miss out on their education due to social or economic factors, while stressing the importance of creating an environment where every child has access to 13 years of schooling and the possibility of pursuing higher education.

The Prime Minister highlighted the urgent need to identify and address the barriers preventing students from fully engaging in their studies. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering an inclusive educational system that prioritizes the needs of every child.

The Free Media Movement has sent a letter to the Inspector General of Police, requesting that legal action be expedited regarding the attacks targeting journalists.

The letter was signed by Hana Ibrahim, the Convener of the Free Media Movement, and Lasantha de Silva, its secretary.

According to the letter, they have learned that Thamil Selvan, a freelance journalist reporting from Kilinochchi, and Achala Upendra, the President of the Ampara District Journalists Association, were subjected to attacks in the past few days.

The letter further emphasises that journalist Thamil Selvan was assaulted, and there has been an attempt to kidnap him as well. Also, journalist Achala Upendra was attacked, and his camera equipment was damaged. Achala Upendra stated that a group involved in illegal sand mining was behind the incident.

Veteran Sri Lankan politician and former Member of Parliament J. R. P. Suriyapperuma has passed away.

He was aged 96 at the time of passing.

Suriyapperuma has previously served as the chief organiser of the the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) for the Dedigama electorate in the Kegalle District.

The human metapneumovirus (HMPV) spreading in China is not a new virus, nor currently a looming pandemic threat, Director of the Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Prof. Chandima Jeewandara said.

In a post on ‘X’ addressing the situation Prof. Jeewandara said that Chinese authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) have not declared a state of emergency in response to a recent rise in respiratory infections in China, despite growing concern on social media.

“While HMPV is driving a rise in respiratory infections, it is neither a new virus nor a looming pandemic threat.”

Prof. Jeewandara noted that HMPV identified in 2001, is a well-documented virus that typically causes cold or flu-like symptoms, including cough, fever, and sore throat. In severe cases, it can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

“Respiratory infections are common during winter and typically not a cause for alarm,” Prof. Jeewandara wrote. He noted that seasonal spikes in infections are expected, particularly as populations adapt to increased exposure to common pathogens following Covid-19 lockdowns.

Prof.Jeewandara also highlighted preventive measures such as handwashing and staying home when sick as critical to mitigating the spread of HMPV. While there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for the virus, most cases resolve within a week with symptomatic care, he said.

“Routine testing is not necessary unless symptoms are severe or there’s an outbreak,” Prof. Jeewandara said adding that the University’s AIlergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit possess necessary reagents to carry out testing if necessary.

The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health yesterday said that it is paying close attention to the virus currently reported to be spreading across China.

The Epidemiology Unit said it will brief the media after conducting a proper study.

The ceremonial launch of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ national programme commenced at the Presidential Secretariat under the aegis of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

‘Clean Sri Lanka’ is a programme launched by the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) government focussing on areas such as social behaviour, environmental cleanliness and people’s ethical behaviour.

An awareness campaign is to be organized in the first month after the programme’s official launch today.

The ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Task Force is set to collaborate with other countries to receive funds other than the funds allocated from the budget.

The Ministry of Tourism has raised concerns over the lack of adequate safety measures for tourists visiting Sigiriya, particularly in the event of a wasp attack.

In a discussion chaired by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dr. Ruwan Ranasinghe, several issues faced by both locals and foreigners were highlighted.

The meeting included senior officials from the Tourism Promotion Bureau, Department of Forest Conservation, Urban Development Authority, Dambulla Divisional Secretariat, Central Cultural Fund, and the Department of Archaeology.

Key concerns discussed included long queues at ticket counters, the absence of first aid stations, security issues due to inadequate street lighting, and a lack of water facilities.

Other issues raised were the unfriendliness of security personnel, insufficient regulation of guide services, and a lack of proper inspections.

Special attention was also given to the need for a resting place for tourists struggling to climb Sigiriya.

Additionally, the discussion covered plans to improve the Sigiriya Museum, Need to Organize Instructions and Notice Boards at Sigiriya in a Thematic and Visual Manner, and restore the ancient water fountains with support from the Department of Archaeology.

The Department of Railways has issued a special announcement regarding reserved train seat tickets and refunds.

The notice states that it is mandatory for passengers to provide their National Identity Card number or passport number when booking train seats.

Additionally, it also states that arrangements have been made to check and confirm the National Identity Card number or passport number as mentioned in the ticket when entering the railway station and when checking the tickets inside the train.

The announcement also states that from January 01, passengers requesting a refunds for reserved seats will be required to submit a copy of their National Identity Card or passport at the railway station to confirm their identity as the ticket holder.

e highest ever tax revenue in Sri Lanka’s history was recorded in 2024, collecting Rs.1.95 trillion, the Inland Revenue Department reported today.

According to the IRD, the figure is a 25.1% increase compared to the Rs.1.56 trillion collected in 2023.

Stating that Rs. 1,023 billion was collected as income tax, the IRD further said that revenue from Income Tax rose by Rs.112.1 billion in 2024.

Meanwhile, revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT) increased by Rs.245.5 billion, the IRD added.

The Judicial Services Commission has transferred Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage to Moratuwa District and Magistrate’s Court.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Colombo Fort Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali has been appointed as the Colombo Chief Magistrate by the Judicial Services Commission.

However on Monday (30), Magistrate Thilina Gamage had requested the Judicial Services Commission to transfer to another court the hearings of the case filed by the Bribery Commission against two individuals including former Western Provincial Councilor Salochana Gamage for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs. 9 million.

The Magistrate had reportedly emphasized that his court is unable to proceed with the hearings of the said bribery case as Salochana Gamage, one of the defendants, is his brother and thereby poses a conflict of interest.

Accordingly, he had requested the Judicial Services Commission in writing to appoint another suitable magistrate to proceed with the hearings related to the case.

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa has recorded a statement with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) over statements made regarding the wealth of former MP Basil Rajapaksa in the USA.

Speaking to the media, former MP Weerawansa said he had recorded a statement over comments made many years ago regarding the wealth of Basil Rajapaksa and his family members.

Wimal Weerawansa said that written information regarding his comments had been handed over to the Police.

“Basil Rajapaksa was not employed in the US. Whatever assets he owns in the US, are from the wealth acquired through his job in Sri Lana. The assets are under his and his family members’ names,” Weerawansa said, adding that information in his possession was handed over to the authorities.

He further stated that authorities should investigate the assets held by other relatives of Rajapaksa, as he does not have information about them.

Claiming that he also has information on other corrupt politicians, Weerawansa said everything cannot be revealed at once, and for now, he has only revealed about Basil Rajapaksa.

Wimal Weerawansa said the government should probe Basil Rajapaksa’s assets in the USA if they want to find corrupt politicians and if a systematic fair probe is conducted, then he would reveal details of other corrupt individuals as well.

The Supreme Court has ruled that giving free marks for three questions leaked before the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination on 15th September is a violation of fundamental human rights.

The Court ordered the Commissioner General of Examinations to choose and implement the best solution from three proposals submitted by a special team established to probe the issue.

The Court also directed I.G.S. Premathilaka and Chaminda Kumara Ilangasinghe, who are suspected of being involved in the leak, to pay compensation of Rs. 3 million and Rs. 2 million to the government.

The petitions were heard by a bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Kumudini Wickremasinghe, and Arjuna Obeyesekere.

The petitions were filed by parents and students who sat for the Scholarship Examination.