News

King Charles III was crowned at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday (06) in a ceremony that promises to be brimming with royal splendor and rituals that date back more than 1,000 years.

The St Edward's Crown was placed on King Charles III head by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Gun salutes involving 400 personnel marked the moment St Edward's Crown was placed on the King's head.

Twenty-one rounds were fired at 11 locations around the UK - including Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast - and on Royal Navy ships at sea.

The last coronation was of the Late Queen Elizabeth II, which was nearly 70 years ago.

King Charles III was four years old when his mother Queen Elizabeth was crowned in 1953.

The Queen’s coronation ceremony was on June 2, 1953 and was held at Westminster Abbey. Per the palace, the Abbey has “been the setting for every Coronation since 1066.

Over 8,000 guests attended the ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he would work to create the political and economical changes called for by the youth in the country.

He was speaking at the UNP May Day rally in Colombo on Monday (1) morning, at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.

The went on to note that five youth members would be appointed to the Parliament Select Committees and the Sectoral Oversight Committees, and the appointments would be made in May.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his Labour Day statement on Monday (1) said he expects to reach an agreement this year to solve the country's long-drawn ethnic issue with the Government's commitment to policies that benefit all communities in Sri Lanka.

President said, "My motivation was not rooted in politics, but in properly managing the country's economy and alleviating the burdens on its citizens. For this reason, I took on the role of the presidency, as I had faith in my ability to revive the economy and work alongside supportive ministers to achieve these outcomes."

President Wickremesinghe noted that as the country approaches the centenary of independence in 2048, the goal should be to become a country with a developed economy, just like India aims to achieve in 2047 and China in 2049. "Let 2048 be the year of development for Sri Lanka. We are not only building this economy for the present generation but also for the youth and children of the future," he said.

The President said that in order to address the issues faced by the Tamil community in this country, it is futile for Tamil political parties to distance themselves & called on all parties to work together towards building a new, competitive, and sustainable economy that is inclusive and just for all communities in Sri Lanka

State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe was sworn in as the Acting Finance Minister to perform the duties of the Finance Minister while President Ranil Wickremesinghe visits the UK.

The Finance Ministry said that appointment was made as per the powers vested with the President.

Accordingly, Shehan Semasinghe will serve as the Acting Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies until the President returns to the island after concluding his visit to the UK.

The appointment letter was officially handed over to the State Minister by the President.

Sri Lankan veteran actor G.R. Perera has passed away at the age of 83.

According to family sources, Perera had been ill for a long period and passed away today at his home.

The family sources further said that the arrangements for his final rites will be announced later.

Galhenage Rathnapala Pererais a veteran actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre, and television and has acted in more than 600 television serials with a career spanning over five decades.

Born on 13 November 1939, G.R. Perera started his film career with the 1971 film ‘Welikathara’ directed by D.B. Nihalsinghe with a minor role.

He first appeared in a major role in the second film of his career, ‘Kalu Diya Dahara’ directed by Manik Sandarasagara.

G.R. Perera’s maiden television acting role came through the serial ‘Thunkal Sihinaya’ directed by Tissa Abeysekara, while his role “Malakada Bass” in the serial ‘Doo Daruwo’ was the turning point of his teledrama career.

He has also acted in six foreign films which include three Indian, two American, and one German film.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak Zone, the National Vesak celebration organized by the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple in Colombo on Tuesday (May 03).

The Vesak program includes various events organized at the Galle Face Shangri-la Green and Presidential Secretariat Premises on May 03, 04, 05, and 06, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

During the inauguration, the President switched on the lights to mark the start of the Vesak program and attended the ‘Bhakthi Gee’ event on the steps of the Presidential Secretariat.

Subsequently, he offered flowers to the Buddha statue and participated in religious rituals at the Seemamalakaya of the Gangarama Temple.

The President also illuminated the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” electric lights to inaugurate the Vesak celebration.

The South Asian Embassies and High Commissions had created exhibition booths at the Vesak Zone to showcase the Buddhist heritage of the Vesak region, which the President visited. He observed the designs and asked for details from the designers.

The President also made a note in the commemorative book at the exhibition hall of the Pakistani Buddhist heritage. Later, he visited the Gangarama Temple and received blessings from Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Temple.

He also had a friendly conversation with the local and foreign devotees who had come to visit the Buddha Rashmi Vesak program.

Fuel prices of the CPC revised with effect from midnight today (30).

A litre of 92 Octane Petrol reduced by Rs.7 to Rs.333, 95 Octane Petrol reduced by Rs.10 to Rs.365, Diesel by Rs.15 to Rs.310 and Super Diesel by Rs.135 to Rs.330

The President’s Fund and the Ministry of Education jointly implemented a scholarship program for students who excelled in the GCE O/L examination, under the guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the Zonal Educational Office considers skill, aesthetics, sports, and extra-curricular activities, as well as the economic and social status of the student’s family when awarding points for this program.

Under the first phase, 3,000 students across the country qualified, and 110 scholarship recipients with the highest merits in 11 education zones symbolically received their scholarships of Rs. 5,000 per month for two years at the Presidential Secretariat.

The scholarship program will award a total of 30 scholarships per zone, providing support to 3,000 students in 100 educational zones throughout the country. The scholarship program’s total estimated cost for the two-year duration is Rs. 360 million.

The PMD stated that the Ministry of Education informed schools through a circular and a newspaper advertisement was also published to encourage applications for the scholarship program.

Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha and Presidential Senior Adviser on National Security, Chief of Presidential StaffSagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Secretary of the Ministry of Education M.N. Ranasinghe, Secretary of the President’s Fund W.A. Sarath Kumara and several others participated in this event.

Several political parties and trade unions will tomorrow (May 01) celebrate International Workers’ Day, marking the occasion with rallies and processions in towns across the country.

The United National Party’s (UNP) May Day rally will be held at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo tomorrow evening with the participation of several leading members of the party.

Meanwhile, the May Day rally of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will take place in Campbell Park in Borella, led by the party’s leader former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya’s (SJB) May Day parade themed “Struggle at the workplace for the victory of the motherland” is scheduled to be commenced near the P.D. Sirisena playground in Maligawatte, going on to gather at the E.A. Gunasinghe playground in Borella.

The May Day rally of the National People’s Power has been organized in front of the Viharamahadevi Park, while the Frontline Socialist Party will commence their procession from Delkanda Junction towards Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre, where the party’s rally will be held.

Moreover, the Supreme Lanka Coalition (Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya) has organized their May Day rally in Colombo Hyde Park next evening.

In the meantime, two other major political parties have organized the May Day rallies outside Colombo.

Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) rally will be held in front of the Kandy Central Market, while the ‘Nidahasa Janatha Sandhanaya’ will hold their May Day rally in front of the Sahas Uyana in Kandy.

Meanwhile, the Police Media Spokesperson SSP Nihal Talduwa says that all security measures are in place for the May Day rallies which are scheduled to be held tomorrow (May 01).

Speaking in a press conference, SSP Talduwa stated that nearly 3,500 police officers have been deployed in the field for the May Day parades and rallies in Colombo City and for traffic duties too.

“When the matter of how to deal with the traffic in a way that does not obstruct the general public is considered, they have agreed to hold their parades using only one lane of the road.”

“Thereby, we urge the organizers of those parades to act accordingly”, he added.

The petition filed by state minister Diana Gamage against the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s decision to annual her parliamentary seat has been fixed for argument by the Supreme Court.

A three-judge bench today (02) decided to take up the case on June 08.

Petitioner Gamage seeks an order revoking the annulment of her seat by the SJB after she voted in favour of the 20th amendment to the constitution.

No disciplinary action or inquiry took place before that decision, making it illegal and in violation of the principle of natural justice, she claims.

SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the chairman of the Election Commission and the secretary general of Parliament are among those named as respondents.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to take disciplinary action against MP A.H.M. Fowzie for voting in favour of the Resolution on the IMF agreement during the parliamentary vote on Friday (April 28).

General Secretary of the main opposition Ranjith Madduma Bandara says Fowzie’s move is in contravention of the party’s decision.

Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari has arrived in the island today (May 01) on a 4-day official visit on the invitation of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, the SLAF Media Unit said.

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport on 1 May on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Air Force and Deputy High Commissioner of India, Mr. Vinod K. Jacob warmly welcomed Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on his arrival.

During the visit, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari is scheduled to make courtesy calls on President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and have meetings with Minister of State for Defence, Defence Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff and Service Commanders.

“The visit symbolises strong relations and close cooperation between the two friendly neighbours, with Sri Lanka being accorded the status of ‘Priority One’ partner by India,” the Indian High Commission said.

Underlining the strong bonds of friendship between the two services, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari would be laying the foundation stone for India- Sri Lanka Friendship Auditorium at Sri Lanka Air Force Academy, Trincomalee under 250 Million LKR Grant assistance by Government of India (GOI), in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the statement said.

As part of GOI’s commitment towards capacity building of Sri Lanka Armed Forces, Chief of Air Staff of Indian Air Force would be presenting AN-32 propellers to ensure high operational readiness of the aircraft held with Sri Lanka Air Force, it said.

He would also be interacting with students at the prestigious National Defence College, Sri Lanka and the Air Force Academy, China Bay, wherein training aids for the students would be gifted.

The visit of Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force is expected to strengthen the existing relations between the two countries and facilitate discussions on common security challenges and enhancing capacity and capability building initiatives towards ensuring Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), as propounded by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The resolution for the implementation of the arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility of the IMF for Sri Lanka passed in Parliament on Friday (28).

Votes in favor: 120 Votes against: 25