News

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.

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 Colombo High Court today (21) served indictments against former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, along with retired Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi, the former Secretary to the Ministry of Sports, over allegations of misusing public funds under the Public Property Act.

The charges relate to a controversial procurement during the 2014 presidential election period, where 14,000 carrom boards and 14,000 draughts boards were imported through the state-run Sathosa and distributed to sports clubs allegedly for political gain.

According to the Attorney General’s Department, the accused are alleged to have misappropriated over Rs. 3.9 million between September 1 and December 31, 2014.

The indictments were filed under the Public Property Act, and the court has scheduled the case to be taken up on September 4. The prosecution plans to present 42 witnesses and 11 items of evidence during the trial.

Following the serving of indictments, the court ordered the release of all three accused on bail. Each was granted a cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 2.5 million.

High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne also instructed prison authorities to ensure the production of Aluthgamage and Fernando—both currently serving prison sentences—at the next hearing.

Deputy Solicitor General Madhava Tennakoon appeared for the Attorney General, while President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Rajaratnam, Nalin Ladduwahetty, and Saliya Peiris represented the accused.

The case follows a May 29 ruling by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, which sentenced Aluthgamage to 20 years and Fernando to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment over a separate fraud involving over Rs. 53 million related to the same procurement.

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.

Sri Lanka’s Buddhist community is in mourning following the passing of the Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Sect, The Most Venerable Anamaduwe Sri Dhammadassi Thera.

The Most Venerable Thero passed away early this morning at the age of 67, while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Kandy.

The final rites will be held on July 24 at the Asgiriya Police Grounds in Kandy, with full state sponorship.

Born on September 3, 1958, as the fifth child in a family of seven, Ven. Dhammadassi Thera received his early education at Anamaduwa Central College and Maliyadeva College in Kurunegala.

He entered the monastic order on May 19, 1976 at the Sri Gnaneswara Pirivena at the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple, and received his higher ordination in 1979 at the Mangala Uposathagara of the Asgiriya Maha Vihara.

A distinguished scholar, he earned a special degree in Pali from the University of Peradeniya in 1985, followed by a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies from the affiliated institute of the University of Kelaniya in 1990. In 1998, he was awarded a postgraduate degree in education from the University of Peradeniya.

The late Ven. Dhammadassi Thera held the position of Chair at the Kandy Sanarakshaka Balamandalaya, the Kandy Range Sanarakshaka Balamandalaya as well as Deputy Chair of the All Ceylon Sanarakshaka Balamandalaya.

Ven. Dhammadassi Thera served as a senior lecturer at the Sri Lanka Bhikkhu University in Anuradhapura for 12 years.

In 2002, he was appointed to the executive committee of the Asgiriya Chapter and later became its Chief Secretary in 2008, where he played a pivotal role in establishing a formal administrative office for the chapter.

He was appointed Anunayake on May 5, 2016.

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.

The Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that the goal is to limit the number of students in a classroom to 25–30, emphasizing that it is not possible to deliver quality education in classrooms with around 50 or 60 students.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a program held today (19 ) at the Dakshinapaya Auditorium in Galle, organized to raise awareness among education authorities in the Southern Province regarding the new education reforms.

Addressing the fourth provincial awareness program on the new education reforms, the Prime Minister further stated:

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude for the cooperation you extend toward the education reforms. Implementing a new education reform was something we discussed and planned even before our government came into power.

In line with government policy, we held discussions with experts, gathered opinions from various sectors, and have formulated the relevant policies.

The new education reform is not only about updating the curriculum but also about enhancing teacher professionalism, reforming the educational administrative structure, and developing the necessary infrastructure to ensure all children have access to equal and quality education.

This is not something we are doing for personal gain, it is a responsibility we must fulfill with an understanding of the needs of the country.

There are people in society who initiate constructive dialogue about this with genuine intent, and there are also others who criticize it without proper understanding. Some even critique it for political gain. We know this reform process is a challenge and it is not easy. However, it cannot be ignored. The people gave us their mandate to correct these issues. ⁣ There’s a lot to be done in terms of reforming education. The curricula in teacher training colleges have not changed in 16 years. These must be revised. Teachers and education professionals must be provided with continuous training. From August onwards, steps will be taken to train the teacher trainers in order to deliver proper teacher training.

Addressing the event, the Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Mr. Nalin Hewage stated:

At present, steps are being taken to integrate vocational education institutions with the new education reform. This will create an opportunity for students to enter vocational education with dignity based on talent and skills, during their school years, instead of directing only underperforming students toward vocational paths.

The event was attended by Southern Province Governor Bandula Harischandra, Member of Parliament Nihal Galappaththi, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwawa, Southern Province Chief Secretary Mr. Sumith Alahakoon, officials representing the Ministry of Education, the Department of Examinations, the National Institute of Education, the Southern Provincial Department of Education, Zonal Education Directors, and education authorities from the Southern Province.

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.

Chief Justice Murdu Fernando is to retire on July 27 upon reaching 65 years of age. She is due to make a farewell speech before the Supreme Court on Friday (25).

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is likely to recommend a nominee to be the country’s next Chief Justice to the Constitutional Council (CC) in the coming week, the Sunday Times learns. The CC is scheduled to convene on Wednesday (23).

According to the level of seniority, Justice Preethi Padman Surasena is the next senior-most Justice on the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the outgoing CJ has recommended the name of Court of Appeal Judge Rathnapriya Gurusinghe to the President to fill the existing vacancy in the Supreme Court, while she has also recommended Supreme Court Justice Mahinda Samayawardhena to fill the existing vacancy in the Judicial Service Commission.

At the Attorney General’s Department, AG Parinda Ranasinghe has appointed Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne to function as the head of the Department’s Criminal Division. Accordingly, he will now head both the Civil and Criminal Divisions of the AG’s Department.

Meanwhile, Senior Deputy Solicitors General Hiranjan Peiris, Azard Navavi, Lakmali Karunanayake and Sudarshana Silva have been promoted as Additional Solicitors General.

(Sunday Times)