News

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to a cabinet paper presented to call for bidders at international level to reopen the Kurunchathivu (Elephant Pass – North) Saltern under a Public – Private Partnership methodology.

Although measures have been taken to call for bids from local investors for inaugurating the production and monitoring activities of the Elephant Pass – North Saltern which had been halted due to the conflict with the LTTE, under the Public – Private Partnership methodology, authorities did not receive adequate interest to materialize the programme, according to Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development to call for bids at international level for the reopening of the Kurunchathivu (Elephant Pass – North) Saltern under Public – Private Partnership methodology.

Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya says that a more systematic approach is currently being implemented to curb underworld activities than the methods previously in place.

He made this statement today after visiting the Mahanayake Theros of the Asgiri and Malwathu Chapters in Kandy.

Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic this morning and paid homage to the sacred relics.

Thereafter, the IGP called on the Anunayake Thero of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Sect, Venerable Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thero.

Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa has been remanded until August 26 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali Jayatunga, following allegations of committing offenses under the Public Property Act.

The case relates to a property in Sevanagala, belonging to the Mahaweli Authority, where a building was allegedly constructed without authorization and later damaged during the 2022 Aragalaya (protest movement). Rajapaksa is accused of pressuring officials to obtain Rs. 88.5 million in compensation for the damaged property.

He was arrested by the Bribery Commission and remanded until today, when the case was taken up in court.

Appearing on behalf of the Bribery Commission, Assistant Director of Legal Affairs Sulochana Hettiarachchi informed the court that several officials from the Mahaweli Authority were also implicated in the fraudulent activity and would be arrested and presented to court in due course.

She further stated that Rajapaksa had exerted pressure on the Director General of the Mahaweli Authority, as revealed in official statements.

“Your Honor, the suspect minister has influenced the Director General and other officials of the Mahaweli Authority to issue letters and facilitate the compensation. Investigations show that undue pressure was applied to the damage assessment officers as well. Since inquiries are ongoing and witnesses may be influenced, we request that the suspect be remanded.”

Representing Rajapaksa, President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis argued that his client suffers from sleep apnea, a condition that could pose serious health risks if detained. He requested bail suitable grounds.

“Your Honor, the building in question was destroyed during the 2022 Aragalaya protests due to arson. The land on which it stood belongs to the Mahaweli Authority, and my client is not the owner of this property. The compensation for the damaged building was received by an individual named Manoj Ekanayake. The Bribery Commission has arrested my client on the allegation that he conspired in this matter. However, while the main suspects remain at large, my client has been taken into custody. Your Honor, I respectfully submit that all individuals connected to this incident should be thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, my client suffers from sleep apnea, a condition that poses a serious risk to his life if he remains in custody. He is also preparing to sit for his first-year law exams at the Law College in October. In light of these circumstances, I kindly request that my client be released on suitable bail.”

After considering submissions from both parties, Magistrate Jayatunga ordered that Shasheendra Rajapaksa be remanded until August 26, and instructed investigators to report progress on the inquiry at the next hearing.

All leave for postal employees has been cancelled after a group employees planned to go on strike from tomorrow.

According to Chinthaka Bandara, convener of the Joint Postal Trade Union Association, The Postal and Telecommunications Officers’ Association and the Joint Postal Trade Union Front cited 19 issues, including overtime payments and the use of fingerprint machines to record attendance, as reasons for the planned strike.

Postal employees have also begun withdrawing from overtime services since this morning.

In response, Postmaster General P. Sathkumara issued a statement this afternoon calling the trade union action “very unfair.”

He said that policies on overtime payments and attendance recording are government decisions, and noted that 90 percent of the department’s total costs are spent on salaries and overtime.

The Postmaster General emphasized that the department cannot operate outside government rules, regulations, and audit instructions.

Former Director of the National Lottery Board, Thusitha Halloluwa, has been remanded until August 28 following his appearance before the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court today.

Halloluwa was arrested early this morning under an outstanding warrant, in connection with an investigation into a shooting incident targeting his vehicle.

The arrest was made by the Colombo Crimes Division, which presented him to court as a suspect in orchestrating the attack.

According to police, preliminary investigations suggest that organized criminals may have been hired to carry out the shooting, allegedly under Halloluwa’s direction.

The motive, as revealed in court, was to create public discontent toward the President and the government.

United States Navy Ship (USS) Santa Barbara (LCS 32) arrived at the port of Colombo on a replacement purpose today (16).

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

The 127.6 m – long Littoral Combat ship is a part of the U.S – 7th fleet and is commanded by Commander A. J. Ochs, said Sri Lanka Navy.

During their stay in Colombo, the crew of the ship is expected to visit some of the tourist attractions in the country.

Meanwhile, USS Santa Barbara is scheduled to depart the island on 22 Aug.

The government has launched the first phase of releasing essential food items under the National Sathosa brand.

The initiative was marked today (18) with the release of packaged Nadu and White Kekulu rice at the Lanka Sathosa outlet inside the Narahenpita Special Economic Centre. The event was attended by National Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (NCWE) Chairman Kosala Wilbawa and Lanka Sathosa Chairman Dr. Samitha Perera.

From today, consumers across the country will be able to purchase Nadu and White Kekulu rice under the newly introduced National Sathosa brand through Lanka Sathosa outlets islandwide.

The NCWE, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest state institutions, was previously earmarked for closure under the former administration. However, the new government revived the entity under a fresh mandate as the National Cooperative Wholesale Establishment.

Under the guidance of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, the NCWE will gradually introduce 23 essential food items to the market at fair prices. The program aims to ensure food security while eliminating shortages of quality goods.

Newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya, called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (15).

According to the President’s Office, the President extended his best wishes to the new IGP, who, in turn, presented a commemorative gift to the President.

Priyantha Weerasooriya becomes the 37th IGP of Sri Lanka. 

He is also the first IGP to have risen through all three ranks, Police Constable, Sub-Inspector, and Assistant Superintendent, before being appointed to the top post. 

Scientists in China are developing the world’s first ‘pregnancy robot’ capable of carrying a baby to term and giving birth.

The humanoid will be equipped with an artificial womb that receives nutrients through a hose, experts said.

A prototype is expected to be released next year, with a selling price of around 100,000 yuan (£10,000).

Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded the company Kaiwa Technology, is developing the machine.

The device he envisions is not simply an incubator but a humanoid that can replicate the entire process from conception to delivery, Asian media outlets report.

He said the artificial womb technology is already in a ‘mature stage’ and now needs to be implanted in the robot’s abdomen, ‘so that a real person and the robot can interact to achieve pregnancy’.

With regards to ethical and legal issues, he said: ‘We have held discussion forums with authorities in Guangdong Province and submitted related proposals while discussing policy and legislation.’

Experts have not yet provided any specifics on how the egg and sperm are fertilised and implanted in the artificial womb.

Dr Zhang’s revelations were made during an interview shared on Duoyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

Previously, scientists have successfully kept premature lambs alive for weeks using an artificial womb that looks like a plastic bag.

The ‘biobag’ provided everything the foetus needed to continue growing and maturing, including a nutrient–rich blood supply and a protective sac of amniotic fluid.

After 28 days of being in the bag, the lambs – which otherwise would likely have died – had put on weight and grown wool.

While the biobag acts like an incubator, allowing premature individuals to grow in an environment similar to the womb, scientists hope the pregnancy robot will be able to support the foetus from conception to delivery.

The development is reminiscent of the 2023 film The Pod Generation, where a tech giant offers couples the option of using detachable artificial wombs or ‘pods’ to share pregnancy.

If it comes to fruition, the humanoid pregnancy could be seen as a tool to help tackle rising rates of infertility in China.

Reports suggest the rates of infertility in China rose from 11.9 per cent in 2007 to 18 per cent in 2020.

In response, local governments in China are including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization treatments in medical insurance coverage to support childbirth for infertile couples. (Daily Mail)

PM Harini Amarasuriya says that although Sri Lanka has already gained international recognition for gems and jewellery, exports have not grown to the expected level.

The Prime Minister said that the government is working to establish stable policies to enable the country to capture the international gem and jewellery market.

She made these remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of Gem City Ratnapura – 2025, an International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition aimed at taking Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry to the global stage.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Gem City Ratnapura – 2025 event will be held on 15, 16 and 17th August at the Grand Silveray Hotel, Pelmadulla.

The exhibition is organized by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority with the aim of seeking the position of Sri Lanka among the world’s leading gem and jewellery markets alongside showcasing a wide variety of gemstones, gem and jewellery mining and processing techniques, laboratory services, as well as training and educational opportunities in the sector.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, PM Harini Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka thrives worldwide for its gems, and a significant portion of these are found in the Ratnapura District.

“However, we must question whether Ratnapura has truly received the recognition it deserves. The contribution made to the national economy by exporting high-quality gems from Ratnapura’s gem industry is considerable. Yet, we have still not reached the maximum potential export income from the gem and jewellery sector. Inconsistent policies have hindered the growth of this industry. The government is committed to establishing the necessary stable policies to achieve the industry’s ambitious export revenue goals. I extend my gratitude to the representatives from the United States, India, China, Switzerland, Thailand, and Pakistan for participating in this exhibition. I also invite them, and others who place trust in our national policies, to continue joining us in advancing gem and jewellery exports,” she said.

Addressing the event, Minister of Industry and Enterprise Development, Sunil Handunneththi, said a range of new policies, such as developing the diamond sector and introducing new laws to allow the direct export of rough gemstones, are already being prepared to help the gem and jewellery sector reach the challenging target of USD 1 billion in expected export revenue.

The event also saw the launch of Sri Lanka’s first government-owned gem and jewellery trade website, www.gemcityratnapura.com, equipped with the latest GovPay facility.

Postal workers at the Central Mail Exchange have launched a strike, citing 19 grievances including issues related to overtime payments and the mandatory fingerprint system for recording attendance.

Joint Postal Trade Union Association Convener, Chinthaka Bandara, confirmed the strike action, which follows the cancellation of all postal workers’ leave.

The protest is jointly backed by the Postal and Telecommunications Officers' Association and the Joint Postal Trade Union Front.

Workers had already withdrawn from overtime duties since yesterday morning, intensifying their trade union action.

Postmaster General P. Sathkumara, however, described the strike as unfair.

He stressed that overtime payment conditions and fingerprint-based attendance are government policy decisions, adding that 90 percent of the department’s total expenditure is already spent on salaries and overtime.

He further emphasized that postal services cannot operate outside government rules, regulations, and audit directives.

Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte has passed away at the age of 57.

He was receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Colombo at the time of his death, following a period of illness. He first entered Parliament in 2010 representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), and last served as a Member of Parliament under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Ratwatte was a close relative of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration, he served as the State Minister of Prison Affairs and later as the State Minister of Industries.

During President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure, he held the position of State Minister of Plantation Industries and Mahaweli Development.

The final rites of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, who passed away today (15), will be held on Sunday at 5:00 PM at the family burial grounds in Nittawela, Kandy.

His remains will be placed at his residence in Mahaiyawa, Kandy, from tonight for public respects.