News

The Department of Meteorology has predicted periodic rainfall in parts of the country today (16), particularly in the Central and Uva provinces, as well as in the districts of Ampara, Batticaloa and Hambantota.

In addition, isolated showers or thundershowers are likely to occur in some areas of the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

The department also noted that misty conditions may develop during the early morning hours in sections of the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, along with the Galle and Matara districts.

Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious and take necessary safety measures to reduce the risk of damage from sudden strong winds and lightning that may accompany thundershowers

I had the opportunity to participate in a significant seminar (organised by the One Text Initiative) held yesterday (12th) at the Sri Lanka Foundation on the book 'The Sri Lanka Peace Process 'written by prof G.L. Peiris.

Known for his extensive legal scholarship Prof. Peiris has stepped into the shoes of a historian this time, documenting a pivotal era in Sri Lanka's modern history. The book provides a candid analysis of why the peace process with the LTTE collapsed.

In my opinion, the process collapsed because the LTTE sought a separate state. Achieving peace by dividing the nation is merely a 'peace of the Graveyard' - in Sinhala සොහාන් කොතේ සාමයකි. This book proves my stand Having been an active participant in peace negotiations, Prof. Peiris offers a balanced and moderate historical account, making this a must-read for anyone interested in Sri Lankan Politics.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington, D.C., welcomed the ‘Walk for Peace’ on 10 February 2026, as a group of Buddhist monks continued their walk across the United States advocating world peace. The initiative drew participation from people across the United States and abroad.

The Embassy joined a dana organized by the Sri Lankan community in the DMV area at the National United Methodist Church, where more than 200 Buddhist monks were present. Traditional Sri Lankan cuisine was served at the event.

At the invitation of District of Columbia Secretary Kimberly A. Bassett, Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe attended an interfaith ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral. Thousands gathered at the Cathedral in support of the Walk. The Ambassador was accompanied by Deputy Head of Mission Madhuka Wickramarachchi.

The Head Priest and participating monks also visited the Embassy. During the visit, the Ambassador presented an Atapirikara and ceremonially pinned the Sri Lankan flag on the robe of Ven. Pannakara. Embassy staff and members of the Sri Lankan community offered flowers and extended greetings. The Embassy also distributed water bottles to participants.

 (Source:Newswire)

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has released landslide early warnings for several locations in the Central Province, with the advisory taking effect from 6.00 a.m. today (13) and remaining valid for the next 24 hours.

Under a Level 2 (Amber) warning—urging residents to exercise caution and remain alert—the affected areas include the Walapane and Nildandahinna Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Nuwara Eliya District, along with their surrounding localities.

In addition, a Level 1 (Yellow) warning has been issued for the Pathahewaheta Divisional Secretariat Division and nearby areas in the Kandy District. This alert advises the public to stay watchful for any signs of landslide risk.

The NBRO has called on residents in the identified regions to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions during the warning period.

Waruna Sri Dhanapala has been formally appointed as Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The appointment letter was handed over this afternoon (13) at the Presidential Secretariat by Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Mr. Dhanapala, a Special Grade officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, had been functioning as the Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy since 29 November 2024 prior to receiving his permanent appointment.

Former Member of Parliament Hirunika Premachandra has denied any links to an alleged organised crime figure known as “Kehelbaddara Padme,” following questioning by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) last week.

In a statement, Premachandra said she was questioned by CID regarding an alleged telephone communication in 2024 with an individual identified as “Padmasiri,” who investigators claim is linked to the suspect.

Premachandra stated that during the questioning, she was asked whether she had received a phone call in 2024 from the alleged organised crime figure or had maintained any form of contact with him. She said she categorically denied ever having any direct or indirect communication or association with the individual.

According to Premachandra, investigators informed her that the suspect had allegedly claimed he had contacted her via a WhatsApp conference call under the name “Padmasiri” and had offered assistance during election activities. She said she strongly rejected the allegation.

The former MP further said that as a public representative who regularly receives numerous calls, it would be unreasonable to question her about an unspecified phone conversation said to have occurred nearly two years ago without concrete evidence.

Premachandra also expressed concern over media reports suggesting she had maintained links with an organised crime figure and that she had been questioned for nearly three hours. She said her statement was recorded within approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

She described the reports as damaging to her reputation and reiterated that she has never maintained any relationship with the alleged criminal figure.

Premachandra also rejected what she described as attempts to drag her late family members into the controversy, calling the dissemination of what she termed false information unacceptable.

She said she is prepared to cooperate with any lawful investigation into her assets or conduct but warned that she would pursue legal action against individuals who spread false allegations or defamatory statements.

(Source:Newswire)

The Sri Lankan Rupee appreciated against the US Dollar across most commercial banks today (February 12), reflecting slight improvements compared to Thursday’s exchange rates.

At Seylan Bank, the dollar’s buying rate declined from Rs. 306.65 to Rs. 306.45, while the selling rate eased from Rs. 311.40 to Rs. 311.20.

Similarly, NDB Bank reported a drop in the buying rate from Rs. 306.15 to Rs. 306.00 and a decrease in the selling rate from Rs. 312.65 to Rs. 312.50.

At People’s Bank, the US Dollar buying rate edged down from Rs. 305.84 to Rs. 305.79, while the selling rate slipped from Rs. 312.58 to Rs. 312.53.

Meanwhile, Commercial Bank of Ceylon showed the buying rate falling from Rs. 304.11 to Rs. 303.86 and the selling rate declining from Rs. 312.50 to Rs. 312.25.

In contrast, Sampath Bank maintained its existing rates, with the buying rate steady at Rs. 306.00 and the selling rate unchanged at Rs. 312.50.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a landslide parliamentary election on Friday, local TV stations showed, securing a resounding mandate in a pivotal vote that is expected to restore political stability in the South Asian nation.

The parliamentary election held on Thursday was Bangladesh’s first vote since the 2024 Gen Z-driven uprising that toppled long‑time premier Sheikh Hasina.

A clear outcome had been seen as crucial for stability in the Muslim-majority country of 175 million after months of deadly anti-Hasina unrest disrupted everyday life and hit major industries, including the apparel sector in the world’s second-largest garment exporter.

It was also the first national election to follow recent revolts led by the under-30s that have cropped up through the wider region. Nepal is set to hold a vote next month.

BNP SAILS TO VICTORY

Opinion polls had given BNP an edge and the party lived up to the forecasts, with the coalition it dominates winning 209 seats to secure an overwhelming two-thirds majority in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation, Jamuna TV showed.

Soon after it won a majority in the overnight vote-count, the party thanked and congratulated the people and called for special prayers on Friday for the welfare of the country and its people.

“Despite winning the national parliamentary election by a large margin of votes, no celebratory procession or rally shall be organised by BNP,” the party said in a statement and urged people to pray at mosques, temples, churches and pagodas across the country.

The BNP is led by top prime ministerial contender Tarique Rahman, the 60-year-old son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman.

Its campaign promises included financial aid for poor families, a 10-year limit for an individual to remain prime minister, boosting the economy by measures including foreign investments, and anti-corruption policies.

JAMAAT PROMISES POSITIVE OPPOSITION

Shafiqur Rahman, the head of BNP’s main rival, the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, conceded defeat, with his party-led alliance on just 68 seats. Rahman said Jamaat would not engage in the “politics of opposition” for the sake of it. “We will do positive politics,” he told reporters.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), led by youth activists who were instrumental in toppling Hasina and was a part of the Jamaat-led alliance, won just five of 30 seats it contested.

Despite the landslide result, the election had been seen as Bangladesh’s first truly competitive vote in years. Hasina’s Awami League party, which ruled the country for more than 15 years until her ousting, was barred from contesting.

Turnout appeared on track on Thursday to exceed the 42% recorded in the last election in 2024. Local media reported that more than 60% of registered voters were expected to have cast ballots.

More than 2,000 candidates - including many independents - were on the ballot, and at least 50 parties contested seats, a national record. Voting in one constituency was postponed after a candidate died.

Alongside the election, a referendum was held on a set of constitutional reforms, including establishing a neutral interim government for election periods, restructuring parliament into a bicameral legislature, increasing women’s representation, strengthening judicial independence and introducing a two-term limit for the prime minister.

There was no official word on the outcome of the referendum. Leading local newspaper the Daily Star reported that 73% of the nearly 296,000 votes cast in the referendum said ‘Yes’ and the rest said ‘No’.

HASINA CALLS VOTE A FARCE

Hasina is in self-imposed exile in long-term ally India, which has frayed ties between Dhaka and New Delhi and opened the window for China to expand its influence in Bangladesh.

In a statement sent after polling stations closed, Hasina denounced the election as a “carefully planned farce”, held without her party and without real voter participation. She said Awami League supporters had rejected the process.

“We demand the cancellation of this voterless, illegal and unconstitutional election ... the removal of the suspension imposed on the activities of the Awami League, and the restoration of the people’s voting rights through the arrangement of a free, fair, and inclusive election under a neutral caretaker government,” she said.

Opponents of Hasina say that elections under her rule were frequently marred by boycotts and intimidation.

Source:Adaderana.lk

We will not make decisions at the rural level while sitting in the offices in Colombo

Take actions to send the plans based on the requirements of the rural level through the District Coordination Committees by structural committees

All officials from the Ministry of Education down to the schools shall commit to working efficiently and humanely

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that aligning with the development activities carried out under the new education reforms, decisions at the rural level will not be taken from Colombo and plans should be sent the plans based on the requirements of the rural level through the District Coordination Committees by structural committees. She further noted that all officials, from the Ministry of Education down to the school level, must commit to working efficiently and with a human-centered approach.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion held with education authorities of the Hambantota District on February 12 at the auditorium of the Hambantota District Secretariat regarding the new education reforms and prevailing issues in the education sector.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister provided an opportunity for education authorities including chief prelates of pirivenas, zonal education directors, teacher advisors, and principals to present the challenges they face and officials raised concerns including salary disparities among principals, developing school infrastructure, issues arising from the division between national and provincial schools, and the upliftment of pirivena education.

Further elaborating, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

The new education reforms were initiated from 2025 through dialogue, consultations, and the collection of necessary data. As officials, you have extended your support to us during this process. We have embarked on a difficult and long journey, and we look forward to your continued cooperation.

We initiated these reforms in response to a strong social demand. Many have attempted such reforms at different times. Within our political vision, we understood clearly that if this country is to be rebuilt, an educational transformation is essential. The human resource is the most valuable resource of this country and it should be nurtured properly.

Solutions to many of the crises our country faces lie within the education system. Addressing the issues in economic challenges, social issues, drug abuse, violence, the breakdown of political culture, corruption, waste, and even the deterioration of human relationships all lie within the education.

In order to achieve the transformation we envision as a government, an education transformation is necessary.

This education system should focus on reducing the pressures within the system, minimize school dropouts, increase employability, and instill confidence in children about their future.

There are disparities within the school system, between rural and urban schools, national and provincial schools, and difficult schools. This should not happen. All children must have equal opportunities.
⁣
Decisions regarding the establishment of schools or expansion of classes should not be political decisions. They must be decisions taken through Structural Committees. Those representatives understand their divisions, village economies, and population dynamics. Based on your decisions and assessments of needs, prepare the plans, discuss them with the District Coordination Committees, and submit them to us. We will then take steps to provide the necessary allocations and other support. We will not make decisions for the rural level while sitting in Colombo.

We are taking steps to minimize salary disparities. A Cabinet paper regarding the salary anomalies of principals has already been prepared for submission. Steps are also being taken to introduce new reforms in pirivena education through the Pirivena Committee of the Ministry of Education. We require the support of the chief prelates in this regard.

A significant number of teachers turn to human rights due to delays caused by inefficiency. Therefore, all officials from the Ministry of Education down to the schools must commit to working efficiently and in a humane manner

The discussion was attended by Chief prelates of pirivenas, deputy ministers, Members of Parliament, zonal directors, principals, and other education sector officials.

Prime Minister’s Media Division
2026.02.13

(Source : newswire.lk)

Norway has been rocked by the release of millions of files that allegedly show politicians and top diplomats had extensive contact with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The files indicate that Norway’s former prime minister, Thorbjoern Jagland, and Epstein’s assistants made detailed plans in 2014 to visit the American in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Norwegian police unit — Oekokrim — searched the homes of Mr Jagland a day after the Council of Europe lifted his diplomatic immunity.

“Oekokrim is currently conducting searches of Thorbjoern Jagland’s residence and recreational properties. This was expected and is a standard part of an investigation of this nature,” Mr Jagland’s lawyer, Anders Brosveet, said in a statement.

Mr Jagland is now accused of aggravated corruption, his lawyer added, under Norway’s legal code that precedes formal charging and allows a suspect to get a lawyer and the police to arrest a suspect at some point.

In Norway, formal charges are brought against someone much later in the legal process, sometimes only weeks before a court case begins.

“This does not represent any real change in the substance of the case, but is a legal consequence of the investigative methods used by the police,” said Mr Brosveet.

“I am very glad that the matter is being clarified,” Mr Jagland was quoted as saying by Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten on Thursday, local time.

Investigators plan to question Jagland
Oekokrim said that in addition to Jagland’s Oslo home, it had searched a property in a town on Norway’s southern coast and another in the nearby mountainous county of Telemark.

It was planning to question Mr Jagland as well.

“As a consequence of the search, Jagland is now accused of aggravated corruption. Jagland will be questioned by Oekokrim,” the police unit’s chief, Paal Loenseth, told Reuters.

Mr Jagland is also a former foreign minister and ex-chair of the Nobel Peace Prize committee.

Jagland wants case ‘thoroughly clarified’
“Jagland wishes to contribute to ensuring that the case is thoroughly clarified, and the next step is that he will appear for questioning by Oekokrim — as he himself has stated he wants,” Mr Brosveet said.

“We will adhere to the process and continue to fully cooperate with the authorities.”

The decision to investigate was based on information revealed by newly released files related to Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

The files indicate that Mr Jagland’s wife, two children and his son’s girlfriend were to join him on the visit to Palm Beach.

Mr Jagland has denied ever visiting Epstein’s private island.

The former prime minister has not been charged with any crime, but the investigation will seek to uncover whether gifts, travel and loans were received in connection with his official position, police have said.

In a 2014 email, Mr Jagland sought Epstein’s help in financing an apartment in Oslo.

Emails from 2018 show Epstein asking Mr Jagland to arrange for him to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and saying he had insights to offer President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Jagland promised to bring it up with Mr Lavrov’s assistant.

The US Department of Justice’s release of millions of internal documents related to Epstein has exposed his ties to a range of European figures in business, academia, government and royalty.

Diplomat couple suspected of gross corruption
Mona Juul, Norway’s former ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, and her husband — former government minister Terje Roed-Larsen — are also under investigation.

She is suspected of gross corruption, while Mr Roed-Larsen is suspected of complicity in gross corruption.

The pair have said through their lawyers that they believe there is no basis for the cases against them.

Mr Roed-Larsen has apologised several times for the relationship, and in 2020 stepped down as CEO of the New York-based International Peace Institute, a think tank.

However, the latest release of files indicated a deeper friendship between Mr Roed-Larsen and Epstein.

Among other references to Ms Juul and Mr Roed-Larsen, the files showed that the couple made plans to visit Epstein’s private island with their two children in 2011, though it was unclear if the visit took place.

Source:Adaderana.lk