News

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has ordered the suspension of two senior officials linked to the preparation of the disputed Grade Six English learning module, following the completion of an initial inquiry.

The decision, which comes into effect from January 19, is based on the findings of an investigative report submitted by Ranjith Ariyaratne, who was appointed to examine concerns surrounding the module. The report identified procedural shortcomings and lapses in duty by relevant officials as key factors that led to the controversy.

These findings were tabled at a special meeting of the National Education Institute’s board on January 17, where the matter was discussed in detail. Although the board is due to reconvene later this week to further examine specific aspects of the report, the ministry confirmed that the suspensions will be implemented without delay.

In addition, the ministry has initiated a separate investigation into the issue and stated that firm disciplinary measures will be taken against any officials found to be accountable.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has requested information from Parliament on the procedure used to disburse salaries to Members of Parliament, seeking to determine whether payments are made through a single account or transferred directly into each MP’s personal bank account.

This move follows a complaint lodged by former MP Udaya Gammanpila, who claimed that public funds issued monthly to members of the National People’s Power were allegedly used for political activities, which he says amounts to corruption.

Gammanpila submitted the complaint on September 21 last year and has since indicated that, in line with existing legal provisions, he plans to seek an update from CIABOC regarding the progress of the investigation.

More than 1,700 containers of imported salt are currently being held at the Port of Colombo after importers failed to comply with government regulations, officials said, worsening congestion at the country’s main port and raising concerns about regulatory enforcement following last year’s salt shortage.

Sri Lanka Customs officials revealed that over 1,000 containers have remained stored at port warehouses for more than six months after the permitted import period expired. In addition, nearly 700 containers are under detention due to quality-related issues and delays in certification by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).

The government had permitted private sector salt imports last year to ease a domestic supply shortfall. However, a gazette notification limited imports to a deadline of June 10, 2025. Despite this, several importers continued to bring in consignments after the approval period had ended, resulting in shipments being left uncleared at port facilities.

Customs Director and Media Spokesman Chandana Punchihewa said authorities are strictly enforcing the gazette and have instructed importers to re-export consignments brought in without authorization. He noted that importers have been informed of the requirement but have yet to take the necessary action.

Officials also confirmed that at least one importing company has filed a court case in connection with the detained shipments.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Sirimevan Ranasinghe said discussions are ongoing to address the issue, as the backlog of containers has significantly contributed to port congestion.

With import, export and re-export volumes continuing to rise, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake has directed officials to implement measures to ease congestion and reduce operational disruptions. As part of these efforts, authorities have decided to speed up clearance by transferring low-risk containers to the Bloemendhal Container Yard, operated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, under full supervision of the Customs Department.

A high-speed train derailed and smashed into another oncoming train in southern Spain on Sunday, pushing the second train off the tracks and down an embankment in a collision that police sources confirmed to Reuters had killed at least 21 people.

The cause for the crash is not yet known, Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente told reporters at a press conference at Atocha station in Madrid, adding it was “really strange” that a derailment should have happened on a straight stretch of track. This section of track was renewed in May, he added.

The accident happened near Adamuz, in Cordoba province, about 360km (223 miles) south of the capital Madrid. A regional health chief said 18 injured people had already been transferred to hospital, some with life-threatening wounds.

State broadcaster Television Espanola reported that the driver of one of the trains, which was travelling from Madrid to Huelva, was among those who died, and that a total of 100 people had been injured, 25 seriously.

“The Iryo 6189 Malaga - (to Madrid) train has derailed from the track at Adamuz, crashing onto the adjacent track. The (Madrid) to Huelva train which was travelling on the adjacent track has also derailed,” Adif, which runs the rail network, said in a social media post.

Adif said the accident happened at 6:40 p.m. (1740 GMT), about 10 minutes after the Iryo train left Cordoba heading towards Madrid.

Iryo is a private rail operator, majority-owned by Italian state-controlled railway group Ferrovie dello Stato. The train involved was a Freccia 1000 train which was travelling between Malaga and Madrid, a spokesperson for Ferrovie dello Stato said.

The company said in a statement that it deeply regretted what had happened and had activated all emergency protocols to work closely with the relevant authorities.

The second train, an Alvia, was operated by Renfe, which El Pais reported was travelling at around 200 km (124 miles) per hour at the moment of impact.

Renfe said the derailment of its train had been caused by the Iryo train derailing into its path, adding that emergency services were still recovering passengers.

Renfe said its president was travelling to the crash site and that it was working to support passengers and their families.

Adif has suspended all rail services between Madrid and Andalusia.

HORRIFIC SCENE

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cleared his diary for Monday to address the tragedy, while the Spanish King and Queen were following events with concern, a spokesperson said. Foreign embassies sent text messages to staff asking them to confirm they were safe.

Troops have also been deployed from a military base near the crash site to support rescue and recovery efforts, the Military Emergency Service confirmed.

The Iryo train had more than 300 passengers on board, while the Renfe train had around 100.

Antonio Sanz, Andalusia regional government health chief, said six people who were very seriously injured, five seriously injured and seven with other injuries were being cared for in different hospitals around the region.

He said access to the crash site was difficult, and that one train had fallen down a four-metre embankment to the side of the tracks.

“We expected a very complicated night. The number of dead could rise,” he told reporters in Cordoba.

He declined to answer questions about the possible cause of the crash, saying it was the responsibility of Adif to investigate.

Paco Carmona, Cordoba fire chief, told TVE that while the Iryo had been evacuated within hours of the accident, the Renfe train’s carriages were badly damaged, with twisted metal and seats.

“There are still people trapped. The operation is concentrating on getting people out of areas which are very narrow,” he said. “We have to remove the bodies to reach anyone who is still alive. It is proving to be a complicated task.”

Transport Minister Puente said he was following events from rail operator Adif’s headquarters in Madrid.

“The latest information is very serious,” he posted on X. “The impact was terrible, causing the first two carriages of the Renfe train to be thrown off the track. The number of victims cannot be confirmed at this time. The most important thing now is to help the victims.”

The mayor of Adamuz, Rafael Moreno, told El Pais newspaper that he had been among the first to arrive at the scene of the accident alongside the local police and saw what he believed to be a badly lacerated body several metres from the accident site.
“The scene is horrific,” he said. “I don’t think they were on the same track, but it’s not clear. Now the mayors and residents of the area are focused on helping the passengers.”

TEARFUL PASSENGERS

Images on local television showed a reception centre set up for passengers in the town of Adamuz, population 5,000, with locals coming and going with food and blankets amid nighttime temperatures of around 42 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius).

Tearful passengers disembarking from the bus spoke briefly to local press before being shepherded inside.

“There are many injured. I am still trembling,” Maria San José, 33, a passenger in coach 6 on the train travelling from Malaga to Madrid, told El Pais newspaper.

A passenger from the Alvia train, who was not named, told TVE: “There were people screaming, their bags fell from the shelves. I was travelling to Huelva in the fourth carriage, the last, luckily.”

Salvador Jimenez, a journalist for RTVE who was on board the Iryo train, shared images showing the nose of that train’s rear carriage of the train lying on its side, with evacuated passengers sitting on its upturned side.

Jimenez told TVE by phone from beside the stricken trains that passengers had used emergency hammers to smash the windows and climb out, and they had seen two people taken out of the overturned carriages on stretchers.

Source: adaderana.lk

The prolonged delay in appointing a permanent Auditor General has disrupted the issuance of audit reports and inquiries, raising concerns over transparency, oversight, and the management of public and foreign-funded projects..

The post has been unfilled for nearly ten months, marking the first extended vacancy in the country’s history.

The absence of a permanent Auditor-General has stalled many core functions of the National Audit Office, including audits of government programs and externally funded initiatives.

Auditor-General W.P.C. Wickramaratne retired on April 8 last year.

Senior Deputy Auditor-General Dharmapala Gammanpila was appointed acting Auditor-General on April 9, but his tenure ended on December 6, leaving the office without permanent leadership.

Gammanpila, a career auditor with more than three decades of experience, had been recommended for confirmation by the Constitutional Council during his acting term, but the appointment was never finalised.

Since then, representatives from audit and public service associations have petitioned president Anura Kumara Dissanayake to confirm Gammanpila.

During this period, the president submitted four alternative candidates, all of whom were rejected by the Constitutional Council.

Traditionally, the senior-most official in the National Audit Office is confirmed as Auditor-General.

( Source: lankaleader.lk)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned on Sunday that any attack on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would be considered a declaration of “all-out war” against the Iranian nation, following a sharp exchange of rhetoric with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Pezeshkian’s comments, posted on social media platform X, come amid heightened tensions after Trump told Politico on Saturday that it was “time to look for new leadership in Iran.”

“Any attack on our great leader will be tantamount to an all-out war against the Iranian nation,” Pezeshkian wrote.

The Iranian president also blamed Washington for the country’s economic struggles, citing “longstanding hostility” and “inhumane sanctions” imposed by the United States and its allies as the primary drivers of hardship for the Iranian people.

The diplomatic spat intensified earlier on Saturday when Khamenei labeled Trump a “criminal,” holding him responsible for casualties and damages sustained during recent periods of domestic unrest in Iran.

Relations between Tehran and Washington have remained fraught since Trump’s return to the White House, characterized by a continuation of the “maximum pressure” policy and frequent verbal confrontations between the two leaderships.

(Source : adaderana.lk)

The Sri Lankan Rupee recorded a further decline against the US Dollar today (January 19), continuing its downward movement from last Friday.

Central Bank data show that the dollar’s buying rate has risen to Rs. 305.95 from Rs. 305.67, while the selling rate increased from Rs. 313.20 to Rs. 313.49. The latest figures reflect a modest but steady depreciation of the local currency.In addition to the US Dollar, the rupee also posted minor fluctuations against several other foreign currencies, including those of Gulf nations.

Doctors attached to government hospitals across Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province will recommence their strike action from 8.00 a.m. today (19), the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced.

According to the association, the decision was taken after authorities failed to address the issues raised by medical professionals. The industrial action had been temporarily halted in view of the Thai Pongal festival, but will now resume as planned.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya left Sri Lanka early this morning (19) to attend the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The prestigious global forum is scheduled to take place from today until January 23, 2026. This year’s gathering will be held under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue” and is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants from around the world.

The event will bring together heads of state and government, senior policymakers, chief executives of major multinational companies, and leading figures in technology and innovation. During her visit, the Prime Minister is also set to engage in a series of high-level bilateral discussions with international leaders and heads of global institutions.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in two regions in the south of the country on Sunday as raging wildfires forced at least 20,000 people to evacuate and left at least 18 people dead.

According to Chile’s CONAF forestry agency, firefighters were battling 24 active fires across the country as of Sunday morning, with the largest being in the regions of Ñuble and Bío Bío, where the government declared the emergency. The regions are about 500 km south of the capital, Santiago.

“In light of the serious ongoing wildfires, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe in the regions of Ñuble and Biobío. All resources are available,” Boric said on a post on X.

At least 18 people have died as a result of the fires, Boric said on Sunday evening after a meeting with mayors of affected municipalities in the southern city of Concepcion.

Fires have consumed nearly 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) in the two regions so far, endangering multiple communities in the region, leading authorities to declare evacuation orders.

Chile’s Senapred disaster agency said that nearly 20,000 people had been evacuated and at least 250 homes have been destroyed.

Authorities say adverse conditions like strong winds and high temperatures helped wildfires spread and complicated firefighters’ abilities to control the fires. Much of Chile was under extreme heat alerts, with temperatures expected to reach up to 38 C (100 F) from Santiago to Bío Bío on Sunday and Monday.

Both Chile and Argentina have experienced extreme temperatures and heat waves since the beginning of the year, with devastating wildfires breaking out in Argentina’s Patagonia earlier this month.

Source: adaderana.lk

Police have recovered a foreign-manufactured pistol from an unused water tank at an apartment complex in the Keselwatta area, authorities said.

In addition to the firearm, officers seized 29 rounds of ammunition from the same location. The discovery was made during a search of the premises, prompting further police action.

Keselwatte Police have launched an investigation to determine who concealed the weapon and how it came to be placed inside the apartment complex.

Sri Lanka is expected to experience largely dry weather across most parts of the island today (19), according to the Department of Meteorology.

The department has warned of a potential occurrence of ground frost in certain areas of the Nuwara Eliya District during the early morning hours. In addition, misty conditions are likely to develop in several regions, including the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Western, North Central and Uva provinces.

Similar misty weather may also be observed in parts of the Galle, Matara and Ampara districts during the early hours of the day, the Met Department noted.