News

The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for March 19 to consider the fundamental rights petition filed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

This decision was made today by a three-judge bench comprising Justices P. Pathman Surasena, Janak de Silva, and Sampath Abayakoon.

Former President Rajapaksa filed the petition, claiming that his fundamental human rights were violated due to the reduction of his security without proper assessment.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Varunika Hettige, representing the respondents, requested time to obtain instructions and present objections.

The court granted this request, allowing both parties to submit their arguments.

President's Counsel Ali Sabry, representing Mahinda Rajapaksa, argued that the reduction of his client's security was done without any proper security assessment.

He emphasized that any decision regarding security should be based on a thorough evaluation.

The court, after considering the submissions, scheduled the next hearing for March 19 to further examine the petition.

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has emphasized that disciplinary action will be taken against officers and station heads who refuse to accept complaints at police stations.

In a circular issued recently, Acting IGP Weerasooriya stated that in addition to disciplinary measures, legal action could also be pursued against such officers under the provisions of the Police Ordinance.

The Acting IGP highlighted that he has received both written and verbal complaints indicating that certain officers are rejecting complaints presented at police stations, citing various reasons.

The circular issued by the Acting IGP underscores that it is the duty and responsibility of police officers to record and investigate complaints reported to police stations.

Ahimsa Wickrematunga, the daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickremetunga, has called for the impeachment of Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe.

In a letter to Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarsuriya today (06), Ahimsa raised serious concerns over the AG's recommendation to discharge three individuals who had been named as suspects in the death of her father.

"The facts of what transpired last week make clear that this decision was no accident. It was no innocent mistake. It is the result of the culture that Mr. Ranasinghe has fostered and allowed to flourish in several parts of the Attorney General’s Department – a culture of nonchalance, callousness, complacency and utter disregard for their duty to victims of crime and the witnesses who risk their lives to protect the integrity of our justice system," Ahimsa said.

Ahimsa further said that the only way to fulfill the government’s pledge to repair the justice system is to "impeach him before Parliament and seek his removal from office".

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, addressing Sri Lanka’s 77th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo, said that there is a need for a collective national effort to achieve economic, social, and cultural freedom.

“There is a struggle we must all take part in to secure true economic, social and cultural freedom for our motherland,” he said, addressing the national celebration at the Independence Square. “We must all dedicate ourselves,” he said calling on all sectors of society to renew their commitment to nation-building.

The President pledged to build a country that fosters pride and opportunity for its citizens, enriched with scientific, technical, and intellectual advancements. President Dissanayake also stressed on the importance of addressing injustices which he said have taken root in every corner of in society, and urged Sri Lankans to unite in achieving economic independence without yielding to external pressures.

“The country we pass on to you will not be the one we inherited from history. Instead, it will be a nation you take pride in—a country that honours its citizens and thrives on scientific, technological, and intellectual progress,” he said.

President Dissanayake said while Sri Lanka may not be the richest nation, it has the potential to be the richest in national spirit, equality, and freedom.

“Although Sri Lanka cannot become the richest country in the world, if we try, Sri Lanka is capable of becoming the richest country in national spirit, equality and freedom” the President said.

The Ministry of Ports and Aviation has reported that Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport continues to incur annual losses amounting to Rs 3.2 billion.

Deputy Minister Ruwan Kodithuwakku stated that plans are currently being developed to minimize these losses.

As part of these efforts, it has been decided to waive the landing fees for aircraft arriving at Mattala Airport.

This new decision has already garnered the agreement of six airlines to land their aircraft at the airport.

Mattala Airport has an annual passenger handling capacity of one million.

However, Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku pointed out that currently, only about 100,000 passengers use the airport annually. Plans are in place to increase this number to 200,000 within this year.

Additionally, Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku highlighted that the 17-kilometer-long security fence around Mattala Airport is in a state of disrepair. Steps are being taken to renovate the fence and ensure the security of the airport.

The initial step in the digitalisation of government services, ‘GovPay’, will be officially launched under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on February 7th, 2025, said the President's Media Division.

This ground-breaking initiative will streamline and modernize how government institutions handle payments, enabling seamless transactions through a secure and efficient digital platform, it added.

The government has approved measures to employ additional staff to accelerate passport printing and reduce delays.

The move follows recommendations from a Cabinet-appointed committee addressing the ongoing passport shortage. Accordingly, a proposal to employ retired personnel of the Department of Immigration and Emigration on contract basis received Cabinet approval.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayathissa said the procurement process has begun to acquire 1.1 million “P” category chip-embedded passport booklets.

In order to eliminate issuance delays, the Department of Emigration and Immigration plans to operate 24/7 issuing 4,000 passports daily.

Accordingy, the proposal by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to recruit retired department officers on a contract basis and reassign existing government officers with the approval of the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Public Administration, has received approval.

Sri Lankan corporate leader and executive Deshamanya Kandiah “Ken” Balendra has passed away at the age of 84.

Born in 1940, Balendra has held many corporate positions in Sri Lanka and the region. He served as the first Sri Lankan chairman of John Keells Holdings Ltd., the largest conglomerate in the island.

He was the chairman of Brandix Lanka Ltd. and the South Asia Regional Fund of the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

(Ada Derana)

The Paddy Marketing Board has announced the guaranteed prices for purchasing paddy.

According to Minister K.D. Lalkantha, the prices are as follows:

Rs. 120 per kilogram for Nadu Paddy

Rs. 125 per kilogram for Samba Paddy

Rs. 132 per kilogram for Keeri Samba Paddy

Minister Lalkantha stated that only dry, weight-compliant paddy meeting the required standards will be purchased by the Paddy Marketing Board starting tomorrow (6th).

Renowned Sri Lankan industrialist and businessman Deshamanya Harry Jayawardena has passed away at the age of 82.

Don Harold Stassen Jayawardena, popularly known as Harry Jayawardena, was the chairman of Melstacorp PLC and served as the Honorary Consul General for Denmark in Sri Lanka.

Forbes had listed Jayawardena as one of the richest people in Sri Lanka.

Jayawardena had also served as the chairman of both Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka and Aitken Spence, the first Sri Lankan companies ever to be listed on the Forbes List of best managed companies outside the USA.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has warned that air quality in Sri Lanka is expected to deteriorate over the next few days, with several cities reaching slightly unhealthy levels.

According to the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) report, air pollution in most urban areas was at a moderate level over the past 24 hours. However, forecasts indicate that AQI levels will range between 85 and 128, pushing many cities into the slightly unhealthy category.

The decline in air quality is attributed to polluted wind flow from northern regions, which may further increase pollution levels nationwide. Residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, are advised to wear face masks and seek medical attention if they experience breathing difficulties.

Cities expected to remain at a moderate level include Vavuniya, Nuwara Eliya, Puttalam, Mullaitivu, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura, while other urban areas may see increased pollution levels.

Salaries will be increased in this year's budget, considering the recommendations of the report of the Udaya R. Seneviratne Committee appointed by the previous Wickremesinghe administration to investigate salary discrepancies of government employees, Finance Ministry sources reveal. It is learnt that an amount between Rs. 7,500 and Rs. 10,000 will be added to the basic salary according to the existing salary scales. The increase in the basic salary will be made according to each salary scale.

Sources in the Finance Ministry say that the formula for increasing the salaries of government employees has been prepared by the Finance Ministry and that the President, as the Finance Minister, will decide the amount to be increased.

However, the relevant salary increase is to be announced in the 2025 budget, which will be presented by the President in his capacity as Finance Minister in February.

The relevant salary increase is scheduled to be implemented in April.

Even when the country was struggling, the previous Wickremesinghe government increased salaries by Rs. 10,000 from January 2024.

The arrears of Rs. 15,000 that were to be paid in this regard are scheduled to be paid in instalments of Rs. 5,000 each from January to March this year.

Economic analysts say that since the country's economy has been in a good state for the past four quarters and government revenue has increased by about 38%, there is a possibility of increasing the salaries of public servants by more than Rs. 10,000.

The President also said recently that a tangible salary increase will be implemented for government employees.