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President Orders Faster Development of Katunayake Airport and Domestic Airports
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to accelerate ongoing projects to increase passenger-handling capacity and improve facilities at Katunayake International Airport, while also advancing the development of domestic airports across the country to meet future aviation demands.
The directive was issued during a discussion on the 2027 Budget proposals for the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation held at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, the President reviewed the progress of development projects at Katunayake Airport and stressed the importance of completing them without delay. He also highlighted the need to expand supporting infrastructure, including road networks surrounding the airport, to improve accessibility and accommodate growing passenger traffic.
Improving convenience and facilities for air travellers at both Katunayake International Airport and regional airports was another key focus of the discussion.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, and Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janith Ruwan Kodituwakku.
Other participants included Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary to the Ministry of Energy Russell Aponso, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, and Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation W. W. S. Mangala.
Deputy Secretary to the Treasury A. K. Seneviratne, Director General of the Department of National Budget Jude Nilukshan, and other officials from the relevant institutions and the Ministry of Finance also attended the discussion.
Sri Lanka Steps Up UK Investment Drive Ahead of EXPO 2027
Sri Lanka has intensified efforts to attract British investment and expand export opportunities through a series of business engagements in London and Dover ahead of Sri Lanka EXPO 2027, scheduled to be held in Colombo from January 14 to 17.
Organised by the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, the programme brought together British investors, business leaders and representatives of key trade organisations to explore opportunities for stronger commercial ties between the two countries.
The main event, the UK–Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Forum, was held at the High Commission and attracted more than 130 participants. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation led by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe attended the forum.
Addressing the gathering, Samarasinghe invited British businesses to explore Sri Lanka’s export potential and investment opportunities, highlighting the benefits available under the United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK Nimal Senadheera emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations, while promoting EXPO 2027 as a platform for establishing new business partnerships.
Export Development Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe presented an overview of Sri Lanka EXPO 2027, outlining opportunities for international buyers and investors.
Participants discussed potential avenues for sourcing Sri Lankan products, expanding commercial links with UK buyers and attracting foreign investment. Representatives from Marks & Spencer, the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development and the private sector also took part in the discussions.
Investment prospects in Port City Colombo, real estate and other sectors were among the opportunities highlighted during the programme.
The Sri Lankan delegation also met representatives of the UK–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce to discuss ways to strengthen business cooperation and encourage greater British participation in EXPO 2027.
In addition, the delegation held discussions with Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council Chief Executive Samantha Cohen on connecting Sri Lankan businesses with international investors through Commonwealth business networks.
The programme concluded with a business networking event in Dover, jointly organised with RS Rock Holdings, which attracted more than 30 UK business representatives, including potential investors.
According to the Sri Lankan High Commission, the engagements were aimed at building stronger commercial partnerships and encouraging British buyers, investors and business representatives to visit Colombo for EXPO 2027.
The High Commission expressed confidence that the exhibition would create further opportunities to expand trade, attract investment and strengthen economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.
US Ambassador and PM Harini Discuss Strengthening Sri Lanka–US Relations
US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer has held discussions with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation between the two countries.
In a post on X, Ambassador Meyer said the talks focused on building upon the existing partnership through educational exchanges, commercial opportunities, disaster preparedness and innovation.
The discussions covered ways to strengthen the bilateral Fulbright Commission, identify new business opportunities and expand the Peace Corps programme in Sri Lanka.
Both sides also explored opportunities to improve disaster preparedness and encourage innovation through academic exchanges, emphasising the role of education and knowledge-sharing in deepening cooperation.
Ambassador Meyer said he looked forward to building on the progress made during the discussions and further advancing the partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka.
Cabinet Approves Rs. 5 Million Compensation for Prison Officers Killed or Disabled in Negombo Prison Clashes
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved special compensation and financial relief for prison officers who were killed or injured while on duty during clashes at Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6, 2026, Cabinet Spokesman and Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced.
Speaking at the weekly Cabinet press briefing, the minister said the Cabinet had decided on August 3, 2026, to appoint a committee headed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration to make recommendations on compensation for the affected officers.
The committee has since submitted its report, and the Cabinet has approved the implementation of its recommendations.
Under the approved proposal, the special payments will be made in addition to the compensation available under Public Administration Circular No. 22/93.
Accordingly, Rs. 5 million will be paid for each officer killed in the clashes, while an officer who suffered total disability will also receive Rs. 5 million. Officers who sustained partial disability resulting in a 100% loss of maximum earning capacity will be entitled to Rs. 4 million, while those who suffered temporary partial disability will receive Rs. 3 million.
The Cabinet has also approved amendments to the Prisons Ordinance to establish a formal legal framework for the Prisons Tactical Force.
Measures will be taken to strengthen the force by recruiting an adequate number of qualified personnel, providing specialised training in relevant fields and equipping officers with modern equipment.
Plans are also in place to establish a dedicated headquarters for the force at a suitable location, the minister said.
38 Reservoirs Spill Across Sri Lanka as Flooding Continues in Low-Lying Areas
A total of 38 medium and large-scale reservoirs under the Department of Irrigation are currently spilling, while elevated water levels continue to affect several rivers and low-lying areas across Sri Lanka, an irrigation official said.
Director of Irrigation (Hydrology and Disaster Management) L.S. Sooriyabandara said reservoirs such as Deduru Oya, Rajanganaya, Inginimitiya, Yan Oya and Usgala Siyambalangamuwa were recording comparatively high spill levels.
Although no immediate threat of major flooding had been identified under the prevailing conditions, water levels in several reservoirs and rivers remained high, he said.
Rainfall eased yesterday, with some areas in the upper catchments of the Kalu and Kelani rivers recording around 60 millimetres. Certain locations in the upper Kelani River catchment received approximately 40 millimetres, according to the Irrigation Department.
Water levels in the upper reaches of most rivers are gradually receding. However, minor flooding persists in low-lying areas along the Nilwala, Gin, Kalu and Kelani rivers.
Sooriyabandara said water levels along the Nilwala River remained around minor flood thresholds downstream of Akuressa, particularly in Thalgahagoda and areas near Matara. Similar conditions were reported in Baddegama along the Gin River.
Elevated water levels were also observed at Millakanda, Putupawula and Ellagawa along the Kalu River. He cautioned that further rises could affect low-lying areas of the Kalutara District if additional rainfall occurs.
Meanwhile, water levels in the upper reaches of the Kelani River and Attanagalu Oya are gradually declining. Nevertheless, floodwater may continue to affect low-lying areas in the Gampaha District, including Katana and Ja-Ela.
The Irrigation Department has forecast moderate rainfall today and warned that river levels and water levels in flood-prone areas could rise again if further precipitation occurs.
The public has been advised to refrain from bathing, engaging in water sports and undertaking other potentially dangerous activities in areas where floodwaters remain.
Showers Expected in Several Parts of Sri Lanka as Cyclone Arnab Makes Landfall in India
The very severe cyclonic storm “Arnab,” which was located...
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