President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s unwavering commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the Republic of Maldives, stating that the two nations will move forward not only as close friends but also as partners united by a common vision and purpose.

He made these remarks during a special state dinner hosted by Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at Kurumba Maldives Resort on Monday (28), as part of his official state visit.

Addressing the gathering, President Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Government of Maldives and underscored the historical depth of Sri Lanka-Maldives relations.

“This visit reaffirms the enduring friendship, mutual respect, and shared aspirations that unite our two countries. As neighbours in the Indian Ocean, our futures are intertwined,” the President said.

He highlighted the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Maldives, calling it a timely and meaningful occasion to reflect on a legacy of goodwill and cooperation.

President Dissanayake recalled Sri Lanka’s role in supporting Maldivian independence in 1965, including hosting the signing of the Maldivian Declaration of Independence in Colombo. He also noted that the national anthem of Maldives was composed by Sri Lankan maestro Pandit W. D. Amaradeva, a fact both countries take pride in.

Reflecting on people-to-people ties, President Dissanayake said:

“We are proud of the thousands of Sri Lankans who have contributed to Maldivian society, especially in education, healthcare, and professional services. Similarly, we value the strong presence of Maldivians in Sri Lanka — whether for education, healthcare, or tourism — as a bridge between our two nations.”

The President also shared a personal anecdote from his Maldivian counterpart, who revealed that both his English and Physics teachers were Sri Lankan. “This shows the human dimension of our relations — built not only on policy but on trust, respect and shared lives,” he added.

Touching on tourism, he noted that the Maldives remains among the top ten countries whose citizens visit Sri Lanka. He extended an invitation to Maldivians to continue discovering Sri Lanka as their “second home.”

Looking ahead, President Dissanayake stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation in areas such as maritime security, blue economy initiatives, and multilateral collaboration, aiming to build a peaceful and sustainable Indian Ocean region.

“I am confident this visit will deepen cooperation, broaden understanding, and elevate the friendship between our two countries to new heights,” he concluded.

The President was accompanied by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, along with senior government officials.

Transport Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena announced that the schedule of the Batticaloa night mail train has been revised in an effort to prevent elephant-train collisions, prioritising wildlife safety over operational convenience and revenue.

Speaking to the media yesterday, the Deputy Minister said the departure time from Colombo Fort has been changed from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., aiming to reduce accidents involving elephants, particularly in areas where herds cross railway tracks during nighttime.

“We understand the change may inconvenience passengers and cause financial losses to Sri Lanka Railways, but protecting elephants is imperative,” he stated.

He added that the train engine has been replaced with a power set, which offers wider front visibility for the driver, allowing for earlier detection of elephants on the tracks. “This will help drivers react swiftly and prevent collisions,” he said.

Deputy Minister Gunasena stressed that while the measure may not completely eliminate the problem, it is a crucial step toward ensuring both rail safety and wildlife conservation.

The first Kumbal Perahera of the Kandy Esala Festival will parade the streets of Kandy tonight (July 30), marking the official commencement of the annual cultural and religious celebrations at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

The Perahera will set off from the forecourt of the Sri Dalada Maligawa at 7.05 p.m., proceeding along Dalada Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Street, Pansala Road, Deva Veediya, Colombo Street, Yatinuwara Street, and returning via Raja Veediya.

The Kumbal Perahera will be held for five consecutive nights, culminating in the Randoli Perahera, which begins on August 4.

The highlight of the festival, the final Randoli Perahera, will take place on Nikini Poya Day (August 8), followed by the Diya-Kepuma Mangallaya at the Getambe River the next morning.

The festival will officially conclude with the Day Perahera on August 9, ending one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most revered cultural traditions.

To ensure security and smooth operations, over 6,000 Police and Armed Forces personnel have been deployed across the Kandy city.

Atmospheric conditions are getting favorable for evening thundershowers in the Northern, North-Central, Uva and Eastern provinces during the next few days.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Northern, North-Central, Central, Uva and Eastern provinces after 1.00 p.m.

A few showers may occur in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Fairly strong winds of about 40 kmph can be expected at times over Southern province.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake affirmed that Sri Lanka and the Maldives will not only remain close friends but will also advance as partners united by a common vision and purpose. He made these remarks after attending a special dinner hosted by Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at the Kurumba Maldives resort last night (28).

President Dissanayake expressed his delight at visiting the beautiful Maldives, a long-standing close friend and regional partner of Sri Lanka and recalled the profound friendship and historical ties between the two nations.

Speaking further at the event, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated:

“I consider it a great honour to visit the beautiful Maldives, a nation that has maintained long-standing relations with us as a close friend and partner of Sri Lanka.

Firstly, I wish to express my gratitude to His Excellency the President and the Government of Maldives for the hospitality extended to me and my delegation. This visit to the Maldives reaffirms the enduring friendship, mutual respect and shared aspirations that unite our two countries.

As neighbouring nations in the Indian Ocean, our future paths are intertwined. Over time, the mutual goodwill, understanding and kinship that have developed between our peoples have created a unique bond. Today, these relations continue to be nourished through diplomacy and active cooperation across various sectors.

This month, we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of strong diplomatic relations between our two countries. This adds significant value to my visit and I truly consider it a privilege to be in the Maldives to celebrate this unique occasion.

The independence of the Maldives in 1965 marked a significant milestone in South Asian history. Sri Lanka takes pride in playing an important role in that historic process by providing the opportunity for the Maldivian Declaration of Independence to be signed in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, it is a source of great pride for us that the melody of independent Maldives’ national anthem was composed by the renowned Sri Lankan maestro, the late Pandit W.D. Amaradeva.

Your Excellency, I firmly believe our partnership is a reflection of regional cooperation among neighbouring states.

Whether it is strengthening maritime security, promoting blue economy initiatives, or collaborating in multilateral forums, Sri Lanka is committed to working with the Maldives to create a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Indian Ocean region.

His Excellency the President informed me that his English teacher and Physics teacher were both Sri Lankans. I am proud of that.

We are proud of the thousands of Sri Lankans who have contributed to the Maldivian economy and social progress at various levels, or who have imparted knowledge to generations as teachers. We greatly appreciate the respect that Sri Lankans receive in the Maldives. Likewise, we value Maldivians who consider Sri Lanka their second home, whether they are studying in our schools and universities, seeking medical treatment, or enjoying our island’s tourism and hospitality. They are not merely foreigners residing in each other’s countries but bridges connecting our nations.

Tourism is a key component of both our economies. The Maldives ranks among the top ten countries whose citizens choose Sri Lanka as a tourist destination. We are pleased to see an increase in arrivals of Maldivian tourists in recent years. We invite Maldivian tourists to visit Sri Lanka to experience a second home.

Your Excellency, as we look to the future, it is my belief that our two countries will advance closely, not just as friends but as partners united by a common vision and purpose. I am confident that this visit will pave the way for deeper cooperation, broader understanding and an even stronger friendship between our two nations.

I wish you a healthy life and the courage to transform the Maldives into a more prosperous nation!”

The Sri Lankan delegation, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Vijitha Herath, was also present at the event.

(PMD)

July 29, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan authorities have confirmed that the country remains entirely unaffected by a strong undersea earthquake that struck the Bay of Bengal in the early hours of today.

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau stated that the seismic event, which registered a magnitude of 6.3 on international monitoring systems, poses no threat to Sri Lanka.

The quake occurred at approximately 12:11 a.m., with its epicentre situated near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a seismically active zone in the Indian Ocean.

According to India’s National Centre for Seismology, the earthquake was recorded at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres beneath the seabed, specifically at coordinates 6.82°N and 93.37°E.

The tremor was followed by several aftershocks, which were felt in nearby regions. However, there have been no reports of damage to property or casualties across the region.

In a formal statement, Deepani Weerakoon, Director General of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, reassured the public that the tremors did not trigger any seismic activity in Sri Lanka or its surrounding coastal waters.

She also noted that the earthquake’s epicentre was approximately 259 kilometres west-northwest of Sabang, a town in Indonesia’s Aceh province.

July 29, Colombo (LNW): Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake has been formally discharged from legal proceedings related to the discovery of a gold-plated T56 assault rifle, following a ruling by the Mt. Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.

The court determined that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case, resulting in Dissanayake’s release from all charges. The decision brings an end to several weeks of legal uncertainty for the former minister, who had previously been held in remand custody before being granted bail last week.

The case, which drew considerable media and public attention due to the nature of the weapon involved, revolved around allegations that Dissanayake had links to the possession or concealment of the gold-plated firearm.

However, during court proceedings, investigators failed to establish a direct connection between the former minister and the weapon in question.

July 29, Colombo (LNW): Former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Janaka Tissa Kuttiarachchi has formally extended an unconditional apology before the Colombo District Court over a controversial statement he made concerning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Appearing in person at a court session held earlier today (29), the former legislator expressed, through his legal counsel, complete regret for the remarks in question, which he acknowledged had been inappropriate.

His apology comes in response to a high-profile defamation case initiated by President Dissanayake, who had sought Rs. 10 billion in damages.

The lawsuit stems from comments made by Kuttiarachchi during a public rally held on August 19, 2023 in central Colombo, organised by the SLPP. During that gathering, Kuttiarachchi alleged that Dissanayake had channelled five billion rupees into investments in Malta—a claim the President strongly refuted as baseless and damaging to his public image.

In his complaint, President Dissanayake maintained that the accusation was politically motivated and aimed at undermining his credibility by portraying him as corrupt and beholden to foreign financial interests. He asserted that the statement was calculated to tarnish his reputation at a crucial time in national politics.

July 29, Colombo (LNW): Former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera has been ordered to remain in remand custody until August 04, following a decision by the Mahara Magistrate’s Court.

The ruling, issued by Magistrate Kanchana Silva, applies to Ranaweera and two additional individuals implicated in the same case.

The three stand accused of orchestrating the illegal transfer of government-owned land in the Kiribathgoda area by allegedly falsifying official documentation. Investigators contend that forged paperwork was used to present the state property as eligible for private sale, raising serious concerns over the abuse of public assets for personal or financial gain.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that a bail application has already been lodged with the High Court. That application is expected to be reviewed on August 21 August, pending further legal examination of the charges and evidence submitted.