1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to deliver a national address on Wednesday (26): During his speech, the President will outline the current economic situation and update the public on the progress of foreign debt restructuring: Ravi Karunanayake, the national secretary of the United National Party (UNP), suggests that the President’s address will offer significant relief to the citizens.
   
2. MP Gamini Waleboda announces that a Sri Lankan delegation, including Defence Secretary and Foreign Ministry officials, will depart for Russia today (24) to arrange the repatriation of Sri Lankan ex-military personnel involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict: They will hold official meetings in Moscow on Wednesday (26) with Russian Deputy Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs: The visit aims to facilitate diplomatic discussions and coordination on the matter.
   
3. SLPP MP Sathasivam Viyalendiran sworn in as the State Minister of Trade and Environment: The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Presidential Secretariat, where President Ranil Wickremesinghe administered the oath of office.
   
4. Education Minister Susil Premajayantha highlights the need for modernising Sri Lanka’s education system due to outdated state university curricula: stresses integrating research and development from schools to universities: Education Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara notes the success of initiatives to boost entrepreneurship, aiming to increase the workforce rate from 2.8% to 10% by 2030.
   
5. The Department of Animal Production and Health imposes a ban on importing animals and animal products from countries with bird flu outbreaks, aiming to prevent the entry of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) virus: Director General Dr. Hemali Kothalawala highlights the necessity of these measures for national protection, confirming no imports from affected regions: assures the public of strengthened disease controls and advised against undue concern.
   
6. The Central Bank appoints A. A. M. Thassim and J. P. R. Karunaratne as Deputy Governors, effective June 20 and June 24, respectively: With over three decades of experience each, their appointments were recommended by the CBSL Governing Board and approved by the Minister of Finance, in line with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act.
   
7. The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) announces teachers, principals, teacher instructors, and Piriven educators will hold a one-day sick leave protest on Wednesday (26) to address unresolved salary discrepancies: Despite a Cabinet sub-committee addressing one-third of the issues, the remaining anomalies persist: The protest will include a demonstration outside Fort Railway Station to demand comprehensive solutions.
   
8. Sri Lankan consumer confidence remains largely unchanged in May, just below March’s peak, with a slight rise towards month’s end, reports the Institute for Health Policy (IHP): The Index of Consumer Sentiment fell by one point to 29, while the Index of Current Conditions dropped two points to 24: The Index of Consumer Expectations increased by one point to 33, indicating persistent overall pessimism.
   
9. The non-academic staff of government schools are on a two-day sick leave protest starting today (24) and tomorrow (25): This action, led by the Education Non-Academic Employees’ Union, affects North Central, North Western provinces, and Kandy District today: General Secretary Ajith K. Thilakarathne cites several demands, including a national policy for non-academic staff: Meanwhile, the Principal Service Union plans a nationwide strike on June 26, despite the Ministry of Education’s affirmation of normal school operations from today.
   
10. Sri Lanka’s boxing team excels at the Seychelles Constitutional Day Boxing Tournament, winning six medals: secures two gold, two silver, and two bronze medals across various weight classes: PS Fernando and CD Udayakumara claimed gold medals in their respective categories: The team, supported by officials including Udayaweera Kumaratunga and IR Balasooriya, competed against boxers from Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, and Reunion, with strong backing from the Sri Lankan community in Seychelles.

June 24, Colombo (LNW): A special delegation will depart for Russia today (24) to facilitate the repatriation of Sri Lankan ex-military personnel involved in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and to engage in related discussions, MP Gamini Waleboda disclosed.

The delegation, consisting of six members including the Defence Secretary and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to leave for Russia.

An official meeting between the Sri Lankan delegation and Russian government representatives will take place in Moscow on Wednesday (26).

The discussions will include a morning meeting with the Russian Deputy Minister of Defence and an evening meeting with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister.

Waleboda noted that several rounds of diplomatic talks are planned for this visit.

June 24, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Sathasivam Viyalendiran has been sworn in as the State Minister of Trade and Environment.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Presidential Secretariat, where President Ranil Wickremesinghe administered the oath of office.

June 24, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Animal Production and Health in Sri Lanka has announced a ban on importing animals and animal products from countries experiencing outbreaks of bird flu.

Director General Dr. Hemali Kothalawala stated that these measures aim to prevent the Avian Influenza A(H5N1) virus from entering Sri Lanka, following recent reports of the virus in several nations.

Dr. Kothalawala emphasised that the restrictions are essential for the country’s protection and confirmed that no imports will be allowed from affected regions.

She reassured the public that existing disease control measures in Sri Lanka have been further reinforced and urged people not to panic.

June 24, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, with fairly heavy showers about 50mm being likely to occur at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its weather forecast today (24).

Several spells of showers will occur in North-western province and in Matale district.

Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Monaragala districts.

Marine Weather:

June 24, Colombo (LNW): Teachers, principals, teacher instructors, and Piriven educators will participate in a one-day sick leave protest this Wednesday (26) to address unresolved salary discrepancies and other demands, announced the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU).

CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin emphasised that the Cabinet sub-committee has agreed to correct one-third of the salary anomalies based on the Subodhini Committee Report.

However, the remaining salary issues for teachers and principals remain unaddressed.

The sick leave protest aims to press for the resolution of the remaining two-thirds of the salary anomalies.

All participating educators will gather outside the Fort Railway Station for a demonstration and to plan further actions if the government fails to respond.

“We also insist that the government should not impose school expenses on parents. It has been two years without any action to resolve the salary anomaly issue. During the sick leave protest, teachers and principals will abstain from their educational duties,” Stalin told Daily Mirror.

June 24, Colombo (LNW): Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara praised President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Members of Parliament for their efforts to prevent deaths during the country’s economic collapse.

Speaking at the ‘Smart Youth Club’ programme on the second day of the ‘Amparata’ event, he remarked, “When the country progresses, it is important to study figures like Che and Lenin, as well as ideologies such as liberalism and Marxism. This helps us understand what is right. Some people change their views after reading something like ‘Das Kapital’, but to truly grasp the world, one must read broadly – left, right, north and south.”

“Our country faced a severe regression, with people dying in queues. To halt these deaths, we had to see ourselves as true revolutionaries. President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the parliamentarians accepted this challenge, recognising the people’s pain and suffering.

True revolutionaries stood up for the people. But what about those who merely watched, claimed they would save the country, discouraged financial assistance, and did nothing? Are they revolutionaries? Do they truly care for the people?” Nanayakkara questioned.

He continued, “These so-called economic killers even label Elon Musk an economic hitman. Today, we have moved from history to the future, attracting investments from knowledgeable individuals like Elon Musk. We are providing professional training from the grassroots level to empower youth as smart leaders.”

June 24, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to deliver a national address on Wednesday (26).

During his speech, the President will outline the current economic situation and update the public on the progress of foreign debt restructuring.

Ravi Karunanayake, the national secretary of the United National Party (UNP), has suggested that the President’s address will offer significant relief to the citizens.