March 17, Colombo (LNW): New Pakistani High Commissioner, Major General (Retd.) Faheem Ul Aziz, met with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees on Friday (15).

During the meeting, the High Commissioner expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Gunawardena for extending felicitations and best wishes to the newly-elected President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In response, Prime Minister Gunawardena thanked Pakistan for its consistent support of Sri Lanka at international forums and for providing training facilities to members of the Sri Lankan armed forces.

Discussions revolved around the potential expansion of bilateral ties, particularly in economic sectors, investments, tourism, and industries.

High Commissioner Aziz highlighted the potential for increased Buddhist pilgrimages to Pakistan, noting the presence of established infrastructure facilities in pilgrimage sites such as Thakshila and the Gandhara region.

The meeting was attended by MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake, and Deputy High Commissioner Wajid Hassan Hashmi.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): Mainly dry weather will prevail over the island, with misty conditions being expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Kalutara districts during the morning, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (17).

Marine Weather:

Meanwhile, heat index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in North-western, North-central, Eastern and Western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Hambantota districts.

The public is urged to stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible, check up on the elderly and the sick, never leave children unattended, limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated, and wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court brought the hearing to a close on Friday regarding petitions seeking to invalidate the recommendations and findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) established by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to probe alleged instances of political victimization.

While the hearing concluded, the Supreme Court opted to withhold its decision for the time being.

The petitions were lodged by President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, former Navy Commander Travis Sinniah, former High Court Judge Padmini Ranawaka, among others.

March 16, Colombo (LNW):State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, has announced the formation of a committee tasked with investigating the feasibility of transferring surplus land owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation to the private sector.

According to Siyambalapitiya, the committee will assess which lands are suitable for transfer and develop the appropriate procedures for such transactions. Emphasizing a competitive process, he stated that prospective parties must focus on export-oriented agricultural production and utilize advanced agricultural technologies.

Furthermore, Siyambalapitiya highlighted the necessity for interested companies to possess the financial resources to meet these requirements and stressed that they must be of Sri Lankan origin.

The committee’s current focus lies in identifying underutilized lands within the State Plantations Corporation’s portfolio. Siyambalapitiya clarified that the proposed initiative would not involve the outright sale of land but rather leasing arrangements with the private sector.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): In a significant development, 18 senior police officers, including Senior Deputy Generals of Police (SDIGs), have been swiftly transferred, following directives from Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon. The transfers, enacted under the auspices of the National Police Commission, aim to implement strategic personnel changes within the law enforcement hierarchy.

The reshuffle encompasses a diverse array of positions, with 8 SDIGs, one Deputy General of Police (DIG), 8 Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), and one Superintendent of Police (SP) affected by the realignment.

Of notable mention is the reassignment of SSP E.M.M.S. Dehideniya, formerly serving as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Mount Lavinia Police Division, who has been redirected to assume the role of Director at the prestigious Criminal Investigation Department (CID), signaling a pivotal shift in investigative leadership.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): The essence of progress lies in understanding humanity through a scientific lens. Presently, the enlightened global community is dismantling the fallacy of categorizing individuals based on race, religion, and caste. Notably, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stands as a beacon of rationality, leveraging scientific methodologies to transcend societal myths.

The IOC has embarked on a mission to bridge the gender gap by fostering equal opportunities for women and men. Consequently, the representation of both genders in the upcoming Paris Olympics has been meticulously balanced at a 50/50 ratio.

Reflecting on the journey since the inception of the modern Olympics in 1900, where female participation stood at a mere 2.2%, underscores the monumental strides made over 124 years. This transformative period epitomizes the relentless toil, unwavering dedication, and enduring patience required to dispel entrenched illusions, erroneous judgments, and biased decisions.

Over the decades, the Olympic landscape has evolved, witnessing the introduction of new events and the phasing out of others. Notably, the 1924 Paris Olympics marked a significant milestone with 135 female athletes competing—a stark contrast to the limited participation observed in the tournament’s nascent years.

The gradual inclusion of women in various athletic disciplines illustrates a progressive trajectory. Notably, it wasn’t until 1984 that the women’s marathon debuted, symbolizing a breakthrough moment epitomized by Joan Benoit’s historic victory.

Subsequent years witnessed the expansion of women’s participation, with the 2020 Olympics featuring five new sports open to female athletes—BMX cycling, karate, skateboarding, surfing, and sports climbing. This trend continues in the present year, with additional sports opening their doors to women, marking a significant milestone in achieving gender parity across 32 sporting disciplines.

The evolution from a mere 2.2% representation of women to an equitable 50% distribution exemplifies not only the advancement of sports but also the intellectual maturity of athletes. Embracing unity and equality over division, particularly within the realm of sports, serves as a testament to societal progress and human enlightenment.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged all local government officials to wholeheartedly commit themselves to ensuring that the benefits provided to the people through government funding for development activities are effectively utilized.By responsibly managing these resources, officials can contribute significantly to bolstering the national economy, he added.

2. Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who is in remand custody in connection with the substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) procurement, has submitted a bail application to the Colombo High Court.

3. A total of 14 Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) have been received from potential investors for the Strategic Divestiture of Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. (LGL) and Litro Gas Terminals (Pvt) Ltd. (LGT). The REOIs received were considered by the Opening Committee appointed by the Special Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee. 

4. The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore has revealed that over 400 Sri Lankan nurses currently work in Singapore. A group of 100 nurses arrived at the Changi Airport in Singapore on Friday (15 March), under an ongoing collaboration with Singapore’s Ministry of Health Holdings, making this the largest group of nurses to be deployed to Singapore simultaneously.

5. The Supreme Court concluded the hearing of petitions seeking the annulment of recommendations and findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to investigate alleged incidents of political victimisation. Despite concluding the hearing, however, the Supreme Court deferred announcing its decision.

6. The suspended health trade union action will be resumed from March 19 (Tuesday), says the Convenor of the Health Service Trade Unions Ravi Kumudesh. Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, Kumudesh said the authorities failed to provide them with satisfactory solutions to the issues facing the health sector workers.

7. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has refuted recent claims that he requested for a meeting with the visiting delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In response to a statement made by State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe, the SJB MP stated that he had merely requested for the Opposition to be involved in the External Debt Restructure (EDR). He further highlighted that he had made a request in this regard given the crucial importance of the Opposition being made aware of such facts and figures in the event they are elected as the next government.

8. The Department of Forest Conservation has issued a concerning report, revealing that 55 hectares of forest cover have been ravaged by recent forest fires. These destructive fires, which occurred over the past few weeks, pose a significant threat to Sri Lanka’s delicate ecosystem.

9. Excise Department Commissioner General M. J. Gunasiri stated that e-cigarettes are currently posing a multitude of challenges for both society and the Government, leading to a substantial loss in tax revenue. He elaborated that these particular cigarettes are packed with a substantial level of nicotine, posing a greater threat to the human body compared to a standard cigarette.

10. Two Indian team managers participating in the Legends Cricket Trophy, currently underway in Sri Lanka, have been prohibited from leaving the country by the Colombo Magistrate Court. The court issued the order following a complaint filed by the Special Investigations Unit of the Sports Ministry regarding match-fixing allegations.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): In a recent announcement, State Minister of Home Affairs, Ashoka Priyantha, revealed ongoing interviews for the recruitment of Grama Niladhari Officers (GNO) across 2,002 vacant divisions. Priyantha assured that the selected candidates would assume their roles before April concludes, underscoring the government’s commitment to filling crucial administrative positions swiftly.

Addressing the media at the Presidential Media Centre under the theme ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’, Priyantha reiterated the potential of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s agenda in steering the nation towards economic prosperity and societal well-being.

Highlighting the Ministry’s proactive approach to socioeconomic stability, Priyantha outlined various initiatives aimed at addressing past crises. These include the establishment of district-level food safety and nutrition committees, provision of spectacles to 02 million impoverished families, and efforts towards rural development through decentralized budget initiatives.

Furthermore, Priyantha disclosed recent interviews conducted on March 13 and 14 for GNO recruitment, with ongoing sessions on March 15. The Ministry aims to finalize these appointments by the end of April.

In a related development, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena engaged with professional associations of Grama Niladhari Officers on March 14 to address their concerns, including travel expenses and office allowances. A cabinet paper has been submitted in this regard.

Regarding governance issues, Priyantha revealed the drafting of the GN Constitution, a pivotal concern for GNOs, with a cabinet paper awaiting approval. Once ratified, it will undergo further action to enhance administrative processes.

Priyantha concluded by emphasizing the government’s dedication to livelihood restoration and societal cohesion amidst economic challenges. He credited President Wickremesinghe for fostering trust and expressed optimism in sustaining the current trajectory for transformative growth over the next two years, heralding positive economic rejuvenation and project rectification.