Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) General Manager K.S.I. Kumara announced that employees who have applied for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) may withdraw their applications on or before January 30, 2026 (today).

In a statement issued to relevant staff, Kumara said this opportunity is extended to employees who wish to join the newly proposed company instead of proceeding with retirement.

The decision follows a directive issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Energy, under letter reference MOE/SRS/VRS/28, dated November 14, 2025. The directive applies to CEB employees who submitted their VRS applications prior to October 27, 2025.

The General Manager stressed that no requests to withdraw VRS applications will be accepted after the January 30 deadline. Accordingly, the CEB will only process and approve withdrawal requests received by the General Manager’s branch on or before that date.

In addition, CEB management has instructed all unit, branch, and department heads not to accept or entertain any withdrawal requests submitted after January 30.

The foundation for nurturing a future generation enriched with values and compassion is being laid today through the introduction of new education reforms, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said yesterday (29).

She stated that the Government has accepted full responsibility for ensuring that every child in the country receives a sound and meaningful education.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the National Programme for the Implementation of New Educational Reforms for Children Entering Grade One in 2026, held at Athurugiriya Gunasekera Primary School.

During the event, Dr. Amarasuriya planted a Mee sapling together with the students on the school premises and engaged in friendly conversations with them while inspecting the renovated Grade One classrooms upgraded in line with the new reforms.

Symbolising the admission of Grade One students across the island, the Prime Minister also entered students’ names into the school register of Athurugiriya Gunasekera Primary School. Subsequently, school uniforms and subject-related activity books were distributed to the students.

Addressing the gathering further, the Prime Minister highlighted that a key feature of the new education reforms is the reduction of the school bag burden and the creation of a stress-free learning environment, enabling children to attend school with happiness and enthusiasm.

“We are committed to turning the ‘Dream School’ concept—creating a pleasant and child-friendly school environment—into a reality. Plans are also being prepared to introduce education reforms for Grade Six students, which could not be implemented this year,” she said.

Dr. Amarasuriya added that the reforms place strong emphasis on building a foundation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), promoting environmental activities based on scientific principles, and strengthening English language teaching at the primary level.

“For decades, our education system has been highly competitive and largely confined to textbooks and examinations. This has led to many children distancing themselves from education,” the Prime Minister noted.

She emphasised that it is the Government’s duty to safeguard the right to education of every child and to ensure that the education system nurtures curiosity, well-being and holistic development.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed strong solidarity with Sri Lanka following the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah, while reaffirming confidence in the country’s ongoing economic reform and governance agenda.

The remarks were made during a discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and IMF representatives at the Presidential Secretariat. The meeting focused on the forthcoming review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement with the IMF.

The discussion followed an IMF mission visit to Sri Lanka from January 22 to 28, during which officials assessed the economic damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah and its implications for the ongoing Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.

Commenting on the visit, IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan said the mission marked a notable shift from past engagements, as IMF officials travelled outside Colombo to observe conditions on the ground.

“This is my fourth visit to Sri Lanka, and for the first time I spent two days in areas outside Colombo,” Srinivasan said. He highlighted three key observations from the visit.

Firstly, he described Sri Lanka as a country with immense natural beauty and significant long-term economic and social potential.

Secondly, he said the delegation directly witnessed the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, including extensive flooding and damage to vital infrastructure. “In many areas, I saw flooding and roads in need of repair. Our sympathies are with the people of Sri Lanka for the lives lost and the suffering caused by the disaster,” he said.

Thirdly, Srinivasan noted strong public appreciation for the Government’s actions, particularly in relation to governance reforms. “In discussions with communities, there was clear appreciation for what the Government has done, especially in strengthening governance,” he said, adding that such insights were especially valuable as IMF missions are usually confined to Colombo-based meetings.

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has issued a formal clarification regarding the implementation of proposed educational reforms for Grade 6 students.

The clarification follows a national programme held to enrol children into Grade 1 under the new education reforms, during which Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that no injustice would be caused to students entering Grade 6 this year, and that reforms would be introduced for them at an appropriate time in the future.

However, the Ministry said a misleading report has been circulating, incorrectly interpreting the Prime Minister’s remarks to suggest that the Grade 6 reforms would be implemented within the current year. According to the Ministry, this misinterpretation has led to confusion among students, parents and the wider public.

Secretary to the Ministry, Nalaka Kaluwewa, stressed that the government is currently considering a structured and systematic programme to include students entering Grade 6 in 2026 in the reform process at a later stage.

The Ministry has requested that the incorrect reports be rectified, reiterating that the reforms are planned for a future phase in order to ensure that no injustice is caused to affected students.

Sri Lanka records approximately 100 new cancer patients each day, while around 40 people die daily due to cancer, according to the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).

Community Medicine Specialist Dr. Hasarali Fernando revealed these figures citing data from the National Cancer Registry 2022, speaking at a media briefing held in connection with World Cancer Day on February 4.

She said a total of 35,855 new cancer cases were reported in 2022, while 14,986 cancer-related deaths were recorded in 2021. Of the new cases, around 19,500 were women and about 16,400 were men.

According to NCCP data, oral cancer is the most common cancer among men in Sri Lanka, while breast cancer is the most prevalent among women. Thyroid cancer and colorectal cancer follow as other common cancers among women.

Dr. Fernando noted that the World Health Organization estimates that 30 to 50 percent of cancers are preventable. She explained that ageing, gender, family history and genetic factors are major contributors to cancer risk.

She further pointed out that Sri Lanka’s ageing population is a key factor driving the rise in cancer cases, due to increased genetic mutations, reduced immunity and prolonged exposure to cancer-causing factors.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health has stated that the risk of Nipah virus transmission to the country remains minimal, following recent reports of cases in West Bengal, India.

In a media statement, the Ministry explained that the Nipah virus is a zoonotic infection that primarily affects animals, particularly fruit bats, and can be transmitted to humans through close contact with infected animals or contaminated materials. Limited human-to-human transmission may occur through prolonged close contact with respiratory secretions or bodily fluids of infected individuals.

However, the Ministry emphasised that the virus is not airborne like influenza and does not spread easily through casual contact.

While a small number of Nipah cases have been reported in India, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not issued any travel restrictions, the statement noted. “At present, the risk of transmission to Sri Lanka is considered minimal,” the Ministry said.

Health authorities highlighted that Sri Lanka has a strong national disease surveillance system capable of early detection and rapid response to emerging infectious diseases. This includes laboratory diagnostic facilities at the Medical Research Institute (MRI) to promptly identify Nipah virus infections should an imported case occur.

The Ministry added that it is closely monitoring the regional situation in coordination with the WHO and other relevant partners, and urged the public to rely only on official statements and verified sources for accurate information.

Authorities further assured that all necessary preparedness measures are in place to respond swiftly and effectively if any suspected case is detected.

A workshop to brief the heads of 250 state institutions on the establishment of Internal Affairs Units was held yesterday (29) at the auditorium of the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, under the patronage of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The programme was organised in line with the Government’s initiative to build a clean, transparent and corruption-free public service.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), Internal Affairs Units were previously established in 106 state institutions as the first phase of the national programme, and officers attached to those units were provided with specialised training. Building on this initiative, instructions have now been issued to establish Internal Affairs Units in a further 250 state institutions as part of the second phase.

The workshop was organised by the Presidential Secretariat with the assistance of the Clean Sri Lanka Programme.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Kumanayake noted that while Sri Lanka continues to maintain relatively strong positions in sectors such as education and healthcare, the country is ranked 121st in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index. He warned that such a ranking could negatively impact Sri Lanka’s overall standing across other key sectors.

He further stated that the primary slogan of the recent public uprising was opposition to political corruption, and that public dissatisfaction extended beyond politicians to include corrupt public officials. According to the PMD, he emphasised that the uprising took place during a period of economic bankruptcy, when its consequences were being directly felt by the public.

Dr. Kumanayake observed that public uprisings do not occur suddenly, but are the result of a prolonged and systematic build-up of frustration driven by declining public trust in governance. He stressed that such movements should never be underestimated, as they reflect the will of the people.

He underscored the need for both public officials and political authorities to clearly understand public expectations and sentiment, noting that public servants have an obligation to deliver a clean, transparent and accountable public service.

Explaining the broader framework of the initiative, Dr. Kumanayake said a structured national programme has been introduced to strengthen integrity in public service delivery, with Internal Affairs Units forming a key component aimed at enhancing internal oversight, transparency and institutional accountability.

He also highlighted the importance of ethical conduct in public administration, stating that strengthening individual integrity among public officials can play a significant role in transforming the wider culture of corruption within the state sector.

Furthermore, he noted that Internal Affairs Units serve not only as a mechanism to promote a culture of integrity within the public service, but also as a platform for the public to raise concerns regarding the conduct of public officials, thereby strengthening accountability and public trust.

Additional Secretary to the President Chandima Wickramasinghe and Senior Lecturer of the University of Kelaniya, Tharindu Dhananjaya Weerasinghe, delivered keynote presentations at the event.

The National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP) has warned that the government’s budget proposal to remove the Special Commodity Levy on coconut oil and palm oil could result in serious market distortions and health-related consequences.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo today (29), NMCRP Chairman Ranjith Vithanage said the proposed move carries a high risk of coconut oil being adulterated with harmful oils before reaching the local market.

He further cautioned that prices of locally produced coconut oil are likely to increase from April 1, placing an additional burden on consumers.

Vithanage noted that the removal of the levy could encourage the widespread availability of palm oil and other substitute oils in the domestic market. Citing medical opinions, he said health professionals recommend coconut oil as the most suitable option for deep frying, while the use of palm oil and other alternative oils has been associated with increased health risks.

He also pointed out that exporters engaged in coconut-based industries are diverting coconuts meant for domestic coconut oil production to export markets, leading to a shortage of coconut oil locally.

According to the NMCRP Chairman, this shortage has already forced many consumers to turn to palm oil and other lower-cost substitute oils, raising concerns over both consumer health and market regulation.