August 03, Colombo (LNW): A crucial parliamentary session has been scheduled for August 05, with legislators preparing to debate a motion that could lead to the dismissal of Deshabandu Tennakoon from his position as Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Parliament will convene at 9:30 a.m., presided over by the Speaker, with a vote on the matter anticipated by late afternoon.

With Tennakoon’s tenure being increasingly contentious due to a series of high-profile controversies and public criticism surrounding police accountability, the outcome of the debate may mark a significant shift in the Police force of Sri Lanka.

August 03, Colombo (LNW): During a recent visit to the University of Vavuniya, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya made it unequivocally clear that violent practices and abuse in higher education institutions—particularly ragging—will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Her remarks were delivered in the presence of academic staff, university administrators, and students, shortly after the official inauguration of the university’s newly built library facility.

Addressing those gathered, Dr Amarasuriya acknowledged the longstanding culture of student activism within Sri Lanka’s universities, and affirmed that the government has no intention of curbing political engagement, protests, or student-led movements.

However, she was firm in drawing a distinction between constructive activism and behaviour that endangers or intimidates others. “Violence, coercion, and hazing have no place in our universities,” she said. “Freedom of expression is a right—but harming others under the guise of tradition or politics is not.”

The Prime Minister also spoke candidly about broader challenges in the education sector. She highlighted the growing concern that a significant number of students entering university are not adequately prepared for tertiary-level study, citing gaps in the secondary education system as a root cause.

“Our universities are increasingly forced to compensate for the basic academic and social skills that students should have acquired at school. This is not sustainable and is unfair to both students and educators,” she remarked.

Emphasising the government’s commitment to comprehensive education reform, Dr Amarasuriya stressed the importance of equipping school-leavers with the skills necessary to either enter the workforce or pursue further education without requiring remedial intervention.

“We must ensure that no child leaves school unequipped for the next phase of life—whether that’s employment or higher learning,” she added.

August 03, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have arrested two key individuals believed to be closely linked to notorious organised crime networks operating within and outside Sri Lanka.

In a significant operation at Bandaranaike International Airport, Dissanayakage Devanmini Dissanayake, known by the alias ‘Gampaha Deva’, was taken into custody by airport security whilst attempting to board a flight to Bangkok. The suspect is alleged to be a close associate of the infamous underworld figure ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’.

In a separate incident, a man reportedly tied to Prasad Chathuranga Kodagoda—commonly referred to as ‘Dubai Sudda’—was apprehended by the Crime Investigation Unit of the Panadura Division. Acting on intelligence gathered during a probe into the theft of two motorcycles, officers were able to track down the suspect, leading to a wider criminal investigation.

Upon his arrest, law enforcement officials discovered a quantity of 4,665 milligrammes of crystal methamphetamine (commonly referred to as ‘ICE’) in his possession. The suspect is believed to be part of a broader drug distribution network that extends beyond Sri Lanka’s borders. Police allege that the trafficking operation uses mobile payment systems such as eZ Cash and encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp to facilitate drug transactions and coordinate logistics.

August 03, Colombo (LNW): Premasiri Rathnayake has been relieved of his duties as Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs, a move reportedly sanctioned by a recent Cabinet action.

According to Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake, the dismissal stems from Rathnayake’s purported inability to effectively carry out his assigned responsibilities.

Rathnayake, who assumed the post in January 2024, had faced growing criticism over the past several months, with various allegations previously surfacing regarding his conduct and administrative approach.

As part of the transitional process, Kasun Wellahewa has been named as Acting Commissioner with immediate effect.

August 03, Colombo (LNW): International travellers arriving in Sri Lanka can now obtain temporary driving licences upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, under a newly launched initiative aimed at improving transport access for tourists.

This move marks a significant shift in policy, as previously, visitors had to travel to the Department of Motor Traffic in Werahera to secure a local permit. The new facility at the airport is expected to streamline the process, particularly for those renting vehicles near the arrival terminal and looking to explore the island independently.

The initiative, overseen by the Ministry of Transport and Highways, caters mainly to tourists who opt for motorcycles or small private vehicles during their stay. Permits issued at the airport will, however, be limited to motorcycles and light vehicles. Visitors intending to drive heavy vehicles or three-wheelers must still go through the conventional application channels outside the airport.

To qualify, foreign nationals must hold a full, valid driving licence from their country of origin. Temporary, provisional, probationary, or learner permits will not be accepted under the new scheme. If the licence is not issued in English, applicants must provide a certified translation. A valid passport with an appropriate visa is also required for processing.

Additional criteria include the stipulation that the original foreign licence must remain valid for at least 12 months beyond the date of its conversion into a temporary Sri Lankan permit. Any existing conditions tied to the original licence—such as the use of spectacles, automatic transmission only, or hearing assistance—will be carried over to the Sri Lankan permit without exemption.

The temporary licences will be valid for up to five months, with fees set at Rs. 2,000 per month. This means visitors planning longer stays or extended travel around the island will have the flexibility to obtain coverage without excessive administrative burden.

August 03, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s education system is set to undergo a far-reaching transformation, with Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr Harini Amarasuriya calling for a united national effort to bring meaningful change to the way children are taught and supported throughout their schooling journey.

Addressing an awareness event held on the 2nd of August, Dr Amarasuriya stressed that the reforms being proposed are not confined to the agendas of government ministries or political leadership alone. Rather, she framed them as a collective national mission, urging citizens from all walks of life to take ownership of the process.

“The present education system is not inspiring hope or confidence in our students. Many complete school with a sense of disillusionment rather than anticipation about their future. That is not acceptable,” she said, noting the emotional and psychological toll the current framework has on young learners.

Dr Amarasuriya outlined a vision centred on creating learning environments that prioritise both academic success and personal development. She emphasised that the system must go beyond traditional exam-based outcomes and foster creativity, curiosity, and resilience in students. The aim, she said, is to nurture not just scholars, but capable and compassionate individuals—doctors, engineers, scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs—with practical skills that can serve both society and the economy.

Equity was a recurring theme in her remarks. The Prime Minister insisted that all regions, including historically marginalised or underfunded districts, must receive fair attention in the rollout of the reform. Equal access to quality education, she argued, is a fundamental requirement if the nation is to move forward as a whole.

She outlined key infrastructure priorities, including the need to equip every school with up-to-date digital tools, functioning sanitation facilities, reliable water supplies, laboratories, arts and innovation spaces, and properly maintained classrooms and sports grounds. Addressing the persistent shortage of teachers was also highlighted as a top priority.

While the government has developed a structured, phased approach—with changes to Year 1 and Year 6 curriculum set to begin in 2026—Dr Amarasuriya made it clear that long-term success hinges on broad public involvement. “This reform belongs to the people. It cannot be something handed down from above—it must be shaped through ongoing dialogue and active participation from educators, unions, parents, universities, and civil society.”

She also acknowledged the complexity of the task ahead, noting that piecemeal change will not suffice. “This is not a cosmetic adjustment. What we are embarking on is a complete reimagining of how education is delivered in this country.”

Closing her remarks, she issued a powerful appeal for solidarity: “Every child in this country is our collective responsibility. Let us work together—not just to fix a system, but to give our children the future they deserve.”

August 03, Colombo (LNW): Judicial authorities in Sri Lanka have suspended the official duties of Thilina Gamage, who held dual appointments as Magistrate and District Judge in Moratuwa, following the emergence of serious allegations involving misconduct.

The Judicial Service Commission, the body responsible for overseeing the conduct of judicial officers, has confirmed that Gamage has been formally removed from active service while an inquiry is underway. He has been instructed to provide a written explanation regarding the accusations within a 21-day period, as stipulated in a letter issued by the Commission.

The suspension relates to an ongoing investigation centred around Gamage’s alleged role in unlawful activities concerning the custody of a baby elephant. The Commission formally served him a charge sheet earlier this year, with the matter gaining renewed attention in recent weeks.

At the heart of the investigation are claims that Gamage unlawfully kept a young elephant named “Sakura” using documentation that was allegedly forged. The elephant in question was originally seized and returned to the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 2015, following a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The incident triggered a high-profile inquiry into the use of falsified permits to privately own protected wildlife.

The Attorney General’s Department has since filed an indictment consisting of 25 separate charges linked to the incident. These include serious breaches under the Public Property Act and other relevant statutes aimed at protecting Sri Lanka’s wildlife heritage.

August 03, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s healthcare system is reportedly facing operational strain due to widespread irregularities in the transfer process of medical officers, with the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) blaming the Ministry of Health’s Medical Services Unit for bypassing established protocols.

The annual rotation of medical professionals—typically governed by a transparent, guideline-driven process—has been marred by significant deviations this year, according to union spokesperson Dr Chamil Wijesinghe.

The GMOA claims that the Medical Services Unit acted without adequate consultation, ignoring the existing administrative framework that outlines how transfers should be managed.

The result, according to the GMOA, is a deeply flawed deployment landscape affecting the placement of more than 23,000 doctors across the island. Of this number, over 10,000 medical professionals are reportedly in limbo, awaiting the implementation of their official transfer orders. The backlog has led to misallocation of critical staff and operational inefficiencies across numerous hospitals.

Dr Wijesinghe further highlighted that close to half of Sri Lanka’s government-employed doctors are currently not stationed where they are officially assigned. This mismatch is said to be undermining patient care, especially in rural and underserved regions, where staffing gaps are now becoming more pronounced.

The union warns that if corrective action is not taken promptly, the consequences could ripple through the entire public health network, impacting service delivery and morale within the sector. While the annual transfer process is intended to maintain fairness, ensure career progression, and balance staffing levels, the GMOA claims that recent developments have turned what should be a routine administrative exercise into a source of institutional dysfunction.

Healthcare professionals have called for urgent intervention by higher authorities, demanding that the Ministry revisit and rectify the transfer process in line with the established policies. They argue that trust in the system is essential not only for the effective functioning of the medical workforce, but also for maintaining the public’s confidence in the country’s healthcare infrastructure.