Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara says the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be repealed and replaced with new legislation focused solely on preventing terrorism, without being used to suppress individuals or political groups.

Speaking during a discussion with civil society representatives and public stakeholders at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat on Thursday (19), the Minister said the proposed legislation is expected to be presented within the next two months.

“The Prevention of Terrorism Act will be repealed, and a new Bill will be introduced solely for the purpose of preventing terrorism, not for suppressing individuals or other parties,” he said.

Addressing concerns regarding missing persons, Nanayakkara emphasized that investigations must be completed and justice delivered to affected families.

“It has been one and a half years since our Government came to power. When I visited this area a year ago, discussions on missing persons were still ongoing. At that time, the mechanism for investigating these cases had collapsed. Within the past year, the necessary recruitments were made and funds were allocated to strengthen the Office on Missing Persons (OMP),” he said.

The Minister acknowledged public dissatisfaction with previous administrations and the OMP process, arguing that earlier governments had failed to bring investigations to a conclusion despite the end of the civil war in 2009.

“The fact that issues relating to missing persons remain unresolved shows that previous governments lacked the political will to complete these investigations,” he said.

Nanayakkara stressed that lasting peace requires justice, reconciliation, and coexistence.

“Both the North and the South suffered greatly during the 30-year conflict. Such a situation must never happen again. To prevent the recurrence of war, we must build coexistence and friendship. Justice must be delivered to the families of the missing, and these investigations must reach a conclusion,” he said.

The Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to release State-held lands in the Northern Province and reopen access roads, stating that Tamil communities should no longer feel marginalized.

“The Tamil people cannot be made to feel like second-class citizens anymore. We must build confidence among the people of the North, and the Government is committed to doing so,” he said.

During the meeting, civil society representatives and members of the public raised concerns regarding missing persons investigations and related complaints, which were addressed by the Minister and officials.

Among those present were Jaffna District MP K. Ilankumaran, Vanni District MP S. Thilakanathan, Kilinochchi District Secretary S. Muralitharan, Office on Missing Persons Chairman Mahesh Katulanda and members of the OMP Board, district officials, regional coordinators, and representatives of civil society organizations.

Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara says excavation work at the Chemmani mass grave site in Jaffna is progressing successfully, with the necessary financial allocations already made to ensure the completion of the process.

The Minister made these remarks during an inspection visit to the ongoing excavations at the Ariyalai Siththupathy Chemmani mass grave site today.

Emphasizing the importance of the investigation, Nanayakkara stated that the excavation work should be completed as swiftly as possible to help ensure justice for affected families and communities.

The excavations are being conducted under the leadership of Senior Professor Raj Somadeva, with the involvement of archaeology students, forensic specialists, medical professionals, and other experts.

Following the site visit, the Minister addressed the media and responded to questions regarding the progress of the excavations and broader investigations into missing persons.

Representatives of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), including Chairman Mahesh Katulanda, were present during the inspection. Also attending were former Colombo Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Ajith Tennakoon, Jaffna District Members of Parliament K. Ilankumaran and Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy, legal representatives, and officials from the Ministry of Justice and National Integration.

The Chemmani excavation has attracted significant public attention due to the discovery of a large number of skeletal remains and its potential relevance to long-standing investigations into disappearances during Sri Lanka’s conflict period. Authorities have stated that the forensic and archaeological examination process will continue under judicial supervision.

Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage continued his outstanding form by winning the men’s javelin throw event at the Doha Diamond League 2026 in Qatar on Friday.

The 23-year-old Sri Lankan produced a winning throw of 88.68 metres on his fourth attempt to secure gold against a star-studded field featuring two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, former Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra of India, American athlete Curtis Thompson, and reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago.

Tharanga’s throw proved enough to keep his rivals at bay, with Peters finishing second after recording 86.38 metres, while Thompson claimed third place. Chopra, competing for the first time this year following a spell on the sidelines due to injuries, finished fourth with a best effort of 85.69 metres.

Although he fell short of the world-leading 92.62-metre national record he set at the Rome Diamond League two weeks ago, Tharanga once again demonstrated why he is currently one of the world’s leading javelin throwers.

“I’m glad I had a win today. It was one of my dreams to compete here as the first-ever Sri Lankan in the Diamond League circuit,” Tharanga said after the event.

The Doha victory marks his second Diamond League title this month, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s rising stars.

Earlier this week, Tharanga climbed to second place in the world rankings, a historic achievement for Sri Lankan athletics. According to the latest rankings, he has accumulated 1,333 points following a series of exceptional performances on the international stage.

Germany’s Julian Weber remains the world’s top-ranked javelin thrower with 1,360 points, while Tharanga continues to close the gap with his consistent success.

Tharanga’s recent achievements have placed Sri Lankan athletics firmly in the global spotlight and strengthened hopes for further success at upcoming international competitions.

The Department of Examinations has released the results of the 2025 General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) Ordinary Level Examination.

Candidates can view their results by entering their examination index number on the Department of Examinations’ official website:

www.doenets.lk

The 2025 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination was held from February 17 to February 26, 2025, with 451,463 candidates sitting for the examination islandwide.

The Department further announced that applications for the re-scrutiny of results can be submitted online from June 25 to July 8, 2026.

Applications can be submitted via:
https://onlineexams.gov.lk/eic

Candidates are advised to carefully review the instructions provided on the website before submitting re-scrutiny applications.

Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in Uva and Eastern provinces and in Mullaitivu district after 2.00 p.m.

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

Sri Lanka’s export community is raising serious concerns over a newly introduced foreign exchange regulation that significantly shortens the period exporters can retain their foreign currency earnings, with industry representatives questioning both the timing and the process behind the decision.

The controversy emerged after the Central Bank issued a Gazette Extraordinary requiring exporters to convert foreign currency proceeds held in designated accounts by the tenth day of the following month. While exporters have reiterated their commitment to repatriating export earnings in line with national regulations, many argue that the new requirement was imposed without adequate consultation with the very sector it directly affects.

The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) has expressed concern that no meaningful discussions were held with exporter associations, industry councils, or stakeholder organizations before the regulation came into effect. Sector leaders say they remain uncertain whether export promotion agencies or economic policymakers conducted a comprehensive impact assessment before introducing the measure.

The issue comes at a time when Sri Lanka’s export sector is showing positive momentum. During the first four months of 2026, total exports reached nearly $5.8 billion, reflecting growth compared to the same period last year. Merchandise exports alone recorded a year-on-year increase, reinforcing the sector’s role as a crucial contributor to the national economy and foreign exchange earnings.

Exporters argue that retaining foreign currency balances is not merely a preference but an operational necessity. Many businesses rely on these funds to purchase imported raw materials, machinery, spare parts, and production inputs. Foreign currency reserves are also essential for overseas marketing campaigns, supplier payments, and meeting contractual obligations denominated in foreign currencies.

Industry representatives warn that forcing businesses to convert earnings within a compressed timeframe could create disruptions in production planning and financial management. Many export sectors operate according to seasonal procurement and manufacturing cycles, meaning foreign currency earned today may be required several months later to fulfill future orders.

A major concern revolves around the financial burden created by repeated currency conversions. Exporters fear they may be forced to convert earnings into rupees and later repurchase foreign currency when payments become due. Such transactions expose businesses to exchange rate fluctuations, banking spreads, and additional transaction charges, all of which increase operational costs and reduce competitiveness in international markets.

Companies with foreign currency loans face another challenge. Many currently retain export earnings to meet future debt obligations. Under the new framework, they may need to repurchase foreign exchange later at potentially higher costs, increasing financial risk and cash flow pressures.

The NCE maintains that foreign exchange management measures are most effective when developed collaboratively with affected industries. Exporters say they support national economic objectives but believe policies intended to strengthen foreign reserves should not inadvertently weaken one of the country’s most important foreign exchange-generating sectors.

The proposal to list State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) on Sri Lanka’s capital market is emerging as one of the most significant economic reform discussions in recent years. Backed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the initiative is being promoted as a tool to strengthen governance, attract investment, and reduce dependence on state finances. Yet the policy continues to divide opinion among economists, investors, and public sector stakeholders.

Supporters view the proposal as a natural progression in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. With economic growth improving and investor confidence gradually returning, regulators believe the capital market can play a larger role in funding national development. SOEs, many of which require substantial investment to modernize infrastructure and improve service delivery, represent a major opportunity for market expansion.

One of the strongest arguments in favor of listings is transparency. Publicly traded companies must regularly disclose financial information, operational performance, and material developments. Such requirements could improve oversight of SOEs, many of which have faced criticism over limited public accountability and opaque decision-making processes.

Listings may also encourage stronger corporate governance practices. Independent directors, shareholder scrutiny, and regulatory supervision can create additional checks and balances that are often absent in fully state-controlled entities. Improved governance could enhance operational efficiency and reduce financial losses that have historically burdened taxpayers.

The initiative could further support capital formation. By allowing SOEs to raise funds through equity or bond markets, the government may reduce its reliance on borrowing and direct fiscal support. At a time when public finances remain under pressure, alternative financing mechanisms are increasingly attractive.

Nevertheless, several concerns remain unresolved. Critics argue that investor-driven priorities may not align with the broader social mandates of state enterprises. Many SOEs provide essential services that governments intentionally subsidize to protect consumers. Market pressures for profitability could complicate these policy objectives.

Questions also arise regarding valuation and timing. Listing underperforming enterprises without first addressing operational inefficiencies may fail to attract investor interest or generate meaningful value. Some analysts contend that restructuring should precede any public offering to ensure that investors are purchasing viable and competitive businesses.

Another concern is the potential concentration of ownership. If large institutional or foreign investors acquire significant stakes, questions may emerge regarding influence over strategically important sectors. Ensuring adequate safeguards and maintaining state control where necessary will likely be central to future policy discussions.

The broader success of the strategy will depend on implementation. Transparent listing processes, robust governance reforms, investor protections, and clear communication with stakeholders will be essential. Without these elements, listings risk being viewed merely as fundraising exercises rather than genuine reform initiatives.

Ultimately, the debate reflects a larger question facing Sri Lanka’s economy: whether market-based mechanisms can drive meaningful improvements in public sector performance. While listing SOEs could unlock new capital and strengthen accountability, its long-term effectiveness will depend on balancing commercial discipline with the public responsibilities that state enterprises are expected to fulfill.