Eight Cabinet Ministers have been sworn in for ten Ministries a short while ago.

The travel ban imposed to former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Ajith Nivard Cabraal has been extended till June 25 as per the order of the Colombo Magistrate Court today (23).

This was when the private complaint lodged by former Governor of the Southern Province Keerthi Thennakoon was taken up today.

Although Cabraal was summoned to appear in Court today, he did not appear and his lawyer Shavindra Fernando informed the Court that his client would appear in Court on the next hearing date.

Cabraal is accused of;

• paying off US$ 6.5 million to a US National Zhuberi without the approval of the Cabinet or the Monetary Board of the CBSL during his tenure as the CBSL Chief in the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime;
• causing a loss of US$ 500 million to the country via sovereign bonds due on January 18 during his tenure as the CBSL Chief in the current regime; and
• appointing close relatives for positions and causing a loss of Rs. 10.04 billion through treasury bonds and bond issues by releasing confidential information

MIAP

SLFP MP Mahinda Amaraweera has been sworn in as the Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation.

The swearing in of new Cabinet Ministers has commenced and is being carried out now. Stay tuned for more information.

A motion seeking the issuance of an arrest warrant for Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in Charge of the Western Province Deshabandu Thennakoon has been filed in the Colombo Magistrate Court.

Filed by Attorney at Law Gunaratne Wanninayake on behalf of Gayani Dilrukshi this (23) morning, the motion is in connection with the May 09 assault on the Galleface Protest ground.

Last week, Colombo Magistrate Thilina Gamage also expressed his displeasure to the Police for following an approach towards the SDIG in contradiction with many arrests made by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) related to the assault.

MIAP

Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Admiral Jayanath Colombage has reportedly resigned from his post.

Accordingly, Aruni Wijewardena has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, Colombage will continue to serve as a President’s Additional Secretary, sources said.

MIAP

Sri Lankan witchcraft practitioner Gnanawathi Jayasuriya aka ‘Gnana Meniyo’ or ‘Gnanakka’ calling in what it appeared to be her very first press conference yesterday (22) said she has never benefitted from politicians, nor has she ever gained a single rupee from them.

Jayasuriya, who claims herself to be gifted with the possession of Goddess Paththini, a Hindu deity, denied the allegations levelled against her involving leaders of the government.

“People who come to me – I am very happy on one hand – talk in a wonderful way, saying that they will build a new house for me and not to worry. Those who called me were not those engaged in politics, but the innocent people who come to me. I am a mother who strongly stood up, no matter what people say. Have I ever gained a single rupee from any politician, I am ready to submit myself before any law. I have never benefitted from any politician. May they be brought before me and questioned, I have never. Nor do I need such a thing. I am a human who stood up with much effort,” she said.

Contradictory to her denial on the allegation of having affairs with high-profile political figures in the country, Jayasuriya did acknowledge that politicians pay occasional visits to her monastery for spiritual advice and that she ‘does not‘ remember what she had talked with the politicians she had encountered, for the talks always carried out between the Goddess herself and the politicians.

Jayasuriya’s high-level political affiliations have recently been exposed to media and the unrest provoked by the May 09 assault also led to the burning of her house.

MIAP

The G.C.E. Ordinary Level examinations commence today (23) at 3,844 examination centres islandwide, the Department of Examinations said.

Accordingly, 517,496 eligible candidates are sitting for the OLs exams this year, with 407,129 school candidates and 110,367 private applicants.

The examinations will be held till June 01, 2022.

All candidates are requested to arrive early at their designated examination centres with their admission and valid identity cards.

Despite the ongoing economic crisis and shortages of essential commodities in the island, the examinations will be held without any shortage.

MIAP

Sumith Wijesinghe has decided to tender resignation to his post as the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO).

Accordingly, he has handed over his letter of resignation to the President.

MIAP