Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, announced yesterday that the Government has approved a proposal to deploy 100 modern, low-entry, and comfortable buses for public transport through a newly established subsidiary company under the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet press briefing, the Minister explained that the initiative will be launched as a pilot project, with the new buses to be imported and operated along several major transport corridors including Colombo, Makumbura (Kottawa), Kaduwela, Kadawatha, and Moratuwa.

The Minister emphasised that this initial rollout will be state-run, with the possibility of future expansion involving private sector collaboration based on the project’s success. He noted that the initiative was originally proposed in the 2025 Budget and has now received Cabinet approval. The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, and the new subsidiary company will be formed under the SLTB in accordance with the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007.

Education Deputy Minister Madhura Seneviratne informed Parliament yesterday that the current restriction on admitting local civil students to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) medical faculty will continue until the Government completes a comprehensive review of the country’s medical workforce requirements.

He clarified that the restriction—imposed from the third batch of admissions via the Z-score system through the University Grants Commission—is a temporary measure. Stressing that the Government has no intention of closing any university, the Deputy Minister reiterated that the move is part of an ongoing assessment and not a permanent policy shift.

Responding to a query raised by MP Ravi Karunanayake, Seneviratne noted that while the restriction had drawn criticism, particularly over concerns about its impact on student access, it is solely intended to allow time for a detailed evaluation of Sri Lanka’s future needs for medical practitioners.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several opposition MPs strongly criticised the decision, arguing that it had deprived both local and international students of vital educational opportunities. They called on the Government to reverse the restriction and ensure continued access to medical education through institutions such as KDU.

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

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in and Trincomalee district.

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

By: Isuru Parakrama

June 03, Colombo (LNW): Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has firmly denied speculation about any plans to replace Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya or to reorganise the current Cabinet.

Speaking at briefing held at the Department of Government Information in Colombo this (03) afternoon, Dr. Jayatissa addressed swirling rumours that have gripped political circles and media outlets in recent days.

Dr. Jayatissa dismissed suggestions of an impending Cabinet reshuffle as baseless, asserting that no discussions or decisions have been made to alter the government’s leadership structure.

He accused certain groups, in collusion with sections of the media, of spreading misinformation to serve their own agendas, urging the public to disregard such reports.

June 03, Colombo (LNW): In a distressing event at Kuliyapitiya Technical College, four students have been arrested following an incident that allegedly drove a fellow student to attempt suicide.

The troubling episode, linked to reported ragging, has raised serious concerns about student welfare at the institution.

Yesterday afternoon, a first-year female student reportedly leapt into a nearby lake in a desperate act. Local residents acted swiftly, pulling her from the water and ensuring she was rushed to Kuliyapitiya Hospital for urgent care.

Medical staff have confirmed that, whilst shaken, the young woman is stable and receiving treatment, with her condition described as non-life-threatening.

Initial police inquiries suggest the student’s actions were a direct response to a humiliating ragging ordeal, a practice that continues to plague educational institutions despite efforts to curb it.

The four arrested students, all enrolled at the same college, are now in custody as authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation aims to uncover the extent of the ragging and whether others were involved in perpetuating or enabling the behaviour.

The incident has sparked outrage amongst the local community, with calls for stricter measures to prevent such harmful traditions.

Kuliyapitiya Police are continuing their inquiries, vowing to address any systemic issues that may have contributed to this alarming event.

June 03, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, for bilateral discussions held at the Presidential Secretariat earlier today.

The meeting marked a renewed commitment by both nations to strengthen a diplomatic partnership that has endured for more than seven decades.

The talks, described as cordial and forward-looking, revolved around deepening economic ties, reinforcing political cooperation, and expanding collaboration on regional security issues.

According to official sources, the two leaders explored new avenues for strategic engagement, particularly in the Indo-Pacific context.

President Dissanayake extended his gratitude to the Australian Government for its continued support in various critical sectors. He highlighted Canberra’s contributions to Sri Lanka’s efforts in enhancing maritime safety, countering transnational crime, and addressing pressing issues such as people smuggling and the illicit arms trade.

These areas, the President noted, are vital to regional stability and the protection of national sovereignty.

Mr Marles arrived on the island yesterday evening, accompanied by a delegation of senior officials aboard a special aircraft operated by Australia’s Ministry of Defence. His visit underscores the growing importance of Sri Lanka in Australia’s broader regional security and economic framework.