In a landmark achievement for Sri Lankan cinema, the 1978 film Gehenu Lamai, directed by the late Dr. Sumitra Peries, will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 under the Cannes Classics category. The festival, running from May 13 to 24 in Cannes, France, celebrates restored cinematic treasures from around the world.

Gehenu Lamai (Girls), a teenage drama film in Sinhala, was directed by Sumitra Peries and produced by her husband, Lester James Peries, under Lester Films. This emotionally resonant work is widely regarded as a milestone in Sri Lankan cinema, particularly for its portrayal of female adolescence and social constraints.

A Celebration of Cinematic Legacy

The film’s restoration was spearheaded by the Film Heritage Foundation, in collaboration with the Dr. Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation, and funded by the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and the Embassy of France in India. This initiative forms part of FISCH (France–India–Sri Lanka Cine Heritage), an international effort to preserve and restore South Asian film heritage.

Sumitra Peries (1934–2023), celebrated as Sri Lanka’s first female filmmaker, directed over a dozen influential films during her career. She was also a screenwriter, producer, and film editor, and served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to France in the 1990s. In recognition of her contributions to the arts, the French Government honored her with the title of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters.

Global Recognition for Sri Lankan Cinema

The Cannes Classics section highlights cinematic masterpieces from around the world, restored to their original glory. The world premiere of Gehenu Lamai at Cannes not only celebrates Sumitra Peries’ legacy, but also marks a significant milestone in the global recognition of Sri Lanka’s film heritage.

This selection reinforces the importance of cross-border cultural collaborations in safeguarding the region’s film history and offers a renewed global platform for Sri Lankan storytelling.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has initiated an independent inquiry into the recent tragic suicide of a second-year engineering student at Sabaragamuwa University, allegedly due to ragging by third-year students. This probe runs parallel to a CID investigation, with a dedicated committee—comprising UGC representatives—appointed to investigate the circumstances leading up to the incident.

Addressing Parliament on May 8, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya assured lawmakers that the government will not take the incident lightly. In response to a question from UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, she stressed that both short-term punitive actions and long-term preventive reforms are being urgently implemented.

Key Government Responses:

• UGC-led investigation in collaboration with the university’s internal committee, following a directive from the Vice Chancellor to include UGC-nominated members.
• Activation of a 24/7 helpline by the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality to receive complaints related to ragging, harassment, and sexual or gender-based violence—expanding on its prior limited-hour service.
• Complaints collected via email, physical letters, personal visits, and then logged through an online portal, routed to Gender Focal Points and Vice Chancellors for action within a fixed timeline.
• Revival and intensification of awareness programmes based on findings of a 2018 research study on ragging and gender-based violence in state universities.
• Recent high-level meeting held with Vice Chancellors, University Marshalls, and Gender Focal Points to propose the creation of a task force to develop a multi-phase strategy—addressing both conventional ragging and evolving forms like online harassment and psychological bullying.

Broader Strategic Measures:

• The task force will identify short-, medium-, and long-term solutions, and may recommend new legislation if existing laws are found inadequate.
• The government is ensuring strict implementation of current laws by university authorities, while simultaneously focusing on creating a preventive ecosystem within universities.
• The Centre for Gender Equity and Equality is developing a survivor support system to assist victims and witnesses of ragging and violence, offering emotional and procedural support throughout the complaint process.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya acknowledged that ragging in today’s context has evolved beyond traditional hazing, describing it as a complex issue involving multifaceted forms of abuse. She underscored the importance of a holistic approach, combining legal enforcement, institutional reform, and a cultural shift within universities to ensure student safety and dignity.

The United States has strengthened Sri Lanka’s port security with the commissioning of new radiation detection equipment at the Colombo Port’s West Container Terminal, provided through the Megaports Initiative by the US Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA)’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD).

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung led the commissioning ceremony, where she highlighted the enduring partnership between the two nations in countering nuclear smuggling. The equipment, valued at nearly US$ 500,000 (approximately Rs. 148 million), will help detect and alert authorities to the presence of radioactive materials, thereby supporting Sri Lanka’s national port security regulations and enhancing global supply chain safety.

The initiative not only bolsters local detection capabilities but also contributes to international security, by helping identify threats at key global transit hubs before they reach the US or other destinations. Senior officials from Sri Lanka Customs, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board were present at the event and collaborated with US experts to train local instructors and maintenance personnel on the new systems.

The commissioning marks a milestone in the 20-year collaboration between the US and Sri Lanka under the Megaports Initiative, first formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding in 2004. Since then, the US has invested over US$ 31 million (more than Rs. 9 billion) to enhance nuclear detection infrastructure at one of the world’s most strategic maritime trade routes.

Ambassador Chung remarked, “Sri Lanka is one of our longest-standing partners in the fight against nuclear smuggling… This commissioning represents another milestone in our shared commitment to global security, non-proliferation, and the protection of international trade routes.”

The Presidential Secretariat has launched the second phase of its vehicle auction, offering 27 luxury and decommissioned vehicles for public bidding, in a move aimed at promoting fiscal responsibility and reducing government expenditure.

The vehicles, manufactured between 1991 and 2016, include a wide range of high-end and utility models:

• 2 BMW cars
• 2 Ford Everest SUVs
• 1 Hyundai Terracan SUV
• 2 Land Rover SUVs
• 1 Mitsubishi Montero
• 3 Nissan petrol cars
• 2 Nissan-type motor cars
• 1 Porsche Cayenne
• 5 SsangYong Rexton SUVs
• 1 Land Cruiser Sahara SUV
• 6 V8 vehicles
• 1 Mitsubishi Rosa air-conditioned bus

Tender documents can be obtained from the Finance Division on the second floor of the Sema Building at the Presidential Secretariat, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on working days until May 14. Interested bidders may inspect the vehicles at the Salusala premises, No. 93, Jawatte Road, during the same period.

This phase follows the successful first round of auctions, which saw the sale of 14 luxury vehicles, six decommissioned vehicles, and various spare parts, including nine Defender Jeeps.

According to officials, the vehicles being auctioned were not assigned to Presidential Secretariat staff, but were instead used by advisors and appointees under Article 41(1) of the Constitution during the tenure of the former President.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extended his warm congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his election as the new leader of the Catholic Church, recognizing the immense responsibility the role entails.

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), the President conveyed his best wishes to the newly elected Pope, emphasizing the global significance of the papacy.

“Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on your election as the new leader of the Catholic Church. Your role carries great responsibility, and I wish you strength and wisdom as you guide the faithful. May your leadership bring hope and inspiration to people around the world. Warm regards from Sri Lanka,” the President said.

Pope Leo XIV succeeds in a time marked by complex global challenges, and world leaders—including President Dissanayake—have welcomed his appointment with messages of solidarity and hope.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa district after 1.00 p.m.

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts in the morning too.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces during the morning.

Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka–India Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament, the Department of Communications of Parliament announced.

The revival meeting of the Friendship Association was held on May 8, 2025, in Parliament under the patronage of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. The event was graced by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, as Guest of Honour and attended by key dignitaries including Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera.

During the session, Dr. Kavinda Jayawardhana was elected as the Secretary of the Friendship Association.

In their remarks, both Sri Lankan and Indian representatives underscored the historical and enduring relationshipbetween the two countries, emphasizing the need to strengthen parliamentary ties through ongoing dialogue and exchange initiatives.

Speaker Dr. Wickramaratne expressed his gratitude to India for its unwavering support during Sri Lanka’s most critical times and cited President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent state visit to India as a milestone in expanding bilateral cooperation.

He also acknowledged India’s role in organizing the upcoming Capacity Building Programme for newly elected Sri Lankan MPs, to be conducted by India’s Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training later this month.

High Commissioner Santosh Jha, addressing the gathering, reflected on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Sri Lanka and reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka across various sectors.

In his address, Dr. Jayatissa highlighted the importance of the Association in serving as a bridge between the two parliaments, expressing confidence in its role in fostering deeper and more meaningful engagement.

Dr. Jayawardhana, in his vote of thanks, expressed sincere appreciation to India for its enduring friendship and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s dedication to ongoing bilateral collaboration.