By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): The government has established two key committees tasked with overseeing the planning and execution of the 77th Independence Day celebrations, scheduled for February 04, 2025.

This initiative aims to ensure that the event is conducted with the utmost dignity and grandeur, reflecting the nation’s pride in its sovereignty.

The announcement was made by Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath, who confirmed that the committees will consist of senior Cabinet Ministers, including the President, Prime Minister, and the Minister of Buddhism, Religious and Cultural Affairs, alongside representatives from various sectors including National Integration, Social Security, and Mass Media.

In addition to the ministerial committee, a dedicated monitoring group has been appointed, featuring chief officials from all relevant ministries and departments, as well as representatives from the tri-forces and police.

This collaborative approach is designed to streamline preparations and ensure that every aspect of the celebrations is meticulously organised.

“The formation of these committees is crucial for coordinating efforts across different sectors, enabling us to celebrate our Independence Day in a manner befitting the occasion,” Minister Herath went on. “We aim to showcase our national heritage and unity while involving communities in the celebrations.”

The proposal for these committees was put forth by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who serves in multiple capacities, including Minister of Justice, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, Local Government, and Labour.

Furthermore, the committees are expected to incorporate input from local communities to ensure that the celebrations resonate with citizens and strengthen national unity.

This inclusive approach aims to encourage public participation and foster a collective sense of ownership over the celebrations.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): The government has pledged to take firm action to recover the unpaid value added tax (VAT) amounting to Rs. 3.5 billion owed by Arjun Aloysius, Director of W.M. Mendis and Company Ltd., who was recently sentenced to six months in prison for defaulting on the tax payment.

Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath, speaking at the weekly briefing to announce Cabinet decisions, emphasised that while Aloysius’ imprisonment serves as a punishment for tax evasion, it does not address the immediate need to recover the outstanding funds.

“Although the six-month sentence has been imposed, the government still has not received the Rs. 3.5 billion,” Herath said.

He further outlined the government’s intention to pursue legal and financial measures to reclaim the significant tax sum, which is critical for the state’s revenue.

“We are committed to recovering this tax money and ensuring that this liability is met,” Herath added.

The case has garnered widespread attention due to the substantial amount involved and the high-profile nature of Aloysius, who has been entangled in several financial controversies in the past.

The defaulted VAT pertains to a period from 2016 to 2019, during which the company failed to fulfil its tax obligations.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): The Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Thisath Devapriya Bandara Wijayagunawardena, has formally stepped down from his position, with his resignation taking effect from September 10, 2024.

His decision to relinquish the role comes amidst a period of political shifts within the parliamentary landscape.

The resignation was duly accepted following a proposal put forth by the Prime Minister.

The Cabinet of Ministers, during a recent meeting, granted its consent to the proposal, signalling the official approval of Wijayagunawardena’s departure from his post.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Policy Compilation, Planning, and Tourism, to secure necessary funds from the Department of National Budget’s development programme.

These funds will be allocated to implement several key financial assistance measures aimed at supporting vulnerable sectors of society.

One of the primary decisions includes an interim monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 for all pensioners. This additional payment is intended to provide relief amidst rising living costs and economic pressures, ensuring pensioners can maintain a basic standard of living.

This move acknowledges the financial difficulties faced by retirees, especially given the country’s broader economic challenges.

In addition, the Cabinet has agreed to increase the fertiliser subsidy for paddy farmers. The subsidy will now cover up to Rs 25,000 per hectare, with a limit set at two hectares per farmer for the upcoming 2024/25 Maha season.

This measure aims to alleviate the financial burden of farmers and promote higher productivity in rice cultivation, a crucial sector in the nation’s agriculture-based economy.

Further, the Cabinet has greenlit financial assistance for owners of fishing vessels. This aid is intended to support those involved in the fishing industry, which plays a vital role in food security and livelihoods for coastal communities.

The provision is expected to help vessel owners meet the challenges posed by fluctuating fuel prices, equipment costs, and other operational expenses, thereby sustaining the local fisheries sector.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has announced that the preference numbers for candidates contesting the forthcoming general election will be made public by tomorrow (16).

A spokesperson for the commission confirmed that the necessary information has already been collected from all districts and is currently undergoing the verification process.

Once the verification is complete, the preference numbers will be submitted back to the respective district secretaries for final approval.

The commission is working diligently to finalise the issuance of these numbers between today and tomorrow to ensure that all procedural timelines are met ahead of the election.

In addition to this, a meeting between representatives of political parties and the Election Commission has been scheduled for this morning.

The gathering will serve as a platform to discuss key matters related to the upcoming parliamentary election, with a particular focus on the maximum expenditure allowed per candidate.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of Mrs Pathirage Sandhya Kumuduni Rajapakse as Sri Lanka’s new Government Analyst.

This decision was made following the retirement of Mrs Deepika Seneviratne, who concluded her service on October 11, 2024.

Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath announced the appointment during the Cabinet press briefing held this (15) morning, emphasising that the decision aligns with the seniority protocols within the Sri Lanka Scientific Service.

Rajapakse, who previously held the position of Additional Government Analyst, has been recognised as next in line among special grade officers, solidifying her eligibility for this crucial role.

Her appointment was proposed by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who also serves as the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, Local Government, and Labour.

This appointment comes at a significant time, as the Government Analyst’s Department plays a vital role in handling forensic and scientific evidence pertaining to investigations pivotal to law enforcement and the judicial system of the island nation.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): The Chairman and members of Sri Lanka’s University Grants Commission (UGC) have collectively stepped down from their positions.

Their resignations were submitted to the President on Monday (15), reportedly following a request from the Presidential Secretariat urging them to vacate their roles.

Amongst those resigning were Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunga, who held the position of Chairman, and Senior Professor Chandana P. Udawatte, the UGC’s Vice Chairman.

The commissioners, appointed alongside them in 2020, also submitted their resignation letters to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, officially relinquishing their duties.

This move has drawn attention as the current UGC members were originally set to serve until March 2025.

Their early departure raises questions about the future direction of Sri Lanka’s higher education sector, particularly in a period where the education system faces numerous challenges, including ongoing student demands for reforms and the need for strengthened university autonomy.

Whilst the exact nature of decisions behind the Presidential Secretariat’s request for their resignation remains undisclosed, it has stirred speculation regarding potential shifts in the leadership of the country’s higher education governance.

With this sudden change in leadership, it remains to be seen how the government’s strategy will evolve in addressing the academic landscape and the ongoing demands for higher education reform.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s health authorities have raised concerns over a possible surge in dengue fever cases as the ongoing rainy season creates ideal conditions for mosquito breeding.

The monsoon weather, which has worsened waterlogging in many areas, is contributing to an increase in dengue-carrying mosquitoes, prompting officials to urge the public to take preventative measures.

Consultant Community Physician at the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU), Dr Anoja Dheerasinghe, revealed that a total of 40,657 dengue cases have been recorded across the country in 2024, with 1,247 of those reported in October alone.

Alarmingly, the NDCU also confirmed 20 dengue-related fatalities this year.

“The current weather patterns significantly elevate the risk of dengue mosquito breeding,” Dr Dheerasinghe remarked, emphasising that most cases have been reported from the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts.

Other areas experiencing heightened infection rates include Kandy, Ratnapura, Matara, Galle, and Matale, reflecting the widespread nature of the threat.

Health officials are forecasting a further rise in cases if swift action is not taken to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

The public is being urged to ensure that potential breeding sites, particularly in waterlogged environments such as stagnant pools or discarded containers, are eradicated.

Failure to address these issues could exacerbate the dengue crisis, straining healthcare resources and endangering lives, particularly in high-risk districts.

In response to the growing concern, local authorities are ramping up awareness campaigns and community-level interventions to tackle mosquito breeding.

Residents are being encouraged to actively participate in cleanliness drives and maintain vigilance to prevent a potential dengue epidemic from taking hold.