June 07, Colombo (LNW): Legal representatives of former State Intelligence Service Director Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay have formally appealed to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), expressing serious concerns over his current health condition while in custody.

In a communication addressed to CID Director Shani Abeysekara, Attorney-at-Law Asith Siriwardena claimed that Sallay’s physical and psychological wellbeing has deteriorated significantly in recent days, warranting urgent medical attention.

The letter urges authorities to arrange his admission to a medical facility without delay so that he can undergo a comprehensive assessment and receive appropriate treatment.

The legal team has requested that any examination be carried out by suitably qualified and independent medical practitioners to ensure an impartial evaluation of his condition. According to the letter, a transfer to a hospital equipped to conduct detailed investigations and provide specialised care is considered necessary.

Counsel further informed the CID that Sallay has sought permission to consult with his lawyers regarding personal legal matters, including the preparation of a last will and testament and other related documents. The request, the letter argues, reflects the seriousness of his present circumstances.

The correspondence contends that Sallay’s reported condition raises concerns about his ability to make informed decisions regarding his health and personal affairs. It also alleges that his continued detention under the current circumstances could present an immediate threat to his wellbeing.

As a result, the legal representatives have called on the CID to take prompt action on a number of requests outlined in the letter. They further indicated that a failure to adequately address these concerns could lead to legal proceedings in the future, including action through domestic courts or other legal mechanisms relating to the treatment of their client while in custody.

June 07, Colombo (LNW): Health authorities are set to intensify efforts to curb the spread of dengue through a three-day nationwide intervention campaign beginning on 8 June and continuing until 10 June, targeting areas identified as having the highest risk of transmission.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) has flagged 14 districts and 74 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions as priority locations following a steady increase in infections reported in recent months. Public health teams, local authorities and field inspectors are expected to carry out extensive inspections, awareness programmes and source reduction activities during the operation.

Community Physician Specialist Dr. Prashila Samaraweera said the campaign will focus on identifying and eliminating mosquito breeding sites, particularly in residential properties, construction sites, commercial premises and abandoned lands where stagnant water is commonly found.

Authorities have also warned that stricter enforcement measures will accompany the programme. Property owners and occupiers found to have allowed mosquito breeding grounds to develop through negligence may face legal action. In addition, Red Notices will be issued to locations deemed to pose a significant public health risk, requiring immediate corrective action.

Health officials stressed that community participation remains vital in controlling the disease, noting that a large proportion of breeding sites continue to be found within private premises. Residents have been urged to inspect their surroundings regularly and remove any containers capable of collecting rainwater.

So far this year, more than 36,000 dengue infections have been recorded across the country, highlighting the continued threat posed by the mosquito-borne disease. The outbreak has also claimed 20 lives, prompting authorities to strengthen preventive measures ahead of the anticipated monsoon-related increase in mosquito populations.

The NDCU has called on the public to cooperate fully with inspection teams and to treat dengue prevention as a shared responsibility, warning that sustained vigilance will be essential to reducing transmission in the months ahead.

June 07, Colombo (LNW): The government is preparing to introduce stricter controls on residential facilities for senior citizens, with authorities warning that care homes operating without official approval could soon face regulatory action.

Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage, whose portfolio covers Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, said a substantial number of elderly care institutions across the country currently function outside the formal regulatory framework. According to ministry data, only 148 of the 455 identified care homes have completed registration with the National Secretariat for Elders.

In response to growing concerns about standards, safety and accountability, the Ministry has drafted a new set of regulations designed to establish a comprehensive registration and monitoring system.

The proposed framework is expected to provide authorities with stronger powers to inspect facilities, enforce compliance and take action against operators who fail to meet required standards.

The Minister noted that consultations are presently being held with Provincial Councils to secure the necessary approvals before the regulations can be formally implemented. Once agreement is reached, the new rules are expected to come into force without delay.

Officials believe the reforms will help improve living conditions for elderly residents by introducing clearer operational guidelines and minimum care requirements. The initiative is also intended to enhance transparency within the sector and provide greater protection for vulnerable senior citizens.

The issue has gained renewed attention following the recent fire at an elderly care home in Anguruwatota. Eight residents aged over 60 who survived the incident have since been transferred to a state-run care facility in Kataragama, where arrangements have been made to ensure their continued welfare and medical support.

Meanwhile, authorities are continuing investigations into the fire, while post-mortem examinations related to the fatalities are still underway. The findings are expected to assist officials in determining the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and identifying any potential lapses in safety measures.

June 07, Colombo (LNW): Health professionals are encouraging prospective parents to undergo a simple blood screening test that could play a crucial role in reducing the number of children born with serious inherited blood conditions.

Consultant Haematologist Dr. Chathurma Piyarathna highlighted the importance of early detection, noting that genetic disorders such as thalassaemia continue to pose a significant public health challenge. She explained that the likelihood of these conditions being passed on to children increases when both parents carry the thalassaemia trait. Marriages between close relatives can also heighten the risk of inherited disorders due to shared genetic characteristics.

According to Dr. Piyarathna, if two carriers have a child, there is a one-in-four chance that the child will be born with severe thalassaemia, while there is a 50 per cent probability that the child will inherit the carrier status without developing the full condition.

She stressed that a routine blood test, which is both accessible and relatively inexpensive, can identify carriers before marriage or pregnancy, allowing couples to seek medical advice and make informed decisions regarding family planning.

Medical experts say greater awareness of carrier screening could significantly reduce the incidence of severe thalassaemia cases, easing both the emotional and financial burden on affected families. Patients with major thalassaemia often require lifelong medical care, including regular blood transfusions and specialised treatment.

Dr. Piyarathna further revealed that an estimated three per cent of Sri Lanka’s population are carriers of the thalassaemia gene, underscoring the importance of expanding public education and screening programmes across the country.

Health authorities continue to encourage young adults and couples planning to start families to consider genetic screening as part of routine healthcare, describing it as a simple step that can have a lasting impact on future generations.

June 07, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has opened a nationwide consultation aimed at gathering public input for a new policy framework intended to guide the future direction of higher education in Sri Lanka.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort to modernise the country’s tertiary education sector and ensure that future policies reflect the needs of students, academics, employers and the wider community. The process is being overseen by Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya, with technical support from a panel of specialists tasked with preparing the proposed framework.

Officials noted that preliminary consultations have already taken place with universities, educational institutions, professional bodies and other key stakeholders. These discussions focused on identifying existing challenges within the sector and exploring reforms that could improve quality, accessibility and relevance in higher education.

To widen participation beyond institutional representatives, the Ministry has now launched an online survey, enabling members of the public to submit their views and recommendations directly. The feedback collected is expected to play a role in shaping policy priorities and long-term strategic goals for the sector.

The questionnaire has been made available through the Higher Education Division’s official website, allowing students, parents, educators, researchers and interested citizens to contribute to the process.

The Ministry stated that broad public engagement is essential in developing a forward-looking national higher education policy capable of responding to evolving social, economic and technological demands. Authorities have encouraged as many people as possible to take part, stressing that diverse perspectives will help create a more inclusive and effective framework for future generations.

June 07, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police have publicly dismissed allegations regarding the treatment of former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay, who is currently being detained by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as part of ongoing investigations linked to the Easter Sunday attacks.

The response follows comments made by former parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila, who raised concerns over the conditions under which Sallay is being held. In a statement issued to clarify the matter, Police authorities firmly denied assertions that the former military intelligence official had been subjected to physical abuse, intimidation, or any form of degrading treatment while in custody.

According to the statement, investigators are adhering strictly to established legal and procedural requirements governing the detention and questioning of suspects. Police stressed that Sallay is being afforded the same rights and safeguards available to any individual under investigation, while also being subject to the same regulations and restrictions that apply to all detainees.

Authorities further emphasised that no special privileges have been granted in his case, nor has there been any departure from accepted standards of conduct by officers involved in the investigation. They maintained that all actions taken thus far have been in accordance with the law and under the supervision of the relevant authorities.

The case has attracted significant public attention due to Sallay’s former role within the country’s intelligence establishment and the continuing national interest surrounding efforts to uncover any remaining questions connected to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. Police indicated that investigations remain ongoing and that further developments will be communicated through official channels as required.

June 07, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s irrigation network remains in a favourable position for the ongoing Yala cultivation season, with water levels across the country’s principal reservoirs providing reassurance to farmers and agricultural planners.

The Department of Irrigation reported that nearly two-thirds of the combined capacity of the 73 major reservoirs under its administration is currently occupied. Officials indicated that the available reserves are sufficient to support irrigation requirements across key farming regions during the present cultivation period.

Several districts have recorded particularly high storage levels. Reservoirs in Kandy and Puttalam are operating at 93 per cent of capacity, while Anuradhapura and Kurunegala have reached 81 per cent and 86 per cent respectively. Other districts, including Badulla, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa and Mannar, have also maintained healthy storage volumes, reflecting favourable water availability in many agricultural zones.

Meanwhile, reservoir levels in Ampara and Matale remain comparatively lower, standing at 41 per cent and 49 per cent respectively. Despite these figures, authorities say current supplies are adequate to meet immediate irrigation demands.

The Department noted that recent rainfall has contributed significantly to replenishing water resources in several catchment areas, helping to strengthen reserves ahead of critical stages of cultivation. However, officials cautioned that weather forecasts suggest a possible reduction in rainfall over the coming weeks.

In light of these projections, farmers and the general public have been encouraged to practise responsible water management and avoid unnecessary wastage. Irrigation authorities stressed that careful utilisation of existing reserves will be essential to maintaining stable water supplies throughout the remainder of the Yala season, particularly if dry conditions persist longer than anticipated.

June 07, Colombo (LNW): The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has removed five of its representatives in the Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha following allegations that they acted against party interests during the formation of the local authority’s administration.

Those expelled include the party’s group leader at the council, Nihal Mendis, along with Mohamed Nishard, Kanthi Pelawatta, Ayesha Chamali and Pushpa Samarasinghe. The decision was ratified by the party leadership after an internal inquiry into claims surrounding their conduct in the aftermath of the recent local government elections.

According to party sources, the councillors were accused of backing the National People’s Power (NPP) in securing control of the council, despite directives issued by the SJB. The allegations further claimed that financial inducements may have influenced their support, prompting the party to launch a review of the matter.

The controversy gained momentum after a prominent Buddhist monk from the area reportedly submitted video material said to contain evidence related to the allegations. The footage was presented directly to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, leading senior party officials to examine the claims in detail.

Following discussions at a meeting of the SJB Working Committee, the party resolved to terminate the memberships of the five councillors with immediate effect, citing serious breaches of party discipline and conduct.

Kalutara District MP Jagath Withana stated that concerns regarding the councillors’ actions had been raised with the party leadership on several occasions. He noted that the individuals had repeatedly disregarded party instructions and had taken decisions that undermined the organisation’s collective position within the local authority.

June 07, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Association of Divisional Secretaries and Assistant Divisional Secretaries has announced that its members will no longer take part in official meetings scheduled on Mondays, beginning 8 June, in an effort to safeguard services provided to the public.

According to the association, the decision was reached after growing concerns over the increasing number of meetings convened by government ministries, state agencies and political offices on Mondays, both in person and through virtual platforms.

These meetings, it said, have frequently disrupted routine operations at Divisional Secretariats and limited the time available for officials to address public concerns.

Mondays are officially designated as Public Day, a time set aside for citizens to meet government officials and seek assistance with administrative and community-related matters. The association noted that the scheduling of meetings during these hours has often created delays and inconvenience for members of the public who travel to Divisional Secretariats expecting direct access to officials.

Association President R. Senthil stated that the move is also in line with Public Administration Circular No. 27/2023, which emphasises that public officers should remain available at their workplaces on Public Day and discourages the organisation of official meetings during that period.

He added that the association believes uninterrupted public access to government services should remain the priority and expressed hope that relevant authorities would take steps to ensure future meetings are arranged on alternative days.