July 20, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Environment has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the alarming number of wild elephant deaths reported beyond the boundaries of designated forest reserves.

The inquiry, which is set to proceed in collaboration with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), reflects growing concern over threats to Sri Lanka’s elephant population in areas where they are most vulnerable.

Minister Dhammika Patabendi stated that a worrying pattern has emerged, with the majority of recent fatalities involving elephants found outside the official boundaries of protected wildlife zones.

These regions, often closer to human settlements and agricultural land, have become hotspots for human-elephant conflict, illegal activities, and environmental degradation.

The CID is expected to assist wildlife officers in gathering forensic evidence, interviewing witnesses, and uncovering any patterns of criminality tied to the deaths.

Authorities have also pledged to work with local communities to raise awareness and implement preventative measures aimed at minimising the conflict between humans and elephants.

July 20, Colombo (LNW): A devastating accident in the remote village of Meemure has left five people dead and several others injured after a van plunged down a steep slope in the Karambaketiya area of Ududumbara.

The incident occurred yesterday (19) evening when a group travelling from Kadawatha to Meemure met with tragedy after their vehicle veered off a narrow mountain road and overturned down a deep precipice. Initial reports confirmed the deaths of three individuals at the scene—two of whom were women—while three others were rushed to the Udadumbara and Teldeniya Hospitals with injuries, including a five-year-old child.

Sadly, two of the injured later succumbed to their wounds while undergoing treatment, bringing the total death toll to five. Among the deceased was one of the women who had been at the wheel when the vehicle lost control.

The Udadumbara Police have launched a full investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the fatal incident, including whether mechanical failure or driver error played a role.

July 20, Colombo (LNW): In a bid to position Sri Lanka as a vibrant destination for international filmmaking and cultural exchange, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, held a high-profile meeting with Indian actor and producer Ravi Mohan, alongside singer and performer Keneesha Francis, at the National Film Corporation headquarters yesterday.

The discussions explored opportunities to expand Sri Lanka’s film tourism footprint by encouraging global film producers to consider the island nation as a cinematic backdrop. Minister Herath expressed the government’s renewed commitment to supporting the creative economy through targeted policy reform and strategic international partnerships.

Chairman of the National Film Corporation, Sudath Mahadivulwewa, who also took part in the dialogue, emphasised the need for practical incentives and institutional support to attract major productions. He noted that collaboration with global industry figures like Mohan and Francis could open up new avenues for local talent, training, and investment.

The meeting also touched on how music, performance, and storytelling can serve as bridges between communities, deepening people-to-people ties while creating tangible tourism benefits. Stakeholders discussed establishing film-friendly zones, simplifying permitting processes, and launching co-production agreements as part of the effort to revitalise the local entertainment sector.

July 20, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Public Administration has announced that all provincial secretaries from across the country will be summoned to Colombo in the coming week for a high-level review and planning session.

Professor Chandana Abeyratne, Minister for Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, stated that the gathering will serve as both a retrospective analysis of the past six months and a forward-looking dialogue on the priorities for provincial governance.

According to the Minister, the meeting will cover a wide range of issues including service delivery at the local level, institutional bottlenecks, budget utilisation, and strategies to enhance responsiveness to public needs.

Particular attention will be paid to aligning regional plans with the broader national policy framework, especially in light of ongoing administrative reforms and economic recovery efforts.

July 20, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, who also oversees the ministries of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing a wide-ranging transformation of Sri Lanka’s education system.

Speaking at a regional educational forum in Galle yesterday (19), Dr Amarasuriya outlined key objectives of the reform, including the critical need to reduce classroom sizes and overhaul teacher training.

Addressing an audience of provincial education officials at the Dakshinapaya Auditorium, the Prime Minister stressed that overcrowded classrooms—often accommodating up to 60 pupils—stand in direct opposition to any effort to deliver meaningful learning experiences. The government is now aiming to bring class sizes down to a more manageable 25 to 30 students per room.

She also made it clear that the education reform initiative is far more comprehensive than a simple curriculum revision. “We are not just tinkering with textbooks,” she said. “This is a holistic transformation that addresses the professionalism of teachers, the structure of educational administration, and the upgrading of school infrastructure to ensure equitable, high-quality learning opportunities for every child.”

Dr Amarasuriya acknowledged that the road ahead will be demanding and met with both support and scepticism. “This reform effort predates our coming to power. It is rooted in extensive dialogue with educators, policy experts, and community voices. Some will challenge it constructively, whilst others may choose to politicise the process. But we are clear: education reform is a national necessity, not a partisan project.”

One area of concern she highlighted is the stagnation of teacher training curricula, which she revealed had not been updated in over 16 years. “That must change,” she stated. “From August onwards, we will begin training those responsible for teacher education, ensuring that the next generation of teachers receives instruction that is relevant, modern, and rooted in best practice.”

The Prime Minister also spoke about the importance of dignity and choice in education, particularly for students pursuing non-academic paths. In support of this, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, Mr Nalin Hewage, announced that vocational training institutions will be structurally integrated into the broader education framework.

“We are moving away from the outdated notion that vocational education is a fallback for underachievers,” he said. “Instead, we’re creating pathways for students to pursue skill-based learning based on their strengths and interests from an early stage.”

The event was attended by a broad spectrum of education stakeholders, including Southern Province Governor Bandula Harischandra, MP Nihal Galappaththi, Ministry of Education Secretary Mr Nalaka Kaluwawa, Chief Secretary of the Southern Province Mr Sumith Alahakoon, as well as representatives from the Department of Examinations, National Institute of Education, and provincial education authorities.

July 20, Colombo (LNW): Senior Deputy Inspector General Nilantha Jayawardena has been dismissed from the force after being found culpable in connection with grave lapses leading up to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Jayawardena, the former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), has been formally removed from the Sri Lanka Police by the National Police Commission (NPC).

The move follows an extensive disciplinary probe into his conduct during the critical period preceding one of the country’s deadliest terrorist incidents.

He had initially been placed on compulsory leave in July 2024, amid growing public and institutional pressure to hold senior security officials accountable for their roles in the intelligence failures linked to the attacks.

A tribunal comprising three members was appointed to conduct a detailed disciplinary inquiry, the findings of which were formally presented to the NPC on July 04, 2025.

The inquiry concluded that Jayawardena was guilty on all counts of misconduct as outlined in the official charge sheet, though the precise details of the charges remain confidential.

After reviewing the tribunal’s report, the NPC convened on July 17, 2025 and reached a unanimous decision to dismiss Jayawardena from police service with immediate effect. The Commission stated that the gravity of the offences left no room for leniency, particularly given the national and international repercussions of the Easter Sunday bombings, which claimed hundreds of lives and injured many more.

July 20, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, with fairly heavy falls above 75 mm likely at some places in the Sabaragamuwa province and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (20).

Several spells of showers may occur in the North-western and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district.

Strong winds of about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and North-central provinces.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere of the island.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by strong winds.

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Showers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle.

Winds:
Winds will be Westerly to South-westerly and wind speed will be (35-45) kmph.

Wind speed can increase up to (60-70) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

Wind speed can increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Vakarai via Mannar, Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee.

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota will be rough or very rough at times. Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into these sea areas for next 24 hours.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Vakarai via Mannar, Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee may be fairly rough to rough at times.

The wave height (about 2.5 – 3.0 m) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. Therefore, there is a possibility that nearshore sea areas extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota may experience surges due to sea waves.

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be attentive to future forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.