By: A special reporter

March 17, Colombo (LNW): The recent Iftar Banquet hosted by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, saw the presence of two Sri Lankan diplomats: Thakshila Arnolda, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Sri Lanka to the United Arab Emirates, and Alexi Gunasekara, Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & the Northern Emirates.

However, what should have been a moment of diplomacy, respect, and cultural exchange has instead become a glaring example of how failing to adhere to local customs can harm a nation’s international reputation.

The event took place on March 13, 2025, and whilst it was an opportunity for Sri Lankan diplomats to further strengthen ties with the UAE, it has raised serious concerns about the lack of cultural sensitivity displayed.

One particularly troubling incident involved Gunasekara, who, in a conversation with His Highness, was seen pointing a finger at the ruler. This is a direct breach of Islamic etiquette, which dictates that gestures of respect should be conveyed through appropriate hand movements, not through direct pointing.

The gesture not only appeared disrespectful but is considered to be offensive in many Islamic cultures. In these moments, the simple exchange of hand gestures should have sufficed.

But it was not only Gunasekara’s misstep that caused discomfort. Arnolda’s attire at the event further exacerbated the issue. As a representative of Sri Lanka, she wore a saree—an iconic symbol of Sri Lankan cultural heritage. Whilst there is no doubt that the saree is a garment that embodies the beauty and tradition of Sri Lankan women, Arnolda’s decision to wear it without adopting the local Islamic custom of covering the body over national attire was a glaring disrespect to the customs of the UAE.

In Islamic tradition, especially during formal events like an Iftar banquet, women are expected to wear clothing that respects the modesty codes dictated by Islam. This includes the wearing of attire that covers the body fully, which is a norm that even foreign dignitaries should observe when attending such events in Muslim-majority nations.

By failing to respect these fundamental cultural practices, Arnolda’s attire was not just a personal choice—it was a diplomatic blunder that undermined the very essence of the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission.

It is crucial that diplomats, especially in a country like the UAE, are fully aware of and respect local customs to build goodwill and demonstrate an understanding of the cultures they are engaging with. It is not only an act of respect towards the host nation but also a fundamental requirement for effective diplomacy.

The government agencies’ blind eye towards such diplomatic negligence has further exacerbated the problem, in the event that all corresponding official websites and social media channels went along with the publicity, without realising its adverse effects on diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Gunasekara, whose presence in the Islamic nation is of vital importance to the ties between the UAE and Sri Lanka, has his free will of propagating ideologies of Catholic value on his social media accounts, wearing a fool’s pride for his personal glory, in complete disregard to the role he plays on and off the diplomatic framework. Should he value his religious beliefs and devote himself to being a Catholic so much, his practices could have been kept behind closed doors, in this case, on a private account. His blunder has thrown himself into becoming the origin of erosion of historical ties between the two nations.

In light of these incidents, it is time for the Sri Lankan government to reconsider the appointment of diplomats who, either out of ignorance or arrogance, disregard foreign customs and etiquette.

Diplomacy is about more than just official conversations and negotiations; it is about respect for the people, their culture, and their values. The diplomatic mission of any country should reflect its commitment to these values. When diplomats act “Diplomock,” they fail not only in their duties but also in their ability to forge meaningful international relationships.

It is essential for Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that its representatives abroad are fully equipped to navigate cultural nuances, and to remind them that respect is not merely a political necessity, but a moral obligation.

Dear Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, over to you!

March 17, Colombo (LNW): The Academy of Health Professionals has announced its intention to go ahead with a planned 24-hour strike, which will begin at 7.00 AM tomorrow (18).

The strike comes after failed discussions between the association’s representatives and officials from the Ministry of Health.

Ravi Kumudesh, President of the Academy, stated that the decision to proceed with the strike was made due to the lack of progress in resolving key issues during the recent negotiations.

Despite efforts to engage in constructive talks, the association has expressed frustration at the inability to reach an agreement with the Ministry, prompting the decision to take industrial action.

The strike, which will affect a wide range of health professionals, is expected to disrupt services across various healthcare facilities.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): The Grandpass Police have launched a detailed investigation into a brutal attack that left two men dead near the railway line in the Jabos Lane area on March 15.

The police have made significant progress in their probe, arresting eight individuals connected to the incident in the Wellampitiya area late last night (16).

The arrested suspects, aged between 16 and 44, are all residents of Wellampitiya. During the operation, the police seized two knives and a mobile phone, which are believed to be linked to the crime, adding crucial evidence to their investigation.

The victims, two brothers aged 23 and 24, were fatally attacked in the early hours of March 15 in the Kelanitissagama area of Grandpass.

Preliminary findings suggest that the murders stemmed from a violent altercation between two groups in the nearby Weheragodella area earlier that morning.

The confrontation escalated into a sharp weapon attack, leaving two individuals with severe injuries. Despite being rushed to the Colombo National Hospital, both victims succumbed to their wounds.

The authorities have since intensified their investigation, and further inquiries are underway to determine the motive behind the violent clash and identify all individuals involved in this tragic event.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka must work towards becoming a “rainbow nation” through a Truth and Forgiving Commission, according to Minister of Religious Affairs and Buddha Sasana Hiniduma Sunil Senavi, who addressed Parliament today (17).

Speaking during the committee stage debate on the national budget, the Minister emphasised the crucial role that his Ministry would play in establishing such a commission, which he believes is vital for national healing and unity.

Senavi drew parallels to South Africa’s post-apartheid reconciliation process, led by former President Nelson Mandela, and expressed the view that Sri Lanka could benefit from a similar approach to forgiveness.

“Just as Nelson Mandela led his country in a spirit of forgiveness, Sri Lanka too must move forward with a commitment to forgive one another,” he said.

The Minister also reminded the nation that the anniversary of the tragic Easter Sunday attacks on churches was approaching on April 21.

He called on the Christian community, as well as all Sri Lankans, to embrace forgiveness for those responsible for the atrocities, suggesting that this act of reconciliation would contribute to the broader peace and unity of the country.

Senavi’s comments reflect his belief that healing the nation’s wounds, both from past conflicts and recent tragedies, requires a collective effort to move beyond division and embrace mutual understanding and compassion.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): The Court of Appeal today (17) has rejected a petition filed by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, which sought to prevent his arrest in connection with a shooting incident in Weligama.

The court dismissed the petition without hearing it and imposed a court fee of Rs. 150,000 on Tennakoon.

The petition was filed by Tennakoon in an attempt to secure an interim injunction that would block the enforcement of an arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court.

The arrest order had been issued in relation to a shooting incident that occurred at the W15 Hotel in Weligama, which is currently under investigation.

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March 17, Colombo (LNW): The French Navy’s state-of-the-art frigate, Provence, has arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit, strengthening the maritime ties between France and Sri Lanka.

The vessel, one of the most advanced escort frigates in the French fleet, was received with the customary naval honours by the Sri Lanka Navy, in accordance with long-established traditions.

Measuring 142.2 metres in length and weighing 6,000 tonnes, the Provence is a formidable warship designed for multiple naval operations.

Commanded by Captain Lionel Siegfried and carrying a crew of 160 personnel, the frigate is equipped with cutting-edge technology, making it a powerful asset for air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and reconnaissance missions.

Commissioned in 2015, the Provence is a modern multi-role vessel with sophisticated radar, sonar, and missile systems. It is specifically designed to engage in air defence, anti-submarine, and surface warfare operations.

Its advanced arsenal includes an air defence cannon, missile launchers, and electronic warfare systems capable of detecting and neutralising threats from various directions.

The frigate’s capabilities extend beyond combat, offering versatility for a wide range of naval tasks, such as maritime security, submarine tracking, and reconnaissance.

It also boasts a helicopter landing pad, which enables it to carry out search and rescue operations, medical evacuations, and surveillance missions in the region.

In terms of navigation, the Provence is equipped with a modern compass and advanced electronic sensors that provide exceptional tracking of both aircraft and surface vessels over long distances.

It can move stealthily at 16 knots (approximately 30 km/h) and accelerate to 27 knots (50 km/h) when required, ensuring both discretion and speed during operations.

One of the most impressive features of the Provence is its autonomous tracking and defence system, which allows the ship to detect and respond to threats independently, without the need for external assistance.

Its advanced 3D radar system further enhances its threat detection and operational efficiency.

Beyond its military capabilities, the Provence signifies France’s commitment to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, serving as a symbol of strategic partnership and defence cooperation.

The visit of this advanced warship underscores the growing relationship between France and Sri Lanka, reinforcing both nations’ shared interest in promoting regional peace and stability.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): A decision on the writ petition filed by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, seeking to prevent his arrest, is set to be announced today (17).

However, in a surprising development, Tennakoon’s legal team has filed a motion requesting that the court delay the ruling.

This request for a postponement has raised questions and suspicions, as it contrasts with the urgent nature of the petition originally filed by Tennakoon, in which he had requested a swift resolution.

The Attorney General’s Department has opposed this motion, with reports indicating that Dileepa Peiris, representing the Attorney General, will ask the court to proceed with issuing its decision today.

The reason for Tennakoon’s request for postponement remains unclear, though sources suggest that it may be part of a strategy to sway public opinion by delaying proceedings.

Additionally, it is believed that Tennakoon’s legal team wishes to resolve discrepancies that have arisen during the filing of the case and to present further evidence.

Meanwhile, the Police Media Division issued a statement yesterday (16), asserting that six other individuals connected to the case have also filed writ petitions, seeking to block their arrests.

The Attorney General has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) not to arrest these six suspects until the preliminary investigations are concluded. Their writ petitions will be taken up by the Court of Appeal on March 21.

The case revolves around an alleged conspiracy to commit murder in a shooting incident that occurred on December 31, 2023, outside a hotel in the Weligama area.

Following this incident, the Matara Magistrate’s Court issued an arrest order on February 28, 2024, for eight suspects, including former IGP Tennakoon, the Officer-in-Charge of the Colombo Crimes Division, Anslam de Silva, and the Acting Officer-in-Charge of the Weligama Police Station, Upul Kumara.

In response to this, Tennakoon filed his writ petition before the Court of Appeal on March 10, seeking to prevent his arrest. Despite almost three weeks passing since the arrest warrant was issued, Tennakoon’s whereabouts remain unknown, prompting six police teams to launch a search for him.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has expressed concern over the underwhelming outcome of a project aimed at enhancing education through the distribution of smart boards to 1,000 schools, noting that the initiative has failed to meet its objectives, and the Rs. 1.7 billion investment has been largely underutilised.

Speaking in Parliament, the Prime Minister highlighted the shortcomings of the project, which was intended to establish a network of smart classrooms across the island, thereby improving the learning environment for students.

The plan, which was supported by the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL), was initiated under Cabinet Memorandum No. AMP/24/0385/601/027, which sought approval for the provision of digital smart boards and related equipment to selected schools.

The project’s initial goal was to enhance education by integrating advanced technology into the classroom. However, complications arose when the planned network of classrooms could not be properly implemented due to delays and ongoing negotiations with the Chinese government for the provision of additional smart boards and digital infrastructure.

As part of a broader initiative involving Chinese funding, which was intended to digitalise schools across the country, plans were made to integrate 500 more smart boards, along with a centralised control system and a studio facility.

This would have brought the total to 1,500 smart boards in schools nationwide. However, these plans have yet to be finalised, and discussions with China are still in the preliminary stages, further delaying the project’s completion.

The Sri Lankan government, in the meantime, went ahead with the procurement of 1,000 smart boards in July 2024, despite the fact that an official agreement regarding the specifications of the smart boards had not been reached with the Chinese government.

The purchase process was conducted through the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation, but without the usual competitive bidding, and with price quotations sourced from a single supplier whose credentials were not officially verified.

The procurement was unusually swift, with all procedures – from requesting price quotations to approving the purchase – being completed within a span of just one month.

By August 2024, a Letter of Credit was issued for USD 3.13 million to Intelligent Express Limited Hong Kong, a company identified as a representative of Huawei.

However, the Chinese government had not yet officially confirmed Huawei as the supplier, raising questions about the procurement’s transparency.

The smart boards were delivered to the Ministry of Education in October 2024 and are currently stored at the Pattala Gedara Teacher’s Training College. However, with the related Chinese-funded project still stuck in the discussion phase, the equipment remains unused and stored in warehouses, leaving the schools that were intended to receive the smart boards in limbo.

Because the network integration for the classrooms has not been completed, the smart boards can only be used as standalone units, limiting their functionality and preventing the project from achieving its intended educational objectives.

This delay has led to concerns that the LKR 1.7 billion investment may not deliver the desired results, with the funds potentially being seen as underutilised.

Additionally, the ongoing negotiations with China have yet to result in a final agreement regarding the provision of the broader digitalisation infrastructure, with no clear timeline for when the project will move forward.

In light of these complications, a formal investigation has been launched to examine whether any financial or procedural irregularities occurred during the procurement process.

Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to expedite discussions with the Chinese government in the hopes of securing the necessary digital infrastructure as soon as possible to allow the project to proceed.