May 29, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake convened a high-level meeting today at the Presidential Secretariat to initiate discussions on the 2026 national budget, focusing on district-level development and the immediate needs of communities across the country.

The meeting brought together Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, with the primary objective of gathering proposals and strategic input to shape a people-centred budget.

According to the President’s Media Division, President Dissanayake underscored the importance of aligning national fiscal planning with the practical, day-to-day concerns of citizens in all regions.

He stressed that the upcoming budget must prioritise “the basic and urgent needs of the people,” signalling a shift toward more inclusive and ground-level policymaking that reflects the realities faced by rural and urban communities alike.

The gathering featured in-depth dialogue on the progress of existing development projects in the districts, as well as critical gaps in infrastructure and services that need to be addressed through the next budget cycle.

Attendees were encouraged to identify initiatives with the potential for high social impact, especially in areas where communities continue to face challenges in accessing essential services such as healthcare, education, transport, and water supply.

Amongst those who took part in the discussions were Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, Director General of Public Finance E.A. Rathnaseela, and Assistant Director General of the Department of National Budget M. Anoma Nandani. A number of other senior Finance Ministry officials were also present.

May 29, Colombo (LNW): A high-level inquiry examining serious allegations of misconduct against Sri Lanka’s suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has resumed, with proceedings held at the Parliamentary Complex drawing closer to the next phase of the investigation.

The inquiry, focused on Tennakoon, who has been temporarily relieved of duties over accusations of severe abuse of authority, was conducted under the leadership of Supreme Court Justice P.P. Surasena. Joining him on the panel were Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawela and National Police Commission Chair E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake.

The session marked a significant development, with legal representatives from both the Attorney General’s Department and the respondent reaching a general agreement on several points of fact. This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Parliamentary Communications Department.

Senior legal officials—Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera—outlined a series of agreed-upon elements surrounding the allegations against the suspended police chief. These admissions, according to the Department, help narrow the focus of the ongoing inquiry and pave the way for the next stages.

Representing Tennakoon, Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawickrama also addressed the panel, raising questions and offering clarifications on matters that remain in dispute. With the initial framework largely settled, attention is now turning to the formal presentation of evidence and testimonies.

It was jointly decided that the Committee would reconvene at 2:00 p.m. on June 03, when affidavits supporting the Attorney General’s claims will be formally submitted. The respondent’s official response to these affidavits is scheduled to follow on June 09. Thereafter, the process will intensify with oral hearings and cross-examinations planned for the period from June 11 to 16.

May 29, Colombo (LNW): Amid growing international concerns over emerging COVID-19 subvariants, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health has assured the public that whilst there is no immediate cause for alarm, health officials remain vigilant and proactive in their response planning.

Health Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe acknowledged the recent global uptick in COVID-19 infections and stressed the importance of remaining prepared for any potential resurgence.

Speaking to the media, he confirmed that although the situation within the country remains stable for now, the possibility of new viral strains entering Sri Lanka cannot be entirely discounted.

To bolster the country’s readiness, the Ministry has decided to scale up the number of PCR tests carried out at key diagnostic facilities, including the Medical Research Institute in Colombo, the National Hospital in Kandy, and the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle. This move is aimed at enhancing early detection and tracking of any emerging variants.

Dr Jasinghe also revealed that health authorities recently held a high-level meeting involving epidemiologists and representatives from multiple health divisions. The focus of the discussion was to refine contingency strategies and reinforce institutional preparedness to counter future outbreaks more effectively.

He highlighted that two sub-lineages of the JN.1 COVID-19 variant—NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—have been increasingly reported across several countries in Asia, including neighbouring India. These variants have been classified by the World Health Organization as “variants under monitoring”, indicating a need for continued observation and study due to their potential public health impact.

As part of precautionary measures, Dr Jasinghe urged the public to remain cautious. Individuals displaying symptoms such as fever, sore throat, persistent cough, or chills are advised to wear face masks in public spaces and limit contact with others, in line with standard health guidelines.

The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to taking evidence-based decisions as the situation evolves and encouraged citizens to stay informed through official updates whilst continuing to observe basic health and hygiene practices.

May 29, Colombo (LNW): The Department responsible for managing pensions in Sri Lanka has confirmed the full restoration of its digital infrastructure following a ransomware attack that briefly disrupted internal systems in April.

Chaminda Waththiarachchi, Director General of the Department of Pensions, reassured the public that all critical operations remained functional throughout the incident.

He emphasised that pension payments were processed without interruption and, importantly, no personal or financial data was lost, accessed, or tampered with during the breach.

The cyberattack, which experts have classified as a ransomware incident, temporarily disabled segments of the department’s IT framework. Charuka Damunupola, an engineer with the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), confirmed that while the intrusion did hinder back-end systems, immediate containment measures were put in place to prevent the attack from spreading or escalating.

Technical teams worked around the clock to isolate the threat and restore access, coordinating closely with cybersecurity experts to secure the network and conduct a full system audit. The rapid response, according to authorities, played a crucial role in ensuring service continuity and safeguarding sensitive information belonging to thousands of pensioners.

In light of the incident, officials have indicated that steps are being taken to enhance the resilience of the Department’s digital infrastructure, including upgrades to firewalls, improved encryption protocols, and a revised contingency plan to handle future threats.

May 29, Colombo (LNW): Former minister Duminda Dissanayake has been ordered to remain in judicial custody until June 05 as investigations continue into the discovery of an unusual firearm at a high-end residential complex in Colombo.

The incident stems from a police operation carried out on May 20, during which law enforcement authorities uncovered a gold-plated T-56 assault rifle concealed in a woman’s travel bag at an apartment block located in Havelock Town.

The weapon, both conspicuous and illegal in nature, has raised serious questions regarding its origin, purpose, and the chain of possession.

Dissanayake was taken into custody three days after the discovery, on May 23, by officers attached to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), who are currently spearheading the inquiry.

Following his arrest, he was presented before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, where he was remanded in custody pending further proceedings.

May 29, Colombo (LNW): A significant legal move has been undertaken by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), which has filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) application with the country’s Supreme Court, calling for justice and systemic reform following the tragic death of a university student believed to be the victim of ragging.

The petition was submitted in the wake of the death of Charith Dilshan, a second-year undergraduate from the Faculty of Technology at Sabaragamuwa University.

Reports indicate that he had been subjected to a brutal ragging ordeal, which ultimately led him to take his own life. The BASL argues that this incident is not just a tragic loss of life, but also a blatant infringement of fundamental human rights.

Filed on behalf of the BASL by its President, Rajeev Amarasuriya, and Secretary, Chathura Galhena, the petition calls on the judiciary to declare that the treatment endured by Dilshan constitutes a violation of constitutionally protected rights. Represented by Attorney-at-Law G.G. Arul Pragasam, the petition also urges the court to direct relevant authorities to conduct a full-scale investigation into the events leading to the student’s death.

Beyond seeking justice for Dilshan, the BASL’s legal action aims to address the broader and ongoing issue of ragging—an entrenched and frequently violent initiation practice that continues to plague higher education institutions across Sri Lanka.

The petition emphasises that, despite existing laws, ragging remains a persistent threat to student welfare due to insufficient enforcement and institutional apathy.

A total of 69 individuals and entities have been named as respondents in the case, including the Sabaragamuwa University administration, members of the university council, senior officials from the Ministries of Higher Education and Defence, the heads of the police and criminal investigation divisions, and the Attorney General.

The BASL is seeking several concrete outcomes from the court: the formulation of a national anti-ragging strategy; a directive to enforce the existing Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act, No. 20 of 1998; and the establishment of a clear set of guidelines to prevent such abuses in the future.

May 29, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo High Court has handed down lengthy prison sentences to two former Sri Lankan cabinet ministers implicated in a high-profile corruption case.

Nalin Fernando, who previously served as the Minister of Trade, was sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment. Alongside him, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, a fellow former minister, received a sentence of 20 years with hard labour.

The verdict followed a comprehensive trial which concluded that the two men had orchestrated a significant misuse of public funds.

The case revolved around a controversial initiative during the run-up to the 2015 presidential election. The court found that the former ministers had facilitated the procurement of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 checkers boards through SATHOSA, a state-owned retail enterprise.

These items, purchased with government money, were then distributed amongst various sports clubs and community organisations across the country.

The total financial damage to the state was calculated at 53 million Sri Lankan rupees. Prosecutors successfully argued that this move constituted a clear attempt to curry favour with voters under the guise of promoting recreational activities, thereby breaching public trust and election laws.

May 29, Colombo (LNW): Labour unrest has intensified across key public sectors as employees within Sri Lanka’s civil aviation and postal services have initiated protest actions over longstanding grievances, primarily relating to overtime pay and working conditions.

From midnight yesterday (28), the Association of Civil Aviation Employees officially commenced industrial action, withdrawing all voluntary overtime contributions.

The decision, they claim, stems from continued delays and irregularities in resolving their concerns over overtime compensation and related entitlements.

The union has made it clear that this action will persist indefinitely unless a satisfactory resolution is reached by the relevant authorities.

The move is expected to strain operations at airports, particularly in areas related to ground handling, maintenance and administrative support—sectors which rely heavily on extended staff hours to maintain round-the-clock services.

Aviation officials have warned of possible disruptions, urging passengers to monitor updates and plan accordingly.

Simultaneously, unrest has also erupted within the postal and telecommunications sector. The Union of Post and Telecommunication Officers, which began a 48-hour island-wide strike on Tuesday afternoon, is taking further steps to escalate their campaign.

Union members gathered outside the main postal headquarters in Colombo this (29) morning for a demonstration, after which they plan to proceed on foot to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media to deliver a formal memorandum outlining their demands.

The union’s list of grievances reportedly includes fifteen key points, covering matters such as salary anomalies, promotional bottlenecks, workplace safety, and deteriorating service conditions in rural post offices. According to organisers, these concerns have been raised repeatedly with successive administrations but remain largely unaddressed.