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.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): The 2025 Budget Committee Stage Debate in Parliament continues for the fifteenth day today (17), with the session set to begin at 9.30 am.

Lawmakers will continue their thorough examination of government spending, beginning with a detailed discussion on the budget allocation for the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

This debate is expected to delve into the financial provisions for preserving and promoting Sri Lanka’s rich cultural and religious heritage, a sector that plays a significant role in the country’s social fabric.

Following this, the focus will shift to the Ministry of Environment, where the budget allocations for environmental conservation and sustainability efforts will be scrutinised.

These debates are an essential part of the parliamentary process, allowing members to assess and challenge government expenditure and ensure that funds are being allocated effectively.

The Committee is scheduled to conclude its discussions with a vote on the third reading of the Appropriation Bill on March 21 at 6.00 pm.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): The National Election Commission has issued a detailed notice outlining essential information regarding the nomination process for the upcoming Local Government elections.

This notice highlights several important rules and regulations, specifying conditions under which nominations may be disqualified or rejected.

Among the key points, the notice states that nominations can be invalidated if they are submitted by an individual not authorised to do so, or if the number of candidates listed does not align with the required criteria.

Additionally, any nomination paper that lacks the candidate’s signature will lead to the exclusion of that candidate from the process, and no substitutions will be allowed.

Further clarifications provided by the Commission include the forfeiture of any security deposit or bond made on behalf of a candidate, should their nomination be rejected.

This measure aims to ensure that all parties involved adhere to the necessary protocols and guidelines.

The official nomination period for the Local Government elections is set to begin tomorrow and will run until 12 noon on March 20. Nominations can be submitted each day between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. at District Secretariat offices and Election Offices, where Returning Officers will supervise the process.

Candidates are reminded that they must ensure their bond is submitted by 12 noon on March 19, as no nominations will be processed without the appropriate security deposit.

The Election Commission has also confirmed that the official date for the Local Government elections will be announced on March 20, adding to the anticipation surrounding the event.

In addition to the nationwide nominations, those seeking to stand for the Mannar, Poonakary, and Dehiattakandiya pradeshiya sabhas will have a separate window for nominations, running from March 24 to March 27.

For these specific areas, the deadline for submitting security deposits will be 12 noon on March 26.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): The 2024 G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations have officially begun today (17), with a total of 474,147 candidates scheduled to sit for the exam at 3,663 centres across Sri Lanka.

This year’s cohort is a mix of both school and private candidates, with 398,182 students from schools and 75,965 private candidates, all preparing to face the critical assessment.

The Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara, has made a public appeal to all candidates, urging them to arrive at their respective examination centres ahead of time.

In his message, he emphasised the importance of having both the admission card and a valid identity card on hand, which will be required for entry into the examination halls.

“Ensure that you bring your admission card and an official ID with you to the exam. The ID card must be shown for each paper you sit. Your admission card will be collected on the first day of the exams and will not be returned,” Jayasundara clarified.

He also advised students to be mindful of the items they bring into the examination halls, stressing that only pens and pencils are permitted for use during the exam.

“It is essential to remember that no other items are allowed inside the hall. However, if needed, someone may bring a bottle of water for you,” he added.