June 01, Colombo (LNW): A most wanted suspect, Osman Pushparaj, believed to have maintained close ties with four Sri Lankans arrested in India over suspected links with ISIS, has been apprehended in Colombo. The arrest was made during a joint operation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) of Sri Lanka Police.
Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa confirmed the identity of the suspect and noted the significance of the arrest in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. The authorities are investigating further to understand the extent of Pushparaj’s involvement with ISIS and any potential threats posed by his activities.
This operation underscores the collaborative efforts between Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies in addressing national security concerns and combating terrorism.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the imperative of promoting modern technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to attain future social and economic objectives within the country. He announced the commencement of this programme slated to initiate next year, aiming to proliferate AI across all sectors within a span of five years. The President underscored the pivotal role assigned to the university system in this initiative.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticized those who shy away from economic discussions due to the absence of a proper economic plan and team. Premadasa called on the National People’s Power (NPP) to allocate two consecutive days for discussions and decisions on economic matters, highlighting the importance of involving leaders in these debates.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has revised its fuel prices with effect from midnight yesterday (May 31). Accordingly, the price of Petrol Octane 92 will be reduced by Rs. 13 to Rs. 355 per litre while Auto Diesel is to be reduced by Rs. 16 to Rs. 317 per litre. Kerosene has been reduced by Rs. 13 to Rs. 202. Meanwhile, the prices of Petrol 95 Octane and Super diesel will remain unchanged.
The overall rate of inflation as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) on year-on-year (y-o-y) basis decreased to 0.9% in May 2024, the Department of Census & Statistics (DCS) says. Last month, the CCPI-based inflation was calculated at 1.5%, according to the latest figures published by the DCS.
The Colombo High Court ordered the release of former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Ajith Nivard Cabraal and three other defendants in a case filed against them alleging financial losses caused to the government of Sri Lanka through investments in Greek treasury bonds in 2012. The attorneys who appeared on behalf of the former CBSL chief had raised objections that the relevant case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) cannot be maintained.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives Moosa Zameer is scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka for an official visit from June 03 to 06, Maldivian media reported. The visit is being undertaken on the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, it said.
The Vehicle Importers’ Association has raised doubts regarding the government’s repeated claims of easing existing restrictions and allowing vehicle imports. President of the Sri Lanka Vehicle Importers’ Association Prasad Manage highlighted the uncertainty and potential impacts on the vehicle prices once imports are permitted.
The Court of Appeal has adjourned further consideration of a petition filed by plantation companies seeking writ order invalidating the gazette notification issued by the Minister of Labor stipulating a minimum daily wage for plantation workers, until next Monday (June 03). The petition, filed by 21 plantation companies including Agarapatana Plantations Ltd., was taken for consideration before a two-member Appeals Court judge bench consisting of Justices Sobitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola.
Osman Pushparaj, a most wanted suspect believed to have close ties with and assisted four Sri Lankans arrested in India for suspected ISIS links, was arrested in Colombo in a joint operation by the CID and TID, according to the Police Spokesman.
The South Asian Institute of Technology (SAITM) and the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) will be handed over to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Moratuwa in August. The decision was taken in order to make pre-arrangements for the University of Moratuwa before commencing academic studies in January 2025, according to the PMD.
June 01, Colombo (LNW):State Minister of Defense, Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, has announced plans to incorporate financial literacy into the curriculum of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
“This initiative comes in response to observations of societal issues related to financial management, such as insufficient savings, uninformed investment decisions, and susceptibility to scams like pyramid schemes,” the minister said.
The Minister has already had discussions with Kawan Rathnayake, Chairman of Bank of Ceylon, who has consented to provide training and knowledge-sharing assistance for the initiative.
June 01, Colombo (LNW): The Presidential Media Division announced that the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) and the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) will be transferred to Moratuwa University’s Faculty of Medicine. This transfer is to facilitate pre-arrangements before commencing academic studies in January 2025.
This initiative aims to enhance medical education and healthcare services, aligning with the university’s goals to expand its academic and practical training facilities. The transition is expected to provide advanced medical education opportunities and improve healthcare delivery through the integration of NFTH’s teaching hospital resources with Moratuwa University’s academic programs.
June 01, Colombo (LNW): Maldives Foreign Affairs Minister Moosa Zameer is scheduled to pay an official visit to Sri Lanka from June 3 to 6. During his visit, Minister Zameer will meet with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. He will also engage in official bilateral discussions with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Zameer will be accompanied by senior officials from the Maldives Foreign Ministry. The visit aims to strengthen diplomatic relations and enhance cooperation between the two countries. The discussions are expected to cover a range of topics, including regional security, economic collaboration, and other areas of mutual interest.
June 01, Colombo (LNW): The Animal Production and Health Department reported a significant increase in daily egg consumption in Sri Lanka, which has risen by over one million eggs. Previously, the daily consumption stood at seven million eggs, but in recent months, it has exceeded eight million.
During a meeting with Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, department officials attributed this surge to several factors, including the influx of tourists visiting Sri Lanka, rising meat and fish prices, and the public’s growing recognition of eggs as a nutritious food option. In response, Minister Amaraweera instructed the Ministry’s Livestock Division to conduct a comprehensive consumer survey on the consumption of eggs, milk, and meat, noting that a proper information survey had not been conducted for a long time.
Additionally, Minister Amaraweera emphasized the importance of maintaining the current level of egg exports, which stands at approximately 15 million eggs per month. He highlighted the need to preserve Sri Lanka’s position in the foreign market and cautioned against reducing export volumes, which could negatively impact the country’s international standing in the egg industry.
June 01, Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha emphasized the importance of prioritizing extracurricular activities over endless examinations in primary education. He stated that children in primary grades should focus more on extra-curricular and co-curricular activities rather than purely academic pursuits.
“Engaging in extracurricular activities like sports helps build a balanced personality and produces a healthier group of children,” he remarked.
Dr. Premajayantha announced plans to reduce the number of examinations for primary grades and to enhance practical study activities within the classroom. These comments were made during his address as the chief guest at the award ceremony for the under-15 and under-17 cricket tournament organized by the Sri Lanka School Cricket Association at the Nelum Pokuna Theater.
The Minister also highlighted the resumption of school sports matches that had been missed due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that significant effort had been made to conduct and complete these events properly.
In support of school cricket development, the government has allocated Rs.1,000 million from the budget. This funding will be used in the coming months to improve school stadiums and cricket turfs and to provide necessary sports equipment.
“School cricket, an extracurricular activity, is being promoted with support from the Sri Lanka Cricket Association, as schools are a crucial breeding ground for talented cricketers in the country,” he added.
June 01, Colombo (LNW):Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern provinces. Several spells of showers may occur in North-western province.
Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara and Nuwara-Eliya districts.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva, North-central and Eastern provinces and in Mullaitivu district in the evening or night.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
May 31, Colombo (LNW): Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in a landmark criminal trial in New York. This conviction marks the first time a former or serving U.S. president has been found guilty of a crime. Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, and while he could face prison time, legal experts suggest that a fine is the more likely outcome.
Reacting to the verdict, Trump called it a “disgrace” and criticized Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the case. Despite these convictions, Trump remains eligible to run for president and continues his campaign to defeat incumbent President Joe Biden in the upcoming November election. The court proceedings featured testimonies from 22 witnesses over six weeks, including Stormy Daniels, whose alleged sexual encounter with Trump was central to the case.
The New York trial is one of four criminal cases currently facing Trump. In Washington DC, federal prosecutors accuse Trump of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss and inciting the Capitol rioters on January 6, 2021. This trial has been indefinitely postponed due to Trump’s appeal, which asserts that presidents cannot be prosecuted like ordinary citizens. In Georgia, Trump and 18 other defendants are charged with criminally conspiring to overturn his narrow defeat in the state in 2020. This trial has also been delayed after Trump launched an effort to disqualify the lead prosecutor. Additionally, Trump faces charges in a federal case in Florida for mishandling classified documents and taking them home after leaving the White House. This trial has been delayed as the judge considers motions from Trump’s legal team.
Reactions to Trump’s conviction have been sharply divided along party lines. Republican Congressman Jim Jordan called the verdict a “travesty of justice,” while Democrat Jerry Nadler said “justice was served.” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that the U.S. “is a nation built upon the rule of law,” urging respect for the verdict. Conversely, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, both Republicans, criticized the conviction as a “shameful day in American history” and a blow to the idea of blind justice.
Despite these convictions, Trump remains a formidable candidate in the 2024 presidential race. The U.S. Constitution does not prohibit individuals with criminal records from running for president. However, recent polls indicate that a significant portion of voters in key swing states might refuse to vote for Trump if he is convicted. A poll from Bloomberg and Morning Consult found that 53% of voters in key swing states would not vote for Trump if convicted, and a Quinnipiac University poll showed that 6% of Trump voters would be less likely to vote for him, which could be consequential in a tight race.
In an email to his supporters shortly after the verdict, Trump reiterated his stance, calling the trial a “disgrace” and declaring himself “a very innocent man.” He emphasized that the real verdict will come on November 5, during the presidential election.
As Trump navigates these legal battles, the implications for his political future remain uncertain. Legal proceedings and appeals are expected to extend over the next few years, potentially overlapping with the 2024 election cycle.
May 31, Colombo (LNW): The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has directed the officials of the Welfare Benefits Board to prioritise the criteria that can be verified and determined in order to accurately identify poverty while selecting the “Aswesuma” beneficiaries.
Drawing examples, the committee pointed out that individual poverty can be identified better based on the electricity bill amount considering the electricity units consumed in each home, the Parliamentary Communications Department said in a statement.
The committee pointed out that there are major problems and lack of formality in the criteria used in the selection of “Aswesuma” beneficiaries, and advised them to rectify it as soon as possible.
The officials of the Ministry of Finance told the committee that they will change the method of giving points that is currently used in the selection of relief beneficiaries.
The matter was taken up for discussion when the Committee on Public Finance met in Parliament recently (28) under the chairmanship of Dr. Harsha de Silva, the statement mentioned.
Furthermore, the amendment to the regulations under section 27 of the Welfare Benefits Act No. 24 of 2002 published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2382/02 dated 29.04.2024 was considered before the Committee.
The members of the committee pointed out the way in which huge corruption and irregularities take place through the manual recording of data by those people while selecting the beneficiaries.
Accordingly, the Committee on Public Finance gave a recommendation to the Ministry of Finance officials to conduct the entire process from collecting necessary data to the selection of relief beneficiaries only via electronic means, it added.
Furthermore, the displeasure of the committee was expressed for not taking formal legal action for the irregularities that have arisen in relation to the selection of beneficiaries. The Committee pointed out that by not taking legal action, more and more corruption and irregularities will occur and it will create a serious obstacle for the right people to get the benefits.
Accordingly, the Committee Chair instructed the officials to investigate the complaints received and take necessary legal measures for the same.
Additionally, the order was reconsidered under Section 3 of the Port and Airport Development Tax Act No. 18 of 2011 published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2350-45 dated 21.9.2023. Milk powder prices and local milk powder market were discussed under this.
The Chair emphasized the importance of introducing a price formula for milk powder based on a scientific method. Accordingly, the Chair also instructed the officials to introduce the HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman index) index, it added.
