1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the government is placing special focus on integrating economic and technical sectors through advancements in computer and information technology. He highlighted the vision to transform Colombo Port City into a financial zone facilitating offshore activities and attracting investments in Sri Lanka, with a strong emphasis on the development of enterprises and the utilization of digital technology by both local and foreign investors.
2. Opposition Parliamentarians Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Patali Champika Ranawaka have refuted reports claiming they are set to join the government. MP Fonseka also shot down reports of him supporting the presidential candidacy of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, stating that it is completely untrue and baseless. MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said that reports on local media about him joining the government “are baseless and unfound.”
3. National People’s Power (NPP) Parliamentarian Dr. Harini Amarasuriya states that their party will support the private member’s bill tabled by SLPP MP Premnath C. Dolawaththa to decriminalize same-sex relationships under the penal code.
4. The Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has informed all the Members of Parliament in writing to attend a special parliamentary sitting on July 2, 2024 at 9.30 a.m., the Parliamentary Communications Department said. The special parliamentary sitting has been called in pursuance of Standing Order No. 16 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament, as per a request made by the Prime Minister.
5. The Court of Appeal has decided for the writ petition filed by former Sri Lanka Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda over the alleged abduction of 11 youths in 2008 and 2009, to be taken up for hearing before a five-member judge bench. The petitioner’s attorney has alleged through this petition that despite the investigations into the case stretching out for 10 years and statements being recorded from over 150 persons, the police had failed to uncover evidence to prove his client guilty of abducting and killing the 11 youths.
6. The Ministry of Health has assured that Sri Lanka is equipped to deal with a bird flu outbreak and has already taken necessary preventive measures in this regard. Issuing a statement, the Health Ministry said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has not issued any special public health announcement in this regard yet.
7. The Ministry of Education has announced that the sub-committee’s recommendation has been received to increase the allowances provided for the teachers engaged in answer sheet evaluation activities of G.C.E. Ordinary Level and Grade 5 Scholarship examinations.
8. The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the development of Higurakgoda Airport as a full-fledged airport in accordance with international civil aviation standards.
9. Employees across various public service sectors are engaging in union action today over issues such as wages. The Joint Committee of Government Executive Officers and non-academic staff are participating, with executive officers reporting sick leave and school principals seeking parental support to maintain school activities.
10. One of the world’s oldest inter-club golf tournaments, the 121st Burdett Trophy, and the 87th Puffin Cup, will take place on July 6 at the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club.

June 26, Colombo (LNW): The Korean Government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have initiated a program to modernize the Plant Quarantine Service at the Seaport of Colombo. As part of this initiative, the Plant Quarantine Service at Colombo Port was expanded on June 25, with the inauguration of a new building constructed at a cost of US$ 1.3 million.

The opening ceremony was attended by Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Agriculture Ministry Secretary Janaka Dharmakeerthi, Director General of the Agriculture Department Dr. Kamani Ranatunga, and other officials. Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Miyon Lee, KOICA Vice President Lee Yunyong, and KOICA Country Director Kim Miyungjin were also present.

From 2019 to 2024, the Korean Government has implemented several programs to modernize the plant quarantine service at Colombo Port, investing a total of US$ 7.5 million. The new building includes advanced technology, research facilities, and laboratories for import and export plant quarantine.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera praised the Plant Quarantine Service staff for their efforts to maintain service standards despite numerous challenges. He emphasized the importance of preventing diseases and pests from entering the country through imported plants.

The Minister expressed gratitude to the South Korean Government and KOICA for their support in upgrading the Plant Quarantine Service. “Plant quarantine is essential for protecting the country from harmful organisms. Modernizing our plant quarantine service is crucial to mitigating potential negative impacts,” he stated.

June 26, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers approved the combined proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as Defence Minister and Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva to take necessary measures to develop the Hingurakgoda Airport into a complete airport, Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana said.

Speaking to the media yesterday at the Government Information Department, Dr. Gunawardhana stated that Hingurakgoda Airport is currently managed by the Sri Lanka Air Force. The need to develop the airport in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards has been identified.

A committee consisting of representatives from the Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority, Airports and Aviation Company (Sri Lanka) (Pvt.) Ltd, and Road Development Authority has been appointed to prepare the master plan for the airport and oversee related tasks.

June 26, Colombo (LNW): Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe announced that the World Bank has approved US$ 150 million to improve health facilities in the country. Semasinghe added that this financial facility aims to enhance the quality of health services, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure and ensuring better healthcare for all citizens.

Faris Hadad-Zervos, Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka at the World Bank, acknowledged Sri Lanka’s remarkable performance in the health sector and emphasized the need to provide necessary support to overcome upcoming challenges.

This financing will be used to strengthen health systems to meet the growing healthcare needs of the elderly in Sri Lanka, a country with an aging population in South Asia. Additionally, it will focus on effectively controlling non-communicable diseases, which account for 80 percent of deaths in the country.

June 26, Colombo (LNW):The government will implement a program to introduce digital technology to the Pirivena education system. Accordingly, steps will be taken to provide smart classrooms including at least two computers, a smartboard, and a printer for the 825 Pirivenas in the country, Cabinet spokesman Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana said.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Information Department, Minister Dr. Gunawardhana stated that the Cabinet of Ministers approved the joint proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Technology Minister and Education Minister Susil Premajayantha to implement the proposed program.

He noted that over 100,000 monks and lay students are studying in Pirivenas around the country, and this project will help these students utilize digital technology to conduct research and analysis on Buddhist heritage in the country.

“This proposal was presented during Poson Week. The arrival of Arhant Mahinda Thera marked the turning point of the nation. The civilization and education of the nation developed with the introduction of Buddhism to the country by Arhant Mahinda Thera,” the Minister said.

The Minister added that there is archaeological evidence that Maha Vihara and Abhayagiri operated as two international-level educational institutions. Sri Lankan education was based on the Pirivena education system, and these Pirivenas continued educational activities from generation to generation.

The Education Ministry is implementing a project to introduce digital education to 1,200 schools under Chinese assistance with the intervention of the President. The Pirivenas will also get these facilities.

June 25, Colombo (LNW): The British government has introduced two significant initiatives aimed at revitalising Sri Lanka’s educational sector, aligned with President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s vision to establish the most advanced educational system in South Asia.

Emphasising education as the nation’s foremost asset, President Wickremesinghe underscored the government’s commitment to prioritising funding despite prevailing economic challenges.

Under this vision, the government has announced the launch of the Cambridge Climate Quest, a self-paced educational programme tailored for students in Grades 8-12.

This comprehensive course, available in all three national languages, is designed to equip young learners with essential knowledge in climate and sustainability. Upon successful completion, students will receive Cambridge Certification.

The curriculum has been meticulously developed by scholars from Cambridge Zero, the University of Cambridge’s leading research initiative in climate and sustainability studies.

Christine Ozden, Global Director of Cambridge University Press and Assessments, recently met with President Wickremesinghe and Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha, reaffirming Cambridge’s commitment to support this initiative as part of broader educational reforms.

Additionally, Flinders University, Australia, has confirmed plans to establish an offshore campus in Sri Lanka. Professor Colin Stirling, Vice Chancellor of Flinders University, finalised discussions with President Wickremesinghe on this initiative.

The new campus aims to cater to the regional demand for higher education, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as pathway courses in fields such as Engineering, Information Technology, Business Studies, Finance, Marketing, and Medicine.

Flinders University’s presence in Sri Lanka is anticipated to significantly enhance educational opportunities within the country, providing local students with access to world-class education.

By: Staff Writer

June 25, Colombo (LNW): Iran smuggled two aircraft that were flying out of Lithuania and heading to Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

According to the Jerusalem Post, two Airbus A340s, leased by the Gambian company Macka Invest, were due to fly to South Asia in February.

As per the latest reports, these aircraft ended up in Iran instead of reaching their final destinations, causing major concern among the Lithuanian authorities.

Interestingly, the aircraft’s transponders—which enable them to be identified on air traffic control radars—were turned off the moment it entered the Iranian airspace.

Multiple Lithuanian news outlets suggested that one plane landed at the Mehrabad airport in Tehran and another at Konarak airport in Chabahar. The incident first came to light after a Lithuanian business news website, vz.lt published the shocking report.

With this, the Iranian aviation company, Mahan Air, now possesses the two aircraft as it continues to navigate through American sanctions.

After the report came to light, Aurelija Kuezada, director of Šiauliai Airport revealed that a third plane was prevented from taking off because they ” assume[d] that it could have landed in Iran as well.”

“Nothing could have prevented that,” Kuezada continued, “So, we just didn’t let it go when we found out that the first plane had landed in Iran.” the Lithuanian official added.

However, this is not the first time and unwantedly came under Iran’s possession. In December 2022, Iran International reported that four commercial Airbus A340 planes took off from Johannesburg and landed near Iran.

The places were en route Uzbekistan had shut off their transponders while it was near the Iranian airspace. In the same year, The Tehran Times reported that Iran is in need of at least 550 aircraft.

Why Iran is facing a paucity of aircraft, is because Economic sanctions have prevented the Middle Eastern nation from purchasing new planes. It is pertinent to note that the cost of Airbus A340 is over $150 million.

By: Staff Writer

June 25, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Agriculture Department is planning to increase the production of banana, mango, papaya, pineapple and passion fruit by 2027.

Accordingly, the department is planning to increase banana production to 19.5 metric tons per hectare, mango production to 9.5 metric tons, papaya production to 45 metric tons, pineapple production to 14 metric tons and passion fruit production to 30 metric tons by 2027.

The Department’s Acting Director Dr. Kamani Ranatunga said that many technical measures have been planned for that purpose, such as variety breeding, hybrid variety breeding, high density cultivation, integrated pest control, the introduction of plant nutrients, the reduction of crop damage and the introduction of value-added production technology.

She said this while handing over the plan prepared by the Department for the growth of the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka by 2027 to Minister Mahinda Amaraweera today.

Accordingly, the consumption of fruits in Sri Lanka had  increased to 12.8 million metric tons (1,283,039 metric tons) in 2023, Dr. Ranatunga said.

“The annual requirement of fruits in this country is 19.6 million metric tons (196,9371 metric tons). There was a notable increase in the production of bananas, mangoes, pineapples and papayas. The export of fruits has also increased in 2023, and 38,201 metric tons of fruits have been exported,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister Amaraweera said that it is a national responsibility to save the foreign exchange spent on importing fruits that can be grown in the country.

When looking at the increase in the production of fruits in 2023, the increase in the production of bananas, mangoes, pineapples and papayas is notable, says the Department of Agriculture.

In order to uplift the economy of the poor farming community in 4 electorates (Nawalapitiya, Gampola, Udunuwara and Hewaheta) in the Kandy District, a sum of Rs. 700 million (aid of Rs. 5 hundred thousand per family) was provided to 2000 families for the ‘cultivation of fruits for export market.’

The ‘Innovation Project’  was being implemented under World Bank Aid. The specialty here is the cultivation of these products directly for export market.

It is also planned to provide the farmer with technical knowledge and understanding required for high quality products, drip water technology and plants with yielding capacity to produce high quality production that can meet the demand of foreign markets.

Under this, 4 well equipped State-of-The-Art Processing Centers have been set up for those electorates towards a suitable supply chain for those products.

Under this project, fruits like banana, guava, pineapple and avocado had been cultivated for export purposes.

The project will also cover 12 more districts in Sri Lanka. Under this, work has already commenced in 05 districts.