May 08, Colombo (LNW): Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, has taken legal action by filing a case at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court against an individual and two US-based companies for sharing defamatory videos about him on social media.
The case, initiated under the provisions of the Online Safety Act, was lodged at the court on Tuesday (May 07) by the Army Commander.
Thushara Saliya Ranawaka, a Sri Lankan residing abroad, and American multinational corporation Google, along with its online video-sharing platform YouTube, have been named as respondents in the case.
In his filing, the Army Commander has urged the court to summon the respondents and issue an injunction to halt the further dissemination of the defamatory videos across social media platforms.
May 08, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court has declared that Minister of State for Tourism, Diana Gamage, lacks the necessary legal qualifications to hold a seat in Sri Lanka’s Parliament.
The ruling comes following a petition filed by social media activist Oshala Herath, with the verdict announced today (08).
Previously, Herath had petitioned the Court of Appeal, arguing that Diana Gamage, being a British citizen, is ineligible for a parliamentary position in Sri Lanka. However, the Court of Appeal dismissed the petition.
Undeterred, Herath pursued an appeal before the Supreme Court, contesting the Court of Appeal’s decision. Today’s announcement marks the culmination of this legal battle.
May 08, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet sub-committee tasked with resolving the issues raised by university non-academic staff is scheduled to meet on Wednesday (08), according to recent announcements.
The University Grants Commission has confirmed that the recommendations arising from this meeting will be submitted to the Cabinet on May 13th.
Meanwhile, the indefinite strike initiated by university non-academic staff, driven by various demands including concerns over salary reductions, continues into its seventh day on Wednesday (08).
The strike has led to disruptions in the functioning of all universities and 17 higher education institutions.
Dhammika S. Priyantha, Co-Chairman of the University Trade Union Joint Committee, has warned that the strike will escalate if a satisfactory resolution is not reached regarding their demands today.
May 08, Colombo (LNW): The deadline for submitting objections and appeals regarding the 2024 electoral list closed on Tuesday (07), announced Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake.
Ratnayake further stated that the objections and appeals received will undergo review within the next one and a half months.
These crucial activities will be overseen by the District Assistant and Deputy Election Commissioners.
The Elections Commissioner General assured that the preparation of the 2024 electoral list will be finalized ahead of this year’s elections.
May 08, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has given the green light to a collaborative proposal from the President and the Minister of Education, directing the Legal Draftsman to draft a bill for the establishment of a National Teachers’ Council.
According to the government, this initiative is in line with the National Education Policy Framework, which seeks to elevate the professionalism and quality of teachers through ongoing professional development, drawing from international best practices.
A preliminary draft has already been formulated following extensive consultations with various stakeholders in the education sector, as stated in the official announcement.
As per the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President’s Fund has initiated two additional scholarship programs alongside the on-going scholarship initiatives. These scholarships will be extended to monks, nuns, and lay students enrolled in Piriven and Seelamatha Educational Institutions, as well as those pursuing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at G.C.E. (Advanced Level), effective from May 2024.
Sri Lanka’s Official Reserve Assets increased by 9.6% to USD 5.43 billion in April 2024, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). The figures reported for April is an increase from the USD 4.96 billion recorded in March 2024.
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved the combined proposal presented by the President and the Minister of Education to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a bill for the establishment of a National Teachers’ Council.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the petition filed by Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe seeking to suspend the interim injunction issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
Sri Lanka Banks’ Association, LankaPay and FinCSIRT says they have been alerted regarding several incidents of financial fraud, both globally and in Sri Lanka, disguised as attractive online offers, leading to mobile device users inadvertently clicking on unknown links and downloading malicious apps and files.
Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that a Cabinet paper was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers to increase the retirement age of certain healthcare services including nursing staff to 61 years. The minister revealed this in response to a question raised by MP Gamini Waleboda in Parliament.
Ambassador of Japan, handed over three “Health on Wheels” trucks to the Ministry of Health. The project has been implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with financial support from the Government of Japan.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced that it would initiate public consultations on amending the Finance Leasing Act, No. 56 of 2000. To have wider stakeholder consultation, the CBSL is inviting the general public to submit observations/ suggestions/ comments on the draft amendments.
Former Minister Mervyn Silva accused of threatening and assaulting a former journalist of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, was ordered to be released on bail today by the Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatta.
Sri Lanka win ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers match against Scotland. With the win, Sri Lanka will now join Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan in Group A of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Scotland join hosts Bangladesh, England, South Africa and West Indies.
May 08, Colombo (LNW): In alignment with President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s strategic vision, Sri Lanka is set to embark on a transformative pilot project in the Anuradhapura district, backed by a substantial investment of US$ 100 million to revolutionize agricultural practices.
The official agreement with Navita Capital of Portugal marks a significant milestone, signaling a firm commitment to the project’s realization.
With an investment totaling US$ 100 million, each farming family stands to receive an allocation of US$ 6,000, facilitating the adoption of solar pumps and other sustainable energy projects for agriculture.
Under President Wickremesinghe’s guidance and with support from Mohamed Nasheed, former President of Maldives and Secretary General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), this initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to combating climate change and promoting sustainable development.
The execution of the project will be driven by the collaboration between ‘Our Movement Lanka’ and Nativa Capital, under the oversight of the Government of Sri Lanka.
This endeavor not only promises economic prosperity but also aims to empower farming communities with innovative technology and sustainable practices, creating employment opportunities, attracting foreign investment, and strengthening Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at the ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ media briefing, Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardene, highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Climate Change Office of Sri Lanka, CVF, and Nativa Capital, culminating in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to uplift 15,000 farming families in the Anuradhapura district.
The pilot project, focusing on chilli, watermelon, and tomato cultivation, aims to address market access challenges faced by farmers, with Nativa committed to purchasing produce from the project.
Wijewardene emphasized President Wickremesinghe’s initiative to modernize agriculture, attracting investment from Nativa for advanced agricultural technology deployment. Upon successful implementation, the project will extend to other districts, revolutionizing the export economy and enhancing farmers’ quality of life.
The signing of the MoU saw the presence of key figures including Mohamed Nasheed, Secretary General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Carlos Gomes, Executive Director of Nativa, Sandeep Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Australia, and Attorney-at-Law Kasturi Anuradhanayake.
May 08, Colombo (LNW): The Education Minister, Susil Premajayantha, secured Cabinet approval for a groundbreaking proposal aiming at digitizing general education, with crucial backing from the Chinese government, as announced by the Government Information Department in a statement issued yesterday.
According to the department, the Chinese government has committed to funding the project, pending a comprehensive feasibility study. This initiative is poised to address various challenges, notably the scarcity of teachers and educational resources. As part of the project, China will contribute resources such as classrooms, data centers, tables, a studio, and a conference room.
These resources will not only bolster educational reforms but also enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the blended learning approach, facilitating resource sharing and enabling teachers with specialized skills to impart knowledge to students.
May 08, Colombo (LNW): Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera raised concerns yesterday, accusing an organized group of attempting to disrupt government operations by disconnecting power without prior notice. The Electricity Board is currently conducting an investigation into these allegations.
The Minister’s remarks came in response to queries from Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena regarding the abrupt disconnection of power to consumers facing difficulties in paying their electricity bills.
Highlighting a longstanding practice, the Minister noted that both power supply and disconnections have been managed by the private sector for two decades. Additionally, he addressed criticisms from trade unions, alleging that the government has favored private companies in this regard.
Addressing the issue further, the Minister emphasized that there hasn’t been a specified target for issuing red bills, and a system is in place to disconnect electricity only after issuing such bills. However, certain groups are reportedly bypassing this protocol and disconnecting power supply after issuing red bills.
Assuring action against those responsible, the Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining a fair and transparent process in power supply management.
May 08, Colombo (LNW): In accordance with President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s directives, the President’s Fund has expanded its scholarship initiatives, unveiling two new programs to complement ongoing efforts.
Starting from May 2024, these scholarships will be accessible to monks, nuns, and lay students enrolled in Piriven and Seelamatha Educational Institutions, as well as those pursuing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at G.C.E. (Advanced Level).
A total of 822 Piriven and Seelamatha Educational Institutions nationwide will benefit from scholarship distribution, with six scholarships allocated per institution. Selection of recipients will be the prerogative of the Parivenadhipathi Thero/Institution Director.
The scholarships will be offered in two categories, with an allocation of 5,000 scholarships for lay scholars. Under the first category, recipients will receive Rs. 3,000 monthly for 12 months, starting May 2024. The second category entails Rs. 6,000 per month for a duration of 24 months.
Prospective applicants can access further details and application forms on the official website of the President’s Fund, www.presidentsfund.gov.lk, and its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/president.fund. Application instructions will also be published in the Government Gazette on May 10, 2024.
Applicants must submit completed forms to the Parivenadhipathi/Head of Institute by May 22, 2024. Selected recipients’ names will then be forwarded to the Ministry of Education via the Regional Assistant Director of Education (Piriwen).
This initiative, supported by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, underscores the President’s commitment to educational advancement, particularly in ICT studies for G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination candidates.
