August 12, Colombo (LNW): Pensioners in Sri Lanka will receive an additional Rs. 6,000 with their October payments, comprising a Rs. 3,000 interim allowance for October and Rs. 3,000 in arrears from September, announced Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

This follows a Cabinet-approved proposal presented by the President.

The Rs. 3,000 interim allowance will continue monthly until salary anomalies are addressed, adding to the Rs. 2,500 extra payment already provided in April.

The Finance Ministry has granted formal approval, and the Public Administration Ministry is expected to issue a circular to facilitate the disbursement.

However, the Election Commission objected to the allowance being distributed in September due to the election announcement.

August 12, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has unveiled an unprecedented initiative granting residents of line rooms the right to live in villages, with the government reclaiming land from plantation companies by terminating lease agreements.

During a meeting with the Nuwara Eliya business community on August 10, the President announced plans to provide land rights, assist in housing development, and create public amenities such as playgrounds for these residents.

He was also briefed on the challenges facing local businesses and reviewed regional development proposals.

The Nuwara Eliya business community expressed strong support for President Wickremesinghe, backing his efforts to guide the nation out of its economic crisis and pledging their endorsement in the upcoming Presidential Election.

President Wickremesinghe also met with scholars and professionals from the district, who stressed the importance of continuing the country’s economic recovery and supported his re-election.

The President announced plans for a conference early next year to address social justice issues for Tamil communities in the hill country, with a forthcoming Social Justice Commission set to investigate these concerns.

Various issues and proposals were presented by school principals and professionals during the meeting, and MP Vadivel Suresh highlighted the President’s significant contributions to the plantation community.

The meeting was attended by prominent local figures, including former MP K.K. Piyadasa and Hindu Priest Committee Chairman Rev. Velu Suviswara Sharma.

August 12, Colombo (LNW): The Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) has raised concerns over a significant increase in the bid for the Basnagoda Reservoir construction project.

The contractor’s bid of Rs. 2,093 million was raised by Rs. 254 million, reaching Rs. 2,347 million, based on recommendations from the Technical Evaluation Committee.

CoPA questioned the Irrigation Department’s payment processes, which reportedly did not comply with government financial regulations.

The committee highlighted that previous recommendations to rectify these procedures had not been implemented, prompting further scrutiny.

Additionally, CoPA examined irregularities involving 1,177 cheques worth Rs. 352.4 million issued in 2022, including issues with a Divisional Assistant improperly cashing payments.

The officials present admitted to calculation errors and double entries, assuring that corrective measures had been taken.

The Committee also discussed the Ging Nilwala project, which received an advance of 4.35% of the estimated cost, despite the project not commencing as planned.

The meeting was chaired by State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna and attended by several Members of Parliament.

August 11, Colombo (LNW): Grama Niladhari Officers have initiated a week-long protest from 12 August to 19 August, expressing dissatisfaction with a recently issued Gazette notification concerning their constitutional framework.

The officers will abstain from duties on 12 and 13 August, and a silent protest is planned in front of the Ministry of Public Administration.

Nandana Ranasinghe, Co-President of the Grama Niladhari Officers’ Alliance, stated that the protest stems from the exclusion of their proposals in the final Gazette.

August 11, Colombo (LNW): Minister Ali Sabry has been appointed as the new Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms, officially taking oaths before President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

This appointment adds to his current role as Foreign Minister. Sabry assumes these responsibilities following the resignation of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who stepped down from his positions to participate in the forthcoming Presidential Election.

The reshuffle comes as part of a broader adjustment within the cabinet, ensuring continuity in key governmental functions.

August 12, Colombo (LNW): The National Election Commission has announced enhanced security protocols ahead of the upcoming Presidential Election nominations.

On 15 August, a special security detail will be deployed at the Commission’s office, involving 1,500 personnel from various law enforcement agencies, including the Police and the Special Task Force.

To manage the nomination process, the Police will introduce a specific vehicle permit system, categorised into A, B, and C, strictly for Presidential candidates and their two accompanying signatories.

Additionally, arrangements will be made to deploy police motorcycles to assist candidates facing traffic delays, ensuring they reach the Commission on time.

Separate areas near the Election Commission will be designated for the supporters of each candidate.

These measures were finalised after a meeting involving officials from the Election Commission, the Ministry of Public Security, the Police, and the Air Force.