November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Health has initiated a targeted measles vaccination campaign across 12 key districts, starting today (04) and running up to November 09.
This is in response to isolated measles cases reported last year despite the nation’s successful elimination of the virus.
Senior Epidemiologist Dr Hasitha Tissera, from the Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit, emphasised that the campaign aims to reach unvaccinated children and those who missed their doses due to various circumstances.
The programme prioritises younger individuals, especially those who may have had only one dose or none at all, ensuring that they receive full immunity with a second dose if required.
“Our goal is to administer an additional measles vaccine to at-risk groups,” Dr Tissera said. “Despite significant progress over the last two decades, there remains a risk of resurgence if the virus re-enters the community, particularly among individuals lacking complete vaccine protection.“
November 04, Colombo (LNW): Under the new government, Members of Parliament will face stricter regulations on privileges, including a ban on appointing family members as personal staff, announced Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
Speaking at a Gampaha rally hosted by the National People’s Power (NPP) Women’s wing, Ms. Amarasuriya outlined several reforms intended to prioritise national progress over personal gain.
The Prime Minister highlighted that official allowances and benefits traditionally given to MPs, including government-provided residences and other amenities, will be significantly reduced.
“This government will prioritise national development, with a focus on advancing the country’s future rather than enhancing the lives of ministers and MPs,” she asserted.
Ms. Amarasuriya also emphasised that eliminating corruption would be at the heart of the new administration’s strategy, noting that some officials may find it challenging to adjust to these tighter regulations.
“Perhaps the most difficult change to accept will be the end of corrupt practices,” she remarked.
The government, she went on, is firmly committed to working according to a clear national policy, emphasising that these initiatives are expected to usher in a transformative era in governance, in which financial prudence and accountability replace previous patterns of personal benefit.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the recall of ambassadors and high commissioners from 15 countries, initiating a shift aimed at strengthening its Foreign Service with career diplomats.
This decision, formalised in a letter issued by the Ministry’s Secretary, particularly impacts officials who were appointed from outside the regular Foreign Service.
The list includes notable figures such as:
Mohan Peiris, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and a former Chief Justice
Rohitha Bogollagama, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and former Foreign Minister
Kshenuka Senewiratne, High Commissioner to India and a former ambassador
Chitranganee Wagiswara, High Commissioner to Australia and former Foreign Affairs Secretary
Rodney Perera, Ambassador to Japan
Sumangala Dias, former Air Force Chief serving as High Commissioner to Malaysia
Sudarshana Pathirana, former Air Force Commander, posted as Ambassador to Nepal
Nishantha Ulugethenna, former Navy Commander and current Ambassador to Cuba
Ravindra Wijegunaratne, former Navy Commander serving as High Commissioner to Pakistan
Uday Indraratne, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
V. Kananathan, High Commissioner to Kenya
Srimal Wickramasinghe, High Commissioner to Seychelles, and brother-in-law of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa
Mohammad Shahid, Ambassador to Iran
The recalls are part of a plan, led by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, to replace these posts with officials from the Sri Lanka Foreign Service.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): Milco has achieved a record-breaking sales milestone, reaching Rs. 2 billion in revenue for October—the highest monthly revenue the company has ever posted.
The significant target was met just one month after the new administration took office, which Livestock Ministry Secretary Nishantha Wickramasinghe highlighted as a promising indicator of the government’s commitment to revitalising the state-owned enterprise.
Despite this achievement, Milco faces a significant financial challenge, with an outstanding bank loan of Rs. 1.8 billion and an annual interest obligation totalling Rs. 240 million.
Wickramasinghe noted that the prior government had planned to sell Milco following years of financial losses.
However, the current administration has shifted course, aiming instead to stabilise and eventually turn the organisation into a profitable entity.
Milco Chairman Hemajeeva Gotabhaya, appointed recently, credited the October revenue success to intensified efforts across the company, despite facing multiple operational challenges, including a severe labour shortage.
Gotabhaya described the organisation’s difficult state upon his arrival, with delayed payments to dairy farmers and an inactive internal audit division that had not conducted proper account checks in years.
Under his leadership, Gotabhaya and his board are working on a long-term strategy to ensure Milco’s growth and profitability.
Plans are being implemented to stabilise payments to farmers and improve auditing practices, whilst also increasing the supply of Milco products nationwide to meet consumer demand.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Immigration and Emigration has received a shipment of 50,000 ‘P’ category passports, fulfilling part of a recent contract with a supplier responsible for passport production.
To meet the rising demand, an additional 100,000 passports are expected by the end of November, followed by another 150,000 in December, as confirmed by the department.
A further procurement process is already underway to ensure a steady passport supply, aiming to address the surge in applications.
Department officials stated that currently, 1,600 passports are issued daily, with plans to gradually increase this number from December until daily demand is fully met.
To streamline the application process, the department is set to implement an online booking system, allowing applicants to schedule an appointment with specific date and time slots.
This new procedure, aimed at improving convenience and reducing wait times, is anticipated to roll out in the coming weeks.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Chinese government has committed to providing the entire supply of school uniforms for Sri Lankan students in 2025, confirmed Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong.
Speaking at a scholarship award ceremony held at Keppetipola National School, the ambassador highlighted China’s consistent support for Sri Lanka’s educational needs, particularly over recent years.
Ambassador Qi outlined the steady increase in China’s contributions to Sri Lankan school uniform provisions, noting that in 2023, China donated 70 per cent of the required uniforms, increasing this figure to 80 per cent in 2024.
The ambassador confirmed that China will fulfil 100 per cent of the requirement for the upcoming school year, with phased distributions set to commence before the end of this year.
In his remarks, Qi underscored that this initiative exemplifies China’s enduring friendship and partnership with Sri Lanka, which he noted is advancing towards a new phase of development under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
He highlighted China’s continued support as a gesture of solidarity with Sri Lanka as the nation pursues progress and recovery.
The ambassador also addressed the scholarship programme, initiated in 2018, which seeks to support educational opportunities for children from low-income families.
The initiative has now expanded to 20 schools across the country, with the aim of alleviating economic challenges faced by families and fostering educational development.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has affirmed that a party in a divorce case can seek damages from a third party—specifically, an alleged adulterer—without necessarily pursuing divorce in the same legal action.
This historic decision, which sets a significant precedent for future divorce cases involving third-party misconduct, emerged from a recent appeal involving complex questions of marital and third-party liability.
The judgement, delivered with the concurrence of Justices Preethi Padman Surasena and Achala Wengappuli, included Justice Priyantha Fernando’s observation that seeking damages from a third-party adulterer does not constitute a misjoinder of causes of action.
The judgement clarified that the claim for damages is separate and valid, as the plaintiff wife and defendant husband’s marriage had allegedly disintegrated due to the adulterous actions of the co-defendant.
The Supreme Court’s ruling followed an appeal by the co-defendant, who contested prior judgements from the Hatton District Court and the Kandy High Court of Civil Appeals.
These lower courts had initially ruled in favour of the husband, dismissing the wife’s petition for divorce and requiring the co-defendant to pay Rs. 500,000 in damages to the husband for causing the breakdown of the marriage.
The case originated from a claim by the wife for divorce on grounds of desertion, with the husband contesting this claim and arguing instead that it was his wife’s relationship with the co-defendant that caused the marital collapse.
The husband, whilst seeking dismissal of the wife’s divorce request, did not himself request a divorce on grounds of adultery. Rather, he pursued damages against the co-defendant for alleged injuria (harm to marital consortium).
Consequently, the courts upheld the husband’s right to seek financial redress from the third party.
The Supreme Court’s ruling clarifies that under Sri Lankan law, a spouse may pursue damages from a third party who disrupts a marriage without initiating a divorce petition.
This decision reinforces the stance that whilst adultery is not a criminal offence in Sri Lanka, it is grounds for divorce and compensation claims in civil court.
The ruling also underscores that the aggrieved spouse holds the right to claim damages based on the adulterous actions of a third party, without requiring an accompanying divorce petition.
The counsel representing each party were: P. Peramunugama, with Ranganath Peiris and Jithma Anjalee for the co-defendant; Nayanajith De Silva, instructed by De Silva & De Silva, for the husband; and Wardani Karunaratne, with Hiruni Silva, instructed by P. Suthanthiraraj, for the wife.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The postal voting process for Sri Lanka’s upcoming 2024 General Election reached its third day today (04), after officially beginning on October 30.
The Election Commission has provided an extended voting window for members of the three armed forces and employees in government institutions who missed their initial voting dates on October 30 and November 01.
Today’s session aims to accommodate those unable to participate earlier due to work commitments or logistical constraints.
Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Rathnayake has announced that additional voting opportunities will be available at District Secretariats on October 07 and 08.
This option is intended for any postal voters still unable to mark their ballots within the previous sessions, ensuring that all eligible voters in essential services can exercise their democratic rights.
The Election Commission has also provided detailed guidelines to ensure that postal ballots are marked correctly and avoid being invalidated.
Voters have one vote to select either a political party or an independent group by marking an ‘x’ in the box beside their chosen entity’s symbol.
Additionally, voters may indicate up to three preferred candidates from within the selected party or group by placing an ‘x’ beside the respective candidate numbers at the end of the ballot paper.
Clear instructions specify that ballots will be invalidated if votes are cast for multiple parties or independent groups or if markings other than the designated ‘x’ are used.
This rule seeks to minimise any ambiguity in vote counting and ensure that each vote accurately reflects the voter’s intention.
November 04, Colombo (LNW):The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning during thundershowers as the atmospheric conditions are favourable further for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island, the Department of Meteorology warned in its daily weather forecast today (04).
Showers or thundershowers will occur in the most parts of the island during the evening or night.
Showers may occur over the coastal areas of Western and Southern provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the morning too.
Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces and in Kurunegala district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas around the Island. Heavy showers may occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Hambantota via Galle.
Winds:
Winds will be Westerly or South-westerly in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota, and variable in the other sea areas around the island. Wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.
State of Sea:
The sea areas around the island will be slight to moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasises the National People’s Power (NPP) must consolidate its political authority to drive meaningful change: highlights the NPP’s inclusive approach, uniting all communities, and outlined plans for reforms, including a systematic cabinet structure, diplomatic recalls, and salary increases: adds the upcoming parliamentary polls would be pivotal for these transformations.
SJB Leader and former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says the energy given to him by the people of Sri Lanka will be attributed to an era ending sorrows befallen the country: emphasises the SJB has a strong team that has the capacity to rebuild the nation.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe urges the election of experienced leaders to Parliament, warning that Sri Lanka could relapse into crisis without seasoned governance: stresses veteran leadership is essential to sustain stability, cautioning against potential risks if Parliament lacks knowledgeable members: compares the necessity for stability to the recent fatal KDU bus accident.
Police are investigating whether the recent fatal bus accident in Badulla was due to a technical fault or driver error: The incident, involving Kotelawala Defence University students, resulted in two fatalities and 40 injuries: Preliminary findings suggest excessive speed on a steep road might have caused the bus to skid: Dash cam footage also indicates the bus was speeding.
Sri Lanka is on track to surpass its 2024 target of 2.3 mn tourists, with 1.62 mn arrivals by October, reflecting strong tourism growth: October saw 135,907 visitors, up from 122,140 in September, with India leading tourist numbers at 322,973, followed by the UK: Significant arrivals were also noted from Russia, Germany, China, and France, highlighting diverse international interest.
Jetwing Travels’ Chairperson Shiromal Cooray criticises the government’s management of a tourism fund contributed by private entities, suggesting it could be better used for global promotion and information management: highlights the need for improved utilisation, while urging SMEs to develop strong business and financial plans to withstand industry crises.
Police clarifies that no decision has been taken to withdraw security personnel stationed at religious sites, countering reports suggesting such a move due to special requirements.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry decides to recall Ambassadors and High Commissioners from 15 countries, specifically those not part of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service: Notable diplomats affected include former Chief Justice Mohan Peiris (UN), Rohitha Bogollagama (UK), and former Air Force and Navy Chiefs holding positions in Malaysia, Nepal, Cuba, and Pakistan: intends to replace them with qualified Foreign Service officials, based on recommendations from Minister Vijitha Herath.
Professor Chandima Wijebandara, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, passes away: He was highly regarded for his impactful contributions to academia and his leadership at the university, leaving a lasting legacy in Sri Lankan education.
Sri Lanka’s top golfer Kaya Daluwatte maintains her lead on Day Two of the Thai Singha World Junior Golf Championship in Bangkok, scoring a total even-par 144, one stroke ahead of Vietnam’s Chuc An Le: Thailand’s N. Sichapthiran led the Boys’ division, while Sri Lanka’s Jacob Norton and Reshan Algama improved their standings, aiming for top 10 positions.
