June 18, Colombo (LNW): The prevailing rainy condition in the south-western part of the island is expected to be somewhat enhanced in the next few days from tomorrow (19^th),the Department of Meteorology said in its weather forecast today (18).

Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts in the evening or night.

Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Monaragala districts.

Marine Weather:

By: Staff Writer

June 17, Colombo (LNW): In the wake of Sri Lanka’s ban on Chinese research vessels docking in Sri Lanka ports for one year pacifying India’s wary, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship “Peace Ark” set sail from a military port in Zhoushan to visit several countries, including Sri Lanka.

The ship set sail from a military port in Zhoushan in east China’s Zhejiang Province on Sunday morning for Mission Harmony-2024.

During the mission, the ship will visit 13 countries, namely, Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Benin, Mauritania, Djibouti and Sri Lanka, and provide medical service to local people. It will also make port calls to France and Greece.

This is the 10th Mission Harmony for “Peace Ark” since its commissioning in 2008. The “Peace Ark” will offer free diagnosis and treatment for common and prevalent diseases to local residents, people in Chinese institutions, and overseas Chinese through onboard clinics and dispatched medical teams.

There are over 100 personnel on board the maritime hospital, featuring 17 clinical departments and 5 auxiliary diagnostic departments.

The “Peace Ark” is the first domestically designed and constructed standard ocean-going hospital ship in China. It has visited 45 countries and regions, providing medical services to over 290,000 people.

Clarifying previous Chinese research vessels to Sri Lanka, China claims the vessels are only for scientific purposes, but the Chinese ships that have docked in Sri Lanka are known to have dual scientific and intelligence-gathering purposes, informed sources said .

The accompanying excerpted articles report on Sri Lanka’s decision for a one-year moratorium on foreign research vessels docking in the country’s ports beginning 1 January 2024, and demonstrate how Sri Lanka continues to be a focal point in tensions between India and China

India’s independent think tank Observer Research Foundation states that Sri Lanka’s moratorium is an attempt to appease India by not allowing Chinese ships to carry out intelligence gathering activities so close to India under the guise of scientific research.

While Sri Lanka has become more economically tied with China over the past several years, it still relies on India as an economic and political partner

Sri Lanka’s ties with India, while strained at times, go back further than its ties with China. An immediate impact of the moratorium resulted in the Chinese ship Xiang Yang Hong 3 being prohibited from docking in Sri Lanka in early January

Sri Lanka’s one year moratorium on foreign ships reflects India’s influence in Sri Lanka. However, the docking of the Xiang Yang Hong 3 in the Maldives likewise demonstrates that India’s ability to influence only extends so far, allowing China to project power and maintain a presence near India.

June 17, Colombo (LNW): As part of the ‘Urumaya’ national initiative, President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (17) has distributed 1,524 freehold deeds to eligible settlers in the Mahaweli and Walawe regions.

The distribution ceremony took place at the Embilipitiya Mahaweli office auditorium.

This programme aims to grant a total of two million freehold deeds nationwide.

Additionally, the President conducted a symbolic deed distribution event in the Mannar district, awarding 442 deeds at the Mannar Municipal Council auditorium yesterday.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe underscores the Hajj celebration as a catalyst for fostering sentiments of equality and fraternity among all individuals, imparting a profound message for global peace: In his address marking the Hajj festival, the President extends his sincere wishes to the Muslim community in Sri Lanka and across the globe, encouraging a meaningful observance where collective efforts converge to realise the universal aspirations of humanity.
   
   
2. SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne says the economy of Sri Lanka cannot be developed, should the country fail to build a united nation at the social and political level: asserts the economy cannot develop if there is no political stability: reveals the people and political leaders of the North asked Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to reactivate the Office of Missing Persons and the Office established to compensate for the losses in the North: assures these requirements will be fulfilled under a SJB-rule.
   
   
3. Ruling Party MP S.B. Dissanayake says both President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will fail if the SLPP does not back Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential Polls: suggests that the two parties, therefore, should reach a consensus, and Wickremesinghe, accordingly, too has to provide the necessary initiative for such agreement.
   
   
4. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry announces Japan plans to resume paused development projects in Sri Lanka upon the country’s debt repayment commencement: discloses plans for negotiations during his upcoming visit to Japan in July, aiming to finalise project restarts: Assurances were received that all Japanese-supported initiatives would resume post-agreement with bilateral creditors.
   
   
5. Education Minister Susil Premajayantha announces Grade 5 exam changes: 30% based on 4th and 5th-grade classroom work: emphasises need for comprehensive evaluation, proposes teacher-conducted assessments: reveals reforms at Naththandiya event; plans 2,500 smart board distribution to top schools from August.
   
   
6. The management of Colombo Lotus Tower (Private) Limited announces plans to illuminate the iconic structure in vibrant shades of green and white today (17), marking the occasion of the Eid al-Adha Hajj Festival: The initiative seeks to celebrate and honour the significant cultural and religious event within the community.
   
   
7. The Export Development Board (EDB) launches Sri Lanka’s ‘Creative Sri Lanka 2030’ export brand at London’s ‘Sourced Sri Lanka Textile & Apparel Roadshow’, promoting sustainability and national identity.
   
   
8. The National Water Supply and Drainage Board announces an interruption in water supply to several areas: Godagama, Homagama, Pannipitiya, Pelanwatta, Rukmalgama, and Mattegoda: The disruption is due to damage sustained by the transmission pipeline originating from the Kalatuwawa Treatment Plant: Reports indicate that the pipeline ruptured at Godagama near the High-Level Road following a vehicular accident earlier today, resulting in significant damage to the infrastructure.
   
   
9. Authorities urge verification of plainclothes officers’ IDs after Maradana robbery by imposters posing as police: assert the public is entitled to verify plainclothes officers’ IDs: Victims assaulted, belongings worth Rs. 200,000 stolen: Police arrest suspect linked to robbery after seizing heroin; hunt ongoing for second suspect.
   
   
10. Sri Lanka, despite being eliminated, beat the Netherlands by 83 runs in the T20 World Cup Group D match at Daren Sammy Stadium: Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka scored 46 each, setting a record 201-run total: Netherlands faltered to 118 all out, with Nuwan Thushara taking 3 wickets.

June 17, Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Susil Premajayantha has announced significant changes to the local school curriculum, including reforms to the Grade 5 scholarship examination.

Starting from the current academic year, 30 per cent of the exam marks will be based on classroom work completed during the 4th and 5th grades, according to the Minister.

There is need for a more comprehensive evaluation of children’s education, and the current examination system, therefore, requires revision, Premajayantha emphasised.

He proposed that a substantial portion of the marks should reflect performance over a two-year period, with assessments conducted by teachers.

The Minister disclosed these reforms while speaking at a school event in Naththandiya.

Furthermore, Premajayantha outlined plans to distribute 2,500 smart boards to the country’s leading schools between August and September this year, marking the initial phase of the programme.

June 17, Colombo (LNW): The public is entitled to request official identification from persons appearing as plainclothes officers before consenting to any checks, authorities emphasised.

The announcement follows an incident in Maradana area where an individual was robbed by individuals impersonating as police officers.

Two individuals on a motorcycle, claiming to be police officers, stopped a pedestrian near Ketawalamulla Junction in Maradana on Friday night, and allegedly assaulted the victim and stole his wallet and mobile phone, valued at approximately Rs. 200,000, according to reports.

The suspects then demanded Rs. 35,000 from the victim for the return of the stolen items, directing him to the Maradana Police Station.

In response to the complaint, Police initiated an investigation.

On Saturday (15), Maradana Police officers acted on information regarding a person allegedly transporting heroin on a motorcycle. They intercepted the motorcycle at Fonseka Mawatha, conducted a search, and discovered 12 grammes and 120 milligrammes of heroin in the possession of the rider.

The arrested suspect, a 28-year-old resident of Maradana, was found to be using the same motorcycle associated with the earlier robbery.

Subsequent inquiries and interrogation of the suspect led to the recovery of the stolen mobile phone concealed at the suspect’s residence.

Maradana police are currently pursuing further leads to apprehend the second suspect involved in the robbery.