May 19, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered the resumption of the “Suraksha” student insurance programme, which had been temporarily suspended due to economic challenges.
Commencing from the first week of June, this insurance scheme will extend coverage to all school students across the island, according to the President’s Media Division.
The Cabinet has approved the Joint Cabinet Memorandum presented by the President, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policy, together with the Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha.
May 19, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly engaged in discussions with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk regarding the implementation of Starlink in Sri Lanka, on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting in Indonesia.
The President committed to expediting the application process to integrate Sri Lanka into the global Starlink network, according to the President’s Office.
Starlink, developed by the private spaceflight company SpaceX, is a satellite network designed to provide low-cost internet access to remote and underserved locations.
Commenting on the meeting, Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Minister Jeevan Thondaman wrote that it is ‘great to have two visionary leaders come together for Sri Lanka.’
President @RW_UNP met with @elonmusk today during his 2 day visit to Bali with me for the World Water Forum.
President and Elon discussed Sri Lanka’s recovery, economic potential, and new opportunities for investment.
May 19, Colombo (LNW): Over 280 kilogrammes of narcotics were incinerated using a newly installed high-powered incinerator in Vanathavilluwa, Puttalam.
This facility, constructed at a cost exceeding Rs. 11 million, was utilised yesterday (18) to destroy 251 kilogrammes of heroin and 38 kilogrammes of methamphetamine (ICE).
The destruction process was overseen by Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.
Previously, the lack of a permanent facility for drug disposal required the government to incur substantial costs.
To address this, the new incinerator has been set up on 20 perches of land in the Lactose Garden area of Vanathavilluwa, owned by the Special Task Force (STF).
The Sri Lanka Navy prepared the site, while the Sri Lanka Police allocated Rs. 6.34 million for its preparation.
The incineration was conducted under the supervision of the Puttalam Magistrate, with representatives from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board and officers from the Government Analyst’s Department present.
The drugs were destroyed at temperatures ranging between 800 and 1200 degrees Celsius.
May 19, Colombo (LNW): The Defence Ministry has received more than 400 complaints from families of citizens allegedly recruited by mercenary companies to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, reports said.
Authorities initiated a probe earlier this month following reports of Sri Lankan nationals, particularly those with military backgrounds, being trafficked to participate in the conflict in Ukraine.
In response to these concerns, the Defence Ministry established a hotline for family members to lodge complaints.
This move came after several returnees revealed the perilous conditions faced by predominantly ex-soldiers, who were fighting mainly for Russia.
To date, the Ministry has received a total of 411 complaints.
Reports indicate that not only former security forces personnel but also civilians without any military training have been recruited as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The government has decided to dispatch a delegation to Russia to identify and repatriate its citizens currently engaged in combat for Russia in Ukraine.
May 19, Colombo (LNW): In commemoration of the 15th Victory Day Anniversary, a total of 114 officers and 1,395 other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army have been promoted to their next ranks.
These promotions were authorised by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, following recommendations from the Ministry of Defence and Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage.
The promotions are effective from 19 May 2024, coinciding with the National War Heroes Commemoration Day.
May 19, Colombo (LNW): The renowned Global Peace Ambassador and Spiritual Leader, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (18) afternoon for a three-day official visit.
Defence State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon welcomed the Spiritual Leader at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake upon his arrival.
Shankar was accompanied by the Governor of the Eastern Province, Senthil Thondaman.
During his stay from 18 to 20 May, Shankar is scheduled to attend an event titled ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation, and Wisdom’ at Taj Samudra on 19 May.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, an Indian yoga guru and spiritual leader, is widely recognised as a global humanitarian and peace envoy.
He is also the founder of ‘Transcendental Meditation’.
May 19, Colombo (LNW): The National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO) issued early landslide warnings on Saturday (18), for several localities across four districts, effective until 4:00 p.m. on 19 May.
A Level 02 (Amber) alert has been issued for the following areas:
Badulla: Ella Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) and surrounding areas.
Additionally, Level 01 (Yellow) alerts have been issued for the following areas:
Badulla: Hali Ela, Badulla, Haputale, and Haldummulla DSDs and surrounding areas.
Kandy: Ganga Ihala Korale, Pasbage Korale, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, and Yatinuwara DSDs and surrounding areas.
Kegalle: Bulathkohupitiya, Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Warakapola, Yatiyanthota, Mawanella, and Galigamuwa DSDs and surrounding areas.
Ratnapura: Imbulpe, Balangoda, Elapatha, Kalawana, Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Ayagama, Ratnapura, and Kuruwita DSDs and surrounding areas.
May 19, Colombo (LNW): Due to pre-monsoonal conditions over the country and surrounding sea areas, prevailing showery and windy conditions are expected to enhance further during the next few days, the Department of Meteorology said in its weather forecast today (19).
Heavy showers above 100mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the statement added.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere of the island after 01.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in Southern province.
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 times in the sea areas extending from Mannar to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle,heavy showersare likely at some places. Showers or thundershowers will occur atseveral places in the other sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be westerly to south-westerly in the sea areas extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (60-70) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota. Wind speed may increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Beruwala via Colombo. Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph in the other sea areas around the island.
State of Sea:
The sea areas extending from Beruwala to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota will be very rough at times and the sea areas extending fromKalpitiya to Beruwala via Colombo will be rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Colombo, Sri Lanka – May 18, 2024 (LNW): Opposition leader and presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa made a bold statement today on the 15th anniversary of the end of terrorism in Sri Lanka. Premadasa criticised the 1956 “Sinhala Only” policy implemented by former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, asserting it paved the way for deep societal divisions culminating in the 26-year civil war.
Premadasa’s statement comes at a crucial time, with the presidential election just four months away. As one of the leading candidates, his remarks are expected to resonate deeply across the political spectrum. The 1956 policy, which made Sinhala the sole official language, remains a contentious issue in Sri Lankan politics, with debates continuing about its long-term impacts on national unity.
Notably, Bandaranaike’s daughters, Sunethra Bandaranaike and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, have both disagreed with the “Sinhala Only” policy. Kumaratunga, who became executive president in 1994, sought to reverse many policies, advocating for peace and national reconciliation. Despite being severely wounded in a 1999 suicide attack, she persisted in her efforts to unify the nation throughout her presidency.
Premadasa’s connection to the country’s violent history adds weight to his statement. His father, President Ranasinghe Premadasa, was assassinated by a suicide bomber during a May Day rally in 1993, an event that underscored the deep divisions and ongoing strife within the nation.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has pledged to unite the country by providing solutions to the national issue of power devolution, advocating for the full enactment of the 13th Amendment. This amendment aims to devolve power to provincial councils, a critical aspect of the ongoing peace process.
Another critical presidential contender, Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has traditionally supported power devolution. However, recently, Dissanayake and the JVP have not clearly articulated their stance on this issue or the enforcement of the 13th Amendment.
Independent political and social analysts have broadly welcomed Premadasa’s statement, viewing it as a significant and necessary step towards acknowledging and addressing the historical roots of Sri Lanka’s prolonged conflict. As the presidential race intensifies, these discussions will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the political discourse and the country’s future direction.
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon received the Spiritual Leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Global Peace Ambassador at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today (May 18).
Governor of Eastern Province Hon. Senthil Thondaman also joined State Minister on this occasion.
Gurudev will stay in Sri Lanka from May 18 to 20 and he will attend ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation and Wisdom’ at Taj Samudra on May 19.
