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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented the ‘Sannas Pathra’ appointing Most Ven. Karagoda Uyangoda Maithri Murthy thera as Chief Prelate of the Amarapura Nikaya

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, has congratulated President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sri Lanka’s impressive economic progress and emphasized the importance of continuing economic reforms.

In her first virtual meeting with Dissanayake, the IMF chief said she highlighted that these reforms are crucial for attracting investments and improving living standards in the country.

In a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Georgieva stated:

“First virtual meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. I congratulated him on Sri Lanka’s impressive achievements and discussed the importance of continuing reforms supported by the IMF arrangement to attract investments and raise living standards.”

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has filed a writ petition with the Court of Appeal seeking an order preventing his arrest.

The petition, filed through his legal representatives, has requested that an interim injunction be issued to stay the arrest warrant issued against him by the Matara Magistrate’s Court.

The Matara Magistrate’s Court had recently issued a warrant for the arrest of the former IGP in connection with a shooting incident that took place in front of the W15 Hotel in the Pelena area of Weligama, Matara, on December 31, 2023.

The petition was taken up before a two-member Appeals Court bench consisting of Acting President of the Court of Appeal Mohamed Lafar Tahir and Justice Sarath Dissanayake today (10).

Subsequently, the judge bench ordered that the petition be scheduled for further consideration on the March 12, after notices are served to the respondents of the petition.

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The government aims to convert the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) into an aircraft maintenance hub, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Bimal Rathnayake announced in Parliament today (07).

Speaking during the committee stage debate on the budget, the Minister stated that the government intends to collaborate with a suitable foreign partner to make MRIA a profitable venture.

“The airport was constructed at a cost of Rs. 36.5 billion, and over the past five years, it has incurred a total loss of Rs. 38.5 billion. Our goal is to turn this into a profitable institution,” he noted.

The government’s initiative seeks to leverage MRIA’s infrastructure for aircraft repairs and maintenance, potentially attracting global aviation companies.

Four senior superintendents of police have been appointed to the posts of Acting deputy inspectors general of police (DIGs) with immediate effect.

Accordingly, SSP M.N.S. Mendis has been appointed as the acting DIG in charge of the Batticaloa District.

SSP W.P.J. Senadheera has been assigned as the acting DIG in charge of the Western Province Traffic Division.

SSP D.M.M.A.B. Mahagiriulla has been appointed as the DIG in charge of the Ratnapura District.

SSP K.M.U.P. Kaluapahana has been appointed as the acting DIG in charge of Monaragala District.

Additionally, five SSPs have received new postings and transfers. 28 other police OICs have also received transfers.

The police media division confirmed that all these appointments and transfers were made with the approval of the National Police Commission.

The crises emerging within the education system are primarily due to the improper implementation of policies and political interference, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

The Prime Minister said that immediate actions will also be taken to investigate the collection of funds in schools for various reasons.

She made these remarks in parliament today (07 Mar) in response to questions raised during the first session of the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education.

PM Amarasuriya further said that the education reforms scheduled to be implemented in 2026 will be based on five key pillars namely introducing a new curriculum, developing human resources, improving infrastructure facilities, raising public awareness of the new educational reforms, and conducting evaluations and assessments.

During the discussion, a consensus was reached on appointing subcommittees to implement the necessary future measures.

The PM went on to note that measures will be taken to minimize disparities between schools, physically inspect schools to identify necessary infrastructure developments in order to implement new reforms, take necessary actions on the construction projects that have been halted, and renovate and improve the unsafe premises in schools.

The discussion further focussed on addressing the existing shortage of teachers, facilitating the transfers to balance teacher distribution, filling out the vacancies for principals and performing duties, and addressing the administrative issues in both provincial and national schools.

A senior lecturer of the University of Colombo, Dr. Janaki D Jayawardena, tragically lost her life in a motor accident in Kohuwala yesterday (7), police confirmed.

The 59-year-old wa with her son and his wife along Sumanaarama Road when an incident occurred while her son attempted to restart his car. In an effort to do so, he placed a stone under the front wheel.

While he was trying to start the car, Dr. Jayawardena attempted to remove the stone. However, as the vehicle was parked on a slope, it unexpectedly moved forward, hitting her. She was rushed to the Kalubowila Hospital but succumbed to her injuries.

Investigations revealed that although the stone was removed, she was unable to move away in time, leading to the fatal accident.

Kohuwala Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.

The Supreme Court has scheduled September 30 to hear a fundamental rights petition filed by former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, seeking a recount of preferential votes obtained by New Democratic Front (NDF) candidates in the Kalutara District during the last General Election.

A three-judge bench, comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Janak de Silva, and Sampath Abeykoon, took up the petition today and set the hearing date.

The petition names the Election Commission, its chairman and members, the Kalutara District Returning Officer, Rohitha Abeygunawardena—who was elected as an MP from the NDF in the said election—and the Attorney General as respondents.

Senaratne claims irregularities in the vote counting process cost him a parliamentary seat. He states that the difference in preferential votes between him and the elected MP is about 119 votes and argues that the final result was affected by these alleged irregularities.

The petitioner seeks a Supreme Court ruling declaring his fundamental rights were violated and an order for a recount and revised results.

Attorney-at-Law Keerthi Tilakaratne and President’s Counsel Faiz Mustapha appeared for Senaratne.

A law banning corporal punishment for children will be passed swiftly, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms Harsha Nanayakkara said in Parliament.

“Punishment has a significant impact on a child’s development. If children believe violence can solve problems, they will carry that belief into adulthood. Many involved in organized crime come from broken families,” the Minister said. “It’s easier to fix a broken child, but not a broken adult,” he added.

He also stressed on the importance of women’s contributions to society, stating that a single day of debate is insufficient to recognize their role.

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) met with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe at his Colombo office on Wednesday to discuss ongoing challenges faced by medical professionals.

Among the key proposals put forward by the GMOA were maintaining the unique hourly rate of 1/80 paid as an additional duty allowance for doctors, due to the specialized nature of their work.

The association also called for the revision of the basic salary, a practice that has been followed historically, as well as the continuation of the 1/20 allowance for work performed on holidays and Sundays.

Additionally, they advocated for the implementation of a proposed salary increase outlined in the 2025 budget.

The GMOA representatives also expressed the need for a seasoned politician like former President Wickremesinghe to be present in Parliament.

In response, former President Wickremesinghe acknowledged that he was currently taking some time off but expressed his willingness to assist the GMOA with any support they might require moving forward.

The meeting was attended by GMOA President Dr. Sanjeewa Thennakoon, Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa, and other key members of the association. United National Party (UNP) Chairman Wajira Abeywardena and Senior Advisor to the former President, Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga also attended.

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody has clarified that the wind power project scheduled with Adani has not been canceled, despite concerns over high costs.

Speaking at the Energy Ministry's Consultative Committee meeting, the Minister explained that the project was referred to the Cabinet for review due to the elevated costs.

At that time, Adani’s Indian parent company informed the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka that it was withdrawing from the project.

The Board of Investment subsequently notified the Ministry about this development.

However, the Minister emphasized that discussions regarding the project are ongoing with Adani’s Sri Lankan representative office.

Minister Jayakody said that a response to the matter is expected within two weeks, and if the response is negative, alternative solutions will be considered.

Sri Lanka Police state that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon is missing and is evading arrest.

Speaking at a press conference held today (March 6), Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga urged the public to report any information regarding his whereabouts to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Furthermore, the Police Spokesman emphasized that any individual assisting the former IGP in evading arrest, despite a pending warrant, will also face legal action under Article 209 of the Penal Code.

SSP Manathunga also assured that Deshabandu Tennakoon would not receive any special treatment due to his former position as IGP and would be treated the same as any other suspect.

(Ada Derana)