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The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sukanya’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit this morning (27th February 2023). The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.

INS ‘Sukanya’ in a 101m long Offshore Patrol Vessel manned by 106 crew members. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the ship CImages and Linksommander Pranav Anand called on the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters this morning.

Further, a group of children of Diyakithulkanda Primary School in Galle will visit the ship and arrangements are in place to hand over school supplies, donated by the Indian Navy, to those children as well.

During the stay in the country, the crew of the ship will take part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to promote cooperation between two navies and visit some of the tourist attractions.

Concluding her official visit, ‘INS Sukanya’ will depart the island on 01st March and she is expected to engage in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with a ship of the Sri Lanka Navy off Colombo.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 hit off the eastern part of Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido on Saturday, authorities said, and no tsunami warning was issued, Reuters reported.

The quake hit off the Nemuro peninsula at a depth of 61 kilometres (38 miles), according to the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED).

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

In two municipalities in Hokkaido, the quake registered as a “lower 5” on Japan’s 7-point intensity scale, which measures ground motion.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has urged young lawyers to specialise in offshore economy law and a form a committee to lead new legal developments in the Port City.

Addressing the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Royal College Lawyers’ Association held at the Blue Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel Colombo yesterday (25 Feb.), the Head of State proposed the forming of a committee of lawyers focusing on offshore economy law, following the development of the Colombo Port City as a financial hub.

Wickremesinghe encouraged young lawyers to get a head-start on the legal areas in relation to making the Port City into a financial centre and emphasised the importance of taking on responsibility and leadership roles.

Highlighting the important role that Royal College has played in shaping the law and legal system in Sri Lanka, President Wickremesinghe suggested new areas of law that may emerge in the future.

He also remphasisied his commitment to making tough decisions for the good of the economy and the country, even if they are unpopular.

In a lighter vein, the President joked that he cannot make all the lawyers President’s Counsels but is happy to make them all Royal Counsels.

Meanwhile, the Welcome Speech was delivered by the President of Royal College Lawyers’ Association Rohan Sahabandu (PC) while outgoing Secretary of the Royal College Lawyers’ Association Harshana Matharaarachchi presented the report.

Rohan Sahabandu (PC) was re-elected as the President of the Royal College Lawyers’ Association. Newly elected secretary Lasitha Kanuwanaarachchi delivered the vote of thanks.

Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, and Principal of the Royal College R. M. Ratnayake were also present at the occasion.

A suspect who was arrested at Katunayake Airport has fled police custody.

The suspect was arrested when he arrived at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to fly out to Dubai under a fake name, and later, he had escaped from police custody there.

It has been revealed that the suspect was involved in several crimes including murders and that an overseas travel ban was previously imposed on him.

Police Media Spokesperson, SSP Nihal Thalduwa mentioned that investigations have been initiated in order to arrest the suspect.

Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva says a more predictable, timely, and orderly processes are needed for Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the first meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Bengaluru, India, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva said that it is imperative for the G20 to strengthen the debt architecture.

She said, "In light of rising debt vulnerabilities in many countries, I strongly endorse efforts to strengthen the debt architecture and improve the speed and effectiveness of debt resolution."

She said that sovereign debt vulnerabilities is particularly the case for "developing and low-income countries with very limited policy space and huge development needs."

Georgieva stressed that a more predictable, timely, and orderly processes are needed both for countries under the Common Framework (CF) and for those not covered by it, including Sri Lanka and Suriname.

She added, "This means that we must enhance dialogue and collaboration on debt issues."

SJB lawmaker Mayantha Dissanayake, who was appointed as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has decided to resign from the post.

The general secretary of the SJB, MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that Dissanayake had informed him about his decision to step down.

Dissanayake is expected to officially step down COPF chair after informing Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena of his decision in writing.

28 people have been hospitalised following the protest march organised by the Jathika Jana Balavegaya in Colombo on Sunday (26).

Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protest march which commenced at the Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo.

The injured have been admitted to the National Hospital for treatment.

The protest was held citing several concerns including delays in conducting the Local Government Election.

Earlier in the day, the Fort Magistrate Court issued an order preventing a group of 26 including Leader of the Jathika Jana Balavegaya Anura Kumara Dissanayaka from entering areas around the President's Office, President House and Galle Face from 01 pm - 08 pm on Sunday (26).

This was in reponse to a request made by the Fort, Kompannavidiya and Colpetty Police.

The Police had made the request taking into consideration the inconvenience to the public owing to the JJB protest to be held in Colombo on Sunday (26) afternoon.

Similarly, the Maligakanda Magistrate Court issued an order preventing a group including Leader of the Jathika Jana Balavegaya Anura Kumara Dissanayaka from protesting or marching around the Colombo Hospital Square.

This was in response to a request made by the Maradana Police OIC.

The Maradana Police had made the request considering the possible inconvenience to patients and people visiting the hospitals including the National Hospital and Eye Hospital.

According to the court order, the protesters were prevented from marching from the Lipton Roundabout to Deans Road, as well as blocking the road and pavement leading upto the Seamans Road Junction.

The court order applies to 26 including JJB Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, Tilvin Silva, Vijitha Herath, Nalinda Jayatissa, Bimal Rathnayake and Sunil Handunnetti.

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced plans to make Sri Lanka a year-round tourist destination, with measures to be taken to promote the tourism sector.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the President made these comments during a meeting with businessmen from the tourism industry in the Galle District yesterday (23).

The PMD stated that the meeting was organized under the theme “Survival and Overcoming Challenges in the Tourism Industry.”

During the meeting, President Wickremesinghe acknowledged the challenges faced by those in the tourism sector due to the recent economic downturn but reassured the attendees that a planned program is being implemented to revitalize the sector.

The President outlined a program to attract over two million tourists to Sri Lanka, including those willing to spend $500 per day. To achieve this goal, a committee has been appointed to implement the plan as soon as possible.

In addition, President Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of better publicity for Sri Lanka to the world. He highlighted the recent Independence Day celebrations, which were held with pride to demonstrate that law and order have been stabilized in the country.

The President also noted that tourist numbers had dropped following the protests in May and June of last year. To attract tourists back to Sri Lanka, he emphasized the need to demonstrate that law and order has been restored in the country.

Overall, the meeting was seen as a positive step towards promoting tourism in Sri Lanka. The President’s commitment to the industry and his plans to revitalize the sector were welcomed by the attendees, who hope that this will lead to increased investment and growth in the sector.

Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Promotion Manusha Nanayakkara, Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando, State Minister Mohan Priyadarshana de Silva, State Minister Geeta Kumarasinghe, Members of Parliament Vajira Abeywardena, Sampath Athukorala, Southern Province Governor Dr. Willie Gamage, Galle District Governor Shantha Weerasinghe and other officials attended this event.

The Fort Magistrate Court has issued an order preventing a group of 26 including Leader of the Jathika Jana Balavegaya Anura Kumara Dissanayaka from entering areas around the President's Office, President House and Galle Face from 01 pm - 08 pm on Sunday (26).

This was in reponse to a request made by the Fort, Kompannavidiya and Colpetty Police.

The Police had made the request considering the inconvenience to the public owing to a JJB protest to be held in Colombo on Sunday (26) afternoon.

The protest will be held citing several issues including the rise in electricity tariffs, unjust tax regime and delay in the local government election.

New Chairmen have been appointed to the Parliament Committees of Public Finance and Public Enterprises.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mayantha Dissanayake has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF).

He replaces former COPF Chairman and SJB Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha de Silva.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Prof. Ranjith Bandara has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE).

MP Ranjith Bandara defeated SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne in a vote (16 to 7) to be appointed as COPE Chairman.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced a new chapter in military medicine, establishing a separate unit to send military personnel overseas to assist in times of health disaster.

He went on to say that it will be established in addition to the group that is sent during natural disasters. He also pointed out that plans are being made to send a group of military personnel to Türkiye to assist in this time of medical disaster.

President made these remarks while speaking at the inauguration ceremony for the sixth annual academic sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Military Medicine (SLCOMM) on the theme of “Resilience of Military Medicine in Times of Crisis,” which was held in Katunayake.

He also said the Government had sent a group of military personnel to Nepal during natural disasters.

“However, I am considering using our military medical personnel to send oversees when people face health disasters. Health disasters occur more frequently than natural disasters, and I would discuss this with the military in order to establish a unit in this regard. So that is a new chapter in the history of military medicine,” he noted.

The President also said the Government will obtain more medicine through the Indian credit line in order to address the shortage of medicine during this crisis situation.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament today (23) that he had sent a message to SJB’s Mujibur Rahman not to resign from his parliamentary seat to run for Colombo mayor.

“I am the one who brought MP Mujibur Rahman to politics. Therefore, I sent him a message not to resign from parliament.”

“Now, some say I postponed the election. I am asking them if there is an election to postpone.”

“The opposition called for a debate not on essential services, but about a postponement of the election. The election has not been postponed. There is no election to postpone.”

“I am not in this debate. I said previously too that I do not want politics involved.”

“The Election Commission too, has gone to court over this election and says it cannot be held. I thought of speaking a few words because of that affidavit given,” the president added.