News
Ambassador Aryasinha calls on OSLs in the US to support economic promotion and strengthen advocacy in SL
Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha called on Overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs) in the US to support economic promotion and strengthen advocacy of Sri Lanka.
He said, while engaging with the US Government and State bodies to advance Sri Lanka’s political, economic, defense and socio-cultural cooperation, the Mission will reach out to all OSLs and seek to upgrade its service to the Community – both directly and in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate in Los Angeles, the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, and the Honorary Consuls spread through the country.
Ambassador Aryasinha made this call as he began work on December 14 as Sri Lanka’s Appointed Ambassador to the USA, following multi-religious observances at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington D.C.
He earlier assumed duties while in quarantine on December 1, 2020.
A representative each from the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic religions attended a simple ceremony organized by the staff of the Embassy to mark the occasion, while the Chief Priests from several Sri Lankan Buddhist Temples in Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York and Arlington joined the gathering via zoom.
The proceedings began with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the religious dignitaries, flanked by the Ambassador.
Conducting Buddhist Religious observances, the Most Venarable Katugastota Uparatana Thero, Chief Priest of Maryland Buddhist Vihara and Chief Sanganayake of North America, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings of the Noble Triple on the Ambassador and staff. The Most Venerable Dr. Aggamaha Panditha Walpola Piyananda Nayake Thero of the Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara addressing the gathering, while recalling the outreach made to the Sri Lanka community during his previous posting in Washington D.C., also appreciated the pivotal diplomatic role played by Ambassador Aryasinha over the years in defence of the motherland.
Swami Ragupathi Kurukkal observed Hindu religious observances and blessed the Ambassador with a recital of Hindu prayers. The Kurukkal also noted the exemplary services of Ambassador Aryasinha for the unity and betterment of Sri Lanka’s communal harmony.
Rev. Father Dilantha Arachchilage of the Baptist Church in Potomac conducted Christian prayers and offered his blessings to the Ambassador and staff. The Rev Father emphasized the importance of involving the youth in order to harness their potential for community related events and activities.
Seyed Rizwan Mowlana, representing the Islam faith, recited verses from the Quran and invoked blessings on the Ambassador and staff. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of celebrating Sri Lanka’s important religious and cultural events in Washington DC, which he said would go a long way for the revival of unity in diversity.
More than 108,000 complaints of child abuse had been received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) between 2015 and 2025, Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj told Parliament yesterday.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa under Standing Order 27/2, the Minister said 4,421 child abuse cases were pending before High Courts as of April 30 this year, with indictments already filed against the accused.
She said the NCPA was working with 47 Police Child and Women Protection Bureaus under the Police Children and Women Abuse Prevention Division to expedite the hearing and conclusion of these cases.
The Minister said measures were also being taken to protect child victims during legal proceedings by introducing a system to record their evidence through video in a safe and child-friendly environment, thereby reducing the need for them to appear in court.
She said discussions were underway with the Ministries of Health and Mass Media and other relevant institutions to establish nine provincial video evidence recording units.
by Saman Indrajith ✍️
The Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed a writ petition seeking to postpone the 2026 G.C.E. A/L Examination by two months.
The petition, filed by a group of students due to sit the examination for the first and second time, sought an order delaying the examination, which is scheduled to commence next month.
The Court announced its decision after considering submissions made in support of the application and declined to grant leave to proceed with the petition.
As a result, the 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be held as scheduled in August.
Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake yesterday criticised the conduct of MP Archchuna Ramanathan in Parliament, describing the behaviour of certain lawmakers as “uncivilised, disgraceful and indecent”, while a heated exchange followed between government and opposition members.
Rathnayake made the remarks when Ramanathan attempted to raise a point of order during parliamentary proceedings.
“This parliament has one or two members who behave in a very uncivilised, disgraceful manner. We tolerate them because one of them is mentally ill,” Rathnayake said.
He alleged that Ramanathan had insulted even members of the Tamil community.
“The things he says may not be heard through the microphone, but the four walls of this Parliament are witnesses,” Rathnayake said, adding that Ramanathan’s conduct was not limited to Parliament.
He claimed that the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee meeting could not be held due to Ramanathan’s behaviour and said MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam had written to the Speaker stating that he could not sit near him.
The Speaker intervened during the exchange, warning Ramanathan not to behave in a manner that would turn Parliament into “a joke”. He also said the MP had previously addressed him in an insulting manner.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the manner in which Rathnayake and the Speaker had addressed the matter, saying MPs should not be spoken to improperly and urging members to follow parliamentary Standing Orders.
Ramanathan, responding to the remarks, said: “I may be a psycho, but I am not a homosexual.”
by Saman Indrajith ✍️
Child abuse crisis: 108,000 complaints reported in 10 years
CA dismisses writ petition seeking postponement of A/L exam
Bimal’s remarks on MP’s conduct spark heated exchange in Parliament
SC rules fundamental rights of Aragalaya activist were violated
TRINEX-26 naval exercise begins off Trincomalee coast
Court defers hearing of GR’s Easter Sunday petition
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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