News
Cardinal complains to Court of Appeal about possible disaster
By Chitra Weerarathne
President’s Counsel, Sanjeewa Jayawardena yesterday explained to the Court of Appeal that his client, His Eminence Malcom Cardinal Ranjith was of the opinion that there were 6,000 imported swords and daggers circulating in the country.
Out of that number, 600 had been purchased by Mohammad Saththar, who had given them to Mohammad Insfar, allegedly connected to the Easter Sunday attack of April 21, 2019, the counsel said.
The Cardinal believed that there were 21 explosive devices illegally imported into the country. He had even written to the Head of State requesting a thorough investigation into the impending national disaster, Jayawardena said.
Among the respondents, cited in the petition are IGP C. D. Wickramaratne, Defence Secretary General (retd.) Kamal Gunaratne, the Chief of National Intelligence Maj. Gen (retd.) Ruwan Kulatunga and a few other senior security officers.
The Court of Appeal issued notice on all the respondents returnable on March 05. The petitioner was directed to issue notice within three weeks.
Sanjeewa Jayawardena, PC appeared with Rukshan Senadheera, for the Cardinal the complainant.
The Court of Appeal Bench comprised Justice Arjuna Obeysekera (President) and Justice Mayadunna Corea.
During the Easter Sunday attack on April 21, 2019, members of an Islamist organization National Thawheed Jamaat, led by Zahran Hashim, blew themselves up in a number of locations around the country killing more than 250 people and injuring about 500 others.
News
Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.
She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.
The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations. 
The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.
Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.
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Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Free 14 day visa extension for visitors unable to depart Sri Lanka
US embassy in Dubai hit; Israel pounds Tehran, Beirut
Perera, Sugandika, Ranaweera take Sri Lanka to T20I series win over West Indies
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