News
Drug barons will face justice, no escape: DS
Defence Secretary, retired Air Vice Marshall Sampath Thuyyakontha, on Saturday (02) asserted that drug traffickers would not be allowed to evade the law under any circumstances.He made these remarks to the media after calling on the Mahanayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters in Kandy and receiving their blessings.
Addressing the media, Thuyyakontha said the inflow of narcotics into the country had been significantly reduced, compared to previous years, attributing the progress to the efforts of the Tri-Forces and the Police.
He noted that key figures behind major drug trafficking networks were operating from overseas, adding that authorities were taking steps to apprehend such individuals and secure their extradition to Sri Lanka.
“No one will be allowed to evade justice,” he said.
The Defence Secretary also mentioned that Sri Lanka had been afforded an opportunity to contribute personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, with plans underway to deploy Tri-Forces members to Haiti, in the near future.
Describing the deployment as a significant opportunity, he added that measures were also being taken to address a minor shortage of personnel, within the security forces.
Thuyyakontha further clarified that he had no intention of entering parliamentary politics.
Earlier, he visited the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, including Mahanayake Theros Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero and Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, as well as Anunayake Thero Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Thero, to receive blessings. He also visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa for religious observances.
Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
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