News
Japan interest in developments in Indian Ocean high level conference
Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata visited the Pathfinder Foundation headquarters at River Point in Peliyagoda at the invitation of Milinda Moragoda, the Founder of the Pathfinder Foundation. After receiving a briefing on the relationship the Foundation has developed with Japan over the two decades, Moragoda briefed the Ambassador on the special relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka since Sri Lanka’s independence in 1944, the high esteem with which Sri Lankans regard Japan and its people, and the vital role Japan has played in Sri Lankan development projects over the last several decades. Moragoda expressed that Japan will demonstrate its continued interest in the developments in the Indian Ocean by participating in the conference at a high level.
The Ambassador was also briefed on Japan’s role in the Foundation’s work that led to the ‘Trincomalee Consultations’ held in 2017 and 2019. He highlighted that the next round of the Indian Ocean Security Conference, scheduled for Spring 2026.
Ambassador Isomata was assisted by Shinichi Murata, the First Secretary and Head of the Political Section of the Embassy. The Pathfinder team comprised Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairperson of the Foundation; A. A. Jawad, Director; and Gayathri Nanayakkara, Manager (Programmes).
As part of the visit, the Ambassador and his delegation, together with senior members from the Pathfinder Foundation, boarded the Foundation’s river boat ‘Mahanaga’ and sailed to the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya.
A specialists committee has been appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation adhering to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 29.12.2025 for submitting appropriate recommendations analyzing the provisions of the draft bill formulation in regard to Animal Welfare.
Based on the recommendations of the said Committee, the Legal Draftsman has been instructed at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 18.05.2026 to prepare the final bill on the animal welfare.
Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the draft bill and the clearance of the Attorney General has been received in the connection.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to publish the said draft bill in the
Government Gazette Notification and subsequently forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Under the legal provisions for elections in this country since 2004, it is mandatory for voters who come to mark their votes to verify their identity through a valid identity card, and it is also mandatory for all such voters to be marked with an appropriate mark using indelible ink. The dual purpose of these two functions is to prevent a voter from voting more than once in a single election.
It has been observed that having to follow two different
methods at the same time to achieve the same objective hinders the efficiency of the duties performed at the polling stations and also incurs additional costs to the government.
Therefore, it has been deemed appropriate to remove the legal provisions regarding the use of indelible ink and marking the voter with the appropriate mark from all election acts.
Accordingly, the development activities of the province, as well as national security, will benefit. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the
President to take necessary steps to remove the legal provisions
• Section 36 of the presidential Election Act, No 15 of 1981
• Section 38 of the Parliamentary Election Act, No 01 of 1981
• Section 36 of the Provincial Council Election Act, No 02 of 1988
• Section 53 A of the Local Government Elections Ordinance (262 Authority)
• Section 21 of the Referendum Act No 7 of 1981
News
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 24 JUNE 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 24 June 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expectedat times over the Western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
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Legal provisions on marking voters using indelible ink during elections removed
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
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