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Japanese support for de-mining operations continue

Published

6 months ago

2025/11/5

Ambassador Isomata addresses the media while retired Colonel Sarath Jayawardena looks on (pic courtesy Japanese embassy)

Japanese Ambassador in Colombo Akio Isomata recently signed a grant contract for a demining project in terms of “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)”, with Sarath Jayawardhana, Programme Manager of the Skavita Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project (SHARP).

The Government of Japan has provided USD 477,185 (approx. Rs. 144million) for this project, which will be implemented by SHARP, to support its humanitarian demining activities in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, the Japanese embassy said.

Under this new project, more than 180,000 m2 of land is expected to be made mine-free, allowing approx. 600 people to return to the land and approx. 1,500 people in the surrounding areas to expand their economic activities. Japan has been a major donor in demining activities in Sri Lanka since 2002, and the total assistance amounts to over USD 48 million.

Expressing deepest gratitude to SHARP for its dedication and untiring efforts, and reiterating Japan’s commitment to continued assistance, Ambassador ISOMATA said: “During President Dissanayake’s visit to Japan last month, President expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued assistance in demining activities in Sri Lanka, recognizing the assistance as impacting positively towards national reconciliation, and supporting community empowerment and post-conflict development in the North and East. Japan appreciates these kind words of recognition extended by the President. In the summit meeting between the two leaders in Tokyo, both sides also affirmed the importance of addressing socio-economic challenges of conflict-affected communities in the North and East. Bearing in mind that national reconciliation and socio-economic development are closely interconnected, the Japanese side reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its support for the development of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.”

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Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:

Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage

The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.

The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.

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Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

(File pic)

Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).

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CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict

Published

9 hours ago

2026/05/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

CJ Surasena

‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’

Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.

Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.

‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.

Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.

Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.

Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.

Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.

By Shamindra Ferdinando