News
Lanka’s first woman envoy to Suriname presents credentials
On 20th August, 2026, as first woman Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Suriname, with residence in Brasilia, Brazil, Ambassador C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne presented her Letters of Credence, to President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons of the Republic of Suriname, at the Presidential Palace, Independence Square, Paramaribo, Suriname. Ambassador Chaminda Colonne conveyed warm best wishes from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons of Suriname, said a release issued by the Lankan Embassy in Brasilia said.
It said: The ceremony was included with the guard of honour at the arrival of the Ambassador. Minister of Foreign Affairs; International Business and Cooperation Melvin Waldie Joy Bouva of Suriname joined the Ceremony.
After warmly welcoming the Ambassador Chaminda Colonne, President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons assured her fullest cooperation and support for furthering and consolidating Suriname’s friendly relations and cooperation with Sri Lanka during her new tenure of office. President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons conveyed that her government seeks to share Sri Lanka’s knowledge and best practices in the fields of economic recovery and sustainable energy, with a view to the further development of the Surinamese energy sector and expressed Suriname’s appreciation for Sri Lanka’s leading role as the founding member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Ambassador Chaminda Colonne congratulated President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons on her election as the very first woman President of Suriname and recalled that Sri Lanka had produced the world’s first woman Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1960, and highlighted that she will be the first lady Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Suriname.
Both recalled that the two countries enjoyed over a decade of warm bilateral relations after establishment of formal Diplomatic relations in 2012. They recalled Suriname’s deep historical connections to South Asia, cooperation in Non-Aligned Movement, G- 77 and importance of exchange of high-level visits, having MoU on Exemption of Visa for Diplomatic and Official Passports, MoU on Political Consultations between the two Foreign Ministries, establishing Sri Lanka-Suriname Parliamentary Friendship Group, enhancing South- South Cooperation.
Both agreed further expanding existing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture, education, culture, ayurvedic medicine and tourism. As Suriname has become a prominent offshore oil producer, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne conveyed Sri Lanka’s keen interest on joint venture opportunities in Suriname’s booming oil and gas sector, where expanding digital infrastructure could use Sri Lanka’s ICT expertise in manufacturing and IT services. Both sides agreed to discuss to improve the two countries sea route connectivity through port-to-port connections. Increasing Sri Lanka’s exports, such as cinnamon, tea, activated carbon apparel, rubber products, tyres, coconut-based products and Suriname’s participation at Sri Lanka Expo-2027, between 14-17 January, 2027, were also discussed.
On 19th August 2026, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne presented her open copies of letters of Credence to Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation Melvin Waldie Joy Bouva at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation. Permanent Secretary Ambassador Mariam Mac Intosh and Amberien Pierkhan of the Asia Department joined the discussions. The Ambassador also paid a courtesy call on Chief of Diplomatic Protocol Ambassador Audrey Christopher of the Foreign Ministry of Suriname.
During her stay in Suriname, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne paid courtesy calls on Minister of Education, Science and Culture Dirk M.R. Currie and Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname Michal A. Adhin of Suriname and had meetings with President Anil Pandarath of the Chamber of Commerce and Factories (KKF), Executive Director Nijanthrie Kuldip Singh of Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA) and Chairman Egon von Foidl of Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHATA).
Advisory for strong winds and rough seas for Multi-day boats in the Bay of Bengal deep sea areas
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 05.00 p.m. 18 September 2026, valid for the next 24 hours.
PLEASE BE AWARE!
The atmospheric disturbance to the North of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, is likely to develop into a low pressure area within the next 24 hours.
Due to its influence, wind speed over the Bay of Bengal sea areas will increase during the next few days starting from
tomorrow (19th).
The wind speed in the sea areas marked under the “Advisory” category on the map below will increase to 55-65 kmph at times and those sea areas will be rough or very rough at times.
Navel and fishing communities engaging the activities over this sea area are advised to be vigilant and be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the department of Meteorology in this regards.
Text and Pic by Priyan de Silva
Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake has questioned whether some promises contained in the National People’s Power (NPP) manifesto, A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life, could be fulfilled even if the government wanted to implement them.
Dissanayake raised the issue during a discussion following the release of the third biannual report on manifesto monitoring by the March 12 Movement, at the BMICH, on Wednesday.
He questioned whether the report had taken into account legal and institutional constraints affecting the implementation of certain pledges.
Citing the proposal to establish Anti-Corruption Investigation Offices in each district, Dissanayake said such offices could be established only with the agreement of CIABOC and that amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act would be necessary.
He also referred to the pledge to abolish the Executive Presidency, noting that successive governments had made similar commitments since 1994. He questioned whether there had been adequate consideration of where the powers vested in the Executive President would be transferred if the system were abolished.
On the proposal to establish a Public Prosecutor, Dissanayake questioned whether the Government intended to maintain the office alongside the Attorney General, who currently performs prosecution-related functions.
Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) Manjula Gajanayake said Dissanayake’s remarks should be regarded as his personal views and not as Government policy.
Monitoring and Evaluation Consultants M. Thilakarajah and D.D. Mataharaarachchi presented the third-phase findings, covering January to June 2026.
The corruption case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Navy Commander, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, and Yoshitha Rajapaksa was set for a pre-trial conference by the Colombo High Court.
The case was taken up before the Colombo High Court on Thursday (17), when the accused, who are currently out on bail, appeared before the court. After considering the submissions made, the court ordered that the case be called for a pre-trial conference.
The CIABOC had filed the case against the accused, alleging that a corruption offence was committed by sending Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, for training at the Royal Naval College in the United Kingdom despite him not having the required qualifications.
Advisory for strong winds and rough seas for Multi-day boats in the Bay of Bengal
Showers in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya Districts
Some NPP manifesto promises may be difficult to fulfil – CIABOC DG
Yoshitha and ex-Navy chief Karannagoda’s case fixed for PTC
Court orders probe into Wimal’s rally speech
Court to rule on Dilith’s writ petition on September 30
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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