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Let us all strive to create a space where language does not create dividing, but rather a medium that unites all individuals from diverse backgrounds – PM

Published

6 months ago

2025/07/8

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that following the policy statement “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life”, national policies must be implemented in such a way that every citizen can access essential services in their respective mother tongues as well as in sign language.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the closing ceremony of the National Languages Week “Path to Reconciliation”, organized by the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, held at the Sri Lanka Foundation on Monday (07th of July).

The National Languages Week, held under the theme “Talk Together – Live Together”, commenced on 01st of July, marking the National Languages Day, and continued for seven days and the closing ceremony was held under the participation of the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harsha Nanayakkar

The Prime Minister stated:
“National Languages Week is not just a time to focus on and acknowledge language policy but also it highlights the critical role of the language that fosters identity, respect, and in building a peaceful society that brings all people together.

If certain communities feel that they do not have the opportunity to communicate in their own language at crucial institutions like courts, police stations, schools, state institutions, or administrative offices, then this is not merely an issue of service delivery. In such circumstances, people may genuinely begin to feel that they are excluded. Therefore, it is essential to ensure equal linguistic rights and dignity for all ethnic groups.

Therefore, we must create schools where Sinhala and Tamil students can learn each other’s languages, hospitals where patients can express their symptoms in the language they feel most comfortable in and receive respectful care, and a justice system where citizens can seek justice in a language they understand.

These are not luxury privileges but fundamental conditions that should practically exist in a society rooted in harmony.

Accordingly, the new educational reforms beginning in 2026 will incorporate teaching methods that emphasize the importance of all languages in the country and highlight language as something beyond just a subject. That is why such reforms have been introduced.

Addressing the event, Minister of Justice and National Unity Harsha Nanayakkara said:

Even though we may not share the same past, we certainly share a common future that we can build together. On this National Languages Day, let us all commit ourselves to building a Sri Lanka that thrives on genuine reconciliation and vibrant unity.

At the closing ceremony of National Languages Week, awards and certificates were presented by the Prime Minister to the winners of the model essay competition held at school level by the Official Languages Commission, and to those who passed the National Language Proficiency Examinations conducted by the Department of Official Languages.

The event was attended by the High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Deputy Minister of National Integration Mr. Muneer Mulaffar, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinadasa, along with other state and diplomatic officials, students, and the general public.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas

Published

5 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.

Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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Easter Sunday attacks: Govt. says wife of Katuwapitiya Church bomber alive

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sara Jasmine

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday that information uncovered during ongoing investigations indicated that Pulasthini Mahendran, also known as Sara Jasmine, linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, was not dead.

Responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Mujibur Rahuman, the Minister said there was no confirmation that Sara Jasmine was currently in India, despite speculation to that effect. He added that investigators suspected she may have fled the country and stressed that further inquiries were underway to establish her whereabouts.

“If necessary, the government will take steps to obtain a warrant,” Wijepala said, noting that legal action related to the Easter attacks had already been initiated, based on available evidence.

Minister Wijepala said the new government had launched an thorough probe to determine whether a political or other conspiracy had been behind the attacks that killed more than 270 people in 2019. However, he declined to disclose certain details in Parliament, citing the risk of hampering investigations.

Sara Jasmine, Mohammed Hashtun, who bombed St. Sebastian’s Church, in Katuwapitiya, in 2019, was long presumed to have died in a suicide blast in Sainthamaruthu, days after the attacks. Wijepala said attempts by previous administrations to establish her death had failed, with recent reports indicating that DNA tests conducted at the time were inconclusive.

During the debate, MP Rahuman recalled that senior figures, including then-Opposition MP Nalinda Jayatissa, had previously claimed Sara Jasmine was in India. He questioned why authorities had not sought an open warrant for her arrest whether the issue had been raised in talks with Indian officials.

Wijepala, responding on behalf of Deputy Minister of Defence Arun Jayasekara, said the government would not hesitate to pursue legal action, including warrants, if necessary.

By Saman Indrajith

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Indian Army Chief here

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

BIA staff welcoming Chief of the Indian Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, who arrived here yesterday (07)

The Chief of the Indian Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (07). On arrival, the COAS was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army.

The Indian HC said that: “He will engage with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Deputy Minister of Defence and the Defence Secretary; and hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training cooperation, capacity building and regional security.

During the visit, the COAS will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala, reflecting India’s strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka.

General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers.”

General Dwivedi arrived here from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he attended several events during 05 to 06 January.