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Prez AKD vows to eradicate underworld influence in security bodies
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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday revealed that recent investigations have uncovered deep-seated underworld infiltration within the highest echelons of official bodies responsible for public security. He made these remarks while addressing the first Ministerial Consultative Committee meeting of the Defence Ministry at the parliamentary complex.
President Dissanayake assured that decisive measures would be taken to dismantle the underworld’s grip on public security institutions in the near future. “Investigations have disclosed that underworld activities have infiltrated certain individuals within official institutions responsible for ensuring public safety,” he said, underlining the urgency of the issue.
The meeting also saw discussions on the security of court complexes across the country. Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara informed the committee that a proposal has been formulated to enhance security measures in court premises. He noted that the plan includes the adoption of modern technology and a thorough examination of all parties, including lawyers, to bolster security.
Additionally, the issue of lands occupied by military forces in the Northern and Eastern Provinces was raised by MPs, with concerns regarding their return to original owners. Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha stated that a comprehensive reassessment would be conducted, not just for lands in the North and East but across the entire country where tri-forces maintain a presence. He assured that appropriate decisions would be taken following the evaluation.
Among those present at the event were Deputy Speaker Dr Rizvie Salih, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekera, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MPs, the heads of the tri-forces, officials from the Ministry of Defence and its affiliated institutions.
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Higher Education for Children with Special Needs to be Prioritized Under Ministry of Education Supervision – Prime Minister
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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that special attention will be given to the higher education of children with special needs under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.
She made this statement during a meeting held in Parliament on February 22 with representatives from various institutions advocating for the disabled community to discuss strategies for enhancing educational opportunities for individuals with special needs.
During the meeting, the representatives presented a comprehensive proposal developed in line with local and international standards. The proposal addressed several key areas, including strengthening the rights of people with special needs, improving the quality of education for children with disabilities, and introducing higher education opportunities focused to their needs.
The delegation commended the current government for allocating funds in the 2025 budget to improve education for children with autism and for establishing a social security system for orphans.
Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Amarasuriya stated:
“People with special needs must be given the social acceptance required to live normal lives within society. We aim to incorporate this principle into broader initiatives, including the ’Clean Sri Lanka’ project.
Our country has many policies, but the challenge lies in effective implementation. Allocating funds for policy execution is crucial, which is why the 2025 budget specifically earmarks resources for various initiatives.
Under the Ministry of Education’s supervision, we are determined to prioritize higher education for children with special needs and have appointed the necessary personnel to lead this effort.
We are currently preparing for a comprehensive transformation of the education system. Relevant policies will be developed in 2025, with implementation set to begin in 2026. This long-term plan is designed to bring about systemic change, with special emphasis on the education of children with special needs.
Our goal is to ensure that every child with special needs has access to inclusive education in mainstream schools. While this is a substantial process that cannot be completed overnight, we aim to achieve these goals gradually. As a starting point, we are working to make at least one school in each educational administrative zone equipped to accommodate children with special needs,” she said.
The meeting was attended by officials representing the disabled community, including Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva, former Senior Lecturer Dr. T.D.T.L. Dhanapala, and other dignitaries.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Four years RI for SDIG for facilitating release of murder suspect
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The Vavuniya High Court has sentenced former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Lalith Jayasinghe to four years rigorous imprisonment for facilitating the release of a suspect connected to the 2015 murder of schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vidya in Punkudutivu.
High Court Judge M.M. Mihar also imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000 on Jayasinghe, with an additional six-month prison term to be served in the event of non-payment.
Vidya, an 18-year-old schoolgirl from Punkudutivu, was abducted, gang-raped, and murdered in Jaffna on 13 May 2015, while returning home from school. The main suspect, known as ‘Swiss Kumar’, was apprehended by local residents and handed over to the police.
Jayasinghe, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on July 15, 2017, was found guilty of aiding the suspect’s escape while in custody.
The High Court ruled that the prosecution had proven the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge also issued open warrants for the arrest of Sri Gajan, a former Sub-Inspector of the Crime Investigation Division of Kayts Police, who was also named as an accused in the case.
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Sri Lanka’s first ever “Water Battery”
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The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) on Friday announced that it is making significant progress toward launching the Maha Oya Pumped Storage Hydropower Project, Sri Lanka’s first-ever “Water Battery”.
In a statement the Board said this groundbreaking 600 MW initiative will store excess renewable energy from solar and wind sources, ensuring grid stability and supporting Sri Lanka’s goal of generating 70 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2030.
The project, located in Aranayake and Nawalapitiya, will feature two reservoirs connected by a 2.5 km tunnel, operating as a large-scale energy storage system, the CEB stated. Water from the lower reservoir will be pumped to the upper when renewable (solar, wind) energy is available for the purpose.
By reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions, the project will play a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s transition to sustainable energy, it said.
The CEB aims to secure long-term funding from international agencies to minimize impacts on electricity tariffs while ensuring affordability for consumers, the statement said.
The Maha Oya project represents a major step toward energy independence, providing grid support for renewable energy absorption while fostering economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability, the Board added.
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