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Prez returns home amidst controversy over participation at Royal funeral

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe seated in the audience before the commencement of a meeting in the UK, arranged by Sri Lanka HC in London. From left: High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, first lady Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe and former UNP MP Ruwan Wijewardene (Pic courtesy PMD).

‘UNP Deputy Leader not on the delegation though being in the UK’

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Office says that Presidential Advisor on Climate Change and Deputy Leader of the UNP, Ruwan Wijewardene, hadn’t been a member of the government delegation to the UK for the funeral ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey.

According to the President’s Office, the former UNP MP Wijewardene had been on a private visit, though he joined a meeting addressed by President Wickremesinghe on Monday (19).

The President’s Office said so in response to criticism both in and outside Parliament, of the cash-strapped country squandering precious foreign exchange at a time the country was virtually begging for USD 2.9 bn loan facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The President’s Office emphasized that Wickremesinghe had been accompanied by his Private Secretary Sandra Perera and his Director on International Relations, Dinouk Colombage. In addition to them, the President’s official doctor also accompanied the delegation.

First Lady Senior Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe accompanied the President at her personal expense, the President’s Office said.

The President’s Office issued the clarification in the wake of Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Kumara Welgama condemning the government for wasting money. Lawmaker Welgama pointed out that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, too, had been accompanied by large delegations during foreign visits.

President Wickremesinghe yesterday (21) morning returned to the country. The Sri Lankan delegation left the country on Sept 17 on the invitation of the UK, the President’s Office said, adding that some lawmakers and a section of the social media sought to mislead the public (SF)



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INS Sindhukesari arrives in Colombo

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INS Sindhukesari, a submarine serving in the Indian Navy, arrived at the port of Colombo on 03 May 26 to undertake Operational Turnarounds.

The visiting submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in precision with naval traditions.

Throughout its stay in the island, the submarine’s crew is scheduled to participate in a variety of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, including visits to several tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.

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Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum

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Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.

This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.

The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.

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Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed

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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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