News
Programme launched to keep Adam’s ’s Peak clean
A national programme launched jointly by ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ and the Ministry of Environment commenced on the 25th of November with the aim of protecting the ecosystem of the Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) sacred site and enhancing facilities for pilgrims during the Sri Pada pilgrimage season.
In line with this initiative, a comprehensive clean-up operation has been launched to remove all accumulated waste, especially in hard-to-reach areas and around the ‘Siripa Maluwa’, in order to mitigate further pollution from polythene and plastic products.
This Special Clean-Up Operation, carried out under the leadership of the Sri Lanka Army and the Special Task Force (STF), will continue until November 29.
The concluding event of the first phase will be the “Clean Sri Lanka One-Day Shramadana Programme” on November 29, engaging approximately 3,000 persons at the Nallathanniya and Palabaddala access routes.
In line with the objective of making Adam’s Peak a plastic- and polythene-free zone, steps have been taken to ban PET bottles under one litre, single-use polythene and plastic items and polythene-based products such as sachets during this season.
Additionally, the Sri Lanka Navy will conduct the “Navy Clean-Up Operation” on December 13 and 14, focusing on cleaning the environment surrounding the Maussakelle Reservoir.
Furthermore, as part of long-term initiatives, there are plans to standardize the water and sanitary facilities at the Adam’s Peak site, create quality shops along both sides of the road, set up a hospital with necessary amenities near Nallathanniya and establish a secure parking area.
This project is implemented under the coordination of the Clean Sri Lanka Programme with the support of the Ministry of Public Administration, the District Secretariats of Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura, the Tri-Forces, the local authorities of Ratnapura, Hatton-Dickoya, Ambagamuwa and Norwood, Sri Lanka Police, volunteer groups, environmental organisations and several public and private institutions.
New controversy erupts over missing USD 2.5 mn:
Public interest activist Nagananda Kodituwakku has sought citizenship details of Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.
According to a letter dated 28 April, addressed to the relevant department, Solicitor England and Wales Kodituwakku sought the required information in terms of Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act No 3 of 1982 of Australia. Suriyapperuma is also the Secretary to the Treasury.
The former Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Suriyapperuma (from November 2024 to June 2025) is embroiled in a deepening controversy over the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
The leader of the Vinivida Foundation said that he intended to move court against Suriyapperuma for entering Parliament through the NPP National List in violation of the country’s Constitution (Article 91(1)(d)(xiiii).
Kodituwakku said: “This is clearly an accountability and integrity issue and violation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and also this act contravenes the law of a member in the Commonwealth.”
USD 2.5 mn paid to a third party was meant to be an instalment of a loan taken from Australia. Suriyapperuma neither responded to an SMS nor answered his hand phone.
Geetha Kumarasinghe (UPFA/Galle District) and Diana Gamage (SJB National List) lost their seats in 2017 and 2024, respectively, over citizenship issues.
Meanwhile, public interest group ‘Free Lawyers’ that exposed the theft of Treasury funds questioned the failure on the part of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), to pressure President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to temporarily remove Suriyapperuma to facilitate unhindered investigations.
On behalf of ‘Free Lawyers’, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday expressed concern over the way the CoPF, under SJBer de Silva’s leadership, handled the issue at hand. Issuing an open letter, Tennakoon, urged the CoPF chief to explain his stand on a spate of vital issues which needed to be addressed without any further delay.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
News
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara (Sue Tue Nhan) at the conclusion of the 161 km ‘International Peace Walk’ in Colombo yesterday. The Bo-sapling will be taken to the US by the spiritual leader. Pic by Sujata Jayaratne
Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday revealed that a USD 625,000 payment made by Sri Lanka’s Department of Posts to the US Postal Service (USPS) had not been received by the intended party.
The declaration was made at the post-Cabinet media briefing.
According to the Minister, an investigation has been initiated into the incident.
The Minister said that an investigation was underway within the Sri Lanka Postal Department regarding the missing funds paid to the US Postal Service.
He added that the US Postal Service has indicated the non-receipt of a payment amounting to USD 625,000, and that investigations were being conducted by both the Postal Department and the CID to determine how the incident occurred.
Treasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
USD 625,000 meant for US Postal Service goes missing
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Mattala Wildlife Unit to boost revenue, tourism and investor confidence
NPP drowning in sea of scams
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