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Russia honours Sri Lankan front-line graduates who fought against Covid-19

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A ceremony titled ‘Evening of Friendship’ was held at the Russian Center in Colombo in recognition of the efforts of Russian/USSR graduate front-liners who fought against Covid-19.

The event was organized jointly with the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist Countries and the Sri Lanka-Russia Friendship Society.

The chief guest was Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and former Director-General of Health Services, Vice Chairman of the 146th Executive Board of the WHO, who led the campaign to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Sunil de Alvis, Additional Secretary (Medical Services), Ministry of Health, who made a significant contribution towards overcoming the threat of the pandemic in Sri Lanka, was the guest of honor.

The event was attended by Susil Premajayantha, State Minister of Education Reforms, Promotion of Open Universities and Distance Learning, President of Sri Lanka- Russia Friendship Society, Yury Materiy, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives and Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, former Sri Lankan Ambassador in Russia and General Secretary of Sri Lanka – Russia Friendship Society.

The official part of the event comprised honoring the contribution of the outstanding Soviet/Russian Alumni towards fighting Covid-19 in Sri Lanka, a photo exhibition, and a ceremony to present souvenirs to the graduates to acknowledge their selfless efforts.

Addressing the audience, Anastasia Khokhlova, First Secretary of the Russian Embassy and Director of the Russian Centre in Colombo, noted that Russia acknowledges its graduates as one of the main assets of bilateral cooperation.

“I’m honored to acknowledge that the utmost contribution in this battle against the pandemic threat was carried out by the Russian/Soviet alumni, Dr. Anil Jasinghe and Dr. Sunil De Alwis with many other graduates of various spheres of education, who did a great lot to successfully prevent the spread of the dangerous disease in Sri Lanka”, she noted.

“It is the best compliment for us that the fundamental base for your utmost professionalism was laid at Russian universities and cradled by our country”, she added.

Tokens of appreciation were presented by Ambassador Yuri Materi to acknowledge the contribution of Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Dr. Sunil De Alwis, Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni, CMC’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, SSP Dr. Ravi Basnayake, Police Hospital, Dr. Geethika Guruge, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health, Public Health Department, CMC, Dr. Dinu Guruge, Regional Epidemiologist, Colombo CMC, Dr. Dhammike Adhikarawatta, Public Health Officer, CMC, Dr. Kapila Sooriyaarachchi, Head of Health Promotion Division, Public Health Department, Dr. Sudanthika Wijesooriya in charge of Corona Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital and Dr. Theja  Huruggamuwa, Covid Unit, General Hospital, Kalutara.

A cultural program by the students of the School of Music and the School of Ballet and Dance of the Russian Centre in Colombo added color to the event.



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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

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The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura effective from 0400hrs on 12th June 2026 to 0400hrs on 13th June 2026

Accordingly,
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Palindanuwara in the Kalutara district, Doluwa in the Kandy district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ayagama, Ratnapura, Godakawela, Kalawana and Nivitigala in the Ratnapura district

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Wife, counsel seek regular access to ex-Spy Chief Sallay held under President’s detention order

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Suresh Sallay

Wife of former State Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Suresh Sallay has asked CID Director retired SSP Shani Abeysekera to allow her, her family members and lawyers to visit her husband in the National Hospital, Colombo. Sallay’s counsel has also written to Abeysekera, asking for permission to visit the former spy held on a detention order signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The text of Manori’s letter: “I respectfully request your assistance in granting me, and my daughter or alternatively my son, permission to visit my husband, Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently at the National Hospital, Colombo.

“As you are aware, my husband is presently engaged in a fast-unto-death campaign. His physical condition and emotional well-being are of deep concern to our family. During this difficult period, the presence and support of his immediate family are extremely important to him.

“I firmly believe that regular visits from me with our daughter or our son would help uplift his spirits, provide him with much-needed emotional strength, and may encourage him to reconsider continuing this course of action. Family support can play a vital role in preserving his mental and emotional health while he remains hospitalised.

“In view of these exceptional circumstances, I kindly request that permission be granted for either me and my daughter or my son to visit him daily during the period of his hospitalisation.

“I would be most grateful for your compassionate consideration of this request.”

“The text of the counsel’s letter: “I write in my capacity as Counsel for Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is presently under detention and admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo.

As you are aware, Major General Sallay has embarked on a fast-unto-death campaign, giving rise to serious concerns regarding his physical and mental well-being. In these circumstances, it is imperative that I be granted reasonable and regular access to my client during his hospitalisation.

As his legal representative, I have a professional obligation to monitor his condition and obtain instructions from him so that I may accurately apprise the relevant courts of his health status and any developments affecting his rights and welfare. Effective legal representation requires continuous communication with my client, particularly in light of the grave circumstances presently confronting him.

I also wish to respectfully highlight that Major General Sallay has placed explicit trust and confidence in me as his counsel. Indeed, I was the first person he contacted following his arrest.

Given the trust he reposes in me, I believe I am uniquely positioned to engage with him constructively and persuade him to discontinue this campaign and instead place his confidence in the legal remedies and judicial processes available to him.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that I be granted permission to visit my client on a daily basis during the period of his hospitalization.

Such access would not only facilitate the discharge of my professional responsibilities but may also contribute meaningfully towards safeguarding his health and encouraging a resolution through lawful and institutional means.

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CIABOC summons Yoshitha over his participation in British Navy training programme

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Yoshitha

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who served as a Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Navy, has now been summoned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption next Tuesday (16) for questioning over his participation in a Royal Navy training programme in the United Kingdom outside established procedures.

The Commission is expected to record statements in relation to several complaints received regarding his recruitment and subsequent service in the Navy after he enlisted on December 14, 2006.

According to sources, the investigation focuses on allegations concerning the educational qualifications considered at the time of his enlistment, as well as foreign training opportunities he is said to have received while in service, which are suspected to have been granted in violation of due process.

The Bribery Commission has launched the inquiry under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, officials said.

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