News
Speaker, US Embassy officials discuss parliamentary training support initiatives
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramarathne held a courtesy meeting with officials of the United States Embassy in Colombo on 17 March, 2026, to discuss proposed training and capacity-building initiatives for Parliament, under the House Democracy Partnership (HDP).
The discussions focused on a series of programmes aimed at strengthening parliamentary functions, with officials seeking the Speaker’s guidance and approval for their implementation. The meeting also recalled the visit of a delegation of US congressional staff, under the HDP, in August 2025, during which Members of Parliament, and officials, expressed interest in enhancing capacity in areas such as parliamentary oversight and public finance.
Building on those engagements, the HDP has secured funding to support training programmes and expert-led discussions for the Sri Lankan Parliament. Political Economic Counsellor Anthony Pirnot said proposed areas of cooperation include training sessions and workshops led by US experts on parliamentary practices, as well as targeted engagements with the Committee on Public Finance and the Parliament Budget Office on budget scrutiny and financial oversight. Broader sessions are also planned through the Sri Lanka–United States Parliamentary Friendship Association to facilitate wider participation of MPs.
During the meeting, the Speaker expressed appreciation for the continued support of the HDP and the US Embassy, and conveyed his backing for the proposed initiatives. He also noted recent reforms, including amendments to Standing Orders enabling the referral of findings of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) to the Attorney General for legal action.
The Speaker further said plans are underway to establish a Parliamentary Study Centre to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of Members of Parliament and local government representatives.
Secretary-General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera also attended the meeting. The U.S. delegation included Anthony Pirnot, Political Officer Adam Michelow, and Political Specialist Nazreen Marikkar.
Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Sindurala arrived at the port of Visakhapatnam in India on 17 September 2026, to participate in the bilateral naval exercise ‘SLINEX – 2026’.
The Indian Navy formally welcomed the SLN vessel upon its arrival, adhering to naval traditions.
The joint exercise will take place on 20 and 21 September in the seas off the east coast of India. On 18 September, the Commanding Officer SLNS Sindurala, Captain Sunanda Appuhamy, held official discussions with Commander Suraj Aiyappa, Commanding Officer Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kavaratti, aboard both vessels.
The annual exercise aims to enhance cooperation, interoperability, and professional exchange between the two navies. During the exercise, crew members from SLNS Sindurala will also participate in several professional and cultural exchanges organized by the Indian Navy.
Advisory for strong winds and rough seas for Multi-day boats in the Bay of Bengal deep sea areas
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 05.00 p.m. 18 September 2026, valid for the next 24 hours.
PLEASE BE AWARE!
The atmospheric disturbance to the North of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, is likely to develop into a low pressure area within the next 24 hours.
Due to its influence, wind speed over the Bay of Bengal sea areas will increase during the next few days starting from
tomorrow (19th).
The wind speed in the sea areas marked under the “Advisory” category on the map below will increase to 55-65 kmph at times and those sea areas will be rough or very rough at times.
Navel and fishing communities engaging the activities over this sea area are advised to be vigilant and be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the department of Meteorology in this regards.
Text and Pic by Priyan de Silva
Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake has questioned whether some promises contained in the National People’s Power (NPP) manifesto, A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life, could be fulfilled even if the government wanted to implement them.
Dissanayake raised the issue during a discussion following the release of the third biannual report on manifesto monitoring by the March 12 Movement, at the BMICH, on Wednesday.
He questioned whether the report had taken into account legal and institutional constraints affecting the implementation of certain pledges.
Citing the proposal to establish Anti-Corruption Investigation Offices in each district, Dissanayake said such offices could be established only with the agreement of CIABOC and that amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act would be necessary.
He also referred to the pledge to abolish the Executive Presidency, noting that successive governments had made similar commitments since 1994. He questioned whether there had been adequate consideration of where the powers vested in the Executive President would be transferred if the system were abolished.
On the proposal to establish a Public Prosecutor, Dissanayake questioned whether the Government intended to maintain the office alongside the Attorney General, who currently performs prosecution-related functions.
Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) Manjula Gajanayake said Dissanayake’s remarks should be regarded as his personal views and not as Government policy.
Monitoring and Evaluation Consultants M. Thilakarajah and D.D. Mataharaarachchi presented the third-phase findings, covering January to June 2026.
SLNS Sindurala arrives in Visakhapatnam for SLINEX 2026
Advisory for strong winds and rough seas for Multi-day boats in the Bay of Bengal
Showers in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya Districts
Some NPP manifesto promises may be difficult to fulfil – CIABOC DG
Yoshitha and ex-Navy chief Karannagoda’s case fixed for PTC
Court orders probe into Wimal’s rally speech
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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