News
The government has no intention of acquiring the lands belonging to the people of the Northern and Eastern provinces. – Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the government has no intention of acquiring the lands owned by the people of the Northern and Eastern provinces and that the aim of the government is to promptly return land ownership to those who rightfully own them.
The prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion held on Friday (23) in the Committee Room No. 1 of Parliament in regards to resolving the issues related to land ownership faced by the people of the Northern and Eastern provinces.
Members of Parliament representing the North and East pointed out that there is a prevailing suspicion among the public due to the procedures followed by previous governments in clarifying land ownership in these regions and that many rightful landowners lack proper documentation to prove ownership while emphasizing the need for a structured process that regains public trust.
They further stated that some individuals have fraudulently taken possession of lands and expressed that the people trust the current government to deliver a fair solution to the issue.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the government has agreed the granting of the land ownership to the people should be conducted in a legal and verified manner through a proper mechanism that eliminates public doubts and further emphasized that the government has no intention in acquiring the lands from the people under any circumstances.
Accordingly, the Prime Minister informed officials that the government will engage in discussions with the people and relevant sectors to find an appropriate solution and will take necessary future steps in this regard.
The event was attended by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha, Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe, and Secretary to the Ministry D.P. Wickramasinghe, Additional Solicitor General Vikum De Abrew, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, public representatives from the Northern and Eastern provinces, and officials representing government institutions including the Department of Land Registration and the Department of Survey, as well as District Secretaries and other participants.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
A discussion with the Catholic Council was held on Thursday (21) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Science and Technology, Chrishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Discussions focused on administrative issues relating to Catholic schools taken over by the Government, the formulation of a structured teacher cadre system for Catholic religious education, the need to recruit Catholic nuns and priests into the teaching profession and the establishment of a mechanism to obtain the support of the Ministry of Education for the administration of Government-acquired Catholic schools.
It was also decided that discussions with the Catholic Council would be held three times annually, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage would serve as Secretary to the forum.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the Catholic Council, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith thanked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Government for facilitating the discussion.
His Eminence further stated that the expectation was to ensure every student, without discrimination, is given the opportunity to learn his or her own religion and stressed the importance of resolving the prevailing issues within the education sector.
Also present at the occasion were Most Rev. Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Most Rev. Bishop Christy Noel Emmanuel, Most Rev. Bishop Anton Ranjith, Most Rev. Bishop Wimal Siri Jayasuriya, other clergy representing the Catholic Council, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa and senior officials of the Ministry of Education.
(PMD)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to broaden the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which was launched last year. Unlike the inaugural edition held in November 2025 that featured eight Associate teams, the second edition will comprise 10 teams, including five Test-playing nations. The tournament is scheduled to be held in November this year.
Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE, which arrived in Colombo (21 May 2026) on a replenishment visit, departed the island today (22 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the departing ship in compliance with naval traditions at the port of Colombo.
During her brief stay in Colombo, the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Antonio BUFIS called on the Commander Western Naval Area at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
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