News
While combating pandemic, govt. mindful of other health needs of public – PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, on Friday, monitored steps being taken for the construction of the new Kurunegala Hospital.
Speaking at a meeting at Temple Trees, the Prime Minister sought information from the relevant parties on the progress of land acquisition and construction of the new hospital.
The PM said that while combating the pandemic, the government was mindful of the other health needs of the public.
About 10% of the total population in the country is served by this hospital and people from five districts, including Kurunegala and Puttalam, go directly to this hospital for treatment.
The new hospital will have special facilities such as bus terminals within its premises for the benefit of patients who take public transport.
This is the first hospital to be built in keeping with the green concept.
A fully equipped Bhikkhu ward complex will be built as the Kurunegala District has the largest number of temples in the country.
The proposed hospital will be accessible from the Central expressway under construction and the Kurunegala railway station.
On the instructions of the Prime Minister, Minister Johnston Fernando, along with the Ministry of Health, the Government Medical Officers’ Association and the Urban Development Authority have drawn up a plan for the construction of the hospital.
The Prime Minister stressed that the construction work of the Kurunegala Provincial Hospital should be done without any inconvenience caused to patients.
The Prime Minister said the preliminary work would be completed within three months through the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation and that the acquisition of the relevant lands should be carried out under the Urban Development Authority.
It was revealed at this discussion that in addition to this hospital, Rs. 602 million had been allocated for the development of regional hospitals in the North Western Province this year.
Latest News
PM visits France to attend high-level conference at UNESCO

The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is on an official visit to Paris, France to participate in the high-level segment of the International Expert Conference on ’An Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Safeguarding the World Heritage Property of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and Associated Living Heritage’ which was to be held at UNESCO Headquarters today [Tuesday 1 April], with the participation of the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.
The Conference, organized by UNESCO in partnership with Sri Lanka, brings together leading international experts to discuss sustainable strategies for the conservation of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense cultural and historical significance.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet senior interlocutors of the French Government to discuss bilateral cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
The Delegation of the Prime Minister includes the Minister of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Duo of JMSDF ships arrive in Colombo

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) BUNGO and ETAJIMA arrived at the port of Colombo on a goodwill visit this morning (01 Apr 25).
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
The 141m long JMSDF BUNGO is an Uraga-Class Minesweeper Tender commanded by Commander TANAKA Koji and the ship is manned by a crew of 125.
Meanwhile, JMSDF Etajima, a 65-meter-long Minesweeper, is under the command of Commander Oda Takayuki and operates with a crew of 54 personnel.
During the stay in the island, crew members of the ships will explore some tourist attractions within the city of Colombo. The ships are scheduled to set sail from Colombo on 04 Apr.
News
Underworld leader threatens police over arrest of his father and brother

“You and your families will be eliminated”
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randun
A full-scale investigation has been launched to track down an underworld character, ‘Navy Dinesh,’ a key accomplice of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, for issuing death threats over the phone to three police officers, including the Gampaha HQI, Crime Branch OIC, of the same police station, and others.
Navy Dinesh is believed to have fled the country.
According to police sources, threats were issued following the arrest of Navy Dinesh’s father and brother in connection with a drug trafficking case.
Phone analysis reports have confirmed that the calls originated from Dubai and France.
Following the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, Navy Dinesh assumed leadership of the underworld gang he had previously been involved with.
Navy Dinesh contacted the Gampaha HQI, the OIC of the Crime Branch, and the investigating police constable, and threatened to kill them and their family members. “You and your families will be eliminated,” he said.
A special police team had been assigned to investigate the matter, and a report has been submitted to the courts, police sources said.
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