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With decision pending on MCC Compact, Ravinatha named Lanka’s US envoy

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Ex-navy Chief and former Colombo VC among 6 named for top posts

By Shamindra Ferdinando

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government has chosen former Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Ariyasinha to head the Sri Lanka mission in the US.

Ariyasinha, a veteran career diplomat will replace another career officer Rodney Perera, who received the appointment in June 2019. Rodney is a son of late veteran UNPer Paul Perera.

Perera was appointed in place of Prasad Kariyawasam, nearly two years after the latter was brought back to Colombo as Secretary to the Foreign Ministry.

Ariyasinha, who had been Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative in Geneva at the time the previous yahapalana administration co-sponsored an Accountability Resolution 30/1 in respect of the conflict and post-conflict period, will appear before the newly constituted Parliamentary High Post Committee (PHPC).

In the wake of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s victory at the November 2019 presidential election, the administration brought in one-time Navy Commander Admiral Jayanath Colombage as the Foreign Secretary. Colombage replaced Ariyasinha.

The PHPC headed by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena comprises 18 lawmakers, with the SLPP having a clear majority therein. The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) is represented by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Thalatha Atukorale and Rishad Bathiudden, leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC).

JVPer Vijitha Herath represents the National People’s Power in the PHPC.

A spokesperson for the SJB told The Island that Sri Lanka proposed to change the head of the mission at a time the country was under pressure to finalize the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact. The lawmaker pointed out that a four-member committee headed by Prof. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan appointed by the current dispensation strongly opposed the MCC Compact in its present form.

The US also wants consensus on Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in the wake of the previous government extending the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA). The then President Maithripala Sirisena authorized ACSA, first entered into in 2007 for a ten-year period by the Rajapaksa administration.

Office of the Secretary General of Parliament on Wednesday, Sept 9, announced Ariyasinha’s appointment coming before the PHPC soon. According to the statement, representations in respect of altogether six diplomatic postings could be made till September 23.

In addition to parliament clearinghouse’s posting to Washington, the Office of the Secretary General of Parliament announced nomination of former minister Asoka Milinda Moragoda (High Commissioner designate to India), former VC of the Colombo University Professor Kshanika Hiriburegama (Ambassador designate to France), one-time Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona (Ambassador designate to China), US-based real estate agent Vishramal Sanjiv Gunasekera (Ambassador to Japan) and recently retired Navy Commander Piyal de Silva (Ambassador to Afghanistan).

The Office of the Secretary General of Parliament announced the decision on Moragoda amidst continuing protests against the former minister’s appointment. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recently declared that appointments made following careful consideration wouldn’t be changed under any circumstances.

 

 



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Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

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A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.

To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.

The donation was presented on Wednesday  (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police  C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Chief Inspector  Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.

[Presidents Media Division]

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry
of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft

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Sajith

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.

Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.

The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.

The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.

He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.

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