News
Workshop to raise awareness among government executive officers on the use of AI
A special workshop for government executive officers on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the public service into a productive and efficient service was held on Friday (15) afternoon at Temple Trees.
Organised by the Ministry of Digital Economy with the support of the Presidential Secretariat, the programme, titled “AI for Transforming Public Service”, was attended by executive officers from ten ministries, including the Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet Office.
The objective of the workshop was to raise awareness and prepare government officials as an initial step in the state’s digital transformation agenda and to foster a positive attitude towards artificial intelligence within the public service.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake stated that the government was taking necessary steps towards a digital transformation and that the public service must be prepared for it. He emphasised the importance of focusing on improving efficiency in the public sector through the use of AI, thereby delivering better services to the public.
The keynote address was delivered by Senior Adviser to the President on Digital Economy, Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, while Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) Board Member Harsha Purasinghe, together with officials from ICTA, contributed as resource persons for the workshop.
Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri was also present, along with executive officers from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development and the Ministry of Energy.
[PMD]
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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