News

Australian backing for Sri Lankan military assured

Published

2 years ago

2024/06/29

Director Media Colonel Nalin Herath greets Defence Advisor of the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Colonel Amanda Johnston, on her arrival at the Institute of National Security Studies (pic courtesy MoD)

The government has received an assurance from Australia regarding its continued support to Sri Lankan armed forces.Defence Advisor (DA) of the Australian High Commission in Colombo, Colonel Amanda Johnston, gave this assurance when she met Defence Ministry Media Director Colonel Nalin Herath who is also Overlooking Director General and Acting Director Research of the Institute of National Security Studies (NISS) recently.

A statement issued by the Defence Ministry quoted Colonel Johnston as having said that Australia appreciated Sri Lanka’s contribution for UN Peacekeeping Operations.

Colonel Johnston was accompanied by the Commanding Officer of Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC), Government of Australia, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Webbe.

Among those present was Director (Administration) of the Institute of National Security Studies Ms Nilmini Ulluwishewa and other NISS members.

At the onset of the discussion, Colonel Herath explained Sri Lanka’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping Operations since 1952. According to the statement, the Australian delegates and the NISS team exchanged views on their respective approach to UN peacekeeping operations, interactions with INGOs, including de-mining organisations.

They also discussed women’s peace and security issues under UNSC Resolution 1325. According to the statement, the delegates covered what it called strategic-level opportunities to strengthen the Australia-Sri Lanka security relations.

Colonel Herath highlighted the success of the bilateral initiatives to counter illegal migration and importance of further strengthening of relations at all levels.

Australia has provided fuel to SLN and SLAF in support of operations carried out against illegal migration, in line with Operation Sovereign Borders intended to block/discourage unwelcome visitors. Sri Lanka secured fuel from India at Australia’s expense.

Australia last year announced that it would gift a former Royal Australian Air Force Beechcraft KA350 King Air aircraft (registration A32-673) to Sri Lanka. The deployment would enhance Sri Lanka’s sovereign aerial maritime surveillance capability

(SF)

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Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) donates LKR 25 million to the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund

Published

8 hours ago

2026/01/24

Priyan

The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.

The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.

News

Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56

Published

17 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Karu Jayasuriya

Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.

In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.

He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.

Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.

He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.

News

Johnston, two sons and two others further remanded over alleged misuse of vehicle

Published

17 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and others being escorted out of the Wattala Magistrate Court premises yesterday

Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.

Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.

In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during

Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.

After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.