News
CID informs PCoI its inability to recover deleted data from the phone of ex-SIS Director

By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Digital Forensic Laboratory of the CID had been unable to recover deleted data from the mobile phone used by former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena during the Easter Sunday attacks, the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks was told on Wednesday night.
OIC of the Digital Forensic Laboratory, Sampath Kumara Senaratne told the PCoI that Jayawardena’s wife was using the phone now and that Jayawardena told him that he conducted a factory reset before giving it to his wife. A factory reset restores an electronic device to its original system state by erasing all information stored on the device.
The PCoI in September ordered a mobile phone and a laptop used by former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director to be sent to the CID for extraction of data relevant to their investigation. SDIG Mahesh Welikanna, attached to PCoI Police unit, was asked to take into custody a mobile phone used by SDIG Jayawardena, which he used to record some of his conversations with senior security officials after Easter Sunday attacks and his laptop that he had been using to give evidence.
Chairman of PCoI also gave specific instructions to the SDIG of the CID about handling the devices. He said: “These devices must be opened before a representative of Jayawardena, two officers of PCoI police unit, a CERT official appointed to assist the PCoI and a representative of the current SIS Director. Any relevant data, in conversations recorded or in messaging applications, between January 01 and December 31, 2019, must be extracted in front of these individuals.”
The Chairman also ordered the SDIG of the CID to ‘hard delete’ (erase in a way that is impossible to recover data) personal data or information pertaining to national security. However, that did not apply to data pertaining to early warnings on Easter Sunday attacks, any information on National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) or its leader Zahran Hashim, suicide bombers and those who were killed in Sainthamaruthu on April 26, 2019.
The Chairman said: “The CID must also see if there has been any deletion of data and see if they can be recovered. All the reports should be sent to PCoI secretary. After the investigations are over the phone and laptop should be returned to the PCoI secretary too.”
This task was entrusted to the OIC of the Digital Forensic Unit, who presented a report to the PCoI on Wednesday night. OIC Sampath Kumara Senaratne informed the Commission that since Jayawardena had done a factory reset there was no way of reproducing deleted content.
Chairman of the PCoI: “Did you ask SDIG Jayawardena why he had done a factory reset ?”
OIC Senaratne: “He told me that he had given the mobile phone to his wife and that he had wanted to remove everything that could compromise national security from the phone.”
Chairman of the PCoI: “But you couldn’t verify when the data was deleted?”
OIC Senaratne: “No. Verifying the data would have required me to connect the phone to the Internet. However, I was working within certain limitations set by the PCoI. Moreover, in a digital forensic investigation, we usually don’t connect the phone to the Internet. So, I couldn’t verify when a factory reset was done.”
However, the CID had been able to recover some data that had been deleted from SDIG Jayawardena’s laptop, the PCoI was informed.
The OIC said that about 2.6 million deleted files had been recovered and about 210 of them, relevant to the probe handed over to the Presidential Commission Police Unit.
News
Asian Development Bank to support new education reforms

The representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have expressed their full support for the new education reforms undertaken by the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
These remarks were made during a discussion held on Friday (June 20) at the Parliament premises between the Prime Minister and Mr. Takafumi Kadono, ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka, along with other ADB representatives
During the discussion, the Prime Minister explained the steps which have already been taken for the new education reforms and for the implementation of the new reforms in the upcoming year.
The Prime Minister also elaborated on future plans of the government regarding the preparation of new curriculum, development of human resources in the education sector, improvement of infrastructure, and initiatives in general education, vocational training, higher education, and early childhood development.
The Asian Development Bank conveyed their satisfaction with the new education reforms and reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting the development of education sector including teacher training, infrastructure upgrades, and the advancement of digital technology.
The meeting was attended by ADB representatives, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training Nalaka Kaluwawa, and other officials from the Ministry of Education.
News
Buddhist philosophy can restore spiritual life to a society consumed by wealth and power – President

The centenary inauguration ceremony of the historic Sri Dalada Poson Perahera at the Athkanda Rajamaha Viharaya in Kurunegala was held on Saturday (21) afternoon with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The annual Sri Dalada Poson Perahera, which commenced in 1925, marked its 100th anniversary this year. To commemorate this milestone, a special commemorative stamp was issued.
President Disanayake presented awards and certificates to students who excelled in various competitions held parallel with the centenary celebrations. In his address, the President stressed that no society, regardless of its material progress, can thrive without spiritual and moral foundations. He noted that a nation’s cultural and social development must be rooted in ethical and spiritually aware citizens.
Highlighting the relevance of Buddhist Jataka stories and cultural traditions, the President remarked that these offer a valuable foundation for reviving spiritual life in a society increasingly consumed by the pursuit of wealth and power. He added that Buddhism teaches rulers to govern with compassion and accountability, values that are unfortunately eroding in modern times. He called for collective efforts to restore these cultural roots and to foster a spiritually enriched society.
Responding to critics, the President stated that despite claims that the current government would abandon such traditions, the day’s celebration clearly demonstrated its commitment to preserving and promoting Sri Lanka’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
The ceremony was attended by Most Venerable Niyangoda Sri Vijithasiri Thera, Anunayaka of the Malwatu Chapter; Venerable Anamaduwe Saddharmakeerthi Sri Rathnapala Buddharakkhitha Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Athkanda Rajamaha Viharaya; North Western Province Governor Tissa Varnasuriya; Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi; State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Prof. Chandana Abeyratne; State Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne; and Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, along with a large gathering of devotees and officials.
News
All services of the President’s Fund officially launched at Divisional Secretariat level

The official launch of providing all services of the President’s Fund through Divisional Secretariats across the island took place on Saturday (21) morning at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat.
Coinciding with the launch, a special training workshop for officials in the Northern Province was held at the same venue, as part of a series of workshops aimed at decentralising the President’s Fund operations to grassroots level.
Since 7 February this year, applications for medical assistance from the President’s Fund have been accepted through all Divisional Secretariats across the country. Following the successful implementation of this programme, steps have now been taken to extend digital access to all other services offered by the Fund.
Accordingly, the public can now apply online for a range of services including poverty alleviation assistance, educational scholarships, recognition for academic excellence, support for individuals with special needs, aid for children affected by the human-elephant conflict, recognition for national and public service and emergency or disaster relief. This marks the first time in the Fund’s 47-year history that services, previously limited to Colombo, are accessible via any Divisional Secretariat nationwide.
This advancement follows a decision made by the Board of Governors of the President’s Fund, chaired by the President. It is expected to improve efficiency, expand access to a wider population and minimise opportunities for misuse.
Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary of the President’s Fund, Mr Roshan Gamage, briefed attendees on the Fund’s responsibilities and range of services.
As part of the government’s digitalisation drive, the official rollout of online services of the President’s Fund also took place during the event.
Minister of fisheries, aquatic and ocean resources Ramalingam Chandraseker, Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, the Kilinochchi and Jaffna District Secretaries, other senior government officials from the Northern Province, regional officers of the President’s Fund and its administrative staff were present at the occasion.
(PMD)
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