News
Controversial Hiru interview with SLSI DG: Unedited YouTube video self-explanatory

MP Alagiyawanna says absence of coordination among govt. institutions pathetic
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Hiru journalist Panuka Rajapaksa yesterday (30) told The Island that he had been quite surprised when the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) recorded his statement on April 28 in respect of an interview telecast on April 3 with Director General, Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI), Dr. Siddhika G. Senaratne, who acknowledged the SLSI suppressed the identities of those selling contaminated food items.
Stating that Hiru had fully cooperated with the police investigation, Rajapaksa said that when he inquired from those sent to record his statement and that of cameraman Vajira Hansa Mahesen whether the CID questioned Dr. Senaratne, they said ‘No.’
Subsequently, Hiru team accosted Dr. Senaratne outside her office where she said the police had visited her office to record a statement later.
The unedited video of the interview with Dr Senaratne was available on YouTube. At one point Dr. Senaratne asks the interviewer to delete her response to a particular question.
According to Rajapaksa, they conducted the interview on April 1 following the detection of high aflatoxins levels in imported stocks of coconut oil. A section of the media took up the issue after All Ceylon Traditional Coconut Oil Producers’ Association (ACTCOPA) claimed unbridled corruption in the import of coconut oil.
Rajapaksa explained that during the interview Dr. Senaratne had declared that though it was not compulsory for those who market coconut oil to obtain SLSI approval, only one of them had secured the SLSI certification. Now, that particular product had been declared toxic and unsafe for human consumption, Rajapaksa said.
The Information Department on Thursday (29) said that the sale of coconut oil sold under N-joy brand had been prohibited and the company warehouse at Grandpass had been sealed.
Rajapaksa said that Hiru had handed over the unedited version of the interview to the police. Dr. Senaratne is on record as having said that the SLSI had detected the aflatoxins in imported coconut oil even before the Health Ministry but chose to keep quiet as disclosure of such information would be detrimental to the interests of some companies. Dr. Senaratne also revealed that there was a list of others selling harmful food items to consumers, Rajapaksa said, adding that the media should take a common stand on the issue at hand.
There couldn’t be any issue with information revealed as Dr. Senaratne herself had voluntarily made the shocking disclosure in her capacity as the DG, SLSI, Rajapaksa said. She asked for a little time to take remedial measures as regards those marketing contaminated food though she was at the helm of that institute since January 2019, the interviewer told The Island.
The SLSI comes under the purview of the newly formed Technology Ministry. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa holds the technology portfolio. The SLSI is among 13 public sector institutes coming under the purview of the Technology Ministry. Former head of ICTA Jayantha de Silva serves as the Technology Secretary.
The Island, in terms of the Right to Information Act sought information from Dr. Mrs. Siddhika G. Senaratne and Senior Deputy Director W.W.L.P.P. Wanigasinghe, SLSI where they provided a list of contaminated food items to Secretary to the Technology Ministry? And whether they were aware of a civil society organization on Thursday (29) moving Court of Appeal in respect of the failure on the part of the SLSI to protect consumers?
The Island also asked whether Secretary to the Technology Ministry sought an explanation from DG as regards her controversial statement to ‘Hiru’.
Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) in early April directed the Health Ministry to undertake a comprehensive study on contaminated food imports as the responsibility lay with it. The Communications Department of the Parliament quoted COPA Chairman Prof. Tissa Vitharana as having emphasized the urgent need to enhance testing facilities. Former COPA Chairman Lasantha Alagiyawanna, MP asserted that the situation deteriorated due to the absence of proper coordination among various facilities tasked with testing food items.
The issue at hand was discussed when COPA summoned Health Ministry for examination of 2017 and 2018 Auditor General reports as well as the current situation.
Customs spokesperson Sudantha Silva didn’t respond to out calls yesterday. The Island wanted to seek clarification as regards procedures adopted in releasing imported unrefined coconut oil pending safety tests conducted by relevant authorities.
Business
Amal Niroshan Attanayake appointed Chairman Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited

Amal Niroshan Attanayake, a highly experienced business professional with both local and international experience, has been appointed the new Chairman of Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.
The official letter of appointment was presented to Mr Attanayake on Friday (13) by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, at the Ministry premises.
Mr. Attanayake, an alumnus of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, brings over 25 years of high-level experience in local and international business fields. During his school years, he served as a President’s Scout and later graduated with honours from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He has also served as the Secretary of the University Sports Association and represented Sri Lanka in international tennis tournaments.
In addition to creating a number of local and international brands, Attanayake has organised and managed several international exhibitions in South Asia and Sri Lanka. He also has extensive expertise in modern technology and digitalisation.
News
“Shrama Meheyuma” initiative to be launched on 4th July

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the low engagement of inexperienced labor force in vocational training is largely due to the unattractiveness of training institutions and emphasized the need to address and rectify this situation.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in an awareness program held at the Orugodawatta Tech Institute which focused on the upcoming “Shrama Meheyuma” initiative, scheduled to be implemented islandwide on July 4, 2025, utilizing 311 national, district, and regional vocational training centers. This initiative is part of a broader national program aligned with the vision of a Clean Sri Lanka, built upon environmental, social, and ethical principles.
The Prime Minister further stated:
“A young person who receives vocational training in a high-demand field will encounter no obstacles in securing a well-paying job, either locally or internationally. However, we continue to witness a lack of participation in vocational training by the unemployed, inexperienced labor force. The lack of attractiveness of training institutions is a significant contributing factor to this issue. Therefore, it is imperative that we implement long-term measures and plans to transform this reality.
Nevertheless, we cannot afford to remain silent. The vocational education sector holds immense potential. It possesses a wide range of technical and professional expertise, as well as the necessary tools and resources. Approximately 125,000 young trainees are currently enrolled in these institutions. As such, a unique opportunity has emerged to launch a large-scale initiative in alignment with the environmental pillar of the Clean Sri Lanka program.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted that public institutions and community stakeholders can be engaged in support of this initiative.
“Let us commence this national initiative with the inauguration on July 4 and ensure its continued implementation. By undertaking minor maintenance and environmentally friendly approach by excluding major construction or renovations, we can transform our training centers into appealing spaces for youth.
Moreover, it is essential that we cultivate social and ethical transformation within ourselves and within our institutions
If we are able to reduce the proportion of inexperienced labor which currently stands at approximately 72% of the inactive labor force by 25% within the next five years, and if at least one member from each economically vulnerable household can be directed towards vocational training, these households will then have the opportunity to earn a monthly income ranging from LKR 50,000 to 75,000.
Therefore, on July 4, you will not merely be cleaning your vocational training center. Through your actions, you will also be contributing to encouraging youth to engage in vocational training, thereby enabling their families to overcome poverty and helping the country address its economic challenges.”
The event was attended by S.P.C. Sugishwara, Additional Secretary to the President at the Clean Sri Lanka Operations Secretariat, as well as heads of institutions and senior officials from the Vocational Education Division of the Ministry of Education.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
News
Preventing road accidents should be approached not merely as a legal obligation but as a personal responsibility to save lives – PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that preventing road accidents should be approached not merely as a legal obligation but as a personal responsibility to save lives while efforts must be undertaken with awareness and dedication, not just adherence to rules and regulations.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the inauguration ceremony of the awareness program held at Royal College, Colombo on road safety titled ’Take Care – Let’s Be Safe on the Road,’ organized jointly by the Clean Sri Lanka Program, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the Sri Lanka Police.
Police officers should conduct awareness sessions on road accident prevention for schoolchildren and distribution of equipment necessary for school transport safety to 25 selected schools across 25 districts was taken place under the patronage of the Prime Minister.
Addressing the event, Prime Minister stated:
“This is another significant initiative under the Clean Sri Lanka Project. Road accidents have become a major national crisis. The tragic reality is that most of these incidents are preventable if we have the will and dedication.
About seven people die every day due to road accidents. We must stop this tragedy. Every deceased, disabled, or injured victim of road accidents is a citizen of this country. They are someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, or child. When someone becomes a victim, the whole society is affected. The statistics on accidents are not just numbers—they carry deep stories and pain.
Preventing road accidents is not only about obeying laws. It’s about thinking of others, acting with empathy, and treating the preservation of life as our own duty. We need to build a society that functions with compassion and responsibility. That is the kind of beautiful country the government is striving to create.
It is important that education must come before punishment, setting an example must precede enforcement of the law, cautious before precede accusations. Parents must set a good example, drivers must be committed to saving lives, children must be given a clear understanding of traffic rules while the police must prioritize public education before enforcing laws.”
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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