News
EP Governor on where Province has gone wrong despite all its potential
The Eastern Province blessed with huge amounts of resources remained one of the poorest provinces of the country owing to inaction and lethargy of officials, Eastern Province governor Anuradha Yahampath said yesterday.
Addressing a meeting at the Batticaloa District Secretariat to formulate a sustainable development plan in accordance with the vision of the Vistas of Prosperity programme, the Governor said: “This province accounts for 25 percent of paddy production of the country. Its fishers harvest is 25 percent of the total catch of the country. The milk production, too, is very high, but the province remains one of the poorest in the country. What is the reason for this mismatch? We have not been able to help people reap the benefits of their efforts and the resources the province has.”
The Governor said that the incumbent government was capable of bringing about a change that was hoped by the people. “This government has leaders capable of developing the country. It is led by those who won the war – a feat that had been only a dream for many because the former governments had the mindset that the war would never be won. Not even the international community thought that our leaders could achieve it. We could have done so because people all alike stood behind the government and supported its war effort. I am sure that the people will stand firm with their unwavering support if they are convinced that we are genuinely engaged in developing this country,” she said, adding that the fault lies in the hands of officials who could not commit themselves hundred percent to developing this nation.
“My objective is to turn this province into a centre of development. We must understand that time is not a luxury we have and must make use of time wisely to improve the conditions that leads to the despair of people. We should set an example by committing ourselves to this task and then people will follow suit.
“Today, I summoned this meeting for you to meet a team of experts who had worked with dedication to formulate the Vistas of Prosperity programme. I too worked with them and other experts of the Viyath Maga and know that they share the vision of not leaving the task of developing this nation and bringing the country on par with developed nations to another generation. We must be the change and that will ensure that change will take place.”
Prof Praveen Abhayaratne, Prof Lalithasiri Gunaruwan, Chairperson of the Central Environment Authority Attorney-at-Law Darshani Lahandapura, Senior Lecturer Sampath Vahala, former Deputy Director of Customs Samantha Gunasekera, Engineer Ravi de Silva, Arjuna Perera, Madhawa Boteju, Anushka Kumara, Chief Secretary of the Province Tusitha P Wanigasinghe, Secretary to the Governor L.P. Madanayake, all secretaries of the provincial ministers and directors of the provincial institutions were present on the occasion.
The Sri Lanka Navy rescued a fisherman from a local fishing trawler that encountered distress due to adverse weather conditions off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.
The rescue operation took place on 17 July 2026, approximately 15 nautical miles off Pothuvil. The operation was launched following information received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo.
In response, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Vijayabahu along with additional craft to conduct a search operation in the designated sea area, where they successfully located the distressed fisherman.
Following the rescue, the individual was brought aboard SLNS Vijayabahu, where naval personnel administered preliminary first aid. He was subsequently brought to the mainland and rushed for further medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Navy, along with the coordination of MRCC Colombo, remains constantly prepared to swiftly respond to the eventualities faced by maritime and fishing communities operating within the island’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
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Showers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
Dengue outbreak gallops ahead: Infections surpasses 73,455, leaving 50 dead
Evidence recorded in money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa
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