News
Now, President to recruit ex-military personnel to cleanse jails of drugs, etc.
By Norman Palihawadana
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had instructed the formation of a special unit of retired military personnel to check all prison officers who enter and leave prisons, State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation, Lohan Ratwatte said yesterday.
Ratwatte told The Island that earlier only junior prison officers were frisked, but recent developments had shown th need to frisk even the most senior prison officials.
The objective was to stem the flow of drugs, cellphones and money into the prisons, he said.
“The President has instructed us to recruit 200 military personnel who retired after 12 years in service. We are trying to recruit them soon.”
The Cabinet of Ministers granted their concurrence to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs to appoint S. Achchudan of Special Grade of Sri Lanka Administrative Service, who is currently serving as an Additional Commissioner of Elections at the Elections Commission who is
recommended by the panel of interviewers to the post of Director General of the Sports Development Department with effect form 01.01.2026.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the draft bill of the National Environment (Amended) Act in the government gazette notification and subsequently to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Buddhism, Religious, and Cultural Affairs to provide tax relief on imported dates received as donations or gift for Ramadan.
This year’s Ramadan fasting season is scheduled to begin on 19-02-2026 and end on 21-03-2026.
Shafali, Renuka close in on top five in ICC T20I rankings
S. Achchudan appointed as Director General of the Sports Development Department.
Amendment of the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980
Tax relief for Dates received as donations or gifts for Ramadan
Cabinet nod to establish the Sri Lanka Industrial Transformation and innovation Authority
Temporary employment of Sri Lankan labour in the State of Israel
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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