The Joint Opposition yesterday welcomed the resignation of Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and Energy Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala, who stepped down amid ongoing investigations into a questionable coal procurement process, while asserting that the move does not help absolve the government of responsibility for the scam.

In a statement, the Joint Opposition has said that a ministerial resignation is generally viewed as an acknowledgment of responsibility in relation to a specific matter under scrutiny.

However, it has stressed that such a resignation has no bearing on the proceedings of a Presidential Commission of Inquiry, rejecting any suggestion to the contrary as “without basis”.

The statement has further alleged that the company awarded the contested coal procurement contract had not been registered at the time the agreement was granted.

It argued that responsibility for the decision rests collectively with the government, which it said must be held accountable for awarding the contract under such circumstances.

Sri Lanka has formally ratified the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), becoming the 55th member of the International Labour Organisation to do so, the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva said in a statement on Saturday (18).

The statement said: On 16 April 2026, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka deposited the instrument of ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) with the International Labour Office.

Sri Lanka is the 55th Member State of the International Labour Organisation to ratify Convention No.190.

In depositing the instrument of ratification, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, Sumith Dassanayake, stated that Sri Lanka’s ratification demonstrates the Government’s commitment to respect, promote, and realise the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. He further noted that Sri Lanka will take steps to introduce necessary legal provisions by amending existing labour laws to implement the Convention.

In receiving the instrument of ratification, the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation, Gilbert F. Houngbo, stated that Sri Lanka’s ratification reaffirms its commitment to dignity, equality, and respect in the world of work and marks a significant step towards a future that is free from violence and harassment, ensuring safe and healthy working environments. He also conveyed the readiness of the ILO to support the Government and social partners in aligning national legal and institutional frameworks with the Convention.

Convention No. 190 is the first international instrument to establish a clear and comprehensive framework for preventing and addressing violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment. Together with Recommendation No. 206, it provides an integrated and gender-responsive approach to protecting all workers and other persons in the world of work, setting out practical measures for implementation.

Fried rice, kottu and instant noodles could soon be banned from school canteens under a proposal submitted to Parliament by NPP MP Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, who has warned of a growing diabetes crisis among children.

Moving a motion in the House, the NPP Gampaha District MP called for the immediate formulation and implementation of a regulatory system to restrict the sale of unhealthy food and beverages in school canteens across the country.

In the motion printed in the latest Addendum to the Order Book of Parliament, Jayakody noted that specialist doctors had raised concerns over the increasing incidence of diabetes among schoolchildren in Sri Lanka, attributing the trend largely to poor dietary habits and the widespread consumption of high-sugar and high-flour foods.

The motion highlights that items such as fried rice, kottu and instant noodles—commonly available in school canteens—are being consumed in large quantities by students, contributing to unhealthy eating patterns and long-term health risks.

It proposes that the government introduce clear guidelines on permissible food items within school premises, aimed at promoting healthier dietary choices and curbing the rise of non-communicable diseases among children.

Jayakody stressed that regulating food sold in schools is a critical step in safeguarding child health, urging authorities to act swiftly in light of medical warnings and the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related illnesses at a young age.

The motion calls for a comprehensive policy framework to ensure that school canteens serve nutritious alternatives, while discouraging the sale of food items linked to adverse health outcomes.