News
NPP condemns blacklisting of ex-military officers

NPP leader and MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (24) raised in parliament blacklisting of three ex- military officers including retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha.Raising a question under Standing Order 27/2, Dissanayake told Parliament that AVM Thuyacontha had been banned from entering any Air Force base and participating in any Air Force events.
The MP alleged that wartime commanding officer of M1-24 squadron had been put on the blacklist because he threw his weight behind the NPP.
“There is no restriction for any retired military officer to engage in active politics. There are so many retired military officers such as Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Kamal Gunaratne in active politics. But, there is no issue or restriction on them carrying out their political ideologies. It is unfair to restrict these three officers, just because they do politics with a rival political party,” he said.
Responding to the question, State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon said no restriction had been imposed on the retired military officer to engage in active politics and added that retired Air Vice-Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha was blacklisted for making a speech during a political rally in Gampaha thereby posing a threat to national security and tarnishing the image and discipline of the Air Force.
The Minister said retired military officers should ensure a clear-cut separation of politics and the military.
News
Cabinet approves providing relief to the people of Myanmar

The People of Myanmar are facing immense hardships caused by the devastating earthquake on 28th March and as reported by the international media reports the death toll is over 2,700. Furthermore, it has been reported that many people are missing while, a large number of individuals have been injured and are receiving treatment.
Considering the long – term close relationship between the two nations as two Buddhist states, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to provide,
• A sum of United States Dollars One Million
• Transportation for the dry rations collected by Buddhist clergy and other donors
• To have a group of medical officers and health staff on standby for immediate departure to Myanmar if necessary
Latest News
Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to submit report on sanctions imposed on 04 Sri Lankans by the United Kingdom

Attention of the Cabinet of Ministers have been drawn on the decisions taken by the United Kingdom to impose sanctions on four Sri Lankan individuals recently, and have decided to appoint a committee comprised of three ministers to submit a report with recommendations on the further measures to be taken after studying the facts in the regard and to empower the committee to obtain the service of any officer/intellect deemed to have subject expertise in the relevant field and considered essential.
The committee will comprise of :
– Vijitha Herath Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
– Attorney – at – Law Harshana Nanayakkara Minister of Justice and National Integrity
– Aruna Jayasekara Deputy Minister of Defence
News
Revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to be submitted for the concurrence of the Parliament.

Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 17.03.2025 to amend the Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme by increasing the value of the benefits already being payed under the scheme.
The revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme has been published by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2429/02 dated 24.03.2025.
Accordingly, he Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Policy Plannng and Economic Development to submit the said revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to the Parliament for its concurrence.
-
Sports4 days ago
Sri Lanka’s eternal search for the elusive all-rounder
-
News3 days ago
Bid to include genocide allegation against Sri Lanka in Canada’s school curriculum thwarted
-
News5 days ago
Gnanasara Thera urged to reveal masterminds behind Easter Sunday terror attacks
-
Business6 days ago
AIA Higher Education Scholarships Programme celebrating 30-year journey
-
News4 days ago
ComBank crowned Global Finance Best SME Bank in Sri Lanka for 3rd successive year
-
Features4 days ago
Sanctions by The Unpunished
-
Latest News2 days ago
IPL 2025: Rookies Ashwani and Rickelton lead Mumbai Indians to first win
-
Features4 days ago
More parliamentary giants I was privileged to know