News
Overcounting of deaths led to extension of travel restrictions

The decision to extend travel restrictions from June 14 to June 21 had been taken, based on incorrect data, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday (18) morning during a meeting with the Special COVID-19 Committee at the Presidential Secretariat.
The decision had been taken, based on information received on 12 June that 101 deaths had been reported the previous day, the President said.
“It was revealed that some of the deaths had occurred during the four-month period from February 06 to June 11. Certain deaths had been counted twice. An in-depth investigation had revealed that only 15 died on 11 June.
It was also decided during the meeting to relax travel restrictions from 4 am on June 21; travel restrictions will be re-imposed and continue from 10 pm on 23 June to 4 am on 25 June, the President’s Media Division said in a media statement.
However, inter-provincial travel restrictions will not be permitted as per the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The restrictions imposed on public gatherings will continue as before.
“The heads of institutions in both public and private sectors should ensure that only a minimum number of employees come to work. Trade and economic operations must be carried out with the participation of a minimum number of people,” the PMD said.
These decisions were taken at a meeting with the Special COVID-19 Committee, headed by President Rajapaksa, at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday morning (18).
Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, Chairman of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation said over four million vaccines had been imported so far, and at least another four million vaccines were expected in July and accordingly, a higher percentage of people could be vaccinated.
Ministers Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Gamini Lokuge, Bandula Gunawardana, Keheliya Rambukwella, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Prasanna Ranatunga, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Namal Rajapaksa, State Ministers Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, MP Madhura Withanage, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Health Secretary Major General (Retired) Specialist Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Commanders of the three-Armed Forces and the Heads of the Health Sector were also present at the meeting.
News
Students from Thambuttegama Central College visit President’s House

A group of students from Thambuttegama Central College, Anuradhapura, visited the Presidential Secretariat and President’s House this (20) afternoon during their annual educational tour.
The students had the opportunity to participate in the ‘Vision’ programme, an initiative for schoolchildren jointly organised by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education, and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
After touring the Old Parliament building within the Presidential Secretariat, the students were also briefed on parliamentary history.
The college’s teaching staff and students were also informed about the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme, which operates under a concept by President Anura Kumara Disanayake, as well as the role of the executive and the rule of law.
During the visit, the Legal Advisor to the President J.M. Wijebandara symbolically demonstrated the value of environmental protection by presenting a valuable sapling to the school.
The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President K.N.M. Kumarasinghe, Deputy Director of the Tri-Forces Security Affairs Coordinating Unit Colonel Dhananjaya Senarath, Deputy Principal of Thambuttegama Central College M.G. Asanka Wijesuriya, along with teaching staff and other officials.
Business
Foreign Direct Investment records 90% Increase in First Quarter of 2025

The Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka has successfully increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by US$96 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024.
This was disclosed today (20) during a progress review meeting of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, chaired by President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.
BOI officials also noted that, relative to the first quarter of 2024, domestic investment rose by US$21 million, while export income increased by US$176 million during the first quarter of 2025. In total, Sri Lanka has attracted US$4,669 million in investment proposals thus far in 2025.
The meeting also focused on the issues and challenges associated with attracting investment to the country and discussed potential strategies to address them.
Addressing the gathering, President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the Board of Investment holds a pivotal role in enhancing the national economy and improving the living standards of the rural population.
He stressed that opportunities to attract investment in traditional sectors are becoming increasingly limited and therefore the nation must identify new areas for investment, an endeavour that falls under the BOI’s mandate.
The President further noted that Sri Lanka has attracted only around US$22 billion in investment since 1978. In comparison to other countries in the region, he stated, Sri Lanka must advance rapidly, referencing Vietnam’s achievement of securing US$23 billion in investment in 2022 alone.
He went on to state that the BOI should prioritise the expansion of investment in the services sector and proactively seek new investment opportunities, rather than focusing solely on recapturing missed ones.
The event was attended by senior officials of the Board of Investment, including Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Advisor to the President on Economic Affairs; Arjuna Herath, Chairman of the Board of Investment; and Ms Renuka Weerakone, Acting Director General of the Board of Investment.
Latest News
Government focuses on controlling crop damage by wild animals

A Committee comprising government officials and experts has been appointed under the leadership of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake to seek and implement sustainable solutions for managing and controlling the damages caused by wild animals to food production (Agriculture and Plantation sectors) through a scientific approach. The Committee held its first meeting on Thursday (19) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The main objective of the Committee is to conduct a scientific study on the agricultural damage caused by wild animals and to implement short, medium and long-term action plans. In addition to drafting national policies and legislation, the Committee will also coordinate the provision of necessary human, physical and financial resources.
It was emphasised during the meeting that decisions should be made by recognizing wildlife as a part of the natural ecosystem. It was also noted that any solution must acknowledge the right of wild animals to their natural habitats. The need to implement a rapid action programme for high-risk districts was also discussed.
Prof. Ashoka Dangolla from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Peradeniya shared his views, highlighting that based on research conducted over more than 15 years on Toque macaque; it is possible to arrive at successful solutions through a scientific approach. He also pointed out that various methods can be used to control animal populations.
Director General of Wildlife Conservation, M.S.L.R.C. Marasinghe, stated that a multi-pronged approach is necessary to address this issue. He emphasised the importance of animal censuses to obtain standard data on animal densities and underscored that the matter must be approached scientifically, beyond social perceptions.
It was also decided that gathering inputs from all stakeholders including academics, environmentalists, wildlife specialists, officials and members of the public affected by wildlife conflict is essential.
Among those present were Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Ministry Secretaries including Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Ms. Ayesha Jinasena, public officials including Director General of Department of Wildlife Conservation, defence sector officers, university professors and the members of the Committee.
-
Features6 days ago
As I remember, from 50 years ago: the 75-80 Katubedda Engineering Batch
-
Features6 days ago
Writing History on Paris Clay – French Open 2025
-
Life style6 days ago
Miss World from Thailand!
-
Features5 days ago
When the water rises: Climate change and the future of Yala’s Mugger Crocodiles
-
Editorial7 days ago
Sugar Scam: Get at bitter truth
-
News1 day ago
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, accelerates digital transformation
-
News3 days ago
Senior SLAS officer succeeds Bogollagama as SL’s UK HC
-
Business2 days ago
Spring board to ‘unleashing a new era in start-up driven growth’