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President asks ministers to ensure farmers have enough fuel

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday instructed relevant ministers to provide adequate quantities of fuel to farmers in the coming farming season, the President’s Media Division said, issuing a statement. Addressing a gathering of ministers and officials, on Thursday, the President also instructed the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to appoint an officer to coordinate the supply of fuel to the farmers, in each district.

The district secretaries will act as focal points in the district and farmers can contact the district secretary about issues that arise with regards to fuel distribution.Acting under the President’s instructions Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has called for a discussion with representatives of the National Farmers’ Conference about the farming activities in the upcoming season.

The government has also made arrangements to provide urea fertiliser and Muriate of Potash tender (MOP).Sri Lanka will receive 40,000 metric tons of MOP by November, the Agriculture Minister said.Farming has been seriously affected by fuel shortages in Sri Lanka this year. The South Asian nation has been plagued by fuel shortages in 2022 due to foreign exchange shortages.



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India and Sri Lanka commit to more cooperation in education and skills training

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To commemorate 60 years of capacity-building partnership between India and Sri Lanka, through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, the High Commission of India in Colombo celebrated ITEC Day 2025 on Wednesday (05).

High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Arun Hemachandra, graced the occasion. The event was attended by over 200 participants, including ITEC alumni from Sri Lanka, as well as officials and professionals from diverse sectors who have benefited from various training courses in India, under different ITEC programmes.

 In his address, Arun Hemachandra lauded ITEC initiative for not only serving as a conduit for knowledge exchange but also as a bridge fostering strong bilateral ties built on historical, cultural, and economic affinities. The Minister highlighted India’s commitment to international cooperation through the ITEC programme, which focuses on capacity building, knowledge sharing, and skill development for partner countries. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government of India for its unwavering support through the ITEC programme, which has been instrumental in empowering Sri Lanka’s professionals and enhancing public service capabilities. He also acknowledged the contributions of ITEC alumni, whose expertise strengthens bilateral relationships and enhances global collaboration.

Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner acknowledged the keen interest Sri Lankan officials have shown in the ITEC programme over the years. He emphasized India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s education sector, including higher education, through partnerships between academic institutions in both countries, and informed that in addition to the 402 ITEC slots currently allocated annually, 1500 Sri Lankan officers will be trained at the National Good Governance Centre (NGGC) in India. He reiterated that India, guided by the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The world is one family), will continue to play a leading role in capacity-building initiatives for Sri Lanka.

 Senior officials reflected on their experiences with ITEC training in India, expressing deep appreciation for the programme’s comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. They highlighted the diverse range of training areas, including inclusive governance, climate change, renewable energy, digital transformation, startup ecosystems, artificial intelligence in governance, cybersecurity, quality management, quantum computing, information science, and fostering innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship. These programmes have equipped participants with valuable insights and practical skills, enabling them to drive progress and contribute effectively to their respective fields.

 Launched in September 1964, ITEC is a flagship programme of the Government of India aimed at extending technical assistance and enhancing capacities in developing countries. It has become a key instrument in India’s contribution to human resource development, with over 200,000 individuals from 160 partner nations having participated in the programme. Sri Lanka currently benefits from more than 500 annual training slots under ITEC. ‘ITEC Day’ is celebrated each year by Indian diplomatic missions worldwide, underscoring this unique pillar of Global South cooperation.

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Protesters slam Attorney General’s alleged moves to drop key cases

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Protestors. Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon and A.J.A. Abeynayake

Journalists, civil activists, lawyers, and members of civil organisations staged a protest on Thursday (06) to voice concerns over alleged moves by the Attorney General to withdraw from several high-profile cases, including one pertaining to the murder of The Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Protesters displayed placards with slogans such as “Deliver justice for the slain Mahara prisoners,” “Justice for Lasantha,” and “Attorney General, go home,” and continued their demonstration for over an hour and a half.

During a media briefing at the protest, lawyers claimed that certain unlawful actions by the Attorney General’s Department, carried out in contravention of legal provisions, were encroaching on the rights of victims.

Among the cases highlighted were the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court inquiry into Lasantha Wickrematunge’s murder, the case involving the killing of 11 inmates at the Mahara Prison, and the Balapitiya High Court case regarding the murder of Mahesh Indika, alias Poddi Indika, of Embilipitiya. Protesters alleged that the Attorney General had recently withdrawn or was preparing to withdraw from these matters.

Following the protest, a group of five representatives—including lawyers, journalists, and civil organisation members—visited the Attorney General’s Department to hand over a letter detailing their concerns.

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Underworld fugitives nabbed abroad with Interpol’s aid

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By Norman Palihawadana and Hemanta Randunu

A senior police officer told The Island that several underworld figures, involved in diverse criminal activities, including drug trafficking and extortion, who had fled to Dubai, are being apprehended with Interpol’s assistance.

Thus far, seven criminals, hiding in different countries, have been taken into custody.

Meanwhile, police confirmed that the identities of notorious criminals, listed in the police database, have been forwarded to the Department of Immigration and Emigration to prevent them from leaving the country.

A large number of underworld leaders had left the country in the past decades and manage their criminal empress from the safety of foreign nations.

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