News
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Finance to take necessary action to provide a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, from next week.
After reviewing the delay in adding the Rs. 3000 allowance to the October pension, the President directed that this amount be credited to the pensioners’ accounts within the next week.
These instructions were given during a meeting held on Thursday (10) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat with senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Despite the circular No. 02/2024 dated 2024/08/24 issued by the Public Administration Department to grant a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, funds were not allocated for this purpose.
Upon reviewing the matter, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake informed the officials of the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the required funds are provided.
Considering the hardships faced by pensioners due to the non-payment of the Rs. 3000 allowance with the October pension, and their subsequent requests, the President decided to proceed with the payment from this month, despite the prevailing financial difficulties of the government.
Since the October pension has already been credited to the pensioners’ accounts, the President instructed officials to ensure that the Rs. 3000 allowance is credited to their accounts within the next week, and from next month, this allowance will be added to the monthly pension.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena and several senior officials from the Ministry of Finance were present at this meeting
[PMD]
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Sri Lanka Navy joins commencement of AMAN-2025

The multinational naval exercise AMAN-2025, hosted by the Pakistan Navy for the ninth time, commenced at Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi on 07 Feb 25. The event was attended by Commanding Officer and crew of SLNS Vijayabahu, representing the Sri Lanka Navy.
AMAN-2025 will be held from 07 to 11 Feb in Karachi, and the multinational naval exercise will see the attendance of Navy Chiefs, stakeholders and think tank from maritime fraternity, from 60 nations.
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SME representatives accuse presidential aide of instigating protest against Central Bank

A presidential advisor, identified as D. Gamage, had asked a delegation representing the SME sector to “surround the Central Bank” instead of troubling officers at the Presidential Secretariat, Susantha Liyanaarachchi, Chairman of the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) told the media yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat.
Liyanaarachchi said so following a meeting with Gamage, on Friday, during a protest staged by a group of small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs, affiliated with the MSME Joint Alliance, outside the Presidential Secretariat against parate executions.
Five representatives were permitted to enter the Secretariat, where they also submitted a 17-point proposal aimed at reviving the domestic coconut oil industry.
“Gamage said there was no point in coming to the Presidential Secretariat. He asked us to surround the Central Bank. What an awful officer. We came here to settle our issues amicably, and Gamage told us to surround the Central Bank,” Liyanaarachchi said.
Liyanaarachchi also stated that the Central Bank did not adhere to instructions given by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, exacerbating the concerns voiced by the MSME entrepreneurs.
News
Govt. to seek new indictments in Lasantha murder case

By Saman Indrajith
The government would try to initiate fresh indictments in the Lasantha Wickrematunga murder case, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said on Friday, pledging that those responsible for the murder of journalist Wickrematunga would be held accountable. She also stated that she intended to respond personally to a letter from Wickrematunga’s daughter, Ahimsa, who has called on Parliament to impeach Attorney General Parinda Ransinghe (Jr.) over the recent release of three suspects.
Ahimsa Wickrematunga’s request for impeachment followed the release of several individuals—among them a police officer—who had been arrested on accusations of destroying evidence, including a notebook belonging to her father and key police records. Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said, “I plan to respond directly to Ms Wickrematunga, as I fully understand her concerns and the distress she must be experiencing. We are doing our utmost to observe due process and uphold the independence of the Attorney General’s office, but justice must prevail.”
She went on to say, “We intend to seek justice for Lasantha Wickrematunga’s murder. President [Dissanayake] has met with those involved to determine the best course of action. We are examining the possibility of refiling or initiating new inquiries if necessary, as there is plenty of evidence.”
Opposition legislator Rauff Hakeem noted that the suspects were released on a technicality related to an identification parade, and expressed concern that the Attorney General was selectively releasing certain suspects, despite there being many dedicated officers within the Department. He added, “Ultimately, the purpose of all our judicial institutions is to deliver justice. If procedures obstruct that aim, we must re-examine them.”
Prime Minister Amarasuriya reiterated that the Government is open to debating the matter in Parliament, saying, “We will look at refiling charges or bringing new indictments where appropriate. We fully appreciate the gravity of this situation and the need for transparency, and we will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served.”
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