News
Sri Lanka Army Combat Convoy Company receives high praise from Head of UN force in terrorist besieged Mali
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) El Ghassim Wane during a meeting with a visiting Sri Lankan delegation early this week has expressed appreciation for the Sri Lanka Army Combat Convoy Company (LKACCC) serving in landlocked Mali.
El Ghassim Wane said that “LKACCC is a tremendous asset for United Nations MINUSMA” and that he appreciates “excellent performance of LKACCC members in protecting MINUSMA convoys in a challenging environment”.
Earlier a Sri Lankan delegation, composed of Major General Indu Samarakoon, Commander, Logistic Command, Major General Dammi Hewage, Director General Infantry and Major General Hirosha Wanigasekera, Master General Ordnance who were in Mali between 12 and 19 January on a routine fact-finding and updating mission called on El Ghassim Wane, Mali-based representative of the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres with a view to receiving a routine feedback on the LKACCC’s roles in Mali.
In the aftermath of the meeting, the UN Special Representative tweeted that he appreciated the excellent performance of the LKACCC.
At present, the Sri Lanka’s 3rd contingent (LKACCC), including 20 Officers and 223 Other Ranks, is engaged in convoy protection duties in Mali, a country marred by tribal violence. Since the year 2017, the Sri Lanka Army has been dispatching combat convoy troops to Mali as requested by the UN.
(Ms.) Nina P. Cainglet, Ambassador of the Philippines to Sri Lanka based in Dhaka, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office on May 16, 2025.
The Prime Minister welcomed Ambassador Cainglet and extended her congratulations on the new appointment. The discussion focused on expanding cooperation in trade and tourism, with both sides expressing their commitment to exploring new opportunities in these key sectors. The meeting also addressed consular matters relating to the Filipino community in Sri Lanka. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured continued dialogue and necessary support on relevant issues.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Judienne Capiz, Vice Consul of the Embassy of the Philippines in Dhaka, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. S.S. Premawardhane, Additional Secretary, Bilateral Political Affairs (East); and M.R. Keegel, Deputy Director, Southeast Asia & Central Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division].
The Bribery Commission on Friday filed a corruption case against former Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and ex-BOI Director General Jayantha Edirisinghe, accusing them of misusing public cash for a lavish newspaper ad campaign back in 2014.
They stand accused of siphoning Rs. 1.7 million in state funds to publish 11 newspaper supplements marking the second inauguration anniversary of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 19, 2014.
According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the move amounted to a clear breach of anti-graft laws, with five formal charges now filed before the Colombo High Court.
The case, centred around alleged misuse of Board of Investment (BOI) funds, is backed by 21 pieces of documentary evidence and testimony from 15 witnesses.
The Bribery Commission maintains that the ad blitz had no official sanction and led to a direct loss of Rs. 1,748,877.76 to the state.
Inspector General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon is set to face formal questioning tomorrow (May 19) over serious allegations of misconduct and abuse of power, parliamentary sources said on Friday.
A special committee appointed to investigate the claims will commence formal proceedings next week, following several rounds of preliminary discussions held within the parliamentary complex in recent weeks.
The IGP has been officially notified to appear before the committee and is expected to face the inquiry for the first time at 2:00 PM in Committee Room No. 8.
The committee, which met again on Thursday (15) to finalise arrangements, is investigating allegations that Tennakoon misused his official powers in a manner deemed severe and improper.
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