News
Zoo workers end protest; promise to continue illegal fertilizer business legally

ECONOMYNEXT – A trade union at the national zoological gardens in Dehiwala, Colombo, that had threatened to stop feeding the zoo animals has ended their three-day protest after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa promised to look into their demands.
The workers resumed their duties Friday (20) afternoon, a spokesman for the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-affiliated union said.
The protest campaign began on Tuesday (19) over three key demands: a risk allowance of 5,000 rupees, the removal of veterinarians and the removal of current Director General Shermila Rajapaksa amid an investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds.
Union secretary Priyantha Wickramasinghe told EconomyNext that, following a discussion held with the President’s Secretary and Minister Gamini Lokuge on Thursday (20), it was decided to call off the protest until an internal inquiry into the complaints made against the director general.
Other unions from the ports, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the railway department who had offered their support to the zoo union also took part in the discussions, said Wickramasinghe.
“The President’s Secretary informed us that the president had promised to look into the matter and had asked us to resume work until it was sorted out,” he said.
“The issue of the 5000 rupees’ risk allowance is also being discussed in the ministry and we hope a positive response will be given soon,” he added.
Director General Shermila Rajapaksa has maintained that the protestors were acting on a personal agenda after she had launched an investigation into an illegal fertilizer business that had been operating out of the zoo premises since 2019. She had also refused to help a union leader with a personnel matter, she claimed.
Rajapaksa had reportedly stopped the allegedly illegal business which she claimed was carried out by some employees misusing government property. These workers had also established an ‘illegal welfare fund without any written approval from the department’, she said.
“After my appointment, they asked me to give legal permission for this. When I asked them to come with all the accounts and information regarding the project on November 31, no one came forward,” said Rajapaksa in an earlier report.
Asked to comment on the alleged fertilizer business, Wickramasinghe defended it and said they hope to start it again in the future.
“The fertilizer business was done using the waste of animals and other waste materials. It was stopped by the current DG,” he said.
“We accept that there were some mistakes made there, but we will start again after obtaining approval to do it legally and by registering it under the fertilizer department,” he said.
News
Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA departs island concluding her visit

The Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA which arrived in Sri Lanka on a formal visit, departed the island on 18 Jun 25.
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing
ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions. Upon leaving, the Turkish Naval Ship engaged in a successful Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with SLNS Gajabahu in Colombo seas. The PASSEX involved training exercises in communication and tactical maneuvering, concluding with the traditional cheer ship salute.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Sri Lanka, Semih Lütfü Turgut, accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship, Lieutenant Commander Anil
BİLGİN met with the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda at the Navy Headquarters on 13 Jun 25. The cordial discussion mainly focused on several matters of
bilateral importance and it importance of the occasion.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of TCG BÜYÜKADA took part in several programmes including sporting events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the island.
Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit the Turkish Naval Ship gaining insights into the ship’s operational capabilities.
Meanwhile, the enhanced cooperation and interoperability fostered through this nature of port calls made by foreign naval ships will provide a strong foundation for the Sri Lanka Navy to
collectively and effectively respond to emerging trends and challenges in the maritime fraternity.
News
Students of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visit President’s House

A group of students from Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visited the Presidential Secretariat and the President’s House on Wednesday (18).
The visit was facilitated under the ‘Vision’ programme series, a collaborative initiative for schoolchildren organised by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
As part of the visit, the students toured the Old Parliament building located within the Presidential Secretariat and received a briefing on the history of parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka.
The students and teaching staff were also briefed on the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, spearheaded by President Anura Kumara Disanayake, as well as on the functions of the executive branch and the importance of the rule of law.
To symbolically emphasise the importance of environmental preservation, K.M.N. Kumarasinghe, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, presented the school with a valuable plant sapling.
Among those in attendance were Colonel Dhananjaya Senarath, Deputy Director of the Tri-Forces Security Operations Coordinating Unit; N.A.L. Wijerathna, Principal of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School; and members of the school’s teaching staff.
News
President commends the service of outgoing Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana

President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Wednesday (18), lauded Mahinda Siriwardana, the outgoing Secretary to the Treasury, for his exemplary service, stating that it is the responsibility of public officials to strive to prevent adverse outcomes and contribute to positive change.
The President particularly commended Mr Siriwardana’s exceptional dedication and commitment in expertly navigating the nation’s economy through the transformative period following the recent economic crisis, ultimately achieving significant economic victories for the country. President Disanayake expressed his gratitude for Mr Siriwardana’s invaluable contributions.
These remarks were made by President Disanayake at a farewell ceremony organised at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (18) morning to mark Mr Siriwardana’s retirement from his post as Secretary to the Treasury.
The President highlighted the need for a new value system focused on individual merit in an era where material possessions often overshadow genuine human values. He stressed that the country requires a public service driven by humanity and empathy towards others, fulfilling its duties rather than one marred by excessive consumerism and corruption.
President Disanayake further emphasised that the public service should not be an inaccessible mechanism aloof from citizens. He underscored the importance of considering the impact of decisions on people’s lives when making policy choices. The President concluded by stating that young public officials have much to learn from the distinguished career of Mr Mahinda Siriwardana, a senior public servant with extensive experience and profound understanding.
In his address, Mr Siriwardana described his three-year tenure as Secretary to the Treasury as the most significant period of his professional life. He thanked the President for maintaining confidence in him and allowing him to continue in the position despite a change in government leadership, noting that the President’s support was a great source of strength. Mr Siriwardana added that the country might not have overcome its economic crisis without President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s faith, resilience and boundless dedication.
During the ceremony, the President also presented Mr Siriwardana with a token of appreciation for his outstanding service.
The event was attended by Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning; Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Presidential Adviser on Digital Economy; Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs; other government officials; and family members of Mr Siriwardana, amongst other invited guests.
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