Former President Maithripala Sirisena has sent a letter of demand to Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, seeking damages/compensation of Rs. 1 billion over defamation.

Sirisena demands Rs. 1 bn from Amaraweera for defamation

Popular tutor and author Upul Shantha Sannasgala, who was arrested by the Kandana Police in connection with an alleged fraud, has been granted bail. He is accused of defrauding an individual of Rs. 1 million.

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sannasgala granted bail

 Easter attacks: Gotabaya denies allegations by Cardinal 

In a strategic move that could reshape its diplomatic landscape, Sri Lanka has announced its intention to seek membership in the BRICS group of nations.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.rt.com/russia/596501-sri-lanka-join-brics/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Janitha Abeywickrema Liyanage, Sri Lanka's ambassador to Russia, confirmed such aspirations during a statement to reporters, as reported by Russian state media outlet RT.</a> "Sri Lanka is planning to join BRICS+," affirmed Ambassador Liyanage, expressing optimism that membership would bolster both transport and food security for the South Asian country. BRICS consortium is a coalition of non-Western economies that has steadily grown in influence since its inception. Initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS has recently welcomed four new members – Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the UAE – earlier this year. Opposition Parliamentarian Mano Ganesan also emphasised this sentiment during a high-level meeting between the Sri Lankan Opposition Leader and a visiting delegation from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).https://x.com/ManoGanesan/status/1783161377110237217Ganesan conveyed to the Chinese delegation Sri Lanka's aspiration to align itself with BRICS, positioning itself alongside key regional players. He articulated hopes for Chinese support in facilitating Sri Lanka's entry into the influential economic bloc. It is worth noting that Colombia, Venezuela, Thailand, Cuba, Senegal, Nigeria, Bahrain, Belarus, and Pakistan are among the countries that have recently expressed intentions to join BRICS, signaling the group's increasing global appeal. The expansion of BRICS signifies a shift in the global balance of power, with non-Western economies increasingly asserting themselves on the world stage.&nbsp; For Sri Lanka, membership in BRICS could offer access to new economic opportunities, enhanced diplomatic ties, and greater security cooperation within the region.

Sri Lanka eyes BRICS+ membership

Athens turned orange as winds deposited sand from North Africa on the Greek capital. Skies over southern Greece turned an orange hue on Tuesday as dust clouds blown across the Mediterranean Sea engulfed the Acropolis and other Athens landmarks. Strong winds carried the dust from the Sahara Desert, giving the atmosphere of the capital a Martian-like filter amid the last hours of daylight. The skies were predicted to clear on Wednesday as winds shift and move the dust, with temperatures dipping. On Tuesday, the daily high in parts of the southern island of Crete topped 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), more than 20C (36F) higher than temperatures registered across northern Greece. The winds over recent days have also fanned unseasonal wildfires in the south. The fire service reported on Tuesday that a total of 25 wildfires had broken out across the country in the past 24 hours. Three people were arrested on the Aegean Sea resort island of Paros on suspicion of accidentally starting a scrub blaze, it said. No significant damage or injuries were reported, and the fire was quickly contained. Greece suffers devastating, and often deadly, forest blazes every summer. Last year, the country recorded the European Union’s largest wildfire in more than two decades. Persistent drought, combined with high spring temperatures, has raised fears of a particularly challenging period for firefighters in the coming months. Source : Al Jazeera

Athens turns orange under North Africa’s Sahara dust clouds

The Department of Meteorology stated that showers or thundershowers can be expected in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Southern provinces today (25) Showers or thundershowers may occur over the coastal areas of Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota during the morning. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces in the morning. The general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Thundershowers expected in five provinces today 

<ul><li> EC Chair notes that SLFP is yet to be placed separately, cites ongoing discussions&nbsp;</li><li>Parties with intra-party conflicts placed separately pending judicial proceedings conclusion&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>The Election Commission (EC) stated that several recognised political parties have had to be set aside from the relevant list due to internal crises within the said parties.According to the official website of the EC, there are 84 recognised political parties in Sri Lanka.Speaking to The Daily Morning, EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that there have been internal crises due to various issues such as problems in appointing the secretary of several recognised political parties. “We have had to set aside several parties from the list of recognised political parties. There are crises in them due to various reasons. For example, some parties have appointed two secretaries. In such cases, we cannot conclude who should be accepted as the secretary.”He also said that giving nominations for members of such political parties in elections is also problematic. “It is the secretary of a certain political party who deals with the EC regarding nominations. Some political parties have two secretaries. In such cases, we cannot decide which secretary's submissions should we base our decision on in issuing nominations? Therefore, they have been placed separately in the recognised political parties' list until the internal crises are resolved through judicial proceedings.”When queried as to whether the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which is currently in a state of crisis, is also among such Parties, Rathnayake said that they have not yet added it to the list, since there are ongoing discussions pertaining to the matter. With an interim injunction being issued by the Colombo District Court preventing former President and incumbent Opposition Parliamentarian Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the Party Chairperson, a problematic situation has arisen within the SLFP. The EC recently stated that if the crisis situation within the SLFP continues, there may be a problematic situation in issuing nominations for SLFP members in the upcoming elections.&nbsp;

Recognising political parties: Risks ‘delisting’ over internal disputes 

<ul><li>Iranian Prez Dr. Raisi pledges knowledge, expertise, &amp; experience sharing&nbsp;</li><li>5 MOUs signed, Prez Ranil acknowledges ‘invaluable’ tech. support&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>Iran stands ready to share its knowledge, expertise, and experience with Sri Lanka for the progress and development of the country, including partnerships in large-scale projects, said Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi.The Iranian Head of State made these remarks after participating in the ceremony to inaugurate the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) yesterday (24).President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed gratitude to Iran for their technical support, emphasising that without Iran’s assistance, Sri Lanka could not have diverted the Uma Oya tributaries into the Kirindi Oya.&nbsp;President Wickremesinghe and Dr. Raisi jointly inaugurated the UOMDP.Coinciding with Dr. Raisi’s visit, Sri Lanka and Iran signed five memorandums of understanding (MOUs) yesterday.Dr. Raisi’s visit came after a special invitation extended by President Wickremesinghe.The UOMDP aims to alleviate water scarcity in the South-Eastern dry region of the country by redirecting an annual average of 145 million cubic metres (MCM) of excess water from the Uma Oya basin to the Kirindi Oya basin. Owing to this project, approximately 4,500 hectares (ha) of new land and 1,500 ha of existing agricultural land (6,000 ha/15,000 acres of farmland) in the Monaragala District will receive irrigation water, the Government said in an earlier statement. Moreover, the areas of Badulla, Monaragala, and Hambantota will benefit from 39 MCM of water for drinking and industrial purposes, while generating and adding 290 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electrical energy annually to the national grid. Additionally, the UOMDP has effectively addressed the challenge of supplying water for both domestic and industrial purposes in the Bandarawela and Wellawaya regions.&nbsp;The project encompasses the construction of two Reservoirs at Puhulpola and Dyraaba, a conveyance tunnel (link tunnel) spanning 3.98 kilometres (km) to connect the two Reservoirs, a 15.2 km long headrace tunnel (HRT), a surge shaft, a pressure shaft, an underground powerhouse, a switchyard, a transmission line, a tailrace tunnel, and related infrastructure.Pursuant to a MOU executed between Sri Lanka and Iran on 27 November, 2007, the Cabinet of Ministers had approved the execution of the contract agreement between the Executing Agency, the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management of Sri Lanka and the Farab Energy and Water Projects (Farab Company) of Iran dated 28 April 2008, to implement the UOMDP by the Farab Company, as an engineering, procurement and construction contract.&nbsp;The total contract sums amount to $ 514 million and the contract became effective on 15 March 2010. Initially, the Export Development Bank of Iran funded $ 50 million until 2013. However, due to international sanctions on Iran, they were unable to continue providing funds for the project. Therefore, the Sri Lankan Government decided to proceed with the project using Government funds while continuing with the same contractor, the Farab Company.When the UOMDP commenced on 15 March 2010, its scheduled completion date was 15 March 2015. However, due to various factors such as technical issues, particularly unexpected water ingress into the HRT, social impacts, financial challenges, and disruptions caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic during the construction period, the completion date had been extended to 31 March of this year.&nbsp;The UOMDP involved significant engineering challenges, particularly due to the 700-metre difference in height between Bandarawela and Wellawaya. Adjusting the tunnel route at such a height was a complex task. Additionally, the construction of a deep pressure shaft to channel water onto turbines is an unprecedented feat. The project completed its commissioning phase in February and March 2024, successfully synchronising Units One and Two with the national grid. It then proceeded to complete its trial operations on 1 April this year.Additionally, the overall duration of the project, including the defect and liability period, has been extended to 31 March of next year (2025).&nbsp;Following the completion of the UOMDP, the project components will be transferred to the operating authorities, namely the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Mahaweli Authority. This transition will occur after the Ministry of Irrigation takes over the project components from the contractor.Once electricity is generated, the water is directed through a tunnel to the Alikota Ara Reservoir, built across a tributary of the Kirindi Oya. From there, it is further diverted to the Handapanagala Reservoir, which has been expanded threefold as part of the project. Additionally, water is channelled to the new Kuda Oya Reservoir, currently under construction on the right bank. These Reservoirs facilitate irrigation in areas such as Wellawaya, Thanamalvila, and Balaharutha in the Monaragala District.An irrigation system spanning over 60 metres in length is currently being constructed. It is anticipated that this system will supply irrigation water to 1,500 ha of already cultivated land and an additional 4,500 ha of newly developed land, supporting agricultural activities in both the Yala and Maha seasons.The Uma Oya Downstream Development Project, facilitated directly by the Irrigation Department, is poised to alleviate the longstanding water scarcity issues in the Kirindi Oya Basin. Under the guidance of the Government, officials have been directed to execute an integrated agricultural development initiative leveraging modern technology to optimise water utilisation.

Uma Oya Project launched 

<ul><li>AMS claims 800-plus vacancies fueled by inadequate income, lack of facilities including transport package, insufficient support, psychological difficulties&nbsp; </li></ul>The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) claimed that the shortage of medical specialists in the country is now higher than 800.&nbsp;Seven specialists attached to several leading hospitals, according to the AMS, had left the country during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays. Speaking to The Daily Morning, a senior member of the AMS claimed that medical specialists attached to the District General Hospitals of Hambantota, Embilipitiya, Monaragala, and Nuwara-Eliya and the Base Hospitals of Bibile, Medirigiriya and Mahiyanganaya had migrated during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays. There have been anaesthetists, physicians, and obstetricians and gynaecologists among the said seven specialists.The AMS member further claimed that there should be about 2,500 medical specialists in the country as per current circumstances, but that there are only about 1,700 specialists. He attributed the main reasons for specialists leaving the country for foreign jobs to be the insufficient income, the lack of facilities, and psychological difficulties that they have had to endure due to having to work long distances away from their families.&nbsp;“Various issues are there with regard to specialists' welfare which are yet to be addressed. The Government's failure to provide them with a transport allowance is one of the main issues. Certain specialists have to travel hundreds of kilometres between their houses and the serving hospitals. In accordance with the Public Administration Circular 22/99 approved in 1999 and updated in 2010, senior officials in all sectors of the public service are entitled for an official transport allowance, most including a suitable vehicle and also a driver. The relevant regulations state that Grade One Government officers are eligible for this official transport package. In that context, the specialists are clearly eligible for this allowance, but they are not provided with it. There are several other issues that should be addressed. You can’t keep anybody in the country against their will. All they ask is for reasonable remuneration and benefits, good living quarters, and facilities for children’s education. If they can give a 70% pay hike to the Central Bank employees, why can’t they meet the specialists’ demands at least halfway,” he explained.Minister of Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana was not available for comment.Sri Lanka has faced a significant shortage of medical specialists in the past few years, leading to increased pressure on the healthcare system. This shortage has been influenced by several factors, including the changes made to the public servants' retiring age, the migration of healthcare professionals for better opportunities abroad, insufficient training programmes to meet growing demands, and resource related constraints within the health sector.&nbsp;

Sirisena demands Rs. 1 bn from Amaraweera for defamation

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sannasgala granted bail

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sa ...

Easter attacks: Gotabaya denies allegations by Cardinal

Easter attacks: Gotabaya deni ...

Sri Lanka eyes BRICS+ membership

Sri Lanka eyes BRICS+ membersh ...

Athens turns orange under North Africa’s Sahara dust clouds

Athens turns orange under Nort ...

Thundershowers expected in five provinces today

Thundershowers expected in fiv ...

Recognising political parties: Risks ‘delisting’ over internal dispute ...

Recognising political parties: ...

Uma Oya Project launched

Uma Oya Project launched

Medical specialist shortage ‘critical’

Medical specialist shortage ‘c ...

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sannasgala granted bail

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sa ...

Easter attacks: Gotabaya denies allegations by Cardinal

Easter attacks: Gotabaya deni ...

Sri Lanka eyes BRICS+ membership

Sri Lanka eyes BRICS+ membersh ...

Athens turns orange under North Africa’s Sahara dust clouds

Athens turns orange under Nort ...

Thundershowers expected in five provinces today

Thundershowers expected in fiv ...

Recognising political parties: Risks ‘delisting’ over internal dispute ...

Recognising political parties: ...

Uma Oya Project launched

Uma Oya Project launched

Medical specialist shortage ‘critical’

Medical specialist shortage ‘c ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sannasgala granted bail

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sa ...

Easter attacks: Gotabaya denies allegations by Cardinal

Easter attacks: Gotabaya deni ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Sri Lanka eyes BRICS+ membership

Sri Lanka eyes BRICS+ membersh ...

Athens turns orange under North Africa’s Sahara dust clouds

Athens turns orange under Nort ...

Thundershowers expected in five provinces today

Thundershowers expected in fiv ...

Recognising political parties: Risks ‘delisting’ over internal dispute ...

Recognising political parties: ...