<ul><li>Prez Secretariat and line Mins. have agreed to provide office and finances, public servants to be absorbed to cadre&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Women MPs’ Caucus requests audience with Prez for maiden Comm. Chair who resigned and whom Comm. wants reinstated&nbsp;</li></ul> Indicating an end to the non-functioning of the National Commission on Women, the relevant authorities, including the Presidential Secretariat and the key line Ministries, have agreed to provide the Commission with essential resources such as an office space and financial allocations, according to the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus’ Deputy Chairperson, attorney Chamindranee Kiriella. The President's Secretary, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake had convened a meeting yesterday (12) to discuss the operational difficulties faced by the Commission. It was attended by Commission members, Caucus representatives, the Secretaries to the Ministries of Women's Affairs, and Public Administration, and the Management Services Department’s Director General (DG). The Commission's maiden Chairperson, Dr. Ramani Jayasundere who has already submitted her letter of resignation to the President, did not attend the meeting. When contacted by The Daily Morning, Kiriella, who attended the meeting, said&nbsp; the most pressing issues discussed during the meeting were the lack of budgetary allocations, an independent office space, and other resources. She said&nbsp; the Government has currently allocated Rs. 50 million to the Commission, which she said was about one-third of the funds requested by the Commission. “The issue was largely financial allocations and resources. During the meeting, we were informed that a suitable office space will be provided to the Commission in the coming days. That is very important as the Commission has been asking for an independent office space since September of last year (2025),” she said. She added that Commission members had expressed appreciation for the manner in which Dr. Jayasundere had managed the institution under difficult circumstances and had inquired whether there was a way for her to be reinstated. In response, Kiriella said that she had suggested that since many of the outstanding issues are now being addressed, Dr. Jayasundere should be granted a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss any issues, particularly as she (Dr. Jayasundere), when submitting her resignation, had reportedly asked for an audience with the President. “I also questioned why these matters had not been resolved earlier. They told us that Budget proposals were submitted in May 2025 and the Commission was formally established only in September 2025. However, the Caucus is also supposed to nominate two members to the Commission, and our nominations were forwarded in January 2025. The Caucus Chairperson, Saroja Savithri Paulraj is also in charge of the Women's Affairs Ministry who should have requested the Budgetary allocations at the outset. By May 2025, it was very clear this Commission was going to be constituted. This, to me, points to poor planning and foresight, and ignorance,” she further said. On staffing issues, Kiriella said the said DG had requested the Commission to submit its cadre requirement. She said that it was agreed that existing Government servants would be absorbed into the Commission where possible, as this would be a quicker way to operationalise the body. Attempts to contact Commission members who attended the meeting proved futile. The meeting between the Presidential Secretariat and the respective parties was held amid growing concern over the stalled functioning of Sri Lanka’s first National Commission on Women. The Commission remained inactive due to a lack of communication from the Presidential Secretariat, inadequate resources including an office space, and limited institutional support. Dr. Jayasundere resigned on 27 January 2026, just four months after her appointment, citing the Commission’s inability to operate as mandated under the Women’s Empowerment Act of 2024. It was also reported that there were attempts to place the body under the said Ministry and that the same could undermine its independence.

National Women’s Commission to be operationalised 

<ul><li>Health Min. proposes hosp-based monthly reviews to address med. shortages, regional procurement where necessary&nbsp;</li></ul> The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has decided to launch an investigation into a complaint regarding the importation of allegedly substandard pharmaceutical drugs and the distribution of such to hospitals.In a letter addressed to the Citizens’ Power Against Bribery, Corruption and Waste organisation’s President Kamantha Thushara, the latter being the complainant, the CIABOC stated that the decision was taken after examining the complaint and the information submitted. The complaint was lodged by the organisation in December of last year (2025), following reports that two patients had died after being administered a particular injection that was later withdrawn by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).&nbsp;Thushara said there were allegations the pharmaceutical company in question had imported substandard drugs on more than 100 occasions over a period of time. Nine other injectable medicines imported from the same company had also been withdrawn by the NMRA due to quality-related concerns. The organisation noted that the repeated withdrawal of medicines led to losses running into billions of Rupees for both the Government and the public. Late 2025, the NMRA ordered the immediate withdrawal of 10 injectable medicines used in hospital settings after reports of adverse drug reactions and concerns over product quality.&nbsp;The medicines ordered to be withdrawn include: the Ondansetron Injection US&nbsp; Pharmacopeia (USP) eight mg per four ml, used to prevent nausea and vomiting; the Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection British Pharmacopeia (BP) 1,000 mg, an antibiotic; Co-amoxiclav for Injection BP 1.2 g and 600 mg, used to treat bacterial infections; the Haloperidol Injection BP five mg/ml, prescribed for psychiatric and acute agitation-related conditions; Imipenem/Cilastatin for Injection one gram (g) (500 mg/500 mg), an antibiotic; the Iron Sucrose Injection USP 100 mg/five ml, used in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia; Meropenem for Injection USP one g, an antibiotic; Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection USP 4.5 g, used for serious bacterial infections; and Cefoperazone/Sulbactam for Injection one g, also an antibiotic combination.Meanwhile, the Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni has proposed the conduct of monthly drug review meetings in every hospital to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medicines. He made these remarks during an inspection visit to the Matara District General Hospital. He emphasised that such review meetings are crucial for identifying potential drug shortages in advance and in implementing timely solutions. He noted that the meetings would also help maintain a continuous supply of medicines within hospitals, including through regional procurement where necessary. Wijemuni further stated that maintaining adequate stocks of essential medicines at all times would provide a sustainable solution to recurring issues related to drug shortages. He added the Health Ministry is consistently working to streamline and strengthen the medicine distribution network under the Medical Supplies Division.

Pharma drugs: CIABOC to probe subpar imports 

<ul><li>Funds allocated per population and distribution to GN Divisions</li><li>At least 14k+ village-level projects envisioned this year</li></ul> The Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment Ministry stated that Rs. 25 billion has been allocated under the Praja Shakthi programme, covering all Districts based on their population, with District-level funds to be distributed among 14,008 Grama Niladhari (GN) Divisions for development projects. Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (12), the Deputy Minister Wasantha Piyatissa said the allocation was made through the 2026 Budget for the first phase of the programme and is intended exclusively for development activities at village level. He said that funds have been apportioned to each District according to their population, after which, the District authorities will allocate the money to all GN Divisions under their purview.“At least one development project will be implemented in every GN Division. Even if only one project is carried out in each Division, that means 14,008 development projects across the country during the course of this year alone. When the first phase is concluded, the Government will allocate more money for development projects." He said the Praja Shakthi programme was introduced to address a long-standing issue where local communities were not consulted or involved in development initiatives affecting their villages. He said the new mechanism ensures community participation through structured proposals, and maintains oversight through established Government systems. Early this week, Piyatissa rejected allegations that the Chairpersons of Praja Shakthi Committees were granted the authority to spend State funds, and stressed that all public funds would be managed and disbursed only through the relevant Government institutions and authorised officials. He said the&nbsp; Committees have no role in allocating or controlling public finances. The clarifications came amid criticism from Opposition Parliamentarian and Committee on Public Finance Member Dr. Harsha de Silva, who questioned the legality of appointing political candidates or their representatives as Praja Shakthi Committee Chairpersons. de Silva said the Committees were now deciding on matters such as Samurdhi benefits, roads, and local projects, shifting control from public officials to politically aligned figures.

Under Praja Shakthi prog.: Rs. 25 b for District development projects 

&nbsp;<ul><li>Claim malpractices at leaf collection points&nbsp;</li><li>Want Tea Board and buyers’ intervention for same including Rs. 250 per kg</li></ul> Small tea holders are raising concerns over long-standing malpractices in the weighing and purchasing of green tea leaves, urging the authorities to mandate fully computerised systems to eliminate cheating that persists under traditional methods.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (12), the former Ratnapura District Small Tea Holding Association’s President, N.L. Indika Yasaratne said the majority of grievances faced by smallholders could be resolved if the Tea Board and purchasing companies ensured accuracy in weighing and transactions. “There are broken machines and malfunctioning machines at these collection points. The new computerised system introduced in some places has helped reduce these issues. If this system can be extended to every company, the small tea holder will be greatly benefited,” he said.Yasaratne also highlighted ongoing economic pressures affecting the sector. “Trade unions have decided on a wage of Rs. 1,750 for estate workers. As a result, we are now expected to pay at least Rs. 2,000. When combined with the cost of fertiliser and maintenance, paying that wage leaves us with no profit.” He noted that the current prices range from Rs. 190 to Rs. 200 per kg of tea leaves. “We need at least Rs. 250 per kg to continue operating with a profit,” he asserted.Despite formal representations made to the Tea Small Holding Development Authority and the Plantation Ministry, no solutions have been forthcoming. “We have officially requested their intervention. We have not received any resolution yet,” Yasaratne noted.According to sector data, 16 per cent of Sri Lanka’s arable land is dedicated to tea cultivation. Smallholders operate on 60% of this land and contribute to over 70% of the nation’s total tea output. However, persistent issues including inadequate infrastructure, weighing irregularities, and low leaf prices, remain unaddressed for years.

Tea: Smallholders seek computerised weighing 

<ul><li>NCPA-PHDT collaborate for estate sector child protection projs. across 12 Districts</li></ul> The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has announced its collaboration with the Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT) organisation for the continuation of child protection projects in the estate sector throughout the course of this year (2026), detailing a series of targeted interventions currently being implemented across 12 Districts.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (12) on the condition of anonymity, an NCPA official said the Authority is working on both short-term and long-term goals for the well-being of estate students, while simultaneously seeking to identify instances of abuse, reduce such incidents, and take legal action against the perpetrators.&nbsp;She detailed the NCPA is executing programmes in 12 Districts for children living in estate communities. These Districts include Ratnapura, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Monaragala and Kurunegala and the selection of the said Districts is based on the rate of cases that are being reported regarding child safety. According to the said official, these initiatives are conducted in stages.&nbsp;The process begins with the selection of a small group comprising community leaders, Government officials, and estate heads to collect data. This group then identifies the most prominent issues from among those flagged and determines the strategies to address them. “It is with this priority list that the rest of the programme flows,” the official said.&nbsp;“In some estates, teen pregnancy is the prominent issue; in other estates, it is child labour. The programme differentiates according to the major issue identified,” she added. Following the implementation of remedial actions, NCPA officials conduct monitoring exercises to assess the situation both before and after solutions have been introduced.In addition to these measures, the official said that special programmes are conducted for students with learning difficulties, programmes targeting children with reproductive health issues, and initiatives focused on establishing labour rights. The official further noted that programmes are specifically designed to inculcate among estate children the understanding that they have the opportunity to step outside estate labour through education.

Plantation children: Plagued by teen pregnancy, child labour 

<ul><li>Urges cultural package to be communicated to all tour group organisers, guides, chauffeur tourist guides, area tour guides, site tourist guides, tourists&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>SLTDA seeks complaints from the indigenous community</li></ul> With the Vedda Community Chieftain Uruwarige Wannila Aththo alleging that his culture and community were being exploited by certain groups, the National Tourist Guide Lecturers Association (NTGLA) President, Sampath Perera said that arrangements should be made in consultation with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to set a fixed price for their cultural shows for which a bill should be issued.&nbsp;Speaking to The Daily Morning, Perera said yesterday (12) that while condoning with the plight of the Vedda community, measures should be taken to call a discussion with Wannila Aththo to arrive at a definite price for their cultural heritage shows to the tourists that visit their village in Dambana.&nbsp;He noted this price should be communicated to all tour groups, guides, chauffeur tourist guides, area tour guides and site tourist guides so that there is no misunderstanding in the future.&nbsp;He said there should be a standard package so that a dispute does not arise within the Vedda community along with complaints from visiting tourists or tour group organisers. Arrangements should be made for a receipt to be issued before the show is presented in order to prevent organised groups from benefitting from the hard work of the Vedda clan, he noted.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the SLTDA Chairperson, Buddhika Hewawasam, when contacted for comment, told The Daily Morning that the Authority had not received any complaints in this regard. However, if there are organised groups of touts who are allegedly cheating the Vedda community, then, steps should be taken to lodge a complaint with the Authority or the area Police, he noted. Hewawasam said the issue could be explored and decisions could be made to avoid such unfortunate incidents, should the Wannila Aththo complain to the SLTDA in this regard.&nbsp;Several attempts to contact the authorities of the Cultural Affairs Ministry to look at what measures could be taken to prevent violations of this nature, proved futile.&nbsp;Wannila Aththo has lamented that his community’s cultural heritage was faced with the challenges of being ruined by the present generation which was attempting to use their heritage for money making ventures.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Vedda community’s cultural exploitation: National tourist guides propose set prices, billing  

<ul><li>Says Police risk allowance and Tri-Forces food allowance under review</li></ul> President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the country has reached a dangerous point where political power risks becoming intertwined with drug-linked criminal networks.President Dissanayake said the Government is working towards an independent foreign policy without adhering to any foreign nation while protecting Sri Lanka’s stability in the present conflict-ridden world.He said this while participating in the Central Province programme of the ‘Nation United’ national drive to eliminate the drug menace held in Nuwara Eliya on Wednesday (11).&nbsp;The President said that internally, there is a world with various contradictions and conflicts. There are wars for market share, he stressed.&nbsp;President Dissanayake further said that a public service is needed to build the country. “We are trying to create a very advanced public service. We are providing the necessary facilities including digitalisation and vehicles,” he said. He stated that the Government has provided the highest salary increments for the public service. Dissanayake said the Government is spending Rs. 330 billion for public sector salary increases alone.“According to current World Bank reports, the damage caused to our economy by cyclone Ditwah amounts to approximately United States Dollars 4.1 billion. Destruction worth around Rs. 1.2 trillion has been reported, which is about four per cent of our gross domestic product. We have allocated over Rs. 500 billion for reconstruction following Ditwah. We did not borrow a single cent for this. We did not print money. Our Treasury account held around Rs. 1,200 billion and from that, we allocated Rs. 500 billion for this purpose. In this conflict-ridden world, we are working towards a non-aligned foreign policy that safeguards our stability without aligning ourselves with any side. We are making efforts to establish a highly developed and robust public service. Regarding the Police and the Tri-Forces, I’m aware there are issues regarding your allowances. The food allowances for members of the Armed Forces and the risk allowance for Police officers are all currently under review. After implementing the third salary increment next year (in 2027), we will carefully examine the Budget and consider the provision of the remaining allowances. We must establish the supremacy of the rule of law. Therefore, we are committed to strengthening the rule of law. We must give real meaning to the principle that all are equal before the law. People must have confidence that the law will be enforced regardless of wealth or power. Everyone must be subject to the law. There must be a sense of respect and fear of the law. The main threat we face is illicit drugs. Today, illicit drugs have spread across villages and towns. The shootings that took place in recent times are driven by competition over control of the drug market. The shootings that have occurred in various places in recent times are driven by competition to control and divide the illicit drug trade. Illegal narcotics have fuelled the emergence of armed criminal groups. As a result, our children are being drawn into dealings involving illegal weapons. These networks accumulate vast amounts of wealth, with large sums of money circulating within them. Some weak and compromised State officials fall prey to this money. Some Local Government (LG) Chairpersons have been directly linked to criminal activity. Others use this illicit money to form political parties. There are politicians who have provided protection and patronage to drug traffickers. In connection with this, several LG Councillors have already been arrested. Those who sell drugs in our villages are no longer hidden figures, they operate openly within society. Yet, they spread fear among the people and have even intimidated our Prison officers. We have already put plans in place to put an end to this. We respect democracy and human rights. We are accountable for safeguarding the lives and security of our people. Therefore, we are prepared to take decisive action. Across the country, public security committees have been established at the Grama Niladhari level. We must disrupt the routes through which drugs enter the country. Many drug traffickers are currently based overseas, and some of them have already been apprehended. Funds have been allocated in this year’s (2026) Budget to establish rehabilitation centres across the country. In addition, a National Council has been formed with the involvement of the Buddhist clergy and religious leaders. If just five to 10 minutes of your sermons are devoted to conveying a message to the society about this menace, we can build a strong and powerful public conscience. Likewise, if schoolteachers and principals take this message to the wider community, it can take root as a shared social conviction. We are a Government that has completely withdrawn political protection once afforded to drug traffickers. We have granted the Police and the Armed Forces full freedom to carry out this task”.&nbsp;

President in N’Eliya: Risks from drug-crimes to political power

The Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection has approved the Bill seeking to abolish pension benefits for Parliamentarians. Committee Chair Najith Indika stated the Bill was unanimously approved during the Committee meeting.Speaking on the matter, Indika said the proposal was in line with a key pledge made in the policy statement of the present Government. “One of the proposals we presented in our policy statement was to abolish the pension granted to MPs after serving a few years in Parliament,” he said.He further noted the new Bill would repeal the Parliamentary Pensions Act, No. 1 of 1977. If the Legislation is passed in Parliament next week, MPs will no longer be entitled to a pension.&nbsp;“After this, the Parliamentary service will be carried out purely as a public service. We believe that this is a very important step in terms of the political culture and in fulfilling the promises that we made ahead of the Elections,” Indika added.

SOC clears Bill to scrap MPs’ pensions

Three students were hospitalised after a bulldozer operated by workers of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) for renovation work crashed into a boundary wall of the C.W.W. Kannangara College in Borella yesterday (12), the Police said.&nbsp;The wall reportedly collapsed upon impact, injuring three students who were nearby at the time of the incident, due to the falling debris. One of the injured students is currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital.&nbsp;The injured students are 16-year-olds who had been at the school playground when the accident occurred. The 48-year-old driver of the backhoe has been arrested, and the vehicle has been taken into Police custody.

National Women’s Commission to be operationalised

Pharma drugs: CIABOC to probe subpar imports

Pharma drugs: CIABOC to probe ...

Under Praja Shakthi prog.: Rs. 25 b for District development projects

Under Praja Shakthi prog.: Rs. ...

Tea: Smallholders seek computerised weighing

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Plantation children: Plagued by teen pregnancy, child labour

Plantation children: Plagued b ...

Vedda community’s cultural exploitation: National tourist guides propo ...

Vedda community’s cultural exp ...

President in N’Eliya: Risks from drug-crimes to political power

President in N’Eliya: Risks fr ...

SOC clears Bill to scrap MPs’ pensions

SOC clears Bill to scrap MPs’ ...

School students injured after bulldozer rams wall

School students injured after ...

Pharma drugs: CIABOC to probe subpar imports

Pharma drugs: CIABOC to probe ...

Under Praja Shakthi prog.: Rs. 25 b for District development projects

Under Praja Shakthi prog.: Rs. ...

Tea: Smallholders seek computerised weighing

Tea: Smallholders seek compute ...

Plantation children: Plagued by teen pregnancy, child labour

Plantation children: Plagued b ...

Vedda community’s cultural exploitation: National tourist guides propo ...

Vedda community’s cultural exp ...

President in N’Eliya: Risks from drug-crimes to political power

President in N’Eliya: Risks fr ...

SOC clears Bill to scrap MPs’ pensions

SOC clears Bill to scrap MPs’ ...

School students injured after bulldozer rams wall

School students injured after ...

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Tea: Smallholders seek computerised weighing

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President in N’Eliya: Risks from drug-crimes to political power

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