Category: Breaking News

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya says the drive to bring about transformational change in education will continue, despite any obstacles that may arise.

She made these remarks while attending the Sisu Nena Pranama Scholarship Award Ceremony organized by the Education Co-operative Society at Temple Trees this morning.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the government had made a significant commitment to bring about transformational change in education, despite criticisms and obstacles from opposition parties and other groups. She added that when there was a clear vision and goal, all challenges had to be faced to achieve meaningful progress.

She also highlighted that in today’s complex world, strong human resources were essential, calling the nation’s people its greatest asset. The Prime Minister went on to note that transforming the education system is the key to developing skilled and capable citizens and building a safe, prosperous, and inclusive society where all citizens could enjoy a secure and fulfilling life.

As reconstruction efforts continue in the wake of cyclone Ditwah, India dispatched a consignment of 10 Bailey bridges to Colombo onboard INS Gharial to assist the restoration of critical connectivity.

Sharing the details in a post on X, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the supply of bridges is a part of India’s Special Economic Package of USD 450 million announced during the visit of Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar to Sri Lanka.

“India continues to stand with to support reconstruction efforts after #CycloneDitwah. To assist restoration of critical connectivity, a consignment of 10 Bailey Bridges was despatched today from Visakhapatnam to Colombo on-board #INSGharial. The supply of bridges is a part of India’s Special Economic Package of USD 450 million announced during the recent visit of EAM @DrSJaishankar to Sri Lanka, after India’s emergency #HADR support through #OperationSagarBandhu”, India’s MEA said on X.

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka late last year, triggered widespread flooding, landslides, and large-scale infrastructure damage, overwhelming local disaster-response mechanisms.

Earlier in January, the Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force has successfully constructed the third Bailey Bridge, measuring 120 feet, at KM 15 on the B-492 Highway in Sri Lanka.

The bridge, located in the Central Province, reconnects the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, restoring a critical lifeline that had remained disrupted for over a month following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

The achievement followed the earlier successful launch of two Bailey bridges in the Jaffna and Kandy regions. Collectively, these engineering efforts have restored road connectivity, improved access to essential services, and provided much-needed relief to communities affected by the cyclone.

Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched in November 2025, enabled India to provide urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), including restoration of roads, bridges, and essential services. By swiftly reestablishing connectivity along the B-492, the Indian Army has not only facilitated daily life for affected communities but also strengthened bilateral ties and goodwill between India and Sri Lanka.

Source: ANI

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to deepen partnership in the digital economy by establishing a Joint Working Group on Information Technology and Digital Economy, marking a new phase in bilateral collaboration focused on emerging technologies and digital transformation.

The decision was taken during the 13th session of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC), held in Colombo, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic ties and expanding cooperation across a wide range of sectors.

The Pakistani delegation to the meeting was led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan.

Officials from both countries noted that while Sri Lanka and Pakistan share longstanding bilateral relations in trade, investment and development cooperation, there was a growing need to move beyond traditional areas and develop partnerships in advanced and innovative technologies. The newly formed working group is expected to facilitate collaboration in areas such as digital infrastructure, IT services, e-governance and skills development.

The JEC session also focused on enhancing industrial cooperation and boosting bilateral trade. Sri Lanka invited Pakistani pharmaceutical companies to explore investment opportunities, highlighting the potential for joint ventures and technology transfer in the health sector.

Both sides expressed consensus on strengthening cooperation in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, recognising its critical role in economic growth, employment generation and innovation. Measures to support SME linkages and knowledge sharing were discussed.

The meeting concluded with an understanding to continue engagement through institutional mechanisms to translate agreed initiatives into tangible outcomes and further reinforce economic partnership between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Tensions flared in court on Wednesday during proceedings in the case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, with prosecutors questioning how the former leader was seated in court as a suspect and raising concerns over his previous hospital stay following remand.

Additional Solicitor General Dileep Peiris told the Fort Magistrate’s Court that Wickremesinghe was present in court as a suspect and questioned the manner in which he was seated.

“How can a suspect sit like that? He must obtain the court’s permission,” Peiris said, prompting objections from the defence.

Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara agreed with the prosecution’s position, stating that there is a proper procedure for court seating arrangements. “There is a proper procedure for seating in court, and it must be followed,” the magistrate said.

Peiris also raised concerns over Wickremesinghe’s hospitalisation after he was previously remanded, alleging misuse of public resources.

“After being remanded, he was admitted directly to the intensive care unit at the National Hospital and spent time with his associates there, even reading Boris Johnson’s book,” Peiris told court.

He further claimed that a medical report had been submitted to court without a request from the judiciary, and that the prosecution had not received a copy of the report.

“This suspect illegally stayed in the ICU and misused public property,” Peiris alleged.

Defence lawyers rejected the claims, arguing that many of the allegations did not relate to their client and that the authenticity of an invitation letter for Wickremesinghe’s UK visit had not been properly investigated.

The court also remanded former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, named as the second suspect in the case, until Feb. 11, rejecting his bail request. The magistrate said bail could not be granted under the Public Property Act without exceptional circumstances.

The case was postponed, with Wickremesinghe ordered to appear again on April 29.

The People’s Bank of China has recently signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to establish renminbi clearing arrangements in Sri Lanka, said a statement released by China’s central bank on Wednesday.

The establishment of renminbi clearing arrangements will facilitate the use of the Chinese renminbi in cross-border transactions by enterprises and financial institutions from both countries, it said, adding the move will further promote bilateral trade and investment.

Source: China Daily

The 18th session of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Joint Economic Commission is scheduled to take place in Colombo today.

A delegation, including Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Industries and Production, arrived in the island yesterday afternoon to participate in the event.

The Sri Lankan delegation for today’s session will be led by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security, Wasantha Samarasinghe.

The Ministry stated that this session provides a significant opportunity to further enhance economic cooperation between the two nations.