SL – India joint media briefing ; MoUs exchanged (Video / Pics)

Published

3 months ago

April 5, 2025

editor

Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (April 05).

Prime Minister Modi was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.

A joint media briefing and the official ceremony of exchanging bilateral agreements signed between the two countries was also held.

The following MoUs were exchanged during the event.

MoU between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for Implementation of HVDC Interconnection for Import/Export of Power
MoU between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Digital Economy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on Cooperation in the Field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation.
MoU between the Government of the Republic of India, the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and the Government of United Arab Emirates for Cooperation in Development of Trincomalee as an Energy Hub
MoU between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on Defence Cooperation
MoU on Multi-sectoral Grant Assistance for Eastern Province
MoU between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Health & Mass Media of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on Cooperation in the Field of Health & Medicine.
MoU on Pharmacopoeial Cooperation between the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the Republic of India and The National Medicines Regulatory Authority, Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

In addition, the visit also resulted in the following outcomes :

Inauguration of upgraded railway track of Maho-Omanthai railway line.
Launch of Construction of Signalling System for Maho-Anuradhapura railway line.
Ground Breaking ceremony of Sampur Solar power project (virtual).
Inauguration of Temperature Controlled Agricultural Warehouse in Dambulla (virtual).
Supply of Solar Rooftop Systems for 5000 Religious Institutions across Sri Lanka (virtual).

(Video : Department of Government Information)

3 including Mervyn released on bail

Published

6 seconds ago

July 3, 2025

editor

Former Minister Mervyn Silva and two other individuals were granted bail today (July 03) by the Gampaha Provincial High Court.

They were released on a cash bail of Rs. 200,000 and five personal sureties of Rs. 5,000,000 each.

Additionally, the court imposed overseas travel bans on them.

The defendants were strictly warned to refrain from influencing witnesses and were ordered to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) every Sunday.The defendants were previously remanded over allegations of selling a state-owned land in the Kiribathgoda area using forged deeds.

Legal proceedings are still underway.

News

Monara TV closes down as Swarnavahini too grapples with crisis

Published

3 hours ago

July 3, 2025

editor

Monara TV, launched with much fanfare just a year ago under the Swarnavahini media network, has reportedly shut down operations.

Employees have been informed that the closure is temporary, citing the need to resolve certain administrative issues.

The channel, led by Buddhika Wickramadhara, was ceremonially launched on June 25, 2024, with a grand event at Waters Edge.

Producers who supplied teledramas to Monara TV say they are owed nearly Rs.200 million in unpaid dues.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the parent Swarnavahini TV channel is also reportedly grappling with a serious financial crisis, paying teledrama producers only after 60 episodes are broadcast.

Producers claim they are compelled to wait about 03 months to recover an investment of around Rs.15 million per teledrama. Even then, payments are made in small portions, covering just 05 episodes at a time.

Producers who supplied teledramas before the appointment of Mr. Susara Dinal as CEO say it is even harder to claim their outstanding payments, as they have been asked to recover the dues from former CEO – Udara Wijesinghe.

The Swarnavahini Media Network is owned by Subaskaran Allirajah – Chairman of Lyca Group, which also owns Lycamobile, a global telecommunications company.