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Cabinet sub-committee & new institute to implement ‘Surbana Jurong’ plan

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During a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on May 14, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that a Cabinet sub-committee would be appointed to implement the Surbana Jurong plan for the development of the Western Province and a new agency would be established for this purpose.

The President stressed the need for comprehensive development in the Western Province through a formal city development plan, stating that informal development could become uncontrollable. The Western Province contributes about 50 per cent to the country’s economy, making its development crucial.

President Wickremesinghe instructed officials to present the development plan for the Eastern Province to the Cabinet. He also reminded everyone that the first plan related to the development of the Western Province was presented by Minister Indika Gunawardena in 1997 but was never implemented.

The plan presented by Surbana Jurong Company in Singapore in 2004 also suffered a similar fate. The President urged officials to discuss the revised plan proposed by the company in 2015 and come to an urgent decision on the basic development plan needed for the Western Province, with further amendments if necessary.

The President was presented with the main development plan proposed to be implemented in the Western Province through the Urban Development Authority, and officials also discussed the release of land and land acquisition for the implementation of development works. President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed officials to speed up the work.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Prasanna Ranatunga, Bandula Gunawardena, Wijayadasa Rajapakshe, Nalin Fernando, Member of Parliament Yadamini Gunawardena, Presidential Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake, Presidential Senior Adviser on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardena, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake and a group of government officials including ministry secretaries attended the discussion.

(President’s Media Division)

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SL temporarily stops sending workers to Israel

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment – Arundika Hemantha stated that Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended sending workers to Israel.
Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo today (June 16), the Deputy Minister said the decision was made as a precautionary measure due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

“This is a temporary suspension of sending workers to Israel for foreign employment. Depending on how the situation develops over the next few days, we will take further decisions,” he stated.

He also urged Sri Lankan citizens currently in Israel and Iran to stay in touch with the respective Sri Lankan embassies. “We have shared the necessary contact numbers, and if any Sri Lankan faces a difficult situation, they can reach out without hesitation. Our top priority is the safety of our citizens,” he added.

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SC hears contempt case against Ilukpitiya

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The contempt of court case filed against Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Illukpitiya, who is currently in remand custody, was taken up for hearing before the Supreme Court today (16).

The hearing was conducted before a three-judge bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva, and Arjuna Obeysekera.

The first witness to give evidence was Supreme Court Registrar Aravinda Gunaratne. Under the direction of President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran—who is one of the petitioners—Registrar Gunaratne testified that three Fundamental Rights petitions are currently pending before the Supreme Court, challenging the electronic visa (e-Visa) issuance process. 

He stated that interim injunctions had been issued by the Court in this regard on August 2, 2023.

He further noted that the respondent, Controller General Harsha Illukpitiya, had subsequently filed an affidavit informing the Court of difficulties in implementing the said orders. 

Following testimony from officials of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, contempt of court charges were filed against Ilukpitiya for non-compliance.

Subsequent evidence was also recorded from a representative of Sri Lanka Mobitel, which was involved in the e-Visa issuance process.

During the proceedings, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris, appearing for the respondent, requested the Court to issue an order to summon several files from the Department of Immigration and Emigration relevant to the case. The bench granted the request and directed the Department to submit the files in a sealed envelope to the Court Registrar.

Accordingly, the hearing was adjourned until July 1.

Previously, the Supreme Court had issued an interim injunction ordering the reinstatement of the previous visa issuance system. This followed a decision made by the Cabinet under the former administration to transfer the e-Visa process to two private entities—an action now under legal scrutiny.

Harsha Illukpitiya was remanded on September 25, 2024, after being charged with contempt of court for failing to comply with the interim injunction. His bail application was subsequently denied.

The petitions were filed by former Members of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka, M.A. Sumanthiran, and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader and MP Rauff Hakeem.

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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President’s Fund recognizes GCE A/L top achievers

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The President’s Fund has organized a provincial-level awards programme to honour outstanding students who excelled in the 2023/2024 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examinations at the district level.

Under this initiative, 60 top-performing students from each district selected based on exceptional results across all subject streams will receive financial scholarships and certificates of achievement. 

The selection process is conducted in collaboration with the Department of Examinations and the University Grants Commission (UGC), using official results published for the 2023/2024 exams.

The first phase of this programme will recognize distinguished students from the Northern Province who achieved top results in the 2023 A/L examinations. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Kilinochchi on June 22, 2025, with all preparations now finalized.

Accordingly, the exceptional students from the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya who performed remarkably in the 2023 GCE Advanced Level Examination will be honoured at the event.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway to hold award ceremonies in the other provinces shortly as well.

(President’s Media Division)

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