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COPE chairman denies accusations as Opp. Leader calls for his removal

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The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman – Prof. Ranjith Bandara has denied that he was engaged in conflict of interest by associating himself with Sri Lanka cricket (SLC) as a consultant for a project to construct a cricket campus in Kandy.

The drama unfolded after a document was circulated over social media which said Professor Bandara had been a consultant of the Kandy Cricket campus project which had been carried out by SLC in 2018.

Professor Bandara had sat for meetings with SLC CEO Ashley de Silva Professor Asoka Tilakawardane who has been the project manager, Sunil Ariyaratne, Janaka Kuruppu coordinator to Project Manager.

Speaking to ‘Daily Mirror’, Professor Bandara has said that he did get involved in the project back in 2018 but kept away from the project once he became an MP. “ I developed the concept of Kandy Cricket Campus but I did not accept any payment for it. I worked on a voluntary basis. This cannot have a connection to the current post which I currently hold in Parliament ,” he has  said.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had called Parliament to replace COPE Chairman from the position due to conflict of interests with the Sri Lanka Cricket.

Explaining Prof. Bandara’s involvement in the aforementioned cricket campus in Kandy, the Opposition leader had added that Prof. Bandara’s son Kanishka Bandara had also been seated at the COPE sessions on SLC this week.

Mr Premadasa had requested the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to explain matters.

Making inquiries from the Parliament Secretary General, the Speaker had stated that Prof Bandara’s son had attended the meeting on the grounds that he was the Media Secretary of Prof Bandara.

However, MP Hesha Withanage pointed out there was no provision to call for a Media Secretary.

Prof Bandara was not present in Parliament at that time and the Speaker assured that he would look into the matter and give a ruling. 

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SLIMFA Media Fest inaugurated (Pics)

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Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, and Minister of Mass Media and Health – Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, jointly inaugurated the first-ever Media Fest organized by the Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) today at Taj Samudra, Colombo.

Under the theme ‘Navigating the New Media Landscape Together,’ the two-day Media Fest from 25-26 April 2025 will explore contemporary media trends and innovations. Key focus areas include AI in journalism, mobile journalism, media monetisation, data journalism, disinformation and fact-checking, content creation and audio journalism. As the first-of-its-kind in Sri Lanka, it will feature keynotes, panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.

The event provides a unique platform for professional development and for fostering collaboration between media professionals from India and Sri Lanka. Experts from India including Ms. Palki Sharma, Managing Editor at Firstpost; Mr. Siddhant Sibal, Assistant Foreign Affairs Editor at WION;Mr. Shailesh Shekhar, Chief Synergy Officer at India Todayand Mr. L.V. Krishnan, CEO of TAM Media Research in collaboration with experts from Sri Lanka will exchange and discuss best practices with the registered participants from the media and business community locally.

SLIMFA, inaugurated in May 2024, under the patronage of the High Commission of India, Colombo is aimed at strengthening media ties between the two countries. Since its inception, the Association has conducted multiple initiatives, including panel discussions and roundtables, focusing on key media-related topics. It is a significant initiative to further bolster the people-to-people connection between the two civilisational twins.

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Ratnayakes conquer Tri-Nation final

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Sri Lanka ‘A’ secured a dominant victory over Ireland ‘A’ to clinch the title in their Tri-Nation Cricket final played at Abu Dhabi yesterday (April 25).

Batting first, Ireland ‘A’ were bowled out for just 200 runs in 47.3 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka ‘A’ were in dire straits losing half of the side for just 43 runs. However, Pavan Rathnayake and Milan Rathnayake salvaged the innings, adding a match-winning unbeaten partnership worth 160 runs for the 6th wicket, sealing victory with 15.3 overs to spare.

Pavan scored 77 runs off 76 balls with 09 fours and 02 sixes while Milan hit 77 runs off 83 balls with 09 fours and 02 sixes.

Milan Rathnayake was named Player of the Final for his all-round performance, having also claimed 3 wickets for just 24 runs in the Irish innings.

Tharindu Rathnayake also stood out, taking 04 wickets for 33 runs in a key performance.

It is singular that all three Rathnayake players – Milan, Pawan, and Tharindu -were key contributors towards SL ‘A’s victory.

The team was captained by Sadeera Samarawickrama, with Avishka Gunawardene serving as head coach.

(Special reporter from Abu Dhabi ; 

Sponsored by: Sri Lankan Airlines)

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Proposal to directly import 110 medicines

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The Ministry of Health (MoH) has reportedly decided to directly procure around 110 types of medicines after discussions with governments of 07 foreign countries.

A special round of discussions regarding this has been reportedly held with diplomatic missions, involving both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the MoH, embassy officials from countries including India, Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh had joined the discussion.

However, it is reported that some of these medicines already have registered suppliers in Sri Lanka. But the MoH had taken the above decision after finding that these suppliers had not participated in recent Tenders for the medicines.

However, the suppliers claim that inefficiencies in the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation Tender boards had caused this issue.

They further point out that nearly a 1,000 Tender processes are stuck in the pipeline.

A recent review meeting chaired by Director General of Health Services – Dr. Asela Gunawardena on April 24 had also discussed the medicine shortage issue.

It was revealed that nearly 200 types of medicines are currently in short supply.

Additionally, it was revealed that the SPC has not signed contracts for about 85 medicines. Although the SPC has completed procurement for 42 medicines, it has not issued Letters of Credit (LCs).

Although concerns have also been raised in Parliament, no concrete action has been taken so far.

Meanwhile, the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights has highlighted shortages of items like intraocular lenses, heart catheters, and stents in hospitals.

Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa – President of the alliance, had stated that due to the shortage of catheters and stents needed for heart angiograms, patients are being forced to purchase them outside of hospital at a much higher cost.

(Source: Aruna)

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