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Israel’s cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal

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Israel’s government has approved the new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, paving the way for it to take effect on Sunday.

The decision came after hours of discussions that continued late into the night. Two far-right ministers voted against the deal. 

The security cabinet earlier recommended ratifying the agreement, saying it “supports the achievement of the objectives of the war”, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

It came hours after the prime minister’s office and Hamas both said they had finalised the details of the agreement, two days after it was announced by mediators Qatar, the US and Egypt.

Under the deal, 33 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza after 15 months of conflict will be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails during the first phase lasting six weeks.

Israeli forces will also withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes and hundreds of aid lorries will be allowed into the territory each day.

Negotiations for the second phase – which should see the remaining hostages released, a full Israeli troop withdrawal and “the restoration of sustainable calm” – will start on the 16th day.

The third and final stage will involve the reconstruction of Gaza – something which could take years – and the return of any remaining hostages’ bodies.

Qatar has said the hostages to be released during the first phase will include “civilian women, female soldiers, children, the elderly, and sick and wounded civilians”.

Israel says three hostages are expected to be released on the first day of the ceasefire, with more small groups freed at regular intervals over the next six weeks.

The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas – which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US and others – in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.

More than 46,870 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. 

Most of the 2.3 million population has also been displaced, there is widespread destruction, and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter due to a struggle to get aid to those in need.

Israel says 94 of the hostages are still being held by Hamas, of whom 34 are presumed dead. In addition, there are four Israelis who were abducted before the war, two of whom are dead.

Ahead of the Israeli government’s vote on the deal, Culture Minister Miki Zohar of Netanyahu’s Likud party said: “It’s a very hard decision, but we decided to support it because it’s very important to us to see all of our children, men and women back home.”

“We hope that in the future we will be able to finish the job in Gaza,” he added.

(BBC News)

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AG seeks CID probe into social media smear campaign against his staff

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The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has opened a probe following a complaint by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe that his staff have been unduly targeted by false allegations on social media.

The AG’s instruction to the CID came after several of his staff complained to him over the allegation on social media.

Particularly targeted are senior AG’s Department officials awaiting promotions, sources said.

In one of the posts, a senior officer was accused of being supportive of granting bail to Thamil Makkal Viduthal Puligal (TMVP) leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillaiyan, when his fundamental rights application over his arrest was taken up. During the hearing of the FR case, the matter of bail was not even considered, the sources said.

Another allegation was that in a case related to the suspended Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon, the AG prevented a senior officer from representing the department and instead sent a junior officer. However, on the particular day, the senior officer was indisposed, the sources said.

These allegations surface as the AG’s Department has filed more than 600 new indictments in High Courts so far this year, while the Bribery Commission has also referred several bribery and corruption cases to the AG for prosecution.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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19-yr. old dies after falling from elevator

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A 19-year-old youth has died after falling from a service elevator at a hotel in the Pannai area, in the Jaffna Police Division.

According to the police, the incident had occurred last night (June 21) and the deceased has been identified as a resident of Nirveli, Jaffna.

According to investigations, the youth was employed at the hotel and had been using the service elevator -intended for transporting goods.

Further investigations are underway.

This incident follows a similar case recently reported from a hotel in Moratuwa last week.

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19-yr.-old dies after hotel elevator collapses

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Deputy Foreign Minister addresses 6th CSACF in Kunming

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra participated at the 9th China-South Asia Exposition and the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum (CSACF), held from 18 to 21 June 2025 in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. This year’s Exposition held particular significance for Sri Lanka as it was featured as the Theme Country of the exposition.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, Deputy Minister Hemachandra emphasized the importance of regional unity and shared progress, a crucial factor for South Asia, with its demographic strength and strategic location, increasing share of global trade, and cultural and intellectual assets. He invited investors and partners from China and South Asia to explore opportunities in key sectors, including infrastructure, technology, green energy, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.  

On 20 June 2025, the Deputy Minister held bilateral discussions with the Vice Governor of Yunnan Province, where future collaboration in areas such as processed food, apparel, agriculture, and tourism were explored. He expressed Sri Lanka’s interest in technical assistance and knowledge exchange, including opportunities for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to gain exposure to Yunnan’s expertise in the cut flower industry, a sector in which the province is globally recognized as the ‘Kingdom of Flora and Fauna’.

The Sri Lanka Theme Pavilion was officially inaugurated on 19 June 2025 at the Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe. Minister Samarasinghe also delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony.  

Sri Lanka’s presence at the Exposition showcased a vibrant display of its economic strengths and cultural heritage. A wide range of high-value exports and services were exhibited including gems and jewellery, Ceylon Tea, coconut-based products and fiber, spices, organic and wellness products, handicrafts, batiks, confectionery, and processed foods. Sri Lanka’s participation aimed to strengthen trade ties, enhance export potential, and increase market access for Sri Lankan businesses in China and South Asia.

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