President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the primary objective of the current Government is not to pursue incremental reforms within the existing framework, but rather to transform and elevate the nation to a significantly higher level of development.

The President emphasized that the current political leadership has already taken steps to break away from the past political culture and that this transformation must now be developed into a stable and lasting system. Furthermore the President stressed the need for all sectors of the country to work collectively and in alignment to elevate the nation to a new level.

President Disanayake also stated that the government is placing particular emphasis on strengthening the public transport system as part of its broader agenda to elevate the country to a new level. He further affirmed that the government will not allow authorities or individuals to act arbitrarily. It has come to an end under the current administration. 

The President further emphasized that society as a whole must develop a sense of fear and accountability when it comes to the misuse of public property and that every individual must be equally subject to the rule of law.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake made these remarks while attending the ceremonial launch of the “Dream Destination” project to modernise 100 railway stations, held yesterday (27) evening at the Presidential Secretariat.

Speaking at the event, President Disanayake further highlighted that statistics confirm approximately eight fatalities occur daily due to road accidents. Accordingly, he highlighted the need for a robust road regulatory framework and underscored that strengthening public transport is essential to reduce traffic congestion, minimise environmental damage by cutting down harmful emissions and ease the heavy financial burden the government bears due to vehicle imports.

Accordingly, the President stated that efforts to develop the country’s public transport system into a modern, accessible and efficient service have already begun. In addition to government investments, opportunities have been opened for private sector participation. He also invited the private sector to collaborate with the government in rebranding Sri Lanka’s railway stations with a fresh and distinctive identity that aligns with contemporary global standards.

The Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, in collaboration with the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Programme and with the support of the private sector, has launched a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project to renovate 100 railway stations across the country.

The aim of this project is to create a clean, attractive railway station network that ensures the safety and comfort of all passengers, including those with special needs.

The Road Safety Action Plan 2025–2026 was formally presented to President Anura Kumara Disanayake by the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Mr. Bimal Ratnayake, during the event.

Speaking at the event, Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that traffic congestion alone results in an estimated annual loss of 2% to 3% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Since around 2012, there has been a significant decline in the public’s reliance on public transport. As a result, even if massive road infrastructure is built in the future, it would not fully resolve the country’s transport challenges. Therefore, he stressed that strengthening public transport has now become an urgent necessity.

To address this, the Minister noted that his Ministry plans to propose the construction of new railway lines from Kottawa to Avissawella and from Avissawella to Ratnapura. It also intends to improve infrastructure to support cargo transportation via rail. Furthermore, while ownership of railroad corridors remains under the Department of Railways, the Ministry hopes to revive and develop the currently unused Nuwara Eliya–Nanu Oya line in collaboration with the private sector for tourism purposes. He added that several other railway development proposals are expected to be included in the upcoming budget.

Murad Ismail, Founder and Chief Architect of MICD Associates, presented the master plan for the railway station modernization initiative at the event. Representing the National Intelligence Organization (NIO – Engineering), Chartered Engineer M.M.S. Moremada shared insights based on pilot projects carried out at the Maradana, Mirigama and Moratuwa railway stations. He also stated that the organization is prepared to voluntarily offer technical guidance as needed to support future developments. 

In parallel, Chief Engineer (Signal and Telecommunication) of the Sri Lanka Railways Department, V.C.E. Jayasekara, highlighted that there are currently 429 unprotected railway level crossings across the country. He noted that enhancing safety at 134 of the most critical locations in the initial phase could significantly reduce the risk of accidents.

During the event, an interactive discussion was held with the participants regarding the ‘Dream Destination’ initiative. They were also introduced to the online platform established for engagement and participation in the project.

Those present included Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Software Engineer Sumudu Ratnayake as well as Heads of several prominent private sector companies and organizations.

(President’s Media Division)

The Defence Secretary has directed the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) to deploy a Bell 412 helicopter for reconnaissance and rescue operations to locate fishermen missing after 02 separate fishing boat accidents at sea.

02 separate fishing boats, one that set off from Dondra Fisheries Harbour and the other from the Moragalla area, were involved in accidents at sea.

The vessel that departed Dondra Fisheries Harbour last evening (June 27) with 05 fishermen on board is believed to have collided with a commercial vessel. 

One fisherman has been rescued, while 04 remain missing.

The Navy has also dispatched a search and rescue vessel to the area.

In the other incident, 02 fishermen from Aluthgama who went to sea from the Moragalla area of Beruwala had gone missing after their small boat capsized at sea. 

The White House has recommended terminating U.S. funding for nearly two dozen programs that conduct war crimes and accountability work globally, including in Myanmar, Syria and on alleged Russian atrocities in Ukraine, according to three U.S. sources familiar with the matter and internal government documents reviewed by Reuters.The recommendation from the Office of Management and Budget, which was made on Wednesday and has not been previously reported, is not the final decision to end the programs since it gives the State Department the option to appeal.

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But it sets up a potential back-and-forth between the OMB and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his aides, who will reply to OMB with their suggestions on which programs deserve to continue.

The programs also include work in Iraq, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Belarus, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan and the Gambia, according to the sources and a list seen by Reuters.

The State Department declined to comment. OMB did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The expectation that Rubio would argue for many of the programs to be continued is slim, according to three U.S. officials. However, the top U.S. diplomat could make a case to keep crucial programs, such as aiding potential war crimes prosecutions in Ukraine, according to one source familiar with the matter.

Several of the programs earmarked for termination operate war crimes accountability projects in Ukraine, three sources familiar with the matter said, including Global Rights Compliance, which is helping to collect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity across Ukraine, such as sexual violence and torture.

Another is Legal Action Worldwide, a legal aid group which supports local efforts to bring cases against Russian suspects of war crimes in Ukraine, the sources said.

Requests seeking comment from the groups were not immediately answered.State Department bureaus that would like to preserve any war crimes and accountability programs should send their justifications by close of business day on July 11, said an internal State Department email seen by Reuters.

CHANGING PRIORITIES

Many of the programs recommended for termination are dedicated to empowering local organizations seeking to advance justice in societies that have faced atrocities, one of the sources said, adding that some programs have been going on for decades across Democratic and Republican administrations.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday applauded the Supreme Court after it delivered what he called a ‘monumental victory,’ limiting the power of federal judges to impose nationwide rulings to block his policies.

“Even if Secretary Rubio intervenes to save these programs, many of which he supported as a senator, there will be no one left to manage these programs,” the source said.

The administration of President Donald Trump has frozen and then cut back billions of dollars of foreign aid since taking office on January 20 to ensure American-taxpayer money funds programs that are aligned with his “America First” policies.

The unprecedented cutbacks have effectively shut down its premier aid arm U.S. Agency for International Development, jeopardized the delivery of life-saving food and medical aid and thrown global humanitarian relief operations into chaos.

The OMB recommendation is yet another sign that the administration is increasingly de-prioritizing advocacy for human rights and rule of law globally, an objective that previous U.S. administrations have pursued.

While U.S. foreign aid freezes had already started hampering an international effort to hold Russia responsible for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Wednesday’s recommendations raise the risk of U.S. completely abandoning those efforts.

Among the programs that are recommended for termination is a $18 million State Department grant for Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office that is implemented by Georgetown University’s International Criminal Justice Initiative, two sources said.

An official at Georgetown declined to comment.

While the programs do not directly impact Ukraine’s frontline efforts to fend off Russia’s invasion, supporters say they represent the best chance of extensively documenting reported battlefield atrocities in Europe’s biggest conflict since World War Two, now grinding toward a fourth year.

Ukraine has opened more than 140,000 war crime cases since Moscow’s February 2022 invasion, which has killed tens of thousands, ravaged vast swathes of the country and left behind mental and physical scars from occupation. Russia consistently denies war crimes have been committed by its forces in the conflict.

PATH TO APPEAL

Other programs include one that does accountability work on Myanmar army’s atrocities against Rohingya minorities as well as on the persecution of Christians and other minorities by Syria’s ousted former president Bashar al-Assad, two sources said.

While the OMB recommendations could face State Department push-back, the criteria to appeal are set very strictly.

In an internal State Department email, the administration cautioned that any effort to preserve programs that were recommended to be terminated should be thoroughly argued and directly aligned with Washington’s priorities.

“Bureaus must clearly and succinctly identify direct alignment to administration priorities,” the email, reviewed by Reuters said.

(reuters.com)

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