President Ranil Wickremesinghe commended President Yoweri Museveni for assuming leadership at the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Kampala, Uganda and expressed gratitude to President Museveni and Uganda for hosting the summit.
He highlighted the current global challenges, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the shift in the post-Cold War order, and emerging multipolar dynamics.
President Wickremesinghe emphasized the need for NAM to reinvent itself, transforming into the largest bloc representing the Global South.
Proposing the recognition of Palestine and addressing various geopolitical, economic, and technological issues, he called for a united NAM with updated objectives to build a multipolar world.
The President urged for a dynamic bloc capable of shaping the new global order, emphasizing that the future lies in their hands.
President Wickremesinghe further said that Sri Lanka also proposes that the State of Palestine be established within 5 years. “There cannot be a two state solution based on one state – Israel. No resolution is possible without a state of Palestine. Therefore, in line with multiple UN Resolutions, and the Declaration of this Summit, the international community must recognise the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem as territories coming within the State of Palestine and in addition there should be no change in the ethnic composition of Gaza. Sri Lanka also proposes that the State of Palestine be established within 5 years and no more,” he said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ali Sabry PC, Minister of State Mr. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Members of Parliament Mr. Kings Nelson, Mr. Nimal Piyatissa, Mr. Kumarasiri Ratnayake, Mr. Udayakantha Gunathilake, President’s Secretary Mr. Saman Ekanayake, President’s Senior Adviser on Climate Change Mr. Ruwan Wijewardene were also present on this occasion.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today (June 11) ordered the remand of a woman who had worked as a maid at the private residence of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, until June 17.
She was remanded over the case involving the misuse of public funds through fraudulent appointments to the Ministry of Health.
The suspect, Nipuni Krishnajina Rajapaksha, a resident of Embilipitiya, was taken into custody by officials from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on June 11, 2025.
According to CIABOC, she is believed to be connected to a broader investigation into the alleged misuse of government salaries and overtime allowances through false Health Ministry appointments.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this afternoon to provide a statement.
The statement was in relation to cabinet papers submitted by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella concerning the procurement of Human Immunoglobulin.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the CID at 3:00 PM and gave his statement over the course of approximately one hour.
The questioning focused on two cabinet papers presented on September 26 and October 25, 2022, which proposed the emergency purchase of Human Immunoglobulin and other medications.
The cabinet papers, submitted by Minister Rambukwella, cited a severe shortage of essential medicines in the country and emphasized the urgent need to procure additional stocks to prevent a worsening of the crisis.
(News1st)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, was warmly received today (June 11) by German President Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Upon his arrival at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, President Disanayake was welcomed with full state honours including a ceremonial Guard of Honour accorded by the German Armed Forces. The President also participated in the inspection of the military parade.
Following the official welcome ceremony, President Disanayake and President Steinmeier held bilateral discussions.
The bilateral talks focused on further strengthening economic and international relations between the two nations, with special attention given to enhancing cooperation in vocational training and the tourism industry.