News

President rejects request to extend terms of five envoys

Published

2 years ago

November 13, 2022

editor

A request from the Foreign Ministry to grant permission for four ambassadors and one high commissioner to complete a three-year tenure beyond the retirement age of 60 has been turned down by the President’s Office.

Permission had been sought for these heads of missions – one of them who has already completed the date of retirement and four others who will be reaching retirement age by next year — to complete the three-year term.

However, a decision has been taken not to grant any extensions keeping with a government policy that public sector employees should retire at the age of 60.

Several other Foreign Ministry requests have also been turned down.

The Foreign Ministry had taken up the position that permission should be granted to complete the three-year tenure in the case of Heads of Mission appointed from the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, despite the revision of the retirement age.

The Ministry also has cited the practice of allowing Heads of Mission appointed from the Foreign Service to complete their full tenure of three years after reaching 60.

Extensions had been sought in respect of Ambassadors P.M. Amza (Riyadh), Grace Asirwatham (Brussels), A. Sabarulla Khan (Oman) and S.D.K Semasinghe (Warsaw) and High Commissioner A.M.J. Sadiq (Maldives).

The Ministry had recommended that Mr Amza be allowed to complete his tenure till October 2024, Ms Asirwatham till June 2023, Ms Semasinghe till June 2024, Mr Sadiq till January 2025 and Mr Khan till September 2025.

In a related development, instructions have gone out to increase the number of professionally trained and experienced Sri Lanka Foreign Service officers to be posted as Heads of Mission overseas.

Currently, less than 50 percent of the Heads of Missions are from the Foreign Service.

(Sunday Times)

News

TRCSL denies suspension of ‘Starlink’ satellite broadband service

Published

4 hours ago

March 25, 2025

editor

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has dismissed media reports claiming it has decided to suspend the ‘Starlink’ satellite broadband service, which has been planned to be implemented in the country.

According to the Director General of TRCSL Bandula Herath, a dashboard system is required to carry out the necessary regulations for providing this service. However, there has been some delay in bringing in this system to the country, he said.

He stated that the ‘Starlink’ satellite broadband service is expected to become operational in April, as soon as the necessary systems are in place.

Speaking further, the Director General affirmed, “I can say with responsibility that the service provided by that company will not be stopped. The service is scheduled to be available in our country by April.”

He also highlighted that, “they provide a dashboard to properly regulate the service they offer, to ensure that the required service is being delivered correctly to the customers, and to regulate the country’s national security. Through this, we can regulate both issues effectively.”

(adaderana.lk)

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

News

Shooter of Grandpass twin murder, arrested

Published

4 hours ago

March 25, 2025

editor

Grandpass Police have arrested a 32-year-old suspect involved in the shooting of two individuals in Nagalagam veediya on March 17.
The suspect, a resident of Weskumara Mawatha, Grandpass, was arrested today (March 25) by a special police team.

News

Fmr. State Minister remanded

Published

4 hours ago

March 25, 2025

editor

The Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court today (March 25) ordered to hold former State Minister – S. Viyalanderan in remand custody until April 01.

Viyalanderan was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) after recording a statement in connection with allegedly aiding and abetting the soliciting of a bribe.