News

Presidential Houses to be limited to just two

Published

4 months ago

January 22, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the government has decided to release all Presidential Houses except those in Colombo and Kandy, and all ministerial bungalows, for suitable purposes.

Speaking during the ‘Satana’ programme on Sirasa TV yesterday (Jan. 21), he also elaborated on the expense incurred by the state to provide luxurious residences for former Presidents.

He also stated that this was not a personal vendetta but to change the political culture that the mandate had called for.

President Dissanayake also expressed gratitude towards former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for not accepting a government house, while noting that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former first lady Hema Premadasa had also handed over their official residences some time ago.

However, the former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga have yet to hand in their houses and these houses were evaluated, the President said.

According to state evaluation, the rent of the residences resided by Mr. Rajapaksa, Ms. Kumaratunga and Mr. Sirisena is Rs. 4.6 million, Rs. 02 million and Rs. 0.9 million respectively, he pointed out, adding that according to the provisions of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, former Presidents are entitled to either a ‘suitable house’ or to a sum equal to one-third of their pension.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

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

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.