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

8,742 Vesak Dansals registered islandwide

Published

7 hours ago

May 12, 2025

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The Public Health Inspectors (PHI)’s Union states that a total of 8,742 Dansals have been registered islandwide, in line with Vesak celebrations this year.

According to the PHI’s Union chairman – Upul Rohana, the highest number of ‘Dansal’ is registered in the Western Province, particularly in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area.

The union has also urged organiser to reduce the use of polythene and plastic during food distribution efforts.

News

Financial assistance from President’s Fund for Gerandi Ella bus accident victims

Published

8 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

A sum of Rs. 1 million from the President’s Fund will be granted for each individual who lost their life in the Kotmale bus accident, the President’s Media Division states.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has directed that a sum of Rs. 1 million be granted from the President’s Fund to each individual who lost their life in the tragic bus accident that occurred early this morning (11) in the Garadiella area, Kotmale.

Accordingly, arrangements have been made to promptly disburse these funds to the next of kin of the deceased through the President’s Fund.

In addition to this assistance, compensation will also be provided to the affected families through the Sri Lanka Transport Board and relevant insurance schemes.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, which has claimed 22 lives so far.

(Pic : Accident1st)

News

Maxwell gets 5-yr. ban

Published

8 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

Former Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Maxwell de Silva was handed a five-year ban, sources revealed.

Earlier, De Silva was suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Ministry of Sports due to various irregularities committed by him over several years.

Accordingly, the NOCSL Executive Committee decided to hand down a five-year ban on De Silva, considering the recommendations made by the NOCSL Ethics Committee, NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam told the Daily Mirror.

Subramaniam further stated that the penalty on De Silva has already been communicated in writing to the IOC.

Accordingly, the former secretary, who has been banned for five years, is now completely prohibited from representing the NOCSL at any foreign event or international conference.

(dailymirror.lk)

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