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Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne appointed as Navy Chief of Staff

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne as the Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Navy effective from 23rd December 2022.

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera formally handed over the letter of appointment in this regard to Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne at the Navy Headquarters today (Jan. 03) and expressed his best wishes to the newly appointed Chief of Staff.
Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne is a proud product of Mahanama College, Colombo. He has amply exhibited excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities during his school days as a college senior prefect, member of school cadet platoon as well as an athlete. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy in 1987 as an Officer Cadet of 16th intake, in the Executive branch. On successful completion of his basic training from the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant on 15th June 1989. The senior officer completed his Sub Lieutenant Technical Course at the Naval and Maritime Academy in 1990 and specialized in Long Navigation and Directions at the Navigation and Operations School, Pakistan Navy in 1999. Progressing steadily in his career, the senior officer was elevated to the rank of Rear Admiral on 07th August 2020.

He has successfully completed the Naval Command and Staff Course from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington in India in 2004/2005. He holds a Master’s Degree in the Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras in India and also has a Master’s in Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong, Australia in the year 2017. In addition, the senior officer has completed a Diploma in Conflict Resolution at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies in Colombo.

He has been awarded the Rana Soora Padakkama (RSP), a gallantry medal, twice for his conspicuous bravery. He has also been awarded the Uththama Sewa Padakkama (USP), for his unblemished character and devotion to the duty. In addition, Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne has been issued 03 Letters of Commendation by Commanders of the Navy for outstanding performance of the duty and exceptional contributions to the naval service.

Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne has had the privilege of commanding various Fast Attack Craft, Ships and Establishments in the Sri Lanka Navy. Among some of the other appointments he held; Director Naval Administration, Commodore Sea Training, Head of Naval Research Wing, Director Naval Training, Naval Officer in Charge (Trincomalee-South), Deputy Area Commander Eastern Naval Area and Port Facility Security Officer – Trincomalee, Director Naval Welfare, Director General Services, Director General Training and Commander Northwestern Naval Command stood prominent. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, the officer served in the Eastern Naval Command as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Eastern Naval Area.

Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne has also been awarded the ‘Shasanabhiwurdidayaka Deshamanya’ title from the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha for his contribution to the promotion of Buddhism.

Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne is married to Mrs Udeni Kularatne and they are blessed with a son Asel Kularatne.

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The National War Heroes Commemoration tomorrow at Kotte Cenotaph

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The 16th National War Heroes Commemoration Ceremony will be held on Monday (19 May) at the National War Hero Cenotaph in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte, from 4.00pm to 6.00pm.

A series of island-wide community welfare programmes will also be carried out by armed forces, Police and Civil Security Department in view of the War Hero Commemorations.

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) is expected to represent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the event. Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Gunathilleke are also scheduled to attend the ceremony.

The Ministry of Defence on Friday convened a press conference to announce the preparations for the ceremony. Commanders of the Navy and Air Force, Army Chief of Staff, senior military officials and Ministry representatives were present at the press briefing.

Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) underscored the national significance of the annual commemoration, paying tribute to the brave men and women of the armed forces, Sri Lanka Police and Civil Security Department who laid down their lives in the defence of the nation.

He reiterated the Ministry’s and the Tri-forces’ commitment to preserving the memory of fallen heroes, ensuring that their legacy of patriotism, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to duty continues to inspire future generations.

During the briefing, officials of Ranaviru Seva Authority and armed forces provided an overview of the ceremonial proceedings, which will include wreath-laying, special tributes, and military honours, with the participation of distinguished guests, military personnel, and the families of war heroes.

The event seeks to serve as a solemn occasion for the nation to express its gratitude and respect for those who selflessly served the country’s sovereignty and national security.

The Ministry of Defence calls upon all citizens to stand in solidarity in remembering the nation’s war heroes, reaffirming collective appreciation for their dedication to protecting the country and its people.

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NMRA chief resigns, citing threats to life

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Saveen Semage, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), resigned with immediate effect yesterday, citing threats to his life.

On May 9, CCTV in his home captured two men breaking in and walking around the residence for around half an hour from 11.30pm to midnight. They were observed peeping into the bedroom where Dr. Semage slept. His wife and children were also asleep in the house.

Dr. Semage, a public health specialist, was appointed to the position in January 2024. He was also previously CEO from November 2021 to May 2022, when he resigned over differences with former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. He was brought back last year by Ramesh Pathirana—who replaced Minister Rambukwella after he was forced to resign over irregularities in drug procurement—to clean up the drugs regulatory mechanism.

However, he faced stiff resistance from the pharma industry, particularly in his efforts to break drug monopolies and oligopolies that were blamed for rigging tenders (typically agreements among competitors to fix prices, allocate markets, or engage in other anticompetitive activity). He was also a victim of social media attacks largely blaming him for being politically motivated.

“There was a lot of tension within the NMRA and the pharmaceutical industry during the last two to three weeks because of my efforts in pricing and in breaking monopolies and oligopolies to save public funds,” Dr. Semage told the Sunday Times. “I think the break-in was a threat in an effort to remove me.”

“During the past 15 months, the NMRA has cleared the backlog of registrations and streamlined re-registration for drugs. He was also able to trace fake documents and to kick-start a digitalisation process that abruptly came to an end in 2021 when the NMRA database was mysteriously erased. During his term, the Authority also doubled its staff, taking in 30 new pharmacists, among others. The National Advisory Committee and Appeals Committee were also put in place, and a pricing mechanism, along with guidelines, was published.

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

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Dual citizenship backlog: 1000 to be issued soon

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The Department of Immigration and Emigration is struggling with a backlog of more than 3,000 dual citizenship applications piled up over the past few months, with some papers submitted more than seven months ago remaining unattended.

At least 1,000 of these applications have got the all clear from the relevant authorities, including clearance from the Police and the State Intelligence Service (SIS), but the applications have stalled at the department level, the Sunday Times learns.

The main dual citizenship applicant is required to pay US$ 2000 (around Rs 600,000), with the spouse and unmarried children below the age of 22 paying US$ 500 each. It is this category of applicants who contribute substantially to the income of the department.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, when contacted by the Sunday Times, admitted the clearance of dual citizenship certificates had slowed down and said that he had instructed the department to immediately begin the issue of certificates to around 1,000 applicants whose background checks had been completed. They will receive the certificates within a week.

“There has been a delay, but I have instructed the department officials to ensure that the work is expedited,” he said. The department’s citizenship division, which handles the applications, comes under a deputy or assistant controller.

Many dual citizenship applications are submitted through Sri Lanka’s overseas missions. “Applicants are inconvenienced by the delay in the issuing of the certificates, as those who have taken foreign citizenships need the dual citizenship from here for their land/property transactions, financial activities, etc.,” an applicant told the Sunday Times.
According to the performance report of the department for 2023, more than 7,300 dual citizenships were issued, but the latest statistics are not yet available.
Meanwhile, the Department of Motor Traffic has run out of new number plates.

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

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