Connect with us

News

SL signs agreement with Huawei 

Published

on

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on an official four-day visit to China, led the delegation to Huawei’s research and development centre in Beijing today where an agreement was signed formalizing Huawei’s support for the digitization of Sri Lankan schools.

Mr. Simon Ling, Deputy Chairman of Huawei in China, announced his company’s readiness to support an annual study program aimed at nurturing software and hardware engineers in Sri Lanka. He mentioned that Huawei has already initiated collaborations with several Sri Lankan universities, not only in academic assistance but also in providing technology and infrastructure.

President Wickremesinghe highlighted his visit’s purpose, which is to discuss Sri Lanka’s future.

He emphasized the crucial role of both the Chinese Government and Huawei in supporting Sri Lanka’s digital education system and green energy production. President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the need for Sri Lanka to build a competitive digital and green economy to face the challenges of the future. He noted that the foundational work for this transformation is already underway.

The discussions extended to the importance of empowering Sri Lankan citizens with digital technology, which is closely linked to the nation’s economic growth. The Sri Lankan delegation was also briefed on Huawei’s international services and their latest technological advancements.

Additionally, an agreement was signed during this visit, formalizing Huawei’s support for the digitization of Sri Lankan schools.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Ali Sabry, Minister of Transport and Mass Media Dr Bandula Gunawardena, Senior Presidential Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayaka were also present on this occasion.

Also, the Sri Lankan delegation led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with the heads of a number of leading entrepreneurial organizations including the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

(President’s Media Division)

News

Former Senior Lecturer Attanayake M. Herath Passes Away

Published

on

By

Former Senior Lecturer of the Sinhala Division at the University of Peradeniya, Attanayake M.Herath, has passed away after a prolonged illness.

He served the university with distinction until his retirement in 2018.

His contributions to Sinhala education and academia will be remembered by colleagues and students alike.

Continue Reading

News

Over 20 more ex-MPs under probe

Published

on

By

Following the imprisonment of former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, it came to light that the government has instructed for the expedition of investigations into well over 20 more similar cases involving former MPs and officials.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told the Media that these cases, some of them as old as 10-15 years, had been swept under the carpet in the past under different governments.

He said the current government, formed by the National People’s Power (NPP), had opened up these cases and instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to expedite inquiries and investigations for early litigation.

“I can talk about the cases now pending before the CID. There are well over 20 cases involving former MPs who even held ministerial posts in the past. There are officials. I cannot divulge names offhand,” he said.

He said some of the cases are handled by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The Minister who also served in the Anti-Corruption Committee formed by the previous Yahapalana government said some of the cases under investigation by the CID would be assigned to the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID).

“We have revived the FCID. It runs short of officers qualified enough for investigation into financial crimes. We have taken measures to address it in addition to providing resources to it for efficiency,” he said.

Punishing the wrongdoers for the abuse of state resources and embezzlement of public money was a main campaign slogan of the NPP in the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections last year. The government leaders, including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, have vowed repeatedly that the law would be enforced against wrongdoers soon.

Mr. Aluthgamage and Mr. Fernando became the first two politicians to be convicted after the NPP government was formed. Besides, former Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, Prasanna Ranaweera and Mervyn Silva are now in remand over cases involving their past actions.

Meanwhile, the opposition charges that the government is hounding its members for political reasons.

(Daily Mirror)

(This story, originally published by Daily Mirror has not been edited by SLM staff)

Continue Reading

News

Italian national arrested with 10kg cocaine hidden in stuffed toys at BIA

Published

on

By

 In a major drug bust, Sri Lankan authorities seized 10 kilograms and 323 grams of cocaine concealed inside stuffed animal toys at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.  

The contraband was discovered during a joint operation by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and Sri Lanka Customs at the arrival terminal. 

The drugs were found in the luggage of a 38-year-old Italian national, who was immediately taken into custody.  

This marks one of the largest single cocaine seizures at BIA this year, highlighting increased vigilance by Sri Lankan authorities against international drug trafficking networks. 

Investigations are ongoing to determine the intended recipients of the shipment.  

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved