Ranjith Udaya Kumara, who was named to the Balangoda Pradeshiya Sabha from the National People’s Power (NPP), has officially resigned from his position as Chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabha.

Following his resignation, Gama Ethige Ariyadasa has been officially appointed as the new Chairman.

The appointment was made in accordance with Section 66B(2) of the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance (Chapter 262), as amended by the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act No. 16 of 2017.

The Returning Officer of the Balangoda Pradeshiya Sabha, Suranga Ambagahathenne, issued the relevant declaration yesterday (June 19) via an Extraordinary Gazette notification.

The Officer-in-Charge of Katunayake Airport confirmed that 85 Chinese nationals convicted of various crimes, including cybercrimes, were deported from Sri Lanka in the early hours of June 20.

The individuals had been arrested by local security forces, prosecuted, and subsequently remanded by local courts. Following judicial proceedings, they were transferred to the Immigration and Emigration Department’s Detention Center in Welisara pending deportation.

Under heavy security, the group was transported in five buses to the Katunayake Airport and boarded a special SriLankan Airlines flight (UL-880) bound for Guangzhou, China. The flight departed at 1:20 a.m. on June 20.

A total of 85 local police officers, Immigration Department officials, and 172 SriLankan Airlines security personnel were on board to ensure the safe deportation process.

(dailynews.lk)

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

Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education – Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, has confirmed that the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination will not be suspended immediately.

He said this in Parliament today (June 20), in response to a question raised by MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, Dr. Senevirathna stated that the government has decided to conduct the scholarship examination for the year 2029 without any changes.

He further noted that a committee will be appointed in 2028 to evaluate the future of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination and determine whether it should continue beyond 2029.

The Deputy Minister also revealed that the Department of Examinations is currently working on a plan to reduce the undue pressure associated with the examination.

Additionally, he emphasized that steps will be taken to systematically reduce disparities among schools and ease the burden on students caused by the competitive nature of the scholarship exam.