Sri Lanka signed the agreement for the Hajj pilgrimage – 2025 on 11 January 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The agreement was signed by the Sri Lankan delegation headed by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka, Dr. Sunil Senevi, and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdulfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat.
This agreement demonstrates the commitment of both governments to enhancing the pilgrimage experience for Sri Lankan Muslims. Minister Senevi is visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah.
During the bilateral meeting which preceded the signing of the agreement, Minister Senevi emphasized the focus of the Government of Sri Lanka on improving the Hajj experience for its citizens, and shared plans for streamlining Hajj operations in the future, aiming for a smoother and more efficient pilgrimage process.
Minister Senevi is also scheduled to meet with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Fawzan Alrabiah and engage with Hajj service providers. The delegation will also visit Madinah, holy Prophet’s city, as well as important cultural sites in Jeddah and Madinah. Further, the Minister engaged in interactions with the Sri Lankan community in Jeddah.
The Sri Lankan delegation includes Deputy Minister of National Integration, Muneer Mulaffar, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, M.R.M. Nawas, Acting Consul General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah, Mafusa Lafir and Hajj Coordinator, Dr. M.N.M. Ahsraff.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on June 11.
He will appear before the CID to provide a statement in relation to a complaint made by former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella over the alleged importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vaccines.
Several ministers from the former government have already provided statements as part of the related investigation.
A decision has been taken by the Cabinet of Ministers to send Commissioner General of Prisons – Thushara Upuldeniya on compulsory leave.
The decision has been taken during today’s (June 09) Cabinet meeting.
Meanwhile, an Additional Secretary attached to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration – Nishan Dhanasinghe, has been appointed as the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons with immediate effect.
In addition, the Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison, who was arrested by the CID over allegations of unlawfully releasing an inmate of the Anuradhapura Prison under the presidential pardon for Vesak Poya, has been remanded.
The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court has ordered to remand him until June 11.
Medical Laboratory Technologist and prominent trade union activist – Ravi Kumudesh has been suspended from duty.
According to the letter issued by the Director General of Health Services, Ravi Kumudesh, (employed at the Medical Laboratory of the Colombo National Hospital), had contested the 2024 Parliamentary Election from the Colombo District, violating regulations of the Establishments Code.
According to the letter, the suspension is in effect from October 10, 2024.
Ravi Kumudesh will not receive a salary during the suspension and will also not be entitled to the privileges granted to government employees during the suspension period.
He is also prohibited from leaving the country during the period and is also required to notify the Ministry of Health of any change in his residential address.