Senior Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel, Mr Nalin Rohantha Abeysooriya, was sworn in this morning (June 19) as the new President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.

In addition, High Court Judges Mr Don Francis Hathurusinghe Gunawardena and Mr Adithya Kantha Madduma Patabendige were also sworn in today (19) as Judges of the Court of Appeal, in the presence of the President at the Presidential Secretariat.

The President’s Secretary, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, was also in attendance at the ceremony.

(President’s Media Division)

The Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat has launched a new initiative aimed at improving the attitudes, ethics, and service standards of three-wheeler drivers operating within the tourism sector.An initial discussion regarding the implementation of the program was held yesterday morning (June 18) at the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat. It was revealed that the initiative will train 10,000 three-wheeler taxi drivers engaged in the tourism sector, covering all nine provinces of the island within this year. The program, which aims to enhance the drivers’ attitudes and ethical conduct, is estimated to cost Rs. 25 million. Ten training sessions are scheduled to be conducted in each province as part of the island-wide initiative.

The program aims to provide three-wheeler drivers with comprehensive knowledge of traffic regulations, promote a sense of responsibility, and guide them on the appropriate steps to deliver quality transport services. It also seeks to improve their ability to meet the expectations of tourists by raising service quality. As part of the initiative, a specialized software application will be introduced for drivers serving the tourism sector. Through these measures, the program aims to elevate the overall standards and professionalism of services within the tourism industry.

Additionally, the initiative aims to encourage three-wheeler drivers to adopt better attitudes, improve their personal hygiene and professionalism, and increase their familiarity with the areas they operate in, thereby ensuring friendly and quality service for customers.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, along with officials representing the Ministry of Finance, Tourism Bureau Eastern Province, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Northern Provincial Council, Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, Tourism Police, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, and representatives from the All Ceylon Three Wheeler Drivers’ Trade Union, Western Provincial Three Wheeler Drivers and Owners’ Cooperative Society, National Taxi App Professional Drivers’ Union, Online Taxi Service Drivers’ Association, and Federation of App-based Transport Workers also participated in the event.

(President’s Media Division)

A mosquito control week will be carried out in 16 districts from June 30 – July 05, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) announced.

Community Specialist Dr. Priscilla Samaraweera stated at a media briefing in Colombo that 26,775 dengue cases and 14 deaths, including one child, have been reported islandwide so far this year, with 45% of cases reported from the Western Province.

She noted that the program is being launched in response to rising mosquito density due to the southwest monsoon rains, and will cover 111 MOH divisions.

High-risk areas will be inspected, breeding sites will be identified and removed, followed by issuing red notices and taking legal action where necessary, she added.