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.

President Anura Kumara Disanayaka will undertake an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from June 11 – 13, 2025 on the invitation of the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

During this visit President Disanayaka will hold bilateral discussions with the President of Germany, key ministers of the Federal Government and other dignitaries to discuss new avenues for cooperation including in the spheres of trade, digital economy, investment and vocational training opportunities based on the government priorities.

President Disanayaka will Chair a Business Forum, organized by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), with key industries in Germany to highlight Sri Lanka’s economic transformation, investment opportunities available, growth potential of the country and opportunities for building new trade ties between the two countries.

Further, the President will meet tourism and travel industry associations of Germany during this visit.

The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism – Vijitha Herath and senior government officials.

The second customized training program for Sri Lankan civil service officers under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) was successfully conducted from 26 May to 6 June 2025. 

A total of 40 Sri Lankan officers participated in the program, which focused on strengthening public administration through digital governance and innovation.

The training program is part of a larger commitment under the MoU, signed during the state visit of the President of Sri Lanka, – Anura Kumara Disanayaka, to India in December 2024, aimed at training 1500 Sri Lankan civil servants over a period of five years. 

Previously, 41 Sri Lankan civil servants attended the inaugural program on the same theme from 21 April to 02 May 2025.
The training focused on avenues for transforming governance through digital technologies – covering areas such as enhancing online public services, building robust digital infrastructure, expanding access to financial services via digital payments, and improving the way public grievances are addressed using innovative digital solutions. Senior Indian officials and domain experts shared insights into India’s leading digital governance initiatives such as ‘Aadhaar’, Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Public Finance Management System, among others. The participants also undertook field visits to key institutions such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, Election Commission of India, PM Gati Shakti Anubhuti Kendra, National e-Governance Division and the Computerized Land Record Centre in Uttarakhand. The program concluded with a cultural visit to the Taj Mahal.

Capacity-building is an important pillar of India’s development cooperation with Sri Lanka. Reinforcing India’s commitment further in this sector, Prime Minister of India during his recent state visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025 announced additional 700 customized training slots annually for Sri Lankan professionals. This significantly enhanced capacity-building endeavour of India thus will now benefit 1000 Sri Lankans annually.