Former Minister and veteran politician Gamini Lokuge has passed away today (June 30) at the age of 82.

Commencing his political career in 1960 as a member of the United National Party, his first successful national-level campaign came in 1983, when he was elected by a clear majority to represent the Kesbewa District.

He served as Minister of Tourism during the UNP-led governments in 1989 and 2002. In 2006, following personal disagreements with then UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, he crossed over to the government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In January 2007, Lokuge was appointed Minister of Sports and Public Recreation. He was re-elected to Parliament in both 2010 and 2015.

On 27 November 2019, he was appointed State Minister for Urban Development, and on 12 August 2020, he assumed duties as the Cabinet Minister of Transport.

Sri Lanka’s first-ever bee park was officially inaugurated at BLESS Nature Park in Viharagama, Bingiriya, near the historic Bingiriya Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya.

The opening ceremony took place on May 18 under the patronage of Ven. Padiwela Soratha Thero, Chairman of the BLESS Nature Park Management Board and Incumbent of the Rajamaha Viharaya.

The event was also attended by Mr. Tissa Bandara, Secretary of the Bingusampatha Protection Organization, and Mr. Lakmal Wickramarachchi, Secretary of the BLESS Nature Park Management Board and Non-Official Magistrate.

The bee park was launched with the goal of making Sri Lanka self-sufficient in honey production by promoting scientific and sustainable beekeeping practices. Given the current reliance on imported honey, the park aims to serve as a hub for training and educating both amateur and professional beekeepers.

The initiative will be implemented in the following three phases:
1.Clay pots will be installed on trees across the forest to attract bees.
2.Bees will be nurtured and acclimated to the environment.
3.Breeding and conservation efforts will follow, supported by the park’s rich biodiversity and native flora.

The park is expected to become a vital resource for the agricultural sector, offering technical knowledge, training programs, equipment, and educational materials. In the long term, it is also envisioned as a unique eco-tourism destination for both local and international visitors.

Parallel to increase of salaries of the public officers by the budget proposals 2025, it has been proposed to increase salaries of private sector employees as well. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Labour to revise the national minimum monthly salary and national minimum daily wage and follow other legal actions as follows:

• To raise the minimum national monthly salary by rupees 9,500/- from rupees 17,500/- to rupees 27,000/- with effect from 01.04.2025
• To raise the minimum national daily salary by rupees 380/- from rupees 700/- to rupees 1,080/- with effect from 01.04.2025
• To raise the minimum national monthly salary by rupees 3,000/- from rupees 27,000/- to rupees 30,000/- with effect from 01.01.2026
• To raise the minimum national daily salary by rupees 120/- from rupees 1,080 /- to rupees 1,200/- with effect from 01.01.2026