Today’s News Digest: Your go-to summary of the key events and headlines that shaped the day. From major developments to breaking news, we bring you everything that happened today, all in one quick and easy read.
President inaugurates first Coconut Seed Production Unit in the North
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake inaugurated the first coconut seed production unit in the Northern Province at Pallai under the Northern Coconut Triangle Project. The program, led by the Coconut Research Institute and Chilaw Plantations Company, aims to establish 16,000 acres of coconut cultivation in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and Mannar by 2025, expanding to 40,000 acres by 2027.
‘Toxic Tip’ : Sri Lankan shot among world’s top wildlife photos
Sri Lankan wildlife photographer Lakshitha Karunarathna’s image “Toxic Tip”, showing an elephant at a garbage dump, has been selected among the top 100 photographs at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition in London. Chosen from over 60,000 global submissions, the photo highlights the impact of poor waste management on Sri Lanka’s elephant population.
‘Dream Destination’ railway modernising programme launched
Sri Lanka has launched the Dream Destination programme to modernise 100 railway stations under a public-private partnership. The first project began in Galle with the renovation of Talpe station, funded by Star Garments. The initiative aims to build a safer, cleaner, and more accessible railway network.
Fonseka drops bombshell : Why did Mahinda declare a ceasefire in 2009?
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has alleged that Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa attempted to delay the Army’s victory over the LTTE in 2009 for political reasons. He claimed a 48-hour ceasefire ordered by Mahinda Rajapaksa in January 2009, allowed the LTTE to regroup, cost 500 soldiers’ lives, and was intended to give Velupillai Prabhakaran a chance to escape. Fonseka also accused the Rajapaksas of benefiting from a $2 million deal with the LTTE ahead of the 2005 election, and said Mahinda feared losing Tamil votes in 2010 if Prabhakaran was killed.
Underworld figures detained for 90 days under Terrorism Act
Court has allowed the CID to detain five alleged underworld figures for 90 days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The suspects — Backhoe Saman, Thembili Lahiru, Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salinda, and Panadura Nilanga — were arrested in Indonesia and brought back last week in a joint operation. They are being interrogated over links to organized crime.
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