By Newswire Editorial 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government is prepared to reduce the proposed 72-hour detention period to 48 hours under the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, following concerns raised over certain provisions of the legislation.

Addressing an event held today (05) to commemorate the first anniversary of the “Nation United – National Drive” (Ratama Ekata) drug eradication programme, the President said the government was considering amendments to three key provisions of the proposed legislation.

He said the three areas under consideration were the detention period, provisions relating to tattoos used to identify criminal gang members, and the inclusion of offences under the Excise Ordinance.

President Dissanayake said the government was ready to inform the Supreme Court that it agreed to amend all three provisions identified as concerns by those challenging the Bill.

Explaining the proposed changes, the President said the Bill, which is currently being considered by the Supreme Court, had faced objections over its provision allowing suspects to be detained for 72 hours.

He said the government was prepared to address these concerns by reducing the detention period to 48 hours.

The President also addressed concerns regarding the use of tattoos to identify members of organised criminal gangs, noting that while such identification methods are used internationally, the government was willing to remove the provision if it was considered unsuitable for Sri Lanka.

He further announced that offences falling under the Excise Ordinance would be excluded from the proposed legislation, addressing another concern raised by petitioners challenging the Bill.

President Dissanayake said the government was open to discussions with human rights organisations and civil society groups that had expressed opposition to the legislation.

He explained that the proposed law was intended to address the growing threat of organised crime, which had previously been dealt with using provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The President said organised criminal networks had become increasingly powerful, making it necessary to introduce legislation specifically designed to combat such activities.

He noted that existing laws must evolve in response to changing circumstances and that Parliament had a responsibility to introduce appropriate legal measures to address organised crime.

President Dissanayake stressed that the government’s intention was not to violate the fundamental rights of citizens or grant excessive powers to the government, Police or other law enforcement authorities.

He reiterated that the proposed legislation was aimed solely at strengthening efforts to prevent and combat organised crime in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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By Newswire Editorial 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has revealed that a total of 11,970 individuals aged 21 and below were arrested in connection with drug trafficking during the 2025–2026 period, warning that the drug menace is destroying the country’s younger generation.

Addressing an event held today (05) to commemorate the first anniversary of the “Nation United – National Drive” (Ratama Ekata) drug eradication programme, the President presented statistics on arrests involving children and young people.

According to the President, 10,889 individuals aged between 18 and 21, 1,068 aged between 14 and 18, and 13 children aged between 5 and 14 were arrested during the period.

He further revealed that 50 schoolchildren were among those arrested, while the overall figures included 11,737 males and 233 females.

Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, President Dissanayake said around 200 female children had been arrested within a year.

He warned that the growing drug menace was destroying the country’s next generation and jeopardising their future.

“We will not allow this to continue. We will defeat it,” the President declared.

Meanwhile, the President also presented statistics on narcotics seized during the period, revealing that a total of 15,285 kilograms of drugs had been confiscated.

According to the figures, the seizures included 6,526 kilograms of ICE (crystal methamphetamine), 4,009 kilograms of heroin, 2,595 kilograms of other narcotics, 1,841 kilograms of Kush and hashish, and 314 kilograms of cocaine.

The President reiterated the government’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and protecting the country’s younger generation. (Newswire)

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A Presidential Advisory Council comprising 32 members has been appointed to oversee decision-making related to development programmes within the Anuradhapura Sacred City, while ensuring the protection of its archaeological, historical, religious and cultural heritage.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the council has been established to facilitate integrated heritage conservation, management, planning and development within the sacred area.

The council will be co-chaired by the Acting Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthana, Most Venerable Eethalawetunuwewe Gnanatilaka Nayaka Thera, and Chief of Presidential Staff Prabhath Chandrakeerthi.

Ven. Eethalawetunuwewe Gnanatilaka Thera also serves as the Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Chaithyarama, Chancellor of Rajarata University, General Secretary of the Mahavihara Sangha Council and Chief Sanghanayake of the North Central Province.

The council includes senior Buddhist monks, government officials, academics, archaeologists, heritage conservation specialists and representatives of several state institutions.

Among its members are Ven. Professor Kallanchiye Rathanasiri, Chief Incumbent of the Abhayagiriya Chaithyarama, Ven. Kahalle Gnaninda, Chief Incumbent of the Thuparama Chaithyarama, and Ven. Kahatagollawe Medhankara, former Deputy Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India.

Representatives from the Department of Archaeology, Central Cultural Fund, Urban Development Authority, National Physical Planning Department and other relevant institutions have also been appointed to the council.

The membership further includes officials from the Anuradhapura Municipal Council, district administration, Police, irrigation, road development, electricity, water supply and tourism sectors, alongside experts in archaeology, architecture, urban planning and heritage conservation.

According to the PMD, the council has been entrusted with establishing an integrated decision-making mechanism to ensure that development activities within the Anuradhapura Sacred City are carried out while safeguarding its archaeological, historical, religious and cultural significance. (Newswire)

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Nearly 40% of Sri Lanka’s annual fish production is lost due to post-harvest wastage, it was revealed during a discussion chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (27).

According to the President’s Media Division, Sri Lanka’s annual fish production stands at approximately 400,000 metric tonnes, with a significant proportion lost after harvesting.

The issue was highlighted during discussions on the 2027 Budget proposals of the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, where attention was drawn to measures needed to minimise wastage and improve the efficiency of the fisheries sector.

President Dissanayake also instructed officials to prepare comprehensive plans to transform the fisheries industry into a commercially viable sector, while increasing production and improving the incomes of fishing communities.

The discussion also focused on measures to make fish products available to consumers at fair and affordable prices, as part of the government’s efforts to reduce the cost of living.

Attention was drawn to the operations of the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation and the Peliyagoda Central Fish Market Complex, including existing operational challenges and the need for improved infrastructure.

The President also highlighted the importance of introducing modern fishing vessels to strengthen deep-sea fishing, while officials discussed opportunities for private-sector investment in the industry.

Meanwhile, President Dissanayake instructed Finance Ministry officials to develop loan schemes specifically suited to the fisheries sector, taking into account the industry’s unique challenges.

The meeting also examined sustainable coastal infrastructure development, green harbour projects and measures to expand aquaculture in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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The United States has again denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, preventing him from travelling to the annual gathering of world leaders for the second consecutive year.

The Trump administration has extended visa restrictions on officials of the Palestinian Authority and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization ahead of next week’s UN General Assembly. A source familiar with the matter confirmed that Abbas is among those affected. 

The US State Department accused the PA and PLO of failing to meet commitments to Washington and cited their efforts to pursue cases involving Israel at the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, as well as moves seeking international recognition of a Palestinian state outside direct negotiations. 

Palestinian officials have argued that decades of US-mediated negotiations have failed to end the Israeli occupation and secure an independent Palestinian state. 

The decision comes despite the United States’ obligations as host of the UN headquarters in New York. Under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, the US is generally required to facilitate access for foreign representatives attending UN meetings, although Washington maintains that visa restrictions can be imposed under certain circumstances. 

Abbas was also denied entry for the UN General Assembly in 2025 and instead addressed the gathering by video. The 193-member General Assembly is expected to vote on allowing him to again submit a video address for this year’s meeting. (Newswire/ Reuters)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that the government will abolish the Value Added Tax (VAT) on school books, a measure he described as part of broader efforts to ease financial pressures on families. 

Speaking at a public rally in Nochchiyagama, he said the proposal is expected to be detailed in the upcoming Budget.

The President said plans are already being drawn up to remove the tax, underscoring the administration’s commitment to reducing everyday costs for the public.

In addition to the tax relief, President Dissanayake revealed that the government will absorb 121,000 new recruits into the state sector, including around 23,000 teachers. 

He noted that strengthening the economy would enable greater investment in education and other areas critical to the country’s future. (Newswire)

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The Church of Ceylon has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the Cabinet’s decision to proceed with a constitutional amendment to raise the retirement age of appellate court judges.

In a statement, the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka said it had hoped the President and Cabinet would heed the strong arguments of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the wider legal community, and civil society, who warned that such a move could undermine the rule of law and public confidence in judicial independence.

The Church noted that the government’s justification, citing the need to clear case backlogs, was weakened by the fact that many appellate court vacancies remain unfilled without rational explanation. 

“We can only conclude, therefore, that the real motivation for this amendment lacks bona fides,” the statement said.

Highlighting its long‑standing calls for broader constitutional reform, including abolishing the executive presidency, strengthening independent institutions, and addressing minority grievances, the Church criticized the government for failing to initiate such reforms despite promises. 

Pursuing an amendment that was not part of recent reform debates or election campaigns, it said, “lacks moral legitimacy and constitutional propriety.”

The statement urged the President and Cabinet to withdraw the proposed amendment, reminded the legislature of its duty to check the executive, and called on the judiciary to consider the damage the move could cause to its reputation and the rule of law. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reviewed the progress of key energy projects, including the Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) in the North, the second 220 kV underground transmission cable from Kerawalapitiya to Colombo Port, and major petroleum storage expansions at Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela, during a pre‑budget discussion at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (15). 

The meeting, held alongside a review of 2026 allocations for the Ministry of Energy, also focused on resuming suspended Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assisted projects and setting funding priorities for the 2027 Budget. 

During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on the progress of projects implemented by the Ministry of Energy under the 2026 budget allocations, the projects expected to be completed within this year and the funding requirements for 2027.

The President reviewed the progress of the Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) project currently being implemented on the islands of Delft, Analaitivu and Nainativu and instructed officials to focus on developing and promoting these islands as Green Energy Islands.

Attention was also drawn to the resumption of energy projects that had been launched with the assistance of JICA but were suspended midway due to the economic crisis. Discussions were also held on the budgetary allocations required for these projects under the 2027 Budget.

The President further reviewed the progress and future plans of several major ongoing and forthcoming projects, including the second 220 kV underground transmission cable system from Kerawalapitiya to the Port of Colombo, the Sampur–Kappalthurai Electricity Transmission Development Project, the new Habarana–Kappalthurai Electricity Transmission Development Project (CEATP), the installation of a STATCOM system at the Padukka 220 kV Grid Substation (GSS) and the Rooftop Solar Power Integration and Virtual Net Metering Project.

The President also reviewed the progress and future funding requirements of 14 major projects currently being implemented in the petroleum sector. 

These include the construction of six new storage tanks at the Kolonnawa Oil Storage Complex, the construction of two new storage tanks and the expansion of fuel storage facilities at the Muthurajawela Fuel Storage Complex, the rehabilitation of storage tanks at the Kolonnawa Oil Storage Complex and the development of filling facilities in Zone 07 of the Kolonnawa Oil Storage Complex. 

The President further emphasised the importance of completing all these projects within the stipulated timeframe in order to deliver tangible benefits to the public. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a 15‑member Salaries and Pensions Commission under powers vested in him by Article 33 of the Constitution, with a Gazette Extraordinary issued yesterday (22).

The Commission is chaired by Thelge Asoka Peiris, with D.M.C. Nalaka Dissanayake was named Secretary. 

Other members include Kuruppuge Khema Anne Vidurya Swarnadhipathi, Premalal Abeysingha Gunasekara, Monty Ranatunge, Nadaraj Ravichandar, Dr. Wimal Jayantha, Dr. Mudith Sujeewa, Thilakawardhana, Brigadier (Retd.) Piyal Jude Fernando, Ahamed Lebbe Mohamed Mukthar, Senerath Tissa Bandara Ratnayake, Lal Chandra Weerakoon, Piyal Pathmanatha, Jayaweera Pathirana, and Sarath Lal Perera.

The Commission has been tasked with recommending solutions to longstanding salary and pension anomalies affecting public officers and pensioners, proposing structural reforms for the public service, in line with Supreme Court rulings and Cabinet decisions, incorporating technological advancements and global trends in its recommendations, and developing strategies for building a technologically empowered, citizen‑centric, ethical, and accountable public service.

The Commission is authorized to conduct inquiries, issue instructions, and submit reports directly to the President, with all tasks to be completed within one year. 

Gazette : https://documents.gov.lk/view/egz/2026/6/2494-05_E.pdf (Newswire)

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South Korea’s ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sending military drones into North Korea, a move prosecutors argued was aimed at creating a pretext for his disastrous martial law declaration in 2024.

The drone flights, which Pyongyang said included the dropping of propaganda leaflets, triggered a spike in military tensions between the nations in October 2024.

Special prosecutors, who had sought a 30-year prison term for Yoon, said in April that the ex-leader’s effort to “fabricate wartime conditions” with the drones had undermined state security.

Yoon was “given 30 years in jail” for the charges involving the drones, a spokesperson for the Seoul Central District Court told the AFP news agency on Friday, without giving further details.

Yoon had denied wrongdoing.

The ruling adds to a series of judgements against the ousted conservative leader, once South Korea’s top prosecutor, whose martial law order plunged Asia’s fourth-largest economy into its deepest political turmoil in decades.

In February, a South Korean court sentenced Yoon to life in prison after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection linked to the martial law attempt.

He was removed from office last year after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, triggering a snap election that was won by liberal President Lee Jae Myung.

Yoon’s lawyers said he neither ordered nor later approved the drone operation, which they said was unrelated to martial law and instead a response to months of North Korean launches across the border of balloons stuffed with rubbish.

Yoon, who is already in custody, can appeal Friday’s lower court ruling. 

Drone flights remain a flashpoint in tensions between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war.

Lee expressed regret earlier this year after an investigation found government officials had sent drones into the nuclear-armed North Korea in January.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister called Lee’s statement “wise behaviour”, but hopes for a rapprochement faded after the diplomatically isolated nation returned to calling South Korea its “most hostile” enemy. (Al Jazeera)

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President of Vietnam and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka tonight (07) on a state visit.  

The state visit by the President of Vietnam is being undertaken at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, extended during his state visit to Vietnam in 2025, in commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam.  

According to the President’s Office, this visit assumes special significance as it takes place at a time when Sri Lanka is steadily progressing towards economic stability under the present Government. It also marks the first visit by a Vietnamese President to Sri Lanka in 15 years. 

Recognising Vietnam’s strong political and economic vision, which has positioned the country as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and a major global manufacturing hub, the state visit by the Vietnamese President is expected to provide a significant opportunity to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. The visit is also expected to support Sri Lanka’s industrialisation drive and efforts to expand access to foreign markets.

In particular, the visit will provide an opportunity for Sri Lanka to benefit from Vietnam’s experience in the manufacturing and export sectors, while also promoting direct foreign investment between the two countries. Enhanced cooperation in areas such as agricultural modernisation and tourism is expected to create new employment opportunities. Furthermore, closer ties with Vietnam, a leading trade hub in the Southeast Asian region, are expected to open new avenues for Sri Lanka’s access to international markets. 

In addition, Vietnam’s strong industrial base and technological advancement are expected to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to introduce new technologies to small and medium-sized enterprises. Strengthening bilateral trade agreements between the two countries will also create greater opportunities for Sri Lankan products to access the Vietnamese market. Furthermore, cooperation and knowledge-sharing in sectors such as the digital economy and information technology will help open pathways for Sri Lankan youth to enter the global employment market. Accordingly, this diplomatic engagement can be regarded as a valuable opportunity to build a long-term strategic partnership aimed at advancing the economic prosperity of both nations.  

The official welcome ceremony for the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, will be held tomorrow (08) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

Following the ceremony, President To Lam and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake are scheduled to hold bilateral discussions on a range of matters of mutual importance. Subsequently, discussions between the Vietnamese delegation and representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka are also expected to take place, covering several key areas of cooperation.  

Following these high-level diplomatic discussions, several Memoranda of Understanding are expected to be signed, reflecting the shared commitment of both countries to further expand cooperation across multiple sectors. Thereafter, the two leaders are scheduled to make a joint media statement.

Thereafter, the President of Vietnam is scheduled to pay floral tribute to the statue of Ho Chi Minh located within the premises of the Colombo Public Library. He will also visit the Vietnam–Ho Chi Minh Space at the same library, which features a collection of historical photographs.  

Thereafter, the President of Vietnam is scheduled to deliver a special address to the Parliament of Sri Lanka.  

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, along with other political representatives, are scheduled to hold a series of discussions with the President of Vietnam tomorrow (08). 

The President of Vietnam is also scheduled to attend a photographic exhibition at the Hilton Colombo Hotel, which highlights the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam as well as their shared cultural identity. He will further visit an exhibition showcasing Vietnamese products, traditional handicrafts and modern industrial innovations, reflecting the country’s economic and technological development.   

Thereafter, President To Lam is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Trade, Investment and Tourism Forum. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is also expected to address the forum.

During the event, the official launch of direct flight services between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi, operated by Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air, will be announced. Relevant agreements pertaining to the new air services are also expected to be exchanged on this occasion.

Following participation in the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Forum, the President of Vietnam and his delegation are scheduled to conclude their state visit and depart from Sri Lanka tomorrow (08) night. (Newswire)

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The President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, will undertake a State Visit to Sri Lanka from 07-08 May 2026.  

According to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit takes place at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka following his State Visit to Vietnam in 2025 to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam. 

During the visit, the two leaders will hold bilateral talks on a range of matters of mutual interest. 

The President of Vietnam will also take part in a series of high-level engagements, including the inauguration of the “Sri Lanka – Vietnam Trade, Investment & Tourism Forum”.

President Tô Lâm will be accompanied on the visit by senior ministers of the Government and prominent political leaders, including the Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. (Newswire)

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Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu will undertake a State Visit to Sri Lanka from May 3 to May 6, 2026, at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka.

According to a statement from the Maldives President’s Office, during the visit, President Muizzu is scheduled to meet senior Sri Lankan leaders and hold official talks with President Dissanayaka aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations. 

The two leaders will also witness the signing and exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering cooperation across multiple sectors.

President Muizzu will be accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, along with a high-level delegation of cabinet ministers and senior government officials.

The visit underscores the Maldives’ commitment to deepening ties with Sri Lanka and follows President Dissanayaka’s visit to Malé in July last year, which marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the statement added. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his Sinhala and Tamil New Year message, called on the public to uphold cultural values and work in unity as the country moves forward amid ongoing challenges.

The full statement: 

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which symbolises the aspiration for renewal both physically and spiritually, is the foremost cultural festival of the people of this country.

During the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, traditional customs are upheld, with priority accorded to rituals and religious observances, and activities undertaken collectively at a common auspicious time. This shared cultural practice vividly reflects our nation’s identity before the world, as well as the strong socio-cultural bonds that exist among our communities.

We firmly believe that the future path of national development can only be shaped in harmony with this invaluable culture and our distinguished historical heritage. Accordingly, it must be recalled that all our future development plans have been formulated upon the firm foundation of these precious traditions and cultural values.

Moreover, the common aspiration embodied in the customs and rituals associated with the solar transition is the nurturing of a compassionate individual who values togetherness, respects others, and lives in harmony with nature. I believe that the virtues and values of unity reflected in these New Year traditions should not be confined to these few days alone, but should instead be demonstrated throughout the year in our daily conduct.

In the face of the most significant recent natural disaster challenge encountered in the past year, we demonstrated to the world our resilience and capacity to withstand internal shocks. At the same time, in responding to the external challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East, the Government has already set in motion a well-planned and effectively managed programme to overcome these difficulties.

As a nation, in overcoming these challenges together, I call upon all of you to further dedicate yourselves to enriching your lives through the values of togetherness, sharing, and solidarity exemplified during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.

As we strengthen the achievements we have secured and move forward with unwavering resolve in the face of emerging challenges, I invite everyone to join hands in unity to realise the vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” for all.

I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year! (Newswire)

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has released a letter addressed to the people of the United States, urging them to look beyond “distortions and manufactured narratives” about Iran and its role in global affairs.

In the message, Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s long history as one of the world’s oldest civilizations, stressing that the country has never initiated a war in modern times despite enduring invasions, sanctions, and foreign interventions. He noted that Iranians distinguish between governments and ordinary people, saying they hold no enmity toward Americans.

The letter criticized the U.S. military presence around Iran and recalled the 1953 coup backed by Washington, support for Saddam Hussein during the 1980s war, and repeated sanctions. Pezeshkian argued that these pressures have not weakened Iran, pointing instead to advances in literacy, education, healthcare, and technology.

He also addressed recent tensions, stating that Iran pursued negotiations, reached an agreement, and fulfilled all its commitments. 

The Iranian President further explained that the decision to withdraw from that agreement, escalate toward confrontation, and launch two acts of aggression in the midst of negotiations were destructive choices made by the U.S. government, choices that served the delusions of a foreign aggressor.

“Attacking Iran’s vital infrastructure—including energy and industrial facilities—directly targets the Iranian people. Beyond constituting a war crime, such actions carry consequences that extend far beyond Iran’s borders. They generate instability, increase human and economic costs, and perpetuate cycles of tension, planting seeds of resentment that will endure for years. This is not a demonstration of strength; it is a sign of strategic bewilderment and an inability to achieve a sustainable solution,” he said, condemning attacks on Iran’s infrastructure.

Pezeshkian further accused Israel of influencing U.S. policy by manufacturing an Iranian threat to divert attention from its treatment of Palestinians. 

“Is it not also the case that America has entered this aggression as a proxy for Israel, influenced and manipulated by that regime? Is it not true that Israel, by manufacturing an Iranian threat, seeks to divert global attention away from its crimes toward the Palestinians? Is it not evident that Israel now aims to fight Iran to the last American soldier and the last American taxpayer dollar, shifting the burden of its delusions on to Iran, the region, and the United States itself in pursuit of illegitimate interests?” he questioned. 

He concluded by urging Americans to consider engagement over hostility, warning that confrontation is “costly and futile” and that the choice will shape the future for generations. (Newswire)

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The Presidential Suite at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, which until now had been reserved exclusively for the use of the Executive President, was opened today (24) for medical treatment of the general public.

According to the President’s Office, following instructions given by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Ministry of Health, together with the hospital administration, made this decision.

Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital was built in 1984 as a major aid project of the Japanese government, with a capacity of 1,000 beds. However, in addition to this plan, the Presidential Suite numbered 1001 was added for the private use of the Head of State.

Although the Presidential Suite has been used only on a few limited occasions over the past 42 years since the hospital’s opening, it was maintained continuously without being made available for patients, in anticipation of a President’s visit.

However, from today, this the Presidential Suite will be utilized for the benefit of ordinary patients receiving treatment at the hospital.

The move is in line with the current government policy of deploying state property and resources more effectively to meet the health needs of the people. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and her delegation at the Presidential Secretariat for discussions during their three-day visit to Sri Lanka, the President’s Media Division said.

During the meeting, President Dissanayake expressed appreciation for the IMF’s contribution toward stabilizing Sri Lanka’s economy, noting that improved stability had enabled the country to respond effectively to the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

He said the government had ensured that neither political considerations nor economic interests hindered the national response to the disaster.

The President said the government’s next priority is to ensure that the benefits of recent economic progress are passed on to the public. He noted that rural low-income communities were among the worst affected by the cyclone and said extensive programs have been designed to support their economic recovery and human capital development.

He also said the government looks forward to continued IMF support in advancing these efforts.

Georgieva acknowledged that the IMF had extended emergency financial assistance to Sri Lanka for disaster relief and commended the government’s response to affected communities, as well as its planned approach to rebuilding.

The meeting reaffirmed bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and the IMF in promoting economic stability and growth, the statement said. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will travel to India tomorrow (Feb. 17) at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit 2026, the President’s Media Division said.

The five-day summit, held under the patronage of Prime Minister Modi, will focus on the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence for the benefit of humanity.

President Dissanayake is scheduled to deliver an address on Feb. 19.

The event is expected to bring together Heads of State from 20 countries and representatives from more than 45 nations. Discussions will center on the future direction of Artificial Intelligence and its potential role in addressing global challenges.

During the visit, the President is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi and several other world leaders. (Newswire)

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Public security cannot be guaranteed at a time when killings take place near the residence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, MP Namal Rajapaksa said.

“The ministers claim they have stopped these daily shootings. However they have actually failed in that endeavour” Rajapaksa said, speaking to media.

He said ministers have claimed that all key decisions are made in Pelawatte, the party headquarters. He questioned how public security could be guaranteed when killings were taking place in the area, referring to the recent murder of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda.

He said similar incidents had occurred in the recent past, including a killing inside a courtroom and an assault on a lawyer near a court complex.

He also referred to an incident in which an MP allegedly assaulted a Police officer following a raid on an illicit marijuana cultivation site.

Rajapaksa said the Health Minister had meanwhile warned doctors that public sentiment could turn against them. He alleged that the government was attempting to use public pressure to suppress its opponents.

He also noted that some individuals had criticized the conviction of those found guilty of killing former MP Amarakeethi Athukorala during the Aragalaya movement.

Rajapaksa said the government would not succeed if it believed it could survive by suppressing the judiciary, doctors and others. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with plantation workers in the Nuwara Eliya district and held a cordial discussion with community representatives today.

The engagement took place during a brief stop at the Talawakelle Mattakele Estate, while the president was en route to attend a programme in Nuwara Eliya under the “Nation United” initiative to eradicate drugs. (Newswire)

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