A special meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (6) between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Attorney General (AG) Parinda Ranasinghe, PC at the Presidential Secretariat, The Sunday Morning learns.This meeting comes amid ongoing speculation that the President’s Office has requested AG Ranasinghe to resign from his post.&nbsp;However, sources within the AG’s Department have confirmed that no official communication has been made in this regard.Despite the speculation, it is understood that the AG plans to brief the President on the progress of high-profile cases, including the contentious MiG deal, during their meeting.&nbsp;It has been alleged that the relaunch of investigations into high-profile cases has been delayed under the current AG.A senior official from the AG’s Department clarified that the department could not interfere in ongoing legal matters and any delays in these cases were due to mandatory legal processes.&nbsp;The official further stressed that none of the major cases currently in court had been initiated during the tenure of the current AG.Since President Dissanayake assumed office, his administration announced the re-launching of investigations into all past crimes in order to hold those responsible accountable.As part of this effort, the Ministry of Public Security has been directed to expedite investigations into seven high-profile cases: the Central Bank bond scam, Easter Sunday terror attacks, kidnapping and murder of journalist D.P. Sivaram, disappearances of Lalith Kumar and Kugan Muruganandan, murder of Dinesh Schaffter, and shooting incident in Weligama.

High-profile cases: AG to brief President

<ul><li>Energy Ministry denies official cancellation of projects</li><li>CEB confirms project still in commissioning stage</li><li>Infrastructure dismantled following Minister’s directive, Annasigala Farmers’ Org. alleges</li></ul> Allegations have surfaced regarding the suspension of a power project in Badulla, which was set to provide electricity to over 200 families in the Sinhalayagama, Unakanda, and Annasigala regions.&nbsp;Despite being over 85% complete, the project has been halted, reportedly on the orders of Badulla District MP and Minister Samantha Vidyarathna, The Sunday Morning learns.However, Ministry of Energy Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala denied any official cancellation of power projects since 26 September 2024.Speaking to The Sunday Morning, he stated: “The ministry has not taken any decision.”He also emphasised that there had been no official communication with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) or the project developer regarding the matter.CEB General Manager Wasantha Edussuriya also confirmed that the project was still in the commissioning stage.“There is no reason to halt it because the project is still under commissioning. Sometimes it may stop under their requirement,” he said, redirecting specific questions to the project staff.When asked about the timeline for resuming the project, he explained that the specific details were not available to him at the moment, as the projects were handled by different departments.The project, designed to benefit families in the border regions of the Badulla and Monaragala Districts, was initially launched to address the last remaining areas in the Uva Province without electricity.The initiative had already completed major components, including the installation of poles, cables, and transmission lines, at an estimated cost of Rs. 120 million.In a letter sent on 3 January to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Annasigala Farmers’ Organisation President Lalapith Manawadu had alleged that the installed infrastructure, including transmission lines and electric poles, had now been dismantled on Minister Vidyarathna’s directive.Residents in these villages have been appealing to various administrations for 17 years, requesting electricity for their communities.Meanwhile, Vidyarathna’s Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure has contradicted the Energy Ministry statement by stating that the project suspension was necessary to facilitate an investigation into the land allocations.The Sinhalayagama, Unakanda, and Annasigala regions, located within protected wildlife areas, have reportedly been illegally allocated to several politicians, according to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure.&nbsp;This statement had been made in response to recent media reports claiming that Vidyarathna had halted the power project intended to provide electricity to over 200 families in these regions.The ministry stated that the suspension of the project was necessary to facilitate an investigation into the illegal allocation of land within these protected regions.

Electricity supply: Minister orders suspension of project in Badulla?

<ul><li>Airport surveillance active</li><li>Local influenza samples under testing</li><li>No local cases reported yet</li><li>Public advised to follow health guidelines</li></ul> Half a decade after the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Unit is intensifying surveillance at airports as concerns grow over the spread of a virus in China, speculated to be a new variant of human metapneumovirus (HMPV).Epidemiology Unit Consultant Epidemiologist Dr. P.C.S. Perera confirmed that the ministry’s Quarantine Unit was actively monitoring airports and conducting tests on collected influenza samples.&nbsp;“We are currently testing for the metapneumovirus,” he stated, adding that the Medical Research Institute (MRI) was equipped to handle such diagnostics.Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Dr. Perera reassured the public that HMPV was not a severe disease, typically presenting with influenza-like symptoms such as a cough, fever, sore throat, and nasal congestion.&nbsp;“This is not a new virus. While we remain vigilant, there is no high risk of a pandemic situation at the moment,” he emphasised.Foreign media and social media platforms have painted a grimmer picture, reporting overwhelmed hospitals and crematories in China. Videos circulating online highlight crowded medical facilities, with the surge being attributed to influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19 cases.Dr. Perera reiterated that no official reports of HMPV-related deaths or severe cases had emerged locally.&nbsp;“Most of the available information is based on news articles,” he noted, assuring that the ministry remained on alert while continuing its monitoring and testing efforts.The public is encouraged to follow basic health guidelines to minimise the risk of infection and seek medical attention if symptoms escalate.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes HMPV symptoms as ranging from mild – such as a runny nose and cough – to severe cases involving wheezing, shortness of breath, bronchitis, pneumonia, or asthma exacerbations.&nbsp;The virus has an estimated incubation period of 3-6 days, with an illness duration similar to other respiratory infections.While there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV, the CDC advises preventive measures such as adhering to hygiene protocols and following the ‘2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings’.

HMPV: Health Ministry on high alert

The Government is planning to launch cleaning programmes under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative targeting urban areas on 20 January, according to Clean Sri Lanka programme member Chaminda Jayasuriya.He told The Sunday Morning that these efforts would address both physical cleanliness to create visible changes and moral reforms aimed at improving public behaviour.The first phase of the Clean Sri Lanka programme, launched on 1 January, focuses on raising awareness and laying the groundwork for comprehensive national improvements.The initial two to three weeks, running until 15-20 January, are dedicated to awareness campaigns addressing environmental, social, political, and ethical challenges to elevate Sri Lanka to a new standard of sustainability.Jayasuriya stated: “These awareness programmes will focus on everything that needs to be changed in Sri Lanka to upgrade it to the next level.”He highlighted several initiatives already underway, including efforts to discipline bus drivers, which began on Friday (3).“We have instructed Government institution staff on how to interact with the public, including speaking politely and providing efficient service. These steps are just the beginning,” Jayasuriya said.Plans are also in place for a nationwide beach cleanup.&nbsp;“We will advertise the specific date, and everyone will be encouraged to participate in cleaning beaches. These areas will then be handed over to local villagers and hoteliers for ongoing maintenance,” Jayasuriya explained.Jayasuriya also revealed plans to establish Clean Sri Lanka councils at village level. These councils will include community representatives responsible for ensuring cleanliness and sustainability in their respective areas.“This is not a political initiative; we aim to involve people at every level,” Jayasuriya emphasised.As part of the programme, the Sri Lanka Police launched a special vehicle inspection operation on Thursday (2). Instructions by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) mandate three-hour inspections twice daily across all Police divisions.&nbsp;These inspections will target illegal vehicle modifications, loud silencers, and equipment that could disrupt motorists or pedestrians, without inconveniencing passengers of public transportation.The Government’s Clean Sri Lanka project aims to make Sri Lanka the cleanest country in the Asian region.The programme has been launched by the National People’s Power (NPP)-led Government with a focus on improving social behaviour, environmental cleanliness, and ethical standards across the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;The initiative is part of a broader vision to elevate Sri Lanka’s environmental and moral standing while fostering a cleaner and more sustainable society.The programme was officially launched on 1 January and is set to begin with a month-long awareness campaign, aimed at educating citizens about the changes needed to achieve its objectives.A Clean Sri Lanka Task Force has been established to oversee the programme’s implementation, which includes collaborating with other countries to secure additional funding beyond the national budget allocation.&nbsp;This effort underlines the project’s goal to ensure not only a cleaner physical environment but also to cultivate a nationwide moral commitment towards ethical principles.The Clean Sri Lanka programme is structured around the three pillars of sustainability – Economic, Social, and Governance (ESG) – which form the framework for its strategic plan. Specific goals, actions, timelines, and outcomes have been outlined to achieve these objectives.&nbsp;

Clean Sri Lanka programme: Govt. to launch urban cleaning on 20 Jan.

The Secretary to the President has issued a new circular – Circular No. PS/SB/Circular/1/2025 –&nbsp; providing updated guidelines for Government ministries and institutions regarding their interactions with foreign states, international organisations, diplomatic missions accredited to Sri Lanka, and Sri Lankan missions abroad.&nbsp;This circular amends the previous guidelines issued under Circular No. PS/EAD/Circular/16/2022 on 9 January 2023 and has been put into immediate effect from 1 January.Upon inquiry about the circular, the Presidential Secretariat confirmed issuing it.&nbsp;&nbsp;The new set of directives is expected to streamline and systematise formal and functional interactions between various Sri Lankan State organs – including ministries, Provincial Councils, and departments – and foreign governments and diplomatic entities.&nbsp;The guidelines are designed to ensure that all interactions are consistent, organised, and aligned with national policies, contributing to a more coordinated approach in dealing with foreign states and international institutions.In line with the directive from the President, all relevant officials within ministries, Provincial Councils, and departments are instructed to strictly adhere to the guidelines.&nbsp;The institutions have also been urged to inform their respective ministers, governors, chief ministers, and other key personnel about the contents of this circular.According to the circular, on several occasions, requests have been made to the Ministry in charge of Foreign Affairs at very short notice to arrange official meetings with foreign dignitaries for Sri Lankan ministers and senior officials travelling abroad.&nbsp;In some instances, multiple visits by Sri Lankan dignitaries to the same foreign capital have occurred successively. This has prompted questions from foreign states about the necessity and rationale for such visits, often for similar purposes.&nbsp;Additionally, Sri Lanka’s missions abroad, which operate with limited staff and resources, face significant challenges when asked to facilitate such visits without adequate prior notice, leading to difficulties and delays.The circular has also noted that Sri Lanka’s missions abroad are sometimes not informed about the visits of Sri Lankan ministers and senior officials to their countries of accreditation. This lack of communication has led to complications, preventing the mission from offering necessary assistance during these visits, according to the circular.Furthermore, it has been observed that certain ministries have made direct requests to Sri Lanka’s missions abroad, and in some cases, to foreign government entities, for arranging facilities and other logistics for Sri Lankan VIPs making official or non-official visits.&nbsp;The circular specifies that this practice is inappropriate from both administrative and protocol perspectives, as well as in terms of foreign relations. Therefore, all requests for visits abroad must now be channelled solely through the Ministry in charge of Foreign Affairs.&nbsp;Sri Lanka’s missions abroad have been instructed not to entertain direct requests except in emergency situations, and even then, only in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.To avoid any complications, the circular mandates that all visit requests be rationalised, submitted well in advance, and routed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These requests will be processed by the ministry, which will consider the foreign relations implications and provide guidance to missions abroad on the necessary actions.&nbsp;High-level appointments in many countries require significant lead time for coordination and this process ensures that all visits are appropriately planned.Additionally, prior approval from the President must be obtained before any official visit abroad is undertaken.Also, the circular outlines that before extending an invitation to a foreign dignitary to visit Sri Lanka during discussions abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be consulted. This is to ensure that such visits align with Sri Lanka’s diplomatic priorities and foreign policy objectives.&nbsp;The potential benefits of the visit, as well as proper scheduling, considering the available resources, will also be evaluated.&nbsp;

New circular: New guidelines for Govt. dealings with foreign entities

The price of rice is likely to drop below Rs. 200 by the end of January, according to Deputy Minister of Food Security R.M. Jayawardana.&nbsp;Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Jayawardana outlined the current state of rice stocks and annual requirements: “According to reports, we have a shortage of 70,000 MT of rice in Sri Lanka.”&nbsp;&nbsp;“The reports originally indicated a stock of 4.2 million MT of rice in the market. Currently, Sri Lanka’s annual consumption is 2.4 million MT of rice. Further, we require 300,000 MT of rice for production of other food and another 150,000 MT of rice for ethanol production,” he said.“In total, we require 2.85 MT of rice per year. If we did have the stocks as specified in the report, we would not have a rice shortage in the country,” he added.Jayawardana stated that further issues had been identified, including the problem of hoarding stocks outside of the market.&nbsp;“With those in mind, other reports indicated that we had a shortage of 70,000 MT of rice. Therefore we opened up for imports and brought down 90,000 MT of rice into the country. However, it was still inadequate. We therefore permitted rice importers to continue to import until 10 January,” he stated.The Deputy Minister acknowledged the difficulty in verifying these figures and confirmed that investigations were underway to understand how the data had been compiled.&nbsp;Despite these uncertainties, he assured that existing stocks, combined with imports and the upcoming harvest, were sufficient to meet the country’s rice needs for January and beyond.Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Livestock and Agriculture Namal Karunaratne attributed the supply crunch to hoarding by certain mill owners and other entities.&nbsp;“Mill owners and others hiding paddy are aware that fresh rice will start entering the market in three weeks and prices will stabilise. This will likely prompt them to release hidden stocks,” he said.Karunaratne also highlighted that allegations of hoarding had compounded the public’s anxiety about rice availability.&nbsp;“While imported rice is available in the market, it’s insufficient to meet the demand fully. Once the new harvest begins to arrive, this manipulation of the market will no longer be viable,” he added.“We trust that in the next two to three weeks, the problem will solve itself. By the 20th of this month, harvesting will begin in various parts of the country,” Karunaratne further stated.&nbsp;He elaborated that farmers cultivating kekulu paddy, harvested during the first monsoon season, were set to begin reaping their crops soon. The harvest will be processed and introduced to the market, easing the supply crunch.Additional harvests were also expected to follow, Karunaratne explained.&nbsp;In northern regions such as Kilinochchi, Mannar, and Vavuniya, harvesting is projected to commence by late January, further bolstering the rice supply.Jayawardana echoed this optimism, emphasising that the arrival of fresh rice stocks was likely to lead to a natural correction in prices. “We anticipate that the market will stabilise and prices will drop below Rs. 200 per kg,” he stated.Jayawardana also emphasised the importance of maintaining buffer stocks to prevent future shortages. “We have allocated resources for storage and are working on building a sustainable buffer stock system. This will ensure stability in both supply and pricing,” he said.Buffer stocks are typically purchased at lower rates, which will also contribute to reducing market prices once fresh rice enters circulation.Both Deputy Ministers assured that rice prices would not increase further. Instead, they expect a decline as the market receives fresh supplies.&nbsp;“In terms of price control, we are engaging with rice millers, traders, and other stakeholders to finalise a fair pricing strategy. A decision is likely to be made before the end of January,” Jayawardana stated.&nbsp;

Rice shortage: Prices to drop below Rs. 200 by end-Jan.?

Authorities have reported no formal complaints regarding online prostitution in Sri Lanka this year, despite allegations from some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that it is on the rise.&nbsp;According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Renuka Jayasundara of the Child and Women Abuse Investigation and Prevention Division, the division’s actions remain complaint-driven due to limited resources and the current legal framework.Jayasundara clarified that the authorities could only act on online prostitution advertisements if a formal complaint was lodged.“Upon receiving complaints, we initiate investigations and request assistance from relevant bodies such as the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) to monitor websites,” she explained.&nbsp;However, she also called for legal reforms to allow law enforcement to take action without the need for a formal complaint.Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director WSSP H.W.I.S. Muthumala said that any information related to online prostitution must first be developed into a formal complaint before investigations could begin. She pointed out that existing laws prevented direct action based solely on information gathered.Despite these limitations, the CID has established a specialised surveillance branch to monitor such activities and is working with SLCERT to track relevant websites.&nbsp;However, both DIG Jayasundara and WSSP Muthumala emphasised that the majority of online prostitution cases were rarely reported, with many activities being consensual in nature.According to reports quoting the NGO National Women’s Unity, nearly 40,000 housewives have resorted to this desperate measure since 2022 due to the lack of job opportunities and economic instability.

Increase in online prostitution: No complaints filed despite allegations 

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has stated that while there is no shortage of arthritis-specific medications at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital (Kalubowila) as being reported, there is a shortage of supporting medications.GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe stated that the issue reported earlier was not related to arthritis medications but rather to a shortage of supporting medications, such as folic acid and vitamin C, which are commonly prescribed to manage symptoms associated with arthritis.Dr. Wijesinghe further explained that the current national shortage of medications was not significant as authorities had been actively addressing procurement issues, which were recently resolved following a Cabinet decision.&nbsp;He noted that while some challenges remained, the situation was expected to improve in the coming weeks as the measures implemented last year took effect.Emphasising the importance of swift action, Dr. Wijesinghe highlighted that the Ministry of Health and the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) had access to vital data that helped predict disease and medicinal drug consumption patterns, allowing them to forecast shortages and take preventive measures.&nbsp;Reflecting on the severe pharmaceutical shortages of 2022 and 2023, he stressed that those had been due to delays in timely action which had led to corruption and malpractice, and called for efforts to avoid a repetition.Additionally, the Cabinet recently approved the procurement of 900,000 1 g vials of meropenem and 9,000 40 mg vials of tenecteplase, with delivery expected by March, provided the procurement process is successful.As for the availability of key medications, current stock levels include 11,725 units of azathioprine (50 mg), 2,481,200 units of hydroxychloroquine sulphate (200 mg), and other medications such as leflunomide, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclophosphamide. However, sulfasalazine, a Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD), is currently out of stock.When contacted, MSD Deputy Director General Dr. Garusinghe Wijesuriya assured that there was no current shortage of arthritis medications.“Folic acid and vitamin C are prioritised for maternal cases. For patients with arthritis, these are not essentials. Despite there being a few unavailable medicines, all the necessary medicines are being purchased and are in supply,” he added.State Pharmaceuticals Corporation General Manager Dinusha Dasanayake stated that a shortage in pharmaceuticals for arthritis patients had not been reported to the corporation.&nbsp;

Medical supplies: Symptom-control meds in short supply

The Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill, which aims to facilitate the calling of fresh nominations and the holding of Local Government (LG) Elections, has been published in a gazette by the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake confirmed.Outlining the key steps required for the bill to become law and for the elections to proceed, Rathnayake stated that the gazetted bill would remain open for 14 days, allowing individuals or entities to challenge its provisions before the Supreme Court.&nbsp;This period is intended to ensure public scrutiny and legal transparency.&nbsp;Following this, the bill will be added to the parliamentary agenda and is expected to be taken up for debate within four to five days of its inclusion.Rathnayake further explained that the bill included a provision for publishing an amendment to the new act, which would nullify previous nominations and provide the legal framework for calling fresh nominations for the LG Elections.Addressing concerns about the cost of the elections, Rathnayake emphasised that the projected expenses would remain manageable despite inflationary pressures.He highlighted that the cost estimates for the LG Elections, initially projected at Rs. 8 billion, may rise to approximately Rs. 10 billion due to inflation.However, this figure aligns with or is lower than the costs of other national elections, such as the Presidential Election at Rs. 10 billion and the Parliamentary Elections at Rs. 11 billion.The Election Commission will only begin preparation for the LG Polls anticipated before April once the bill has been passed in Parliament and after the requisite budget has been approved, according to Rathnayake.He assured that measures were in place to ensure a smooth electoral process with the ultimate goal of conducting LG Elections efficiently and on schedule.

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