<ul><li>Sallay demands removal of CID Director, seeks change in detention location&nbsp;</li><li>Opposition Satyagraha continues at Fort</li><li>UNP calls for Parliament team to examine Sallay’s condition</li><li>Prisoners rights group calls for probe into veracity of Sallay’s claims&nbsp;</li><li>Govt says CID treatment neither special nor harsher&nbsp;</li><li>HRCSL summons CID, has visited CID and NHSL&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul> Police yesterday (9) clarified the authority to transfer any investigation to or from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) rests solely with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), amid ongoing public scrutiny over the handling of the probe into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.Responding to queries from The Daily Morning, the Office of the Police Media Spokesperson stated the investigation concerning the arrest and detention of former State Intelligence Service Director, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, is currently being conducted by the CID. Police further explained that both the removal of a case from its existing investigative unit and its assignment to the CID require separate orders issued under the authority of the IGP.The Police also noted that if Sallay has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) – which he has done through his wife in relation to the conditions of his custody, detention and treatment - it is the responsibility of the Commission to determine whether any of his HR have been violated. The matter has also been brought to the attention of the IGP and also referred to the HRCSL, which is currently reviewing the situation. Police further stated that such proceedings do not prevent the law enforcement authorities from continuing their own investigations. They added that the CID is also conducting inquiries related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and matters connected to the said individual's detention. The Police said that various political opinions and views had been expressed regarding the implementation of the detention order (DO) concerning Sallay. They added that already, an official media statement has however been issued on the matter.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Sallay, who is receiving treatment at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) in Colombo, is continuing the hunger strike, according to reports. Relatives and his legal counsel were allowed to meet him on Monday (8), during which he reportedly stated that he will continue his hunger strike, sources said. Sallay is said to be protesting the ongoing investigations against him, calling for the removal of the CID Director and a change in his place of detention. Sallay remains hospitalised and has not been consuming food or water, according to his wife, Manori Sallay. Speaking to journalists after visiting the Hospital on Monday, Sallay said that her husband has not been consuming food or water and remains in a serious condition. She said that he is being closely monitored by doctors and is being administered saline. “He is still not eating or drinking anything. He is in a critical condition. The doctors are monitoring him. He is on saline. He has not ended his fast,” she said. Family members also confirmed that Sallay remains under medical care at the Hospital.&nbsp;Elsewhere, a Satyagraha protest organised by several Opposition political parties continues opposite the Colombo Fort Railway Station, protesting what they describe as the inhumane treatment of Sallay. Political representatives and supporters were present at the protest site throughout the night, according to reports. The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Party Leader, attorney (AAL) Udaya Gammanpila said that the protest would continue regardless of any obstacles. The Sarvajana Balaya (SB) Party Deputy Chairperson, Anuradha Yahampath said that the Satyagraha would continue until Sallay is released, describing the situation as an injustice against war veterans. The SB has alleged that defamatory content is being circulated on social media targeting the family members of Sallay. Speaking at the said Satyagraha campaign, the Deputy SB Chairperson, Dr. Channa Jayasumana called for Sallay’s release, claiming that he is being unlawfully detained. He also criticised what he described as “social media harassment” directed at the wife of Sallay and his children, accusing Government-linked actors and political activists of being responsible. The Satyagraha campaign was launched on Monday morning, with participation from Buddhist monks and the representatives of several Opposition political parties, protesting against the alleged mistreatment of Sallay and his continued detention under a DO. Tensions were later reported when Police removed a temporary stage set up for the protest. Representatives from multiple Opposition parties, including the SB, the National Freedom Front, the PHU, and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), attended the demonstration. Also, the United National Party (UNP) of the Opposition has raised concerns over the treatment of Sallay, calling on the authorities to ensure that all actions taken against him comply with the Constitution and international human rights (HR) obligations. In a statement, the UNP noted that Sallay is entitled to the protections guaranteed under the Sri Lankan law and international conventions. The UNP said that the focus should be on the manner in which an arrested individual is treated rather than on the allegations being investigated, adding that any form of torture or inhumane treatment would be contrary to Article 11 of the Constitution and international HR standards. The UNP also referred to provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979 (as amended) (PTA), which require safeguards against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of detainees. The statement further called for a Parliamentary team to be allowed to examine Sallay’s condition, noting that the matter has attracted international attention. The UNP warned that any erosion of constitutional protections could have wider implications and said that it would continue to closely monitor developments surrounding the case. Furthermore, the ‘Jaya Dharani Lanka’ organisation conducted a related protest near the Parliament yesterday. The SLPP’s National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa meanwhile alleged that the Government is imprisoning Intelligence officers who contributed to ending the war while protecting those who allegedly concealed information related to the Easter Sunday attacks. Addressing a public meeting in Kekirawa on 7 June, he claimed that officers who played a key role in defeating terrorism and safeguarding national security are being targeted, while those responsible for hiding Intelligence reports and files linked to the Easter attacks remained protected. Referring to the country's civil war, he said that thousands of soldiers and civilians had sacrificed their lives to defeat terrorism. He claimed that the Government is now failing to protect the dignity of war heroes and was instead acting according to the interests of the Tamil diaspora. He also alleged that the weakening of Intelligence services posed a threat to national security. Drawing parallels with the previous United National Front administration, he claimed that the arrest of Intelligence officers could weaken national security mechanisms and create conditions for extremist elements to re-emerge. He further alleged that the Government is concealing files and Intelligence reports related to the Easter Sunday attacks while taking action against officers who had contributed to ending the war and strengthening the country's Intelligence services. He questioned whose interests that the Government was serving through such actions and called for greater accountability regarding national security and the Easter Sunday investigations.However, the National People’s Power Government Parliamentarian Chandana Sooriyaarachchi said that the matter is before courts and urged the general public not to be alarmed, adding that the Judiciary will resolve the issue appropriately. Cabinet of Ministers Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, fielding questions from the media, said that the CID treatment of Sallay is similar to the treatment that it would give any other individual who is being questioned under detention. “If need be, all concerned parties could question all those who have faced similar questioning by the CID. Sallay is neither being afforded any special treatment nor harsher treatment than those who have faced CID interrogation before him,” he said. Speaking further, Dr. Jayatissa noted that Sallay was taken in for questioning under the PTA which the Government is looking to amend or repeal.&nbsp;Also, CID officers have been instructed to appear before the HRCSL this week to provide information regarding ongoing investigations related to Sallay. Human Rights Commissioner, AAL Nimal G. Punchihewa said that the HRCSL has already initiated an inquiry into the matter based on a complaint filed by relatives of Sallay. He said that CID officers had previously been instructed to appear before the Commission last week but were unable to do so and requested another date. Accordingly, officers involved in the investigation, including the officer-in-charge, have now been directed to appear before the HRCSL during the course of this week. The HRCSL has also conducted additional inquiries in connection with the matter, including visits to the CID and the Hospital, where statements were recorded, he added.Moreover, the Committee for Protecting the Rights for Prisoners organisation is urging the Government to launch an immediate investigation into the alleged accusations by Sallay regarding the alleged inhumane treatment he experienced while in custody under the PTA. Speaking to&nbsp;The Daily Morning, the President of the Association, AAL Senaka Perera said that even though there is no assurance as to whether the accusations are true or not, an investigation should be launched regarding the claims and necessary actions taken if the allegations are proven. “We are not sure whether these allegations are true or not, but, we don’t have enough reasons to totally reject these allegations either. Hence, to prove the transparency of the Government, an investigation is needed,” he said. He also added that the PTA should be repealed as soon as possible. “Under the PTA, the Executive is given the power to detain a person for six months. There is a long history of various parties urging the Government to abolish the PTA, but still, it has not been done. We are urging the Government that the PTA should be repealed,” he said. “It is as a prisoner that we consider Salley at this moment, and we will be speaking up for his rights,” he added.Sallay was arrested by the CID on 25 February on charges related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. He was subsequently held under a DO in CID custody. It has been alleged that CID officers treated him in an inhumane and cruel manner, prompting him to begin a “fast unto death” by refusing food and water, according to Gammanpila who made the disclosure. Later, his wife, the son, and the brother, who visited him over the weekend, also confirmed that Sallay was on a hunger strike. Subsequently, CID officers transferred Sallay to the Hospital at around 8.30 p.m. on 7 June after he reportedly fell ill while continuing to refuse food and water.

Sallay continues hunger strike at NHSL: No CID transfer without IGP order: Police   

<ul><li>Rs 1.8 m fine imposed&nbsp;</li></ul> The Colombo High Court has sentenced former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena to four years of rigourous imprisonment (RI) for each of the four counts of charges on which he was found guilty in a corruption case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). Accordingly, the Court ordered a total sentence of 16 years in RI. In addition to the prison term, the Court imposed a total fine of Rs 1.8 million across the cases. Judge Mohamed Mihail delivered the verdict following the conclusion of the trial. Delivering the verdict, the Judge stated that the corruption charges filed by the Commission against the accused had been proven beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution.&nbsp;The Judge further observed in his ruling that corruption in State institutions negatively impacts the country’s economy and contributes to economic instability. He noted that such acts also undermine public confidence in Government institutions.During the sentencing, the defence counsel had requested the Court to act leniently under Section 303 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.&nbsp;However, the Judge stated that given the nature of the offences, the Court was compelled to impose a sentence that would serve to discourage corruption within public institutions.The CIABOC had filed four cases against Gunawardena, alleging that during his tenure as the Chairperson of the Development Lotteries Board in 2006, he had caused a financial loss to the State by procuring three vehicles on a rental basis in a manner that allegedly provided undue benefits to the respective owners

Sarana Gunawardena gets 16 yrs RI 

Secretary to the Finance Ministry, Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor, Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, have been instructed to appear before the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) in relation to the matter of the payment of US$ 2.5 million made by the Treasury to a third party.CoPF met on Monday (08) at the Parliament complex at around 3 p.m. under the Chairpersonship of Dr Harsha de Silva. During the session, members discussed reports submitted by the Secretary to the Treasury regarding a payment of $ 2.5 million made by the Treasury to a third party. The Committee had previously requested a report from the Treasury concerning the transfer of $ 2.5 million to a third party. Dr de Silva further noted that the report was submitted to Parliament last week and subsequently circulated among Committee members.

 Treasury Secy, CBSL Governor summoned to CoPF

<ul><li>Plantation and Labour Ministries to present facts on International&nbsp; competition behind allegations&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul> The Government has rejected the findings of Amnesty International's latest report, Abandoned by the State, trapped in private estates: Rights abuses against Sri Lanka's Malaiyaha Tamil Tea Workers, maintaining that its allegations of human rights and labour violations against estate workers are inaccurate.&nbsp;Replying to a question raised by Opposition Parliamentarian, Nizam Kariapper in Parliament yesterday (9), Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyarathna said, "The Government's view is that the matters raised by the international human rights organisation are not correct. We will present the relevant facts in due course. The Labour Ministry and the Plantation Ministry have already held joint discussions to formulate the Government's response and will continue those discussions." He also suggested that international competition in the plantation crop sector should be taken into account when assessing such allegations. "There is international competition relating to our plantation crops and various issues are being raised globally in relation to these commercial crops. Since this has implications for the livelihoods of our people and the country's economy, it must be managed carefully," he said. Speaking further, Vidyarathna said the Government had taken several measures to improve the living standards of estate workers, including a 'historic wage increase'. He said that estate workers had received a daily wage increase of Rs 400 under the present Government's policies. "Of that, the Government provides Rs 200 towards their livelihood support, with plantation companies contributing the remaining Rs 200." He also said that the Government is expediting a housing and land ownership programme for estate workers with assistance from the Indian Government. "When the present administration assumed office, plans were in place to provide families living in line rooms with the ownership of seven-perch land plots,&nbsp; the implementation had been limited. The Government is now increasing the allocation to 10 perches and accelerating the construction of the houses." Providing details of the industry's structure, Vidyarathna said that there are 398 estates under privatised regional plantation companies, comprising 204 estates leased by the Janatha Estates Development Board (JEDB) and 194 leased by the State Plantations Corporation (SPC). In addition, he added that three State-owned plantation Companies – the Halawatha Plantations Company, the Elkaduwa Plantations Company and the Kurunegala Plantations Company - manage a total of 32 estates. Of these, 22 have been provided by the JEDB and 10 by the SPC. He said that the SPC directly retains 16 estates and the JEDB has 17 estates under its management. He also provided employment figures for the sector, stating that regional plantation companies employ 76,044 permanent workers and 18,955 temporary workers. The JEDB has 2,738 permanent workers, while the SPC employs 1,524 permanent and 573 temporary estate workers. The issue was raised against the backdrop of a recent Amnesty International report, which alleged that Malaiyaha Tamil workers employed on private tea estates and smallholdings in Sri Lanka face abuses that meet many of the International Labour Organisation's indicators of forced labour. According to the report, workers in the Southern Province had experienced intimidation and threats, physical violence and harassment, debt bondage, restrictions on movement, and poor working and living conditions. Amnesty International also alleged that the State had failed to adequately protect workers' rights to social security, unionisation and access to justice, and called for the stronger enforcement of labour protections and safeguards for plantation workers.

Estate workers treatment: Govt rejects Amnesty International allegations

<ul><li>Cites issues in planning, land acquisition, institutional oversight</li><li>Notes rigourous assessments could have saved Rs&nbsp; 6.86 b</li></ul> A Presidential Secretariat-appointed review committee, which found that planning, land acquisition and contract management failures had contributed to major cost overruns and delays in the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Programme (MWSIP), has recommended that accountability be established among all parties involved before any further increase in the cost of a key canal construction contract related to the project is approved. The observations are contained in a report prepared by the MWSIP Review Committee, which was appointed by the Presidential Secretariat to examine a Cabinet of Ministers paper seeking approval to increase the value of a contract for the construction of the main canal from Nebagahawatta to the entrance of the Mahakitula Reservoir under the North Western Province Canal Project. The report, dated 22 December of last year (2025) and addressed to the Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K D Lal Kantha, was prepared by committee members, engineer Nalinda Thilakaratne, a Board Member of the Mahaweli Authority, and engineer B H M P Amunumullagama, who served as the coordinating officer to the Deputy Lands and Irrigation Minister and represented the Presidential Secretariat-appointed review committee. The committee had been asked to study the proposed increase in the contract value and the circumstances that led to it.&nbsp;According to the report, Cabinet approval was being sought to raise the contract value from Rs&nbsp; 15.15 b to Rs&nbsp; 16.60 b. The committee noted that the contract had originally been awarded in June 2018 for Rs&nbsp; 7.22 b with a completion period of 917 days and was expected to be completed by May 2021. Since then, six extensions of time have been granted, mainly because of delays in handing over land required for construction. Cabinet approval had already been obtained in 2023 to increase the contract value from Rs&nbsp; 7.22 b to Rs&nbsp; 15.15 b.&nbsp;After reviewing project documents and holding discussions with officials from the line Ministry, the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the Project Management, Design and Supervision Consultant (PMDSC), the committee stated that it had identified significant weaknesses in project planning, contract administration, consultant performance and institutional oversight.&nbsp;According to the report, these shortcomings had resulted in contractor claims amounting to about Rs&nbsp; 2 b and additional price escalation costs of around Rs&nbsp; 5 b. Among the issues raised by the committee was the absence of an approved team leader for the consulting team since 2021. Despite this, contractual payments, including monthly payments amounting to about Euros 26,000 and additional local payments of nearly Rs&nbsp; 16 million a month, had continued. The committee stated that this matter required an immediate investigation.&nbsp;The report also questioned why the contract had been awarded before the necessary land had been acquired. It noted that the contract was awarded and signed in 2018 and that an advance payment of Rs&nbsp; 973 million was made even though the required land had not been fully handed over for construction. According to the committee, the first section of land was handed over about 76 days after the commencement of the contract, and it stated that a detailed investigation was needed into why the project had proceeded before land acquisition had been completed.&nbsp;The committee also found that despite repeated delays, decisions granting extensions of time had not been challenged by either the PMU or the Ministry. It observed that some delays were linked to late instructions issued by engineers and the inadequate deployment of resources by the contractor, but, these factors had not been properly considered when granting extensions. It further stated that the consultant had failed to introduce practical measures to reduce risks associated with land acquisition delays, despite the difficulties being known in advance.&nbsp;The report further noted that repeated design changes had taken place during construction, saying that they had led to additional variations and higher costs. It stated that more comprehensive site investigations and better planning before calling for tenders could have reduced the need for the later changes. The committee also raised concerns about inadequate working space along parts of the canal route and shortcomings in land acquisition, noting that these had resulted in further design revisions and increased expenditure. It recommended additional investigations into these matteRs &nbsp;Questions were also raised over several payments made under the contract. The committee noted that retention money and special advances had been released in a manner that appeared inconsistent with contractual provisions and stated that a detailed examination was needed to determine the basis for those payments. It also observed that nearly Rs&nbsp; 987 million had already been paid to the contractor without fresh Cabinet approval, despite an earlier Cabinet decision limiting approval for claims to Rs&nbsp; 44 million. The committee said that the basis for those payments should be examined further.&nbsp;Another concern raised in the report relates to the composition of a separate technical review committee. It noted that three out of its five members were connected to the same project, raising questions about the independence of the assessment process. In its conclusions, the committee stated that the proposed increase in the contract value was largely the result of systemic failures in planning, land acquisition, consultant performance, contract administration and institutional supervision involving the consultant, the PMU and the line Ministry. The committee added that if extensions of time had been assessed more rigourously under the relevant contract conditions, contractor claims estimated at around Rs&nbsp; 1.86 b and price escalation costs of about Rs&nbsp; 5 b could have been substantially reduced.&nbsp;It recommended that before any further increase in the contract value is approved, accountability measures should be established for all parties involved, including the consultant, the contractor, the PMU and the Ministry. It also called for lessons learned from the MWSIP to be formally documented and applied to future projects undertaken under the programme. Earlier this month (June), the Citizen Power Against Bribery, Corruption and Waste organisation wrote to the Asian Development Bank requesting an independent investigation into the project, asking the Bank to suspend major commitments under the second stage until such a review is completed.&nbsp;

Mahaweli Water Project: Committee finds across the board failures

The findings made by the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) and the Auditor General's Department regarding corruption and fraud within the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) are to be forwarded to the Attorney General's (AG) Department and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), said Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake. Speaking in Parliament yesterday (9), he said that the COPA and the Auditor General's Department had already looked into serious corruption and fraud within the Department and made observations. “We have brought a motion to Parliament to refer these matters to the AG and the CIABOC." He noted that the DMT has been significantly affected by corruption over a long period, adding that action has already been taken against several senior officials. “Two former Commissioners General and a number of Deputy Commissioners have already been arrested in connection with earlier investigations,” he said. Although corruption has not been fully eliminated as of now, he added that there are signs of improvement based on the current information and data. “There are still incidents being reported, but, if we look at the available data, there has been some reduction compared to the past.” He also said that honest officers working within the Department are facing difficulties due to the negative image attached to the Institution. “At the same time, officers who are working honestly are also affected by the black mark that has been created around this Department,” he said.

Corruption, fraud at DMT: AG, CIABOC to act on COPA, Auditor General's findings 

Three individuals have died following a fire that broke out at a restaurant near the Thalawathugoda Junction yesterday morning (9), the Police said. The victims, who sustained injuries in the incident were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital for treatment.&nbsp;Police said that all three individuals injured in the incident later succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment. The fire erupted at the restaurant during the morning hours, prompting the authorities to deploy three fire engines from the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Municipal Council to bring the blaze under control.&nbsp;Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been caused by a gas leak, although the exact cause has yet to be determined.

3 dead in Thalawathugoda restaurant fire 

<ul><li>Focus on agri sector reservoir water storage&nbsp;</li></ul> Members of the Food Policy and Security Committee have discussed the measures that should be taken and the preparedness required to mitigate any potential impacts on Sri Lanka arising from the impending global El Niño phenomenon.Discussions were held at a meeting of the Committee at the Presidential Secretariat. The meeting took place under the Co-Chairpersonship of the Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister, K D Lal Kantha and the Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister, Wasantha Samarasinghe.&nbsp;During the meeting, particular attention was given to the possible effects of El Niño on the agricultural sector.&nbsp; Discussions also focused on the need to ensure adequate water storage in reservoirs for the forthcoming Yala cultivation season and to safeguard drinking water supplies.&nbsp;Samarasinghe instructed officials to obtain the views and recommendations of the relevant institutions on these matters.It was further decided to convene a special meeting of the Committee in the near future to continue discussions on the issue. The relevant line agencies, including the Agriculture Ministry, the Agriculture Department, the Mahaweli Authority and the Irrigation Department, were instructed to prepare and submit comprehensive plans outlining measures to address the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon.The Ministers stated that plans were already in place to effectively manage this potential global challenge. They emphasised that the Government was giving special attention to the matter.&nbsp;Samarasinghe further pointed out that natural disasters cannot be predicted with certainty and stressed the importance of developing contingency plans in advance to respond effectively to any eventuality.&nbsp;As a possible El Niño situation looms in the coming months, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) is meanwhile moving ahead with a strategic plan to increase the capacity of existing treatment plants and is digging deep wells near them to extract more groundwater. Speaking to&nbsp;The Daily Morning,&nbsp;the NWSDB Chairperson Chandana Bandara said that necessary proactive methods are being taken to cope with possible droughts and other consequences of El Niño. “The prediction is that towards the end of next month (July), August and the first weeks of September will be the months that El Niño will be affecting to a grave extent, which means that it will be around for a period of two months. That is what the Meteorology Department and the other environmentalists have predicted. We don’t have enough time to build new water treatment plants or any other water resources this soon. Our plan is to optimise the use of the existing water plants,” he added. He said that the NWSDB has over 343 water supplying projects all over the country and that they are planning to develop the existing sources in a way that it could be giving the utmost production. “We have a separate groundwater section under the Board. We are expecting to buy some more equipment. We are trying to extract the groundwater as much as possible and we have started digging some deep wells closer to our water plants,” he further said.He also cautioned that the careful use of water in these days will also help in the future, and that the NWSDB has started an awareness programme series to make the public aware of the situation and to urge them to conserve water. “In the domestic units also, water goes to waste, but, there are also many public places such as schools, universities, hospitals and also some offices that cause the same. The Environmental and Social Unit of the NWSDB has planned awareness programmes for these spaces. Our sociologists are working in order to reduce the water wastage by awareness,” he concluded.His comments come in the wake of the Department having warned of a possible El Niño situation in the coming months. The Acting Director General of Meteorology Ajith Wijemannage cautioned last week that Sri Lanka is expected to experience significantly hotter-than-normal weather conditions during July and August of this year (2026) as the developing El Niño phenomenon begins to influence the global climate. He had also noted that the dry spell and higher temperatures could place pressure on water resources, agriculture, power generation and public health in the coming months if the water resources are not optimised carefully.

El Niño  impact mitigation underway   

Cabinet of Ministers Spokesperson Dr&nbsp; Nalinda Jayatissa said that the Government has not considered extending the age of retirement of judges.&nbsp;Fielding questions from the media during the weekly Cabinet briefing yesterday (09), he said that different professional groups have made proposals to increase the age of retirement in general. He said that one of the reasons for these suggestions is that life expectancy in the country has increased.&nbsp;Also, during the recent economic crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic period, many skilled professionals left the island; because of this, there are discussions as to whether there is a need to retain experienced professionals in the public service for a longer time. Dr&nbsp; Jayatissa noted that in the past, the retirement age of specialist doctors and dental surgeons in the health sector had been extended from 60 to 63 years.&nbsp;However, this change was not extended to all health workers and even the court did not give permission at the time either. Responding to further queries, he said that there were requests from other professionals in this regard. “But, especially regarding judges, no such decision has been taken yet”. Dr&nbsp; Jayatissa said that there are discussions between various stakeholders and various proposals have been submitted, but that the Government has not taken any such decision.

Sallay continues hunger strike at NHSL: No CID transfer with ...

Sarana Gunawardena gets 16 yrs RI

Sarana Gunawardena gets 16 yrs ...

Treasury Secy, CBSL Governor summoned to CoPF

Treasury Secy, CBSL Governor ...

Estate workers treatment: Govt rejects Amnesty International allegatio ...

Estate workers treatment: Govt ...

Mahaweli Water Project: Committee finds across the board failures

Mahaweli Water Project: Commit ...

Corruption, fraud at DMT: AG, CIABOC to act on COPA, Auditor General's ...

Corruption, fraud at DMT: AG, ...

3 dead in Thalawathugoda restaurant fire

3 dead in Thalawathugoda resta ...

El Niño impact mitigation underway

El Niño impact mitigation und ...

No Cabinet decision on judges retirement age

No Cabinet decision on judges ...

Sarana Gunawardena gets 16 yrs RI

Sarana Gunawardena gets 16 yrs ...

Treasury Secy, CBSL Governor summoned to CoPF

Treasury Secy, CBSL Governor ...

Estate workers treatment: Govt rejects Amnesty International allegatio ...

Estate workers treatment: Govt ...

Mahaweli Water Project: Committee finds across the board failures

Mahaweli Water Project: Commit ...

Corruption, fraud at DMT: AG, CIABOC to act on COPA, Auditor General's ...

Corruption, fraud at DMT: AG, ...

3 dead in Thalawathugoda restaurant fire

3 dead in Thalawathugoda resta ...

El Niño impact mitigation underway

El Niño impact mitigation und ...

No Cabinet decision on judges retirement age

No Cabinet decision on judges ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Sarana Gunawardena gets 16 yrs RI

Sarana Gunawardena gets 16 yrs ...

Treasury Secy, CBSL Governor summoned to CoPF

Treasury Secy, CBSL Governor ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Estate workers treatment: Govt rejects Amnesty International allegatio ...

Estate workers treatment: Govt ...

Mahaweli Water Project: Committee finds across the board failures

Mahaweli Water Project: Commit ...

Corruption, fraud at DMT: AG, CIABOC to act on COPA, Auditor General's ...

Corruption, fraud at DMT: AG, ...

3 dead in Thalawathugoda restaurant fire

3 dead in Thalawathugoda resta ...