[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-shell":3,"taxonomy":4,"breaking":5,"article-president-dissanayake-presents-gold-awards-at-national-productivity-awards-202526":9,"cover-media-president-dissanayake-presents-gold-awards-at-national-productivity-awards-202526":34,"comments-president-dissanayake-presents-gold-awards-at-national-productivity-awards-202526":46,"related-president-dissanayake-presents-gold-awards-at-national-productivity-awards-202526":51},[4,4],true,{"data":6},{"articles":7,"ticker":8},[],[],{"data":10},{"id":11,"lang":12,"title":13,"subtitle":14,"slug":15,"excerpt":16,"html":17,"readingTimeSec":18,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":22,"tagIds":23,"authorIds":24,"coverMediaId":25,"galleryMediaIds":26,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":27,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":30,"relatedArticleIds":33},"6af1a8813b462735d04b37da","en","President Dissanayake presents Gold Awards at National Productivity Awards 2025\u002F26",null,"president-dissanayake-presents-gold-awards-at-national-productivity-awards-202526","The National Productivity Awards 2025\u002F26 ceremony, organised by the National Productivity Secretariat under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development to recognise excellence in the public, schoo...","\u003Cp>President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented Gold Awards yesterday (08) afternoon to institutions that demonstrated outstanding performance in productivity, innovation, efficiency and continuous improvement, at the National Productivity Awards 2025\u002F26 ceremony at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The National Productivity Secretariat under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development organised the event, held under the President’s patronage, to recognise excellence in the public, school, manufacturing and service sectors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First introduced in 2003 and held biennially, the National Productivity Awards competition was conducted this year for the first time since 2021. Alignment with Clean Sri Lanka, the Government’s flagship national programme, was a key feature of this year’s competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contest aims to encourage institutions in the public, school, manufacturing and service sectors to adopt best practices, utilise resources efficiently and improve the quality and productivity of their services and products.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Awards are given under three main categories: the public sector, the school sector, and the manufacturing and service sectors. Evaluation criteria include leadership, strategic management, human resource development, stakeholder relations, operational processes, innovation, digitalisation and measurable productivity outcomes. The framework also incorporates the three main pillars of the Clean Sri Lanka programme – social, environmental and ethical considerations. Special attention is given to employee welfare, community participation, waste management, energy efficiency, green productivity, transparency, accountability and ethical governance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti told the ceremony that productivity was not a familiar concept in Sri Lankan society, but the recognition programme gave the country an opportunity to bring it back into public discourse. He noted that inefficiency had been widely discussed for several decades and had become an accepted feature of society. Properly understanding and implementing productivity concepts was therefore essential to building a productive society through the efficient utilisation of limited resources, he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Minister highlighted the importance of recognising the efforts of public servants, pointing out that they often worked hard to achieve their targets despite limited facilities. “Rather than simply demanding more work from people, we should give greater recognition to the work they do,” he said. Such recognition, he said, would help create a society in which employees were respected, entrepreneurs and industrialists were valued, and public servants could perform their duties with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He emphasised that the awards should not be considered individual achievements alone, as they reflected the collective dedication and commitment of entire teams. He expressed the Government’s aspiration to establish the National Productivity Awards as the principal benchmark for measuring success in the public, private and school sectors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake said productivity and efficiency were essential for a developing country to achieve sustainable economic growth and improve living standards. Improving productivity, he said, was vital to attracting investment, strengthening international competitiveness, increasing wages and enhancing the quality of life of the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr Kumanayake revealed that approximately 15 per cent of Sri Lanka’s total workforce was employed in the public sector, while around 26 per cent of government expenditure was allocated to it. The public sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remained at approximately five per cent, he said. He pointed out that low productivity in the public sector had contributed to a cycle that weakened individual performance, limited wage growth and reduced the sector’s ability to attract and retain skilled and talented employees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To overcome this challenge, he emphasised the need to improve the efficiency of public officials through technology, automation and digitalisation. He also highlighted the importance of developing human resource capabilities, attitudes and work practices, with particular emphasis on discipline, accountability, teamwork and improved concentration through concepts such as Deep Work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He further noted that the Clean Sri Lanka programme directly supported efforts to enhance productivity by promoting positive behavioural changes among human resources and developing a more productive workforce. He commended the decision to extend the productivity awards competition beyond the public and private sectors to include schools and youth groups, describing it as an important initiative to promote productivity across the country’s workforce, and called for the competition to be expanded further in the future to encourage wider participation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minister of Science and Technology Professor Chrishantha Abeysena, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, Director General of the National Productivity Secretariat Suranga Gunaratne and officials of the Secretariat were also present.\u003C\u002Fp>",199,"standard","published","6a8de2d51984b727d3b0b545",[21],[],[],"6af1a8813b462735d04b37d6",[],"2026-11-09T10:17:14.000Z",false,"public",{"views":31,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":31},18,0,[],{"data":35},{"id":25,"url":36,"width":37,"height":38,"variants":39,"alt":14,"caption":14,"credit":14},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.newsradio.lk\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F11\u002F4d2d1d27-bb5b-40b4-899e-92450365e874\u002Foriginal.jpg",800,595,[40],{"key":41,"width":42,"height":43,"format":44,"url":45},"thumb",320,238,"webp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.newsradio.lk\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F11\u002F4d2d1d27-bb5b-40b4-899e-92450365e874\u002Fthumb.webp",{"data":47,"meta":48},[],{"total":32,"page":49,"limit":50,"hasMore":28},1,30,{"data":52},[53,69,85,100,116,132,147,163],{"id":54,"lang":12,"title":55,"subtitle":14,"slug":56,"excerpt":57,"html":58,"readingTimeSec":59,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":60,"tagIds":61,"authorIds":62,"coverMediaId":63,"galleryMediaIds":64,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":65,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":66,"relatedArticleIds":68},"6af1a8333b462735d04b37bb","Prime Minister participates in 2026 Poppy Day Commemoration","prime-minister-participates-in-2026-poppy-day-commemoration","The 2026 Poppy Day Commemoration was held on November 8 at the Cenotaph War Memorial in Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya. Upon her arrival at the venu...","\u003Cp>Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya participated in the 2026 Poppy Day Commemoration on November 8 at the Cenotaph War Memorial in Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On arrival at the venue, the Prime Minister was welcomed with the presentation of a poppy flower and escorted to the main podium accompanied by marching bands. The Prime Minister, together with other distinguished invitees, then paid floral tributes at the Cenotaph War Memorial, which commemorates the military personnel who sacrificed their lives during the First and Second World Wars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retired) Aruna Jayasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Commanders of the Tri-Forces, former Service Commanders, government officials and several other distinguished guests were also present.\u003C\u002Fp>",32,[21],[],[],"6af1a8333b462735d04b37b7",[],"2026-11-09T10:26:14.000Z",{"views":31,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":67},17,[],{"id":70,"lang":12,"title":71,"subtitle":14,"slug":72,"excerpt":73,"html":74,"readingTimeSec":75,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":76,"tagIds":77,"authorIds":78,"coverMediaId":79,"galleryMediaIds":80,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":81,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":82,"relatedArticleIds":84},"6af1a8813b462735d04b37d0","Anura Karunathilaka elected president of Sri Lanka–Kazakhstan Parliamentary Friendship Association","anura-karunathilaka-elected-president-of-sri-lanka-kazakhstan-parliamentary-friendship-association","Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka has been elected President of the Sri Lanka–Kazakhstan Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament. The inaugura...","\u003Cp>Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka has been elected President of the Sri Lanka–Kazakhstan Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Association’s inaugural meeting was held yesterday (05) at the Parliament of Sri Lanka under the patronage of Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne. Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka, Sergey Viktorov, attended as Guest of Honour. Secretary-General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera was also present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Member of Parliament Ajith P. Perera was elected Secretary. Members of Parliament Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran, G.G. Ponnambalam and President’s Counsel M. Nizam Kariapper were elected Vice Presidents. Member of Parliament Sunil Rajapaksha was elected Treasurer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Speaker spoke of the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan, tracing it to the establishment of diplomatic relations on June 29, 1992. He described the opening of Kazakhstan’s first resident Embassy in Colombo in July 2025 as a significant milestone in bilateral relations and said the Parliamentary Friendship Association would further strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation between the two countries. He also pointed to opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, renewable energy, agriculture and information technology. He emphasised the importance of strengthening educational ties, higher education and people-to-people exchanges, expressing confidence that the Association would provide a valuable platform for parliamentarians to share experiences and promote mutual understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ambassador Viktorov briefed participants on Kazakhstan’s recently introduced parliamentary system, which operates under a unicameral legislature. He stressed the importance of parliamentary engagement in strengthening institutional relations and promoting closer cooperation between the two countries. He also highlighted opportunities to expand bilateral ties in energy, transport, education and tourism for the mutual benefit of both nations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As newly elected President of the Association, Minister Karunathilaka noted that despite the geographical distance between the two countries, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan shared common interests in promoting peace, development and international cooperation. He acknowledged Kazakhstan’s support for Sri Lanka at international forums and highlighted the potential to further strengthen bilateral relations through increased cooperation in trade, investment, education, tourism and cultural exchanges. He further emphasised that the Association should serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and practical cooperation beyond formal parliamentary engagements, urging all members to work collectively towards building a stronger and lasting partnership between the two countries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delivering the vote of thanks, newly elected Secretary Perera expressed appreciation to all those who contributed to the establishment and revival of the Association. He pledged to work with all members towards achieving the Association’s objectives, highlighting opportunities to strengthen cooperation in trade, economic development, political relations and culture, while appreciating Kazakhstan’s continued friendship and support for Sri Lanka.\u003C\u002Fp>",119,[21],[],[],"6af1a8813b462735d04b37cc",[],"2026-11-09T10:22:24.000Z",{"views":83,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":31},19,[],{"id":86,"lang":12,"title":87,"subtitle":14,"slug":88,"excerpt":89,"html":90,"readingTimeSec":91,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":92,"tagIds":93,"authorIds":94,"coverMediaId":95,"galleryMediaIds":96,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":97,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":98,"relatedArticleIds":99},"6af1a8333b462735d04b37c5","Presidential Secretariat holds Deepavali celebration highlighting national unity","presidential-secretariat-holds-deepavali-celebration-highlighting-national-unity","A special Deepavali celebration, organised by the Presidential Secretariat Welfare Association, was held on November 6 at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo Fort, highlighting the importance of national un...","\u003Cp>A special Deepavali celebration organised by the Presidential Secretariat Welfare Association took place on November 6 at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo Fort, highlighting the importance of national unity and religious harmony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The event was held under the patronage of Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar and Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hindu religious rituals and traditions formed part of the programme, including a special religious pooja conducted by the Chief Kurukkal of the Mayurapathy Hindu Temple in Colombo, together with other Kurukkals. Priests representing several Hindu temples also participated in the religious observances. A colourful Hindu and Tamil cultural programme of traditional dances, songs and musical performances added significance to the occasion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extending Deepavali greetings to those present, Dr Kumanayake said that religious and cultural celebrations of this nature play an important role in further strengthening national unity and religious harmony in Sri Lanka. He noted that when people from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds come together to respect and celebrate one another's traditions and heritage, it helps promote mutual understanding, friendship and trust. He also emphasised the importance of creating an environment within State institutions where everyone receives equal respect and recognition and enjoys a sense of belonging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He commended the Presidential Secretariat Welfare Association for its continued efforts to organise such programmes. The Secretary to the President also expressed his appreciation to members of the Hindu business community, Hindu business associations in Colombo, business establishments and other donors who extended financial assistance and various forms of support to make the celebration a success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The welcome address was delivered by Attorney Samith Thalakiriyawa, Secretary of the Presidential Secretariat Welfare Association and Assistant Secretary to the President.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Member of Parliament Kithnan Selvaraj, Chief of Staff to the President Attorney Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Roshan Gamage and Russell Aponso, and Presidential Legal Adviser Attorney J.M. Wijeyabandara were among those present. Senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat, diplomatic representatives, ministry secretaries, other State officials and members of the President's Office staff also attended. Representatives of the Colombo Hindu Business Associations Consortium, which provided financial and other sponsorship for the programme, were also present.\u003C\u002Fp>",99,[21],[],[],"6af1a8333b462735d04b37c1",[],"2026-11-09T10:19:14.000Z",{"views":83,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":67},[],{"id":101,"lang":12,"title":102,"subtitle":14,"slug":103,"excerpt":104,"html":105,"readingTimeSec":106,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":107,"tagIds":108,"authorIds":109,"coverMediaId":110,"galleryMediaIds":111,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":112,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":113,"relatedArticleIds":115},"6aedb3cc3b462735d043d2f5","Nearly 550 Polish tourists arrive in Sri Lanka on three Enter Air flights","nearly-550-polish-tourists-arrive-in-sri-lanka-on-three-enter-air-flights","Three special flights carrying nearly 550 tourists from Poland arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake today (6), marking the launch of Enter Air’s flight series for the 2026\u002F2027 Europe...","\u003Cp>Polish airline Enter Air brought nearly 550 tourists from Poland to Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake today (6) on three special flights, launching the airline’s flight series for the 2026\u002F2027 European winter tourism season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flights, operated with Boeing 737 aircraft, arrived from Katowice, Poznań and Warsaw at 6.51 a.m., 7.40 a.m. and 9.40 a.m., respectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A special welcome ceremony was organised at the airport, where the tourists were greeted with traditional Sri Lankan cultural performances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flight programme will continue until April 2, 2027, with flights scheduled every ten days from the three Polish cities. A total of 42 flights are planned during this period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The programme is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s tourism ties with Poland, increase tourist arrivals and generate economic benefits for the country’s tourism industry. Sri Lanka has remained a popular holiday destination among Polish tourists, particularly during the European winter season, attracting visitors with its beaches, cultural heritage sites, wildlife parks and scenic hill country.\u003C\u002Fp>",44,[21],[],[],"6aedb3cc3b462735d043d2f1",[],"2026-11-06T10:16:30.000Z",{"views":114,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":114},98,[],{"id":117,"lang":12,"title":118,"subtitle":14,"slug":119,"excerpt":120,"html":121,"readingTimeSec":122,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":123,"tagIds":124,"authorIds":125,"coverMediaId":126,"galleryMediaIds":127,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":128,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":129,"relatedArticleIds":131},"6aed97593b462735d0439743","Sri Lanka FinTech Festival 2026 concludes in Colombo","sri-lanka-fintech-festival-2026-concludes-in-colombo","The Sri Lanka FinTech Festival 2026, organised by FinTech Forum Sri Lanka with the support of the Ministry of Digital Economy and sponsored by Visa, concluded successfully on November 3 at the Shangri-La Hotel ...","\u003Cp>The Sri Lanka FinTech Festival 2026 ended successfully on November 3 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>FinTech Forum Sri Lanka organised the event with the support of the Ministry of Digital Economy. Visa was the sponsor. The festival was held on November 2 and 3 under the theme “Building Capacity, Creating Opportunities and Scaling Sri Lanka’s Digital Future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It brought together representatives from the banking, financial, technology and public sectors, as well as local and international experts. The festival highlighted Sri Lanka’s digital payment infrastructure and explored opportunities to strengthen cross-border transactions, investments and regional market access.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne delivered a special address on the Government’s digital economy vision. Central Bank Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe and international experts also shared their insights on the future of financial technology, cybersecurity, fraud prevention and digital assets.\u003C\u002Fp>",38,[21],[],[],"6aed97593b462735d043973f",[],"2026-11-06T08:30:33.000Z",{"views":130,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":130},106,[],{"id":133,"lang":12,"title":134,"subtitle":14,"slug":135,"excerpt":136,"html":137,"readingTimeSec":138,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":139,"tagIds":140,"authorIds":141,"coverMediaId":142,"galleryMediaIds":143,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":144,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":145,"relatedArticleIds":146},"6aed6dc73b462735d0434314","Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participates in CHOGM 2026 Executive Session","prime-minister-dr-harini-amarasuriya-participates-in-chogm-2026-executive-session","Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the Executive Session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026, held on 3 November 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda. During the session, Comm...","\u003Cp>Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the Executive Session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026, held on 3 November 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the session, Commonwealth leaders discussed key global economic and development priorities. They examined ways to strengthen cooperation and partnerships among member states to address shared challenges and advance common objectives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The talks concentrated on enhancing intra-Commonwealth trade and investment, expanding opportunities for private sector engagement and financing, and promoting greater coherence in the international monetary, financial and trading systems to ensure a more inclusive and equitable global economic environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaders also highlighted the importance of strengthening climate finance partnerships to support climate resilience and sustainable development, particularly among vulnerable member states.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The session emphasised the need to advance youth skills development, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities for young people, recognising their vital role in shaping the future of the Commonwealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It provided an important platform for Commonwealth leaders to exchange perspectives and explore collective approaches to strengthening economic cooperation, building resilience and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth across the Commonwealth.\u003C\u002Fp>",49,[21],[],[],"6aed6dc73b462735d0434310",[],"2026-11-06T05:29:22.000Z",{"views":130,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":130},[],{"id":148,"lang":12,"title":149,"subtitle":14,"slug":150,"excerpt":151,"html":152,"readingTimeSec":153,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":154,"tagIds":155,"authorIds":156,"coverMediaId":157,"galleryMediaIds":158,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":159,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":160,"relatedArticleIds":162},"6aed60523b462735d04326ef","President urges religious leaders to take lead against illicit drugs","president-urges-religious-leaders-to-take-lead-against-illicit-drugs","Today, two distinct groups stand before the country: those who support the criminal state built around drugs and armed criminal gangs, and those who oppose it. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said religious ...","\u003Cp>President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invited all religious leaders to take the lead in the ideological and attitudinal transformation needed within society to defeat the scourge of illicit drugs, describing that task as among the foremost obligations facing the nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made the remarks while addressing a religious summit at Temple Trees yesterday afternoon (05) to mark the first anniversary of the ‘Quit’ operation. The President said two distinct groups stood before the country: those who support the criminal state built around drugs and armed criminal gangs, and those who oppose it. He said religious leaders and religious institutions had a leading role to play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said illicit drugs had spread throughout all sections of society, from children to adults, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or age, and had even reached religious institutions held in high esteem and reverence by the public. He outlined the comprehensive programme launched by the Government to defeat the menace and launched the official website of the ‘Ratama Ekata’ (A Nation United) national operation, www.1818.gov.lk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The President thanked venerable members of the Maha Sangha and other religious clergy for accepting the invitation. He said that looking at the thousands of members of the Maha Sangha and religious clergy gathered filled him with the firm conviction that, however great the challenge, it could be overcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said that about a year ago the Government launched a joint operation after concluding that a coordinated programme was required, because statistics had shown drugs continuing to spread and increase despite seizures and other measures. An operational committee representing all stakeholders was appointed and met several times during the year. Members of the Maha Sangha and religious clergy representing the National Council attended those meetings, he said, and their support had consistently encouraged the effort. He said the menace could be defeated only through such a coordinated programme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We made a promise to the people of this country that we would eradicate this menace from Sri Lanka entirely,” he said. He said the Government had gradually opened the doors to the extent of the destruction caused by the problem, which was far deeper than it appeared from the outside, and had opened the doors of a cave filled with immense destruction. He said some people had been unsettled by the opening of those doors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said two paths were now before the country: to yield to those opposing the effort and abandon the journey, or to overcome whatever obstacles arose and bring to a successful conclusion the decision to defeat the menace. As a Government, he said, it had chosen the second path. The menace had to be defeated successfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the greatest menace afflicting our nation today,” the President said. He said different social groups had problems unique to them, but that irrespective of social divisions or cultural and linguistic differences, the national menace confronting all was the drug menace. The nation had to be saved from the scourge and the path continued, he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said a large quantity of drugs was seized during operations last year. The total quantity of drugs seized during this year amounted to 438,330 kilogrammes, he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said that in 2022 only one person under the age of 18 was arrested in connection with the drug known as ‘Ice’. By 2025, however, 1,874 had been arrested. He said 11,737 young people over the age of 21 had also been arrested. Among this group, he said, 10,889 were between 18 and 21 years of age. There were also 1,068 children aged between 14 and 18, and 13 children aged between five and 14. He said this meant that even very young children had fallen victim. More than 200 girls had also been arrested. He said the menace was destroying the entire younger generation and the future, and that those who loved and cared about the country and nation, and who had hopes for the future of young people, could not remain silent. The task before them, he said, was to defeat it. He said all these figures demonstrated the scale of the menace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said that during this year 15,282 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs had been seized, including 6,528 kilogrammes of ‘Ice’ and 4,000 kilogrammes of heroin. That morning, he said, 150 kilogrammes of heroin and ‘Ice’ were seized. Authorities had also seized 2,598 kilogrammes of other drugs, 1,841 kilogrammes of hashish, 314 kilogrammes of cocaine, and nearly 4.5 million drug tablets and capsules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The total value of the drugs seized was Rs. 218 billion, he said. When cannabis was included, the value rose to Rs. 224 billion. He described this as the drug market for a single year and said that, taking into account quantities that had not been seized, the enormous scale of the destruction became clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said a powerful network had been built around this drug trade, which was worth around Rs. 220 billion, and that the country could not be rid of drugs without dismantling this network. He said the enormous wealth generated had enabled drug traffickers to buy off public officials, some officers of the Customs Department, officials of the Department of Motor Traffic, immigration officers, certain police officers, as well as businesspeople and even politicians. In the past, he said, leading drug traffickers were able to secure positions as chairpersons and members of local authorities and began building political movements with the enormous wealth they had accumulated through the drug trade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said the menace was engulfing the entire society and that there was no longer any institution that remained untouched. It was spreading into religious institutions that were revered and respected. For more than 2,000 years, he said, the Maha Sangha and the Sangha community had travelled from village to village, often wearing out their feet, to help build society. The menace had reached them, to varying degrees, as well, and had also spread to other religious institutions. The police, the three armed forces and State institutions had all been affected. In place of the State machinery that was visible, he said, a ‘shadow State’ operating from within had emerged. If this continued to grow, he said, all the mechanisms that uphold a respected society, sustain public hope and bring order to society would become ineffective, because the enormous illicit wealth they accumulated gave them the ability to take control of all these institutions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said again that two paths were before them. They could remain within their shadow State while others continued carrying out the work entrusted to them within the State, which was how many people had conducted themselves. As a Government, he said, a decision had been taken to defeat this shadow State and dismantle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our children cannot have a secure future unless we dismantle the shadow State linked to drugs,” he said. He asked how much hope parents placed in raising their children, saying parents spent most of their lives on their children to give them a good life, a good future and a safe society. He said he did not think there was a mother or father anywhere in the world who worked harder for their children. In a country where parents worked so hard to secure a good future for their children, he said, they were now confronted with the question of whether those children actually had a secure future. He said a large number of parents felt helpless in the face of this menace, which was spreading throughout society like a giant monster. The drug network associated with it and the criminal machinery connected to that network had to be dismantled, he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the ‘Ratama Ekata’ (A Nation United) programme, he said, plans were drawn up to dismantle this criminal State. As a result, organised criminals linked to the drug network had been arrested within Sri Lanka and those who had fled the country brought back. This year, he said, individuals known by various aliases who had terrorised towns and villages were arrested. The Government brought 67 people who were overseas back to Sri Lanka.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Going forward, wherever in the world they may be hiding, if they are involved in organised crime connected to the drug trade in our country, we say to them: ‘You are not safe, wherever you may be,’” he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said Red Notices had been issued for 112 people and assets worth 4,500 million acquired through drug trafficking had been frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this year, he said, 97 T-56 automatic firearms had been seized, a quantity that may even exceed what some police stations have available. Some of these firearms had come out of the armed forces, which had been revealed through audit reports. On certain occasions, he said, reports were received that a police officer had sold a firearm and fled. Firearms had found their way out. Authorities had seized 143 pistols, 47 AK-47 rifles and 105 revolvers. These were the quantities of firearms held by the criminal State, he said, and more were believed to exist. He asked whether society and children were safe when such a quantity of firearms was in the hands of criminals, and said children were not safe in this society. So many firearms were moving around freely, he said, and more must be seized. Plans had been drawn up to address this, which was why a major operation was being conducted to suppress this drug network.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In particular, he said, the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Department, together with the Commander of the Navy, the Commander of the Air Force, the Commander of the Army and the wider military apparatus, were making a tremendous effort in this operation, in these arrests and in defeating this menace. These institutions were engaged in a major operation to save the State and protect children. Yet, he said, instead of recognising these operations, if an officer made some mistake it became a newspaper headline and the main item on a television channel’s news programme. He asked who had made the effort to seize drugs worth nearly Rs. 220 billion and to confiscate such large quantities of firearms, saying it was the police and the three armed forces. The Government would therefore give due recognition to the work they had done in this operation. Steps had also been taken to provide bonuses and incentives to many officers who took part in operations in the recent past, and further measures would be considered. The support of the police and the three armed forces was essential for these operations, he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said arrests alone were not enough and a rehabilitation programme was also needed. New rehabilitation centres had been established in Batticaloa, Akuressa, Nittambuwa and Kandy, and existing rehabilitation centres had been improved in Kandakadu, Senapura and Vavuniya. In addition, he said, plans were not limited to rehabilitation centres funded entirely by the State. Temples, religious clergy and civil society organisations also operated a number of rehabilitation centres, and the Government was ready to provide the fullest possible Government support to those centres, to work with them and provide the assistance they needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the involvement of the Department of Health and a large number of relevant institutions, he said, 259,000 community awareness programmes on prevention had been organised across the country to educate the public and children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said the menace must be suppressed within the framework of the law. “We have absolutely no intention of stepping outside the legal framework in the process of defeating it,” he said. He said laws were in place and the Government operated under those laws. If the law was inadequate, new laws would be made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said there had been a major issue concerning the destruction of seized drugs and widespread public suspicion that large quantities shown as seized might subsequently find their way back on to the market. Under the legal framework that existed, there was no authority to destroy seized items until a case filed in court had concluded and the court had issued an order to destroy the items concerned. The legislation required to enable their destruction had been enacted, he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said there had been no law to confiscate wealth and assets acquired through drugs — proceeds and assets acquired unlawfully. Therefore, in 2025, the law on the confiscation of unlawfully acquired assets was passed. It was under this confiscation law that assets worth Rs. 4.5 billion had now been confiscated from criminals. Had that law not existed, he said, there would have been no opportunity to seize those assets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another matter now under discussion, he said, was the Organised Crime Bill. At present, the law against organised criminals was enforced under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). That was the reality, he said. When an organised criminal attempted to escape from custody, the attempted escape had been sought to be brought under the law through the PTA. The act in question was an organised criminal attempting to escape from custody. Under the law currently in force, investigations had to be conducted and charges brought under the PTA. As there was no other option, he said, cases were attempted to be filed under the PTA.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said the Government intended to substantially weaken the PTA because the country did not currently face terrorist activity on a day-to-day basis. It would be made a much weaker Act. There was a discussion on this, he said. However, strong legislation was needed to prevent organised crime. This was the law required in this era to free the nation from this menace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said the law was constantly evolving and that new laws were enacted in response to new challenges. There was a time when there were no environmental laws, but when the environment began to suffer serious damage, laws were enacted to protect it. There was a time when there were no money-laundering laws, but when the accumulation of illicit wealth became a major threat, the Money Laundering Act was introduced. There was a time when rulers did not destroy public property, but when rulers began destroying public property, legislation was introduced to protect it. Organised crime had now grown, he said, and therefore an Act to prevent organised crime was necessary in this era. The law was not eternal. A law enacted today would not remain in force for all time. New challenges emerged in society, and when they arose, strong laws were needed to address them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very beginning of this programme, a year ago, he said, the Government had said that if the laws available to punish these individuals were inadequate, new laws would be introduced. That was what a Government was for. Citizens could not make these laws. An ordinary person could not make them, nor could a Grama Niladhari officer. If such a law was to be enacted, the authority lay with Parliament and nowhere else. Parliament had the power to legislate. Strong legislation was needed today to prevent organised crime, he said, and the Bill had now been presented to Parliament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said two groups were opposing this legislation. One was quite clear: those who receive privileges and protection from organised criminals. The Government did not take that group into consideration, he said. But there was another group — those who speak about democracy and the fundamental rights of the people of the country. The Government was ready to discuss the matter with that group. “Our intention is in no way to suppress the people or deprive them of their rights,” he said. Legislation was needed to combat organised crime, and the Government was prepared to enact it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bill was currently before the Supreme Court and under consideration, he said. Those who had challenged the Bill before the Court had, at this stage, raised three main issues. One concerned the period of detention. Under this Bill, the detention period was 72 hours. It had been proposed that this was too long. There was a discussion on this before the Supreme Court. The Government was prepared to amend it and reduce the period from 72 hours to 48 hours, he said, and was ready to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was another matter under discussion concerning internationally recognised organised gangs identified by tattoos. There was an international trend towards identifying such gangs. If the country did not have a law to address this, and if such a provision was not needed at present, the Government was prepared to remove it, he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was another provision stating that offences committed under the Excise Ordinance could also be dealt with under the Organised Crime Act. That provision too would be removed, making it clear that offences under the Excise Ordinance would not be dealt with under the Organised Crime Act. He said there was no problem with that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the three main issues in the Bill currently being discussed before the Supreme Court, he said. If there were any others, the Government was ready to consider them. This was in no way about obtaining undue powers for him, the Government, the police or departments. He asked why those powers were needed, saying no one holds power forever. Whenever power was exercised, it must be done with the mindset of being ready to relinquish it. When exercising power, the laws enacted must always be considered by asking what those laws would mean when they were no longer in power. The Government was not acting with the intention of retaining power for the long term or with the mindset that it would never give it up. It acted knowing that the people had entrusted power and that they could take it back at any time through an election. Therefore, in exercising power, he said, there was no agenda involving him, his children or his relatives. That was why the Government was prepared to amend the law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the first question that must be settled through discussion, he said, was whether an Organised Crime Act was needed — an Act to prevent organised crime. He said he believed that everyone, except those who receive protection or privileges from organised criminals, would answer yes. The next question was whether the provisions in the Bill were too extensive or insufficient, which could be discussed. That was why the Government intended to inform the Supreme Court that it agreed to three amendments. It had repeatedly indicated to the Supreme Court that it was prepared to amend these provisions. What was needed was strong legislation to combat organised crime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he said, the law alone was not enough. Ultimately, once an organised criminal or drug trafficker was arrested, that person must be brought before the law and punished. “As a Government, we do not follow a policy of imposing punishment outside the law. That has happened in the past. We will under no circumstances punish anyone outside the law,” he said. A law was required, and the case must be heard and punishment imposed in accordance with that law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he said, trials take too long and that cannot continue. Those institutions must therefore be strengthened: the institutions conducting investigations; the Attorney General’s Department, which files cases; the Government Analyst’s Department, which provides the scientific evidence required for those cases; and the judicial sector, which ultimately hears those cases. The Government was intervening in all these areas. Plans had been made to improve investigative institutions and the police, and to provide them with specialised training. Investigations must be conducted, and cases must be filed on the basis of those investigations. For that, the Attorney General’s Department must be strengthened. In particular, Government Analyst’s reports were needed. He said the Government Analyst was present, and those reports were needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said there had been a backlog of 36,000 reports. Normally, only around 3,000 reports were completed a month. Additional staff had been deployed and new allowances provided. The Navy also assisted with some infrastructure requirements. He said that providing assistance with infrastructure involved engineers, designers, workers and raw materials to demolish a building and construct a new one, a task for a small team, and that a team could also build a large reservoir, but that defeating this menace required the support of the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said parents knew their children well and could recognise whether a child had fallen victim, whether a spouse was becoming involved, whether changes in behaviour were emerging, whether a child was becoming a member of the underworld, or whether a child was becoming involved in this menace. Before a police officer made an arrest, he said, parents knew whether their child was a drug user or a drug trafficker, because of the relationship between parents and children it was very difficult for this to happen without parents knowing. Parents therefore had a major role to play in confronting this menace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In particular, through the Ministry of Education, he said, a programme was being developed not for children, but for parents, to explain what happens when their children’s futures are destroyed. He asked what happens when someone becomes addicted to drugs: the mind becomes confused, the body becomes emaciated, self-respect is lost, personality breaks down, the person is marginalised by society and, ultimately, the death penalty may be imposed under the law. If this law was strengthened, he said, the ultimate penalty would be death — that is what the law provides. Parents who love their children must understand that a child may initially become attracted to drugs, but that the eventual outcome could be the death penalty under the law. Parents therefore had a responsibility to prevent their beloved children from falling victim to this menace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said that when a family faced such a tragedy, mothers and fathers rushed to tell the Venerable Thero that they never imagined a younger son or elder son would end up like this, or that they never thought this would happen to a husband. Otherwise they went to their church, their priest or their Kurukkal. At the outset, he said, parents did not come directly to the police. Mothers and fathers were more open with religious leaders or with doctors. They did speak to doctors to some extent. However, they were more likely to open up to Buddhist monks and other religious clergy. Therefore, the first to hear about and witness the distressing consequences of this menace in a village were often the monks and religious clergy of that village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said that, in defeating a menace of this nature, while the police, the armed forces and the State machinery constituted the formal institutional response chosen as a society, the responsibility for providing wider social and ideological guidance beyond the formal system rested with venerable monks. He asked how many people they met in a day, a month or a year, how many sermons they delivered, how many times they advised children and parents, and how often they listened to their grief and suffering. He said he believed this was where the first line of defence lay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Venerable monks, together with the other religious clergy, are the principal force in providing the social leadership needed to defeat this menace,” he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said many people had gathered and that he believed this was one of the largest gatherings of Buddhist monks in one place in Sri Lanka in recent times. A large number of Maulavis were also attending. Priests and Kurukkals had come from Jaffna, he said, and some of the Kurukkals who left Jaffna yesterday had arrived today. He said that demonstrated their commitment. He said that if the State alone could do this, a conference of this nature would not be held.\u003C\u002Fp>",1073,[21],[],[],"6aed60513b462735d04326eb",[],"2026-11-06T04:21:13.000Z",{"views":161,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":161},94,[],{"id":164,"lang":12,"title":165,"subtitle":14,"slug":166,"excerpt":167,"html":168,"readingTimeSec":50,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":169,"tagIds":170,"authorIds":171,"coverMediaId":172,"galleryMediaIds":173,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":174,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":175,"relatedArticleIds":177},"6aed5f363b462735d0432613","Showers or thundershowers expected in several areas","showers-or-thundershowers-expected-in-several-areas","Showers or thundershowers will occur in the Southern and Eastern provinces and in Mullaittivu district.  Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1.00 p.m.  ...","\u003Cp>Showers or thundershowers will occur in the Southern and Eastern provinces and in Mullaittivu district. After 1.00 p.m., showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The general public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces during the early hours of the morning.\u003C\u002Fp>",[21],[],[],"6a985ebe55750bd6c4a636fb",[],"2026-11-06T03:56:47.000Z",{"views":176,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":176},92,[]]