The opening ceremony took place on May 18 under the patronage of Ven. Padiwela Soratha Thero, Chairman of the BLESS Nature Park Management Board and Incumbent of the Rajamaha Viharaya.

The event was also attended by Mr. Tissa Bandara, Secretary of the Bingusampatha Protection Organization, and Mr. Lakmal Wickramarachchi, Secretary of the BLESS Nature Park Management Board and Non-Official Magistrate.

The bee park was launched with the goal of making Sri Lanka self-sufficient in honey production by promoting scientific and sustainable beekeeping practices. Given the current reliance on imported honey, the park aims to serve as a hub for training and educating both amateur and professional beekeepers.

The initiative will be implemented in the following three phases:
1.Clay pots will be installed on trees across the forest to attract bees.
2.Bees will be nurtured and acclimated to the environment.
3.Breeding and conservation efforts will follow, supported by the park’s rich biodiversity and native flora.

The park is expected to become a vital resource for the agricultural sector, offering technical knowledge, training programs, equipment, and educational materials. In the long term, it is also envisioned as a unique eco-tourism destination for both local and international visitors.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Labour to revise the national minimum monthly salary and national minimum daily wage and follow other legal actions as follows:

• To raise the minimum national monthly salary by rupees 9,500/- from rupees 17,500/- to rupees 27,000/- with effect from 01.04.2025
• To raise the minimum national daily salary by rupees 380/- from rupees 700/- to rupees 1,080/- with effect from 01.04.2025
• To raise the minimum national monthly salary by rupees 3,000/- from rupees 27,000/- to rupees 30,000/- with effect from 01.01.2026
• To raise the minimum national daily salary by rupees 120/- from rupees 1,080 /- to rupees 1,200/- with effect from 01.01.2026

The statement notes :
The United States congratulates President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his victory in the Sri Lankan presidential election, as confirmed by the vote results on September 22. We commend the people of Sri Lanka for peacefully exercising their right to vote. This election is a testament to the strength of Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions and the commitment of its citizens to shaping their future through peaceful and democratic means.

The United States remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka as it builds a stable, prosperous, and cohesive society. We look forward to working with President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake to further strengthen our bilateral ties, which are based on shared democratic values and respect for national sovereignty. We also look forward to promoting economic growth, security, and deeper cooperation between our nations.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk in a new report said that economic policy decisions must align with Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations.

He added that the ongoing effects of the 2022 economic crisis and subsequent austerity measures have particularly impacted the poor, especially women.

A report issued by the UN Human Rights Office has also identified renewed threats to fundamental freedoms in Sri Lanka, highlighting new or proposed regressive laws, erosion of democratic checks and balances, ongoing threats and intimidation against civil society and journalists, and the recurrence of serious human rights violations from the past.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk emphasized the importance of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections as an opportunity for Sri Lanka to recommit to the transformational changes demanded by a broad cross-section of its citizens, including accountability and reconciliation.

The report points to several laws and bills introduced by the Government since 2023, which grant security forces broad powers and significantly expand restrictions on freedoms of expression, opinion, and association.

This trend is particularly concerning during the pre-election period, Türk noted.

Despite a promised moratorium, authorities have continued to use the Prevention of Terrorism Act to arrest and detain individuals. The report highlights recent cases of arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture, and deaths in custody.

Impunity and lack of accountability for crimes committed during and after the civil war, which ended in 2009, persist. Türk urged the newly elected Government to address the root causes of conflict and undertake fundamental constitutional and institutional reforms to close the accountability gap and work towards reconciliation.

The report also describes a long-standing pattern of intimidation and harassment of journalists and civil society actors, especially those working on enforced disappearances, land disputes, and environmental issues. Families of the forcibly disappeared face intimidation, arrest, and surveillance by security services in their attempts to seek the truth or commemorate their loved ones.

Türk emphasized that crimes and violations committed during and after the civil war, including the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, must not go unpunished. He called for thorough investigations and accountability for those responsible.

In the absence of the Sri Lankan State’s willingness or ability to prosecute and punish perpetrators, the report urges the international community to pursue complementary strategies to support accountability in Sri Lanka. These strategies include the use of extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction, targeted sanctions against credibly alleged perpetrators, and other measures consistent with international law.

(newsfirst.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by newsfirst.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry was appointed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and was led by retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne.

Among the petitioners were Former DIG Ravi Senaviratne, retired High Court Judge Padmini Ranawaka, Sandya Eknaligoda, and the former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, retired Senior Superintendent of Police Shani Abeysekera.

The petitions were heard before a three-judge bench consisting of Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Achala Wengappuli, and Arjuna Obeysekera.

In their verdict, the justices mandated the government to compensate the petitioners by covering the court fees amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand rupees each.
(News 1st)

(This story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

Accordingly, several fire trucks have been deployed to douse the flames, said the Fire Brigade.

The decision was taken to facilitate the issuance of e-passports.

He further said that, an additional one-year grace period will be granted until the e-passport is issued, for passports expiring after July 1.

E-passports are scheduled to be issued starting in November.

(dailynews.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces, it said.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

The general public is further requested to avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms and to also avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors, boats etc. and to beware of fallen trees and power lines.

For emergency assistance, the public is requested to contact local disaster management authorities.

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

The parliament vote in this regard will be held at 4.30pm on March 20.

Earlier this month, 44 opposition Members of Parliament submitted a motion of no confidence against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

The order was issued in the backdrop of the death of a carpenter due to Police firing in Narammala.