Whilst highlighting that Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sarath Fonseka is a man of ability who never gives up, President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said Sri Lanka will get the opportunity of enjoying the services of the former in the near future.

"Fonseka is still able to work for the nation. We need such people. There is a saying that old soldiers never die. They just fade away. Fonseka won’t fade away. He is still here.

Therefore, the country will get the opportunity of obtaining his services in the near future," the President said at the launch of MP Fonseka's book titled "An Army Commander's Pledge to the Nation" in Colombo yesterday.

“Fonseka is a person who fights on during adversity. We all must remember that fact. He is a man of vast experience. When you talk of experience, we see someone who fought against him some time back. It is Minister Douglas Devananda. Minister Devananda fought against the security forces and then joined us and fought together with us against the LTTE,” he said.

"Sri Lanka's security forces were not initially trained to face a war. They almost suffered defeat. However, they had to be trained. They emerged strong right until 1987. The Indian Army then took over the war. Former Army Commander Cecil Waidyaratne who was close to me, once predicted that Fonseka is a shining figure and has a bright future. His prediction came true as Fonseka did have a bright future. I remember what he said after the war was concluded. Fonseka said everyone must now strive for peace now that the war is over. Therefore, I am prepared to work for permanent peace in the country,” the President added.

Field Marshal Fonseka said Sri Lankan forces had to be trained with non-traditional tactics of war during his tenure in the army. “These non-traditional war tactics only brought the end of terrorism in Sri Lanka,” he recalled.

Also, he said he had included details on blunders made by certain persons which resulted in setbacks to the forces. “I remember former military men publicly stated that forces cannot end the conflict and it has to be ended with a political solution. However, the forces were able to end terrorism. I made two promises during my tenure as Army Commander. I said I would not keep the task of ending terrorism to another army commander. Then I said in 2008 that I would not allow the LTTE leader to commemorate his heroes’ day the following year. I am happy that I have been able to fulfil both these promises,” he said.

A distinguished crowd including heads of foreign missions, clergy and politicians were present at the launch. The absence of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) hierarchy was noticed. However, SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem, MPs Patali Champika Ranawaka, Charitha Herath and Nimal Siripala de Silva and A. H. M. Fowzie were present.

Veteran Tamil politician and parliamentarian R. Sampanthan passed away at a private hospital in Colombo today evening, aged 91. Sampanthan was one of the longest serving MPs with decades of experience and served as the Leader of the Tamil National Alliance for several years.

Canada wants see a peaceful, prosperous and reconciled Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner for Canada to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Eric Walsh, said in a message to mark Canada Day.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan.

Kadiravel Shanmugam is to enter Parliament filling the vacancy created by the demise yesterday of TNA leader R. Samanthan. Shanmugam who contested the 2020 General Elections from Trincomalee District under the TNA ticket, obtained 16,770 votes.

The bail application (bail pending appeal) filed on behalf of former Colombo district Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra was today fixed for July 4 by the Colombo High Court.

Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has expressed his condolences over the demise of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament and former Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan.

Many Sri Lankan mercenaries fighting in the Ukraine front have become Russian citizens, making it difficult to give them diplomatic support, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said.

The death toll in an incident where Sri Lankan fishermen consumed an unknown substance found in a bottle floating in the sea has risen to five, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

Two Sri Lanka Navy personnel attached to the Intelligence Unit have been arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy's Special Investigation Unit over their alleged involvement in a large-scale drug smuggling racket.

A fuel price revision will take place tonight, the Power and Energy Ministry said. An official from the Ministry said the revision will take place according to the monthly fuel revision.

A Gazette notification was issued yesterday, declaring public transport services as an essential service The gazette was issued by the President's Secretary E.M.S.B. Ekanayake.

Senior Additional Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe is to be appointed as the Acting Attorney General of Sri Lanka. He is set sworn in before the Chief Justice tomorrow, July 1, Ada Derana reports.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has extended the validity of all passports that expire from June end by one year until the issuance of the e-passport project takes off in January next year.

Sri Lanka registered its concerns with India on the death of a navy sailor in his attempt to seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in Sri Lankan waters, an informed source said.

Inflation in the Colombo district accelerated in June as widely expected, mainly due to the higher food prices, but the prices still remain largely below Central Bank’s medium term target of 5 percent.

The Grama Niladhari Trade Union Alliance (GNTUA) has decided to continue with their work-to-rule campaign today. The co-conveners of the alliance said the decision was taken following an unproductive meeting with the representatives of the Prime Minister yesterday. They said their trade union action was based on several issues concerning the constitution of Grama Niladhari services and not increasing the allowances.

The Uppuweli Police have launched an investigation to locate a 25-year-old Israeli female tourist, Tamar Amitai, who has been missing since Wednesday (26) while visiting Sri Lanka.

A suspected bird flu patient has been reported from the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), a top source told the Daily Mirror. The diagnosed person is a male foreigner. The patient was tested for influenza, which showed positive following a PCR test. Subsequently he was tested for the subtype of influenza A, which is influenza A/H1N1.

Former Colombo district Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra was found guilty of her involvement in the abduction of a youth using a Defender and was given a three-year prison sentence by the Colombo High Court today.

Former Colombo district Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, who has been jailed for 3 years by the High Court of Colombo for her involvement in the abduction of a youth using a Defender, is expected to seek bail from the Colombo High Court.