News SAARC must unite to overcome challenges and regain momentum, Secretary General says Published 15 mins agoon 2026/06/29 SAARC Secretary General Golam Sarwar speaking at a forum in Colombo on ‘Reigniting SAARC: Achievements, Challenges and Way Forward’ by the Regional Centre…
News SAARC must unite to overcome challenges and regain momentum, Secretary General says
Published 15 mins agoon 2026/06/29
SAARC Secretary General Golam Sarwar speaking at a forum in Colombo on ‘Reigniting SAARC: Achievements, Challenges and Way Forward’ by the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS). Member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) should work together to overcome challenges confronting the regional grouping and revive its role as a platform for cooperation, SAARC Secretary General Golam Sarwar said. Addressing a forum on “Reigniting SAARC: Achievement, Challenges and Way Forward,” organised by the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) in Colombo, Sarwar said there remained significant opportunities for regional unity to regain prominence. While immediate bilateral concerns often required the attention of member states, he said there was growing momentum among regional leaders to keep broader cooperation at the centre of discussions. “When member nations champion this collective vision together, they can successfully elevate the dialogue around shared progress, ensuring that deep, meaningful regional integration remains a vibrant and lasting priority for all,” he said. The forum, held to examine the current status and future prospects of SAARC and regional cooperation in South Asia, was attended by diplomats, academics, policy experts and media personnel. Sarwar, who is currently visiting Sri Lanka, highlighted SAARC’s contributions over nearly four decades, describing the organisation as an “irreplaceable beacon of hope” for the region’s two billion people. He outlined the work of specialised SAARC centres, including the SAARC Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka, which he said served as an important hub of technical expertise promoting practical, grassroots approaches to regional challenges. The Secretary General said the establishment of the South Asian University (SAU) represented a powerful example of the spirit of “knowledge without borders”. He also pointed to functional-level cooperation among member states, including a recent ministerial conference held in Colombo, as evidence of continued engagement despite challenges facing the organisation. Describing SAARC as the region’s premier mechanism for cooperation, Sarwar called on member states to unite in building a “much stronger, more empowered and thoroughly revitalised SAARC”. The discussion that followed featured contributions from former SAARC Secretary General Esala Weerakoon, Gamani Keerawella, SAARC Secretariat Director Waruna Wilpatha, Foreign Ministry Director General (South Asia) and former SAARC Secretariat Director Varuni Muthukumarana, and SAARC Cultural Centre Director Kaushalya Kumarasinghe, among others.
News Four held at BIA with over 12 kilos of Hashish and Kush
Published 15 mins agoon 2026/06/29
Four suspects, including a woman, were arrested with more than 12 kilos of hashish and kush during a series of intelligence-led raids carried out by the Police Narcotics Bureau’s Katunayake Airport Unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) arrival terminal, on Saturday evening. Police said the arrests were made following intelligence received regarding passengers suspected of attempting to smuggle narcotics into the country. Acting on the information, officers carried out targeted inspections of arriving passengers, leading to the detection of the contraband. During the operation, one suspect was found in possession of 3.8 kilos of hashish and 1.8 kilos of kush. Another suspect was carrying 2.3 kilos of hashish together with 1.9 kilos of kush. The remaining two suspects were found with a combined haul of 3.9 kilos of kush, bringing the total quantity of narcotics seized to more than 12 kilos. The arrested suspects, aged between 27 and 34, are residents of Hettimulla, Wellampitiya and Danowita. Police said further investigations are being conducted by the Police Narcotics Bureau. By Norman Palihawadane
News Dengue risk zones identified in Kandy District as cases rise
Published 15 mins agoon 2026/06/29
Provincial health authorities have warned of an increase in dengue cases in the Kandy District, identifying several areas as high-risk zones requiring immediate preventive measures. Health officials have listed Galagedara, Gampola, Udapalatha, Illangawatta and Kahatapitiya Amunupura among the areas facing an elevated dengue risk. A large number of high-risk locations have also been identified within the Kandy Gangawata Korale Medical Officer of Health (MOH) division. These include Wavatenna, Ulpathakumbura, Lower Iriyagama, Ampitiya, Pallegama, Thennekumbura, Mahakanda, Heerassagala, Bahirawakanda, Gatambe, Katukele, Suduhumpola (West), Mulgampola, Ampitiya North, Poornawatta East, Watapuluwa, Asgiriya, Suduhumpola East, Aruppala West, Mapanawathura and Thalwatta. In the Kundasale MOH division, Sirimalwatta East and Hurikaduwa South have been declared high-risk areas, while Nawalapitiya North and Nawalapitiya West have been identified as vulnerable locations in the Pasbage and Nawalapitiya health divisions. The health authorities have also included Meewatura and Gangoda North in the Udunuwara MOH division, and Harispattuwa, Gohagoda and Ranawana West in the Werellagama MOH division, among the dengue risk zones. Meanwhile, Upper Iriyagama East, Kendakaduwa, Ambalmeegama (South), Walgovvagoda, Pilapitiya, Gannoruwa East and Gannoruwa Central in the Yatinuwara and Kadugannawa MOH divisions have also been identified as high-risk areas. Health officials have urged residents in these areas to take precautionary measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and cooperate with dengue control programmes carried out by health authorities. By SK Samaranayake