January 12, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing has confirmed its decision to resume 12 major government housing projects that had been put on hold due to the ongoing economic crisis.

The announcement was made following a meeting chaired by the ministry’s secretary, Ranjith Ariyaratne, and attended by key officials from various institutions, including the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA).

The suspension of these projects, which had been halted midway, was primarily attributed to the severe economic downturn and the involvement of unsuitable contractors.

These delays have significantly hindered the progress of planned housing development in several regions.

However, the ministry is now taking steps to revitalise these initiatives in order to meet the growing demand for affordable housing.

The 12 projects in question consist of six managed by the Urban Development Authority and an additional six overseen by the National Housing Development Authority.

Together, these projects aim to construct approximately 4,000 new homes, which are seen as crucial to addressing the housing shortage in the country.

In response to the setbacks, the Ministry has made the decision to replace the current contractors with more qualified and reliable firms.

This move is expected to speed up the construction process and ensure that the projects are completed to the required standards.

January 12, Colombo (LNW): Parliament has suspended the services of three staff members, including the assistant housekeeper of the Department of Catering and Housekeeping, following serious allegations of sexual harassment.

The suspension comes after an internal investigation conducted by a committee led by former High Court judge Kusala Sarojani Weerawardena, which thoroughly examined the claims.

The allegations, which came to light in August 2023, have raised concerns about the conduct of individuals employed within one of the country’s most prestigious institutions.

The committee’s inquiry focused on the nature of the complaints and the evidence surrounding the incident, with the final recommendations leading to the suspension of the accused staff members.

Parliament’s administration has confirmed that the decision was made in line with the committee’s findings, with the aim of maintaining the integrity of the institution and ensuring a safe working environment for all staff members.

By: Isuru Parakrama

January 12, Colombo (LNW): Four new Supreme Court Justices were officially sworn in before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (12).

The newly appointed justices, all of whom previously served on the Court of Appeal, are Hon. R.M.S. Rajakaruna, Hon. Menaka Wijesundara, Hon. Sampath B. Abeykoon, and Hon. M.S.K.B. Wijeratne, a statement by the President’s Media Division (PMD) confirmed.

They took their oaths in the presence of President Dissanayake.

Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake also attended the event.

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January 12, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has lost one of its longest-serving political figures with the passing of former Minister and Kalutara District MP, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, at the age of 98.

Hettiarachchi, who had been a political figure for several decades, was one of the oldest living politicians in the country at the time of his death.

He served the United National Party (UNP) and represented the House from 1977 to 1993. During his prime, Hettiarachchi served as the District Minister for Kalutara and the Minister of Coconut Industries and Diversification.

He is considered to be one amongst the most contributory to the development of Horana Electorate.

By: A Special Correspondent

January 12, Colombo (LNW): Air travellers arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake have voiced strong concerns over the condition of the buses transporting them from the aircraft to the Immigration and Emigration Section, labelling the service as subpar and uncomfortable.

For many international visitors, this bus ride represents their first experience upon entering Sri Lanka, and according to some passengers, it sets a negative tone for the rest of their stay.

One passenger arriving from London on January 11 criticised the state of the buses, likening the interior to outdated, poorly maintained vehicles from the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).

The crowded conditions, described as reminiscent of the notorious “138 Maharagama-Pettah” bus service in Colombo, added to the discomfort of passengers who had just completed long-haul flights.

This initial unsatisfactory experience undermines the country’s appeal, particularly amongst foreign tourists who might judge Sri Lanka based on these first impressions, one passenger told LNW.

The situation was particularly problematic for a group of cyclists who had arrived in the country, with their equipment having to be squeezed onto a bus already packed with passengers, another disclosed.

Travellers have voiced concerns over the lack of thought given to the specific needs of different groups, suggesting that better planning could alleviate such issues.

Whilst the service itself left much to be desired, passengers were quick to praise the efficiency of the immigration and emigration departments. Despite the crowded conditions on the buses, the officers were commended for processing the large number of passengers from a full London flight swiftly, with all travellers cleared within 20-30 minutes.

This positive experience at the immigration counter highlighted the potential for improvement in other areas of airport services.

An investigation revealed that there are 11 buses in total serving the airport’s transportation needs, with only four belonging to the government and the remaining seven leased from private operators.

This mixed fleet raises questions about the consistency and quality of the service, with many passengers calling for urgent upgrades to ensure a more comfortable and professional experience for incoming visitors.

Improving the cleanliness, comfort, and efficiency of the airport transport service, passengers argue, could significantly enhance Sri Lanka’s image, offering a far more welcoming first impression to international tourists.

It should be noted that addressing these basic yet crucial details could make an atmosphere of difference in attracting and retaining tourists given tourism continues to play a vital role in the island nation’s economy.

January 12, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is taking significant steps to integrate homeopathy into the national healthcare system, with plans to increase its accessibility and affordability for the general public.

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa outlined these ambitious goals during a recent visit to the Welisara Homeopathy Hospital, one of the key government-run facilities offering alternative medical treatments.

The Welisara Homeopathy Hospital has been a cornerstone of homeopathic care, providing daily treatments for a variety of conditions, including respiratory issues, skin disorders, diabetes, arthritis, as well as health concerns specific to women and children.

On average, the hospital treats around 200 outpatients each day and operates a round-the-clock inpatient facility, offering an extensive range of care to the community.

Dr. Jayatissa spoke about the numerous advantages of homeopathy, particularly its low risk of side effects compared to conventional treatments. He also shared the government’s vision to enhance services at the facility and throughout the country.

This includes efforts to fill staff vacancies, ensure a consistent supply of medicines, and expand the inpatient unit to accommodate up to 50 beds.

Additionally, the hospital is set to introduce new medical services, such as X-ray facilities, physiotherapy, and specialist consultations, while also transitioning into a training institution for future homeopathy professionals.

In tandem with these plans, the Homeopathy Medical Council has proposed the creation of a dedicated Homeopathy Medical College, aimed at advancing education and research in the field.

To further strengthen local production capabilities, the council also advocates for the domestic manufacture of homeopathic medicines.

Furthermore, there are discussions underway about expanding the network of homeopathy clinics and hospitals across Sri Lanka, ensuring broader coverage of these services.

In line with these reforms, the council has suggested that Sri Lankan students be given opportunities to pursue advanced studies in homeopathy in India, where the discipline is more established, in order to enhance the expertise available locally.

January 12, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Meteorology has issued an ‘Amber’ level advisory this morning, warning of potentially hazardous sea conditions along the coasts from Colombo to Kankasanthurai, including areas such as Puttalam.

The advisory, which came into effect at 8:00 a.m. today, will remain in place for the next 24 hours, concluding at 8:00 a.m. on Monday (13).

The advisory highlights that the sea conditions in these areas are expected to be rough at times, with strong, gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 50 to 60 km/h.

The department has urged both naval and fishing communities to exercise caution and remain vigilant throughout the duration of the advisory.

Mariners and those planning to venture out to sea are advised to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety in light of these challenging conditions.

Local authorities have also been advised to remain alert to any developments in the weather and sea conditions along the affected coasts.

January 12, Colombo (LNW): Deputy Minister for Trade, Commerce, and Food Security R.M. Jayawardena, has announced that all mill owners and traders involved in purchasing paddy during the upcoming Maha season must register with the government’s Paddy Marketing Board.

This initiative is part of a wider effort to streamline the country’s rice supply chain and ensure there is no shortage of the staple food.

Speaking at a recent event, Jayawardena explained that the registration requirement is crucial for creating a comprehensive data system that tracks the quantities of paddy entering the market.

This will also help the government in curbing any potential attempts to hoard rice stocks, which could otherwise lead to artificially inflated prices or shortages in the market.

By maintaining accurate records, the authorities will be better equipped to manage rice production and distribution across the nation.

The Deputy Minister further emphasised that the government’s paddy purchasing programme is designed to guarantee a steady and reliable supply of rice.

The move comes as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation’s food security, especially in the face of fluctuations in domestic production and unpredictable weather conditions that could affect harvests.

In a related development, Jayawardena also revealed that the government is considering the introduction of a fixed price for both paddy and rice, which will be announced soon.

This is expected to stabilise prices for consumers while ensuring that farmers and mill owners receive fair compensation for their produce.