January 02, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security has confirmed that the procurement of paddy for the upcoming Maha season will begin after the 20th of this month.

This move is part of a broader strategy to secure sufficient rice supplies and stabilise the market.

Deputy Minister of Trade, R.M. Jayawardana, outlined that the government is focused on bolstering its rice reserves and expanding the distribution of rice through Lanka Sathosa, the country’s largest retail network.

This initiative aims to ensure that rice remains affordable and accessible to the public throughout the year.

In an effort to support local farmers and strengthen the agricultural sector, the government is also planning to purchase a larger quantity of paddy than in previous years.

This will provide farmers with a guaranteed market for their produce while helping to secure a stable supply of rice for domestic consumption.

Additionally, the Ministry is set to invest in the renovation and utilisation of rice storage facilities that have been left unused in recent years.

By improving these facilities, the government aims to increase the efficiency of rice storage and reduce wastage, further strengthening the country’s food security infrastructure.

Investigations have revealed potential misuse of Rs. 28 billion allocated to the Paddy Marketing Board in recent years, the Deputy Minister further disclosed.

These financial irregularities are currently under investigation, with the authorities pledging that they are committed to ensuring accountability and transparency moving forward.

January 02, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Finance and Planning has announced the successful completion of the distribution of the Rs. 6,000 stationery allowance to students from families receiving welfare benefits.

More than 1.1 million students across the country have benefited from this initiative, which aimed to ease the financial burden of purchasing essential school supplies, according to Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma.

The government allocated a total of Rs. 6.5 billion for this programme, marking a significant investment in supporting students from low-income families.

The allowance was designed to help ensure that these students have the necessary materials to fully participate in their education, regardless of their family’s financial situation.

With the completion of the distribution, the government has reiterated its commitment to enhancing access to education and providing essential support to vulnerable communities, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed in their studies.

January 02, Colombo (LNW): The process of transferring information regarding candidates who failed to submit their required income and expenditure reports for the 2024 parliamentary elections to the police has officially begun.

This action follows the completion of initial investigations into the non-compliance with electoral regulations.

R.M.A.L. Rathnayake, the Chairman of the National Election Commission (NEC), confirmed that the procedure is being carried out at the district level.

He explained that the district returning officers are responsible for handing over the relevant files to the police, marking the next step in ensuring accountability for election-related breaches.

These reports concern candidates who did not submit the necessary financial documentation as required by the election laws, an important aspect of maintaining transparency and fairness in the electoral process.

As part of the legal proceedings, the Deputy Inspector General of Police for each province will oversee the investigation and take further action where necessary, ensuring that violations are addressed in accordance with the law.

January 02, Colombo (LNW): In a bid to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, the Department of Examinations has announced that students who took part in the recent exam will receive free marks for three questions that were leaked ahead of the test.

This decision comes after a directive from the Supreme Court, which sought to rectify the situation and address the concerns raised by the leak.

The announcement was made by the Commissioner General of Examinations, who confirmed that the marks for the three compromised questions would be added to students’ overall scores.

This move is intended to preserve the credibility of the examination, which plays a crucial role in determining school admissions and scholarship opportunities for young students across the country.

The controversy arose when it was discovered that three questions from the exam had been leaked before the scheduled test date, sparking widespread concerns about fairness and the potential impact on students’ performance.

The leak prompted an immediate investigation, with the authorities moving swiftly to address the issue and prevent any unfair advantage for those with prior knowledge of the questions.

January 02, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Police have unveiled a new digital tool aimed at improving road safety across the country: the E-Traffic App.

This innovative mobile platform is designed to enable the public to report traffic violations swiftly and efficiently, contributing to a safer driving environment for all.

With the E-Traffic App, citizens can now play a proactive role in identifying and addressing road-related offences by submitting photographic or video evidence directly to the police.

This system not only streamlines the reporting process but also empowers members of the community to assist in the enforcement of traffic laws, thus helping to deter reckless driving and other dangerous behaviours on the roads.

The app can be easily downloaded via this link: E-Traffic App.

January 02, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Defence has officially appointed Major General (Retired) Ruwan Wanigasooriya as the new Chief of National Intelligence, effective from January 01, 2025.

The announcement was made following the issuance of his letter of appointment, which was handed to him by Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), on the same day.

Major General Wanigasooriya, who brings with him a wealth of experience in military and intelligence operations, has now assumed responsibility for overseeing Sri Lanka’s national intelligence apparatus.

He began his new role promptly, taking up his duties at the Defence Ministry’s office in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

This key position became vacant following the retirement of Major General Ruwan Kulatunga, who held the position of Chief of National Intelligence before stepping down.

Wanigasooriya, with his extensive background in defence and national security, is expected to provide strong leadership and strategic direction to the intelligence services.

January 02, Colombo (LNW): Today marks the beginning of the final stretch for the 2024 academic year in government schools and those private institutions approved by the government, with the commencement of the third and final school term.

This term will run until January 24, ensuring students have ample time to complete their coursework before the term’s conclusion.

In addition to this, the long-awaited final examinations for the term are set to begin tomorrow, January 03, providing an opportunity for students to demonstrate their progress and knowledge acquired throughout the year.

These exams are expected to play a significant role in determining final grades for students across various subjects.

Looking ahead, the academic year for 2025 will begin on January 27, marking the start of the first term, which will continue until March 14.

This gives families and educators a brief break before the school calendar picks up again.

The first school term in 2025 will see the introduction of new students as well, with children entering Grade 01 for the first time.

These young learners are scheduled to start their school journey on Thursday, January 30.

This date marks a significant milestone for both the students and their families, as they prepare for the transition into formal education.

Further into the year, the second phase of the first term for 2025 will occur from April 01 to April 11, with the final stretch of the term taking place from April 21 to May 09.