August 07, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere of the island during the evening or night. Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in Eastern, Uva and Northern provinces.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
August 06, Colombo (LNW): Under the National Road Rehabilitation Project, led by the Ministry of Transport and Highways, the development of the road stretching from the Waga Railway Station to Moraketiya via Pinnawala has been inaugurated by Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana.
This road, essential to local residents, has been in disrepair for an extended period, causing significant transportation difficulties. Responding to persistent requests from local representatives and residents, the project to carpet the road has finally commenced.
During the inauguration, Minister Dr. Gunawardhana remarked, “As the Minister in charge of highways, I have observed that road construction projects have often been assigned to various contractors. To address this, funds were allocated to each Member of Parliament for their constituencies, managed by the engineers and officials of the Road Development Authority. However, public complaints indicate that these responsibilities are not being fulfilled correctly. There are ongoing complaints about road projects being incomplete and prolonged indefinitely. If this continues, we may revert to the old method of using private contractors for construction. We cannot allow a state of anarchy to be created by saboteurs, and necessary decisions will be made when required.
“Under the new circumstances in the country, no one in the public sector will benefit from theft. Public servants, as well as their family members and children, must declare their assets. If assets have increased unlawfully, the law will be strictly enforced. This law applies not only to public representatives but also to state employees and private sector workers. Legal frameworks have been established to prevent any opportunity for bribery and corruption.”
The event saw the participation of former Chairman of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, Jayantha Rohana, along with former public representatives, state officials from the area, and numerous local residents.
August 06, Colombo (LNW): The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) has introduced a new hotline number, 1916, and a phone application called “Coconut App” to provide solutions for issues related to coconut cultivation. Starting today, growers can receive assistance in Sinhala, Tamil, and English.
The new hotline aims to address diseases affecting coconut cultivation and improve yield. Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera attended the launch event at his ministry, alongside CCB Chairman Panduka Weerasinghe, Managing Director Athila Weerasinghe, and Coconut Development Authority Chairman Prof. Roshan Perera.
Minister Amaraweera highlighted the challenges faced by coconut growers, such as diseases like white fly, red beetle, black beetle, and Weligama coconut leaf disease. He emphasized the irregular application of fertilizers and the need to increase annual coconut production from 3,000 million to 3,600 million coconuts.
To achieve this goal, the Minister stressed the importance of integrating technology into cultivation practices. During the event, Minister Amaraweera called the technical hotline 1916 and inquired about white fly damage, receiving prompt assistance from a CCB official.
August 06, Colombo (LNW): Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda held a discussion with officials at his office in Jaffna last week to review the progress and address the shortcomings in sea cucumber farming. This industry has gained popularity among fishermen and investors in the Northern Province.
During the discussions, sea cucumber farmers expressed that the local community has shown significant interest in this industry, recognizing it as a major foreign exchange earner. They requested the expansion of sea cucumber farming to other areas, with many farmers planning to start cultivation on Kytes Island in Jaffna, seeking the Minister’s support for this initiative.
Minister Devananda emphasized the need for Northern fishermen to take a greater interest in sea cucumber farming, noting the substantial increase in farmers’ incomes. He also directed officials to provide necessary assistance to farmers not only in Kytes but throughout the Northern Province.
August 06, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has summoned the secretaries of all Cabinet Ministries and Provincial Chief Secretaries for discussions today, focusing on the alleged misuse of state property.
Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake revealed that complaints regarding the misuse of state property have been received, prompting the commission to take action.
In addition, the additional secretaries responsible for managing ministry properties and the officers overseeing these assets have been called before the Election Commission today. Notably, the chairmen of state corporations are also expected to appear before the commission.
August 06, Colombo (LNW): A special gazette notification has been issued, declaring the supply of electricity and all related services, as well as the supply and distribution of petroleum products and fuel, as essential services.
This communiqué, issued by Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake on the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was published yesterday (05).
The notification was made in accordance with the powers vested in the President under Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act No. 61 of 1979.
August 06, Colombo (LNW): The Parliament is scheduled to convene from the 6th to the 9th of this month. Today, a Private Members’ Bill aimed at amending the Provincial Councils (PC) Elections Act is expected to be presented.
Additionally, an Adjournment Debate on the failure of the levee barrier along the Nilwala River, initiated by the Opposition, will be taken up.
Furthermore, the Committee on Public Enterprises and the Committee on Public Finance are expected to convene later in the day.
August 06, Colombo (LNW): At a press briefing titled “Collective Path to a Stable Country” held yesterday at the Presidential Media Centre, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna underscored the significant impact of the transportation sector on ecosystems, both globally and locally, with vehicle emissions being a major contributor. To combat this, the issuance of smoke certificates is a measure aimed at maintaining air quality and reducing lung-related diseases.
The Ministry of Transport, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO), and the Central Environment Authority (CEA) are collaborating to expand the number of air emission measurement centers to 100 within the next six months. The data collected from these centers will be accessible online, allowing citizens to monitor air quality in real-time from anywhere in the world.
In addition, vehicle insurance and licenses will soon be obtainable at the same locations where emission certificates are issued. This integrated service will be available island-wide within two months, streamlining the process for vehicle owners.
To enhance road safety, the government is finalizing tenders for new data systems and equipment for the police, with implementation expected shortly after selecting a suitable candidate next month.
Furthermore, starting September 1st, a WhatsApp messaging service will notify drivers of traffic infractions. This service will run for two months, after which new laws addressing these violations will be enforced.
Cash deposits have been placed for a total of 17 candidates so far to contest the 2024 Presidential Elections. Three candidates had placed bonds at the National Election Commission yesterday(05) to contest the elections. SJB Chairman Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka and former JVP MP Siripala Amarasinghe are among those on behalf of whom cash deposits were made.
Responding to allegations that some Rs. 70 million had been spent on foreign trips, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said only Rs. 3.37 million had been spent on his overseas trips. Dissanayake said he spent only Rs. 3,378,500 for his visits to South Korea, Australia, USA, Canada, Sweden, UK and Japan. He said costs of all his visits were borne by the migrant workers attached to the NPP branch in those respective countries.
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) says that its presidential candidate will be announced on Wednesday (Aug 07). However, many constituency meetings of the SLPP are passing resolutions in order to back incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the 2024 presidential election.
The Ministry of Public Security is poised to make a critical decision regarding the issuance of visas to tourists arriving in Sri Lanka. The move comes after the Supreme Court recently issued an interim order halting the implementation of a Cabinet decision that granted e-Visa services to two foreign companies. Ministry Secretary Viyani Gunathilaka confirmed that discussions are underway with officials from the Immigration & Emigration Department.
The Supreme Court dismissed a contempt of court petition filed against former state minister Diana Gamage. The petition was taken up before a three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Yasantha Kodagoda and Shiran Gunaratne.
The deadline to accept postal voting applications, which was scheduled to end at midnight today (05), has been extended, the Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said. Accordingly, the relevant deadline has been extended until 12.00 midnight on August 09 (Friday).
The Leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena is slated to lead the new political alliance formed by the combination of political parties and groups supporting President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the upcoming Presidential Election. A decision has been reached in this regard, sources said.
In response to the upcoming elections, the Sri Lanka Police has taken significant steps to ensure the smooth functioning of district election offices and address election-related incidents. A total of 11 police officers each have been assigned to each of the 22 district election offices across the country. Relevant officials have been deployed specifically to investigate election complaints and ensure efficient coordination of activities within the offices.
CCB introduces a new hotline number 1916 to answer the problems of coconut cultivation in all three languages. The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) has introduced a hotline number and a phone application called Coconut App to provide solutions to all the issues related to the diseases faced by the growers related to coconut cultivation, to make the cultivation successful and to get a high yield.
Sri Lankan all-rounder and Women’s Team captain Chamari Athapaththu has been nominated for ICC Women’s Player of the Month for July 2024 after leading her country to a historic maiden win in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 over seven-time champions India. Athapaththu has been nominated alongside the Indian duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma.
August 06, Colombo (LNW): Leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) and Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena, paid a visit to Ven. Dr. Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera, the Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardanepura and Chief Prelate of Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, at Dharmavijayaloka Maha Viharaya in Kottawa Rukmale yesterday.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Secretary of the MEP, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Deputy Secretary Lalith Rohana Liyanage, and several Central Committee Members of the MEP, including Savithri Gunasekara and Premachandra Hettiarachchi.
