News

The evolution of human civilisation has taken place from era to era enriching the people as cultured entities. The unique cultural events celebrated by various people around the world indicate the affinity and utmost dedication towards their traditional heritages, President Maithripala Sirisena said in his New Year message.

“The Sinhala and Tamil New Year showcases the traditional riches of the Eastern people.‘Aluth Avurudda’ is indeed an introduction of a new human with a new vision and a new attitude to the society. By conforming to a study of oneself during the transitional time of the inauspicious period, this advanced person performs New Year rituals, enters the society as a close relative carrying the message of peaceful co-existence and social reconciliation,” the President said.

“The New Year binds with the traditional customs which blooms interrelations and family relationships and showers the human thoughts with refreshing fragrance which flows to the future with our deep understanding and respect we have for the traditions of the New Year.

“By deeply studying this glorious cultural event, which harvests progressive values and ethics to the whole society and celebrating it, we can surely collect a bountiful harvest of peace and prosperity.

“Another invaluable aspect of New Year celebrations is that they depict the lively bond which the humans share historically with nature and how this occasion is utilised to express gratitude to nature, thus exhibiting the great virtues of our ancestors that carried forth for generations.

“Sharing such great values with everybody, I wish all the Sri Lankans who are living in the country and outside, a Sinhala and Tamil New Year filled with peace and prosperity, the President said in his New Year message.

Soure : Daily News

Sri Lanka’s state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corp (CPC) is under pressure to raise fuel prices as the refiner incurred huge losses this year, cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said on Wednesday.

The CPC incurred a loss of 9.9 billion rupees ($63.5 million) in the first two months of the year, a government document showed.

“It (CPC) is under pressure to raise prices because of such losses,” Senaratne told Reuters after the weekly cabinet press briefing, adding it is not a “good time” to raise fuel rates ahead of the traditional Sinhala-Tamil New Year, which is celebrated by 90 percent of the 21-million population.

Lanka IOC Plc, the only other local fuel retailer and a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corp, had raised retail prices for gasoline and diesel on March 24, after the government failed to implement a pricing formula.

This has put the government under scrutiny to raise prices at fuel stations, which are normally decided during talks between the government and retailers. Lanka IOC, however, is allowed to set fuel prices at its own will.

The fuel pricing formula is under consideration and a final decision is yet to be taken, Senaratne added.

Despite several measures to reduce rates of essential goods, the public is still wary of higher food prices amid new income tax slabs.

The new taxes will hardly affect the lower-income group, President Maithripala Sirisena’s coalition government said.

A price hike could make the coalition government more unpopular among the voters ahead of the potential provincial council elections this year, analysts said.

Under pressure from the International Monetary Fund to boost the island nation’s revenue, the government had increased the excise duty on diesel to 13 rupees per litre in August last year, but had asked fuel retailers to retain the old rates.

President Maithripala Sirisena prorogued the current session of Parliament with effect from midnight yesterday (12).

The Gazette notification issued by the Secretary to the President further states that the next session of Parliament will commence on May, 2018.

The Government has cancelled the Public and Bank Holiday falling on May 1, 2018. This has been done due to the Vesak Week being held from April 26 to May 2.

The relevant Gazette notification has been issued by Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena by virtue of the power vested in him under the Holidays Act, No. 29 of 1971.

The government has declared Monday, May 7 as a Public and Bank Holiday to celebrate International Labour Day.

Source : Daily News

Showers or thundershowers will occur over most provinces of the island today after 2.00 p.m, the Department of Meteorology announced.

Showers or thundershowers will occur over most provinces of the island after 2.00 p.m.

Showers or thundershowers will occur in the Eastern and Southern provinces during the morning too.

Heavy falls about 100mm can be expected at some places, particularly in the Western, North-western Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central, Eastern and Uva provinces.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces during the morning.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.

The Department of Meteorology request general public to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

The Director-General of World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that Sri Lanka's health service is one of the best not only in Asia, but in the world.

Ghebreyesus made these remarks when he visited Sri Lanka to celebrate the World Health Day on April 7. He further said that the reason Sri Lanka had such a high-quality health service was due to its free availability as well as the country's political leadership which provided clear guidance to the health service.

Sri Lanka, which was earlier ranked as a low-income country, had now emerged as a middle-income nation and under this situation, the island's health sector was excellent, Tedros said.

Four acting Ministers were sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat today.

Accordingly, Dr. Sarath Amunugama was sworn in as the acting Minister of Vocational Training and Skills Development and Science, Technology and Research in addition to his present portfolio of Special Assignments.

Fazier Musthapa as the acting Minister of Sports in addition to his portfolio of Local Government and Provincial Councils while Malik Samarawickrama was sworn in as the acting Minister of Social Empowerment, Welfare and Kandyan Heritage and Labour and Labour Relations in addition to his portfolio of Development Strategies and International Trade.

Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was sworn in as acting Minister of Disaster Management in addition to his portfolio of Renewable Energy and Petroleum Resources.

Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Dr Rajitha Senaratne says that by 2020, the e-Healthcare Card will be given to all Sri Lankans.

He was speaking at the 'Nelum Pokuna Theater' at the World Health Day which was held on the 7th of this month when the announcement was made.

All person's health records will be included in this e-health card the Minister said.

It will also include other details such as the patient's blood type. “This would facilitate faster ICU services” he added.

Mullaitivu District Government Agent Rupawthi Ketheeswaran has said that the district has received Rs. 68 million as an initial step to initiate 156 development projects in the district.

The officials said 65 percent of the projects are agricultural projects while 18 percent of the remaining are fisheries projects and all these projects will receive Rs. 318 million.

The progress of these projects is to be received in four stages this year, the Government Agent said.

Out of the total funding, Rs. 162 million will be received from the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Resettlement while the other monies will be received from the respective ministries.

According to the official, 55 projects will be implemented in the Karadian Aru Divisional Secretariat Division, 21 projects in Manthai East, 29 in Puthukudiyiruppu and 16 in Thunukkai while 35 projects will be launched in the Mullaitivu city.

Source : ilanka news

New ambassadors and high commissioners representing Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Poland, Austria, and Tanzania presented their credentials to President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday (11).

The newly appointed envoys are as follows.

1.​ Mr. Mohamed Maliki – Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco

2.​ Mrs. Brigitte Oppinger Walchshofer – Ambassador of the Republic of Austria

3. ​Mr. Sheikh Ahmed Hamad Al Mualla – Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates

4.​ Mr. Adam Burakowski – Ambassador of the Republic of Poland

5.​ Mr. Baraka Haran Luvanda – High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Seven Governors were sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena today (12).

The new Governors are as follows:

Hemakumara Nanayakkara – Western Province

K.C. Logeswaran – North Western Province

Niluka Ekanayake – Sabaragamuwa Province

Reginald Coorey – Central Province

Marshal Perera – Southern Province

M.P. Jayasinghe – North Central Province

P.B. Dissanayake – Uva Province

The High Commission of India, Colombo announces the offer for the following ICCR scholarship for 2018-19 academic sessions:

Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme: Five (05) slots for PhD Degrees in all subjects except Medicine/Paramedical (Nursing/Physiotherapy/anesthesia etc.) fashion courses.

The Government of India selects meritorious Sri Lankan nationals for award of this Scholarship. Selection of candidates is done in consultation with the Ministry of Higher Education & Highways, Government of Sri Lanka, to pursue PhD Degrees in some of the topmost universities in India.

All scholarships cover full tuition fees for the entire duration of the course, monthly sustenance allowance and annual grant for books, stationary. The Selected Candidates would also be provided hostel facility inside the campus. Besides, all ICCR scholars in India are provided full healthcare facilities, air fare to the nearest destination in India and an annual grant for educational tours to various parts of the country, apart from several other auxiliary benefits.

The eligible candidates can download the application forms from the website of Ministry of Higher Education & highways at www.mohe.gov.lk the last date for submission of duly filled up application forms for PhD courses at Ministry of Higher Education & Highways, Government of Sri Lanka is April 23, 2018.

Prospective students are advised to approach the Ministry of Higher Education to learn more about the eligibility criteria and selection procedure. Interested candidates can also direct their queries to High Commission of India or visit our website for further details on the scholarships.