News

33 development projects being implemented in EP with Indian assistance, PM informs Parliament

Published

9 months ago

2025/08/9

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament on Thursday (07) that 33 development projects, with estimated costs, are currently being implemented in the Eastern Province, with Indian assistance, based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the President of Sri Lanka and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s recent visit to Sri Lanka.

Responding to a question posed by Opposition MP Nizam Kariyapper, the Prime Minister said: “A total of 33 projects, with estimated costs, have been identified. In 2023, the Governor of the Eastern Province submitted several project proposals to the Indian High Commission, in Colombo, with the expectation of resolving socio-economic and other challenges in the province. Based on available information and reports, these needs were assessed, and following consultations with regional officials and relevant agencies, the provincial departments themselves identified and submitted the proposals.

According to reports, several rounds of discussions were held to finalise the identification of these project proposals. One such round was held in July 2023, chaired by the Eastern Province Governor.

In addition to the agreements signed, following the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Sri Lanka, the current government has separately allocated funds for projects in the Eastern Province, since coming into office. These allocations will also continue into 2025.

My response is based on the discussions held in 2023, which led to the formulation of these projects, she said.

Furthermore, for the years 2025–2026, public representatives of the Eastern Province will have the opportunity to submit proposals for development projects in the province, through District Development Committees under the budget proposals being put forward by the present government.”

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INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities

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Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake

Published

13 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).

The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.

Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:

01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)

02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)

03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)

04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See

05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan

06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait

Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.