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First International Zero Waste Day to be celebrated in SL today

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By Ifham Nizam

Turkish Ambassador to Sri Lanka R. Demet Sekercioglu will attend the first-ever celebration of International Zero Waste Day today at 9.30 am at Waters Edge, Battaramulla with Environment Minister Engineer Nasir Ahmed presiding.

Minister. Mr. Naseer Ahamed

Mr. Mark Peters

Dr. Anil Jasinghe

Mr. Supun S. Pathirage

Mr. P.B. Hemantha

 

Mark Peters, Economic Growth Advisor of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Supun S. Pathirge, Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority and P. B. Hemantha Jayasinghe, Director General of the Central Environmental Authority will attend today’s even as special guests.

The Ocean Plastic Reduction Activity of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) have jointly organised the celebration of the first “International Day of Zero Waste” in Sri Lanka under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment.

A recent study has revealed that ocean plastic pollution threatens the world’s delicate marine ecosystems, the fishing and tourism sectors, food security, and human health. The equivalent of an entire garbage truck of plastic makes its way into the world’s oceans every minute—roughly eleven million tonnes annually.

The CEA says bringing an end to plastic pollution at the source is the most effective way to address this challenge. Most of the plastic ocean debris comes from rapidly growing cities along coastal areas in the developing world where governments struggle with growing populations and increasing amounts of waste.

In Sri Lanka solid waste management systems struggle to keep pace with growing urban populations.

On a proposal from Turkey, the United Nations General Assembly declared today 30 March as “International Zero Waste Day” in its seventy-seventh session on 14 December, 2022. Accordingly, this day has been announced as one more step to further strengthen the “2023 Agenda for Sustainable Development” and every year should be celebrated as the “International Day of Zero Waste” the 30th of March.

Garbage is responsible for the major crisis affecting the world: climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution. Approaching the concept of zero waste can turn a manufacturing process into a closed-cycle process. It allows resources to be reused as much as possible, thus limiting waste generation and minimising resource wastE. This process can reduce all forms of pollution.

Some 150 people representing government institutions, private institutions, educational institutions and civil societies will participate in this event. A technical session and a discussion session with the participation of invited guests and experts in the field will be held to share knowledge of zero waste and the measures that have been taken and are to be taken.



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Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

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A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.

To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.

The donation was presented on Wednesday  (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police  C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Chief Inspector  Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.

[Presidents Media Division]

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry
of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft

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Sajith

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.

Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.

The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.

The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.

He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.

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