Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd (SLICGL) and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education share a commitment to protect Sri Lanka’s children throughout their school education. The pledge is delivered through the Suraksha Student Insurance Scheme, which protects over 4 million school children.

The Government of Sri Lanka, through the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, provides the Suraksha Student Insurance Scheme free of charge to schoolchildren throughout the country. SLICGL is proud to partner with the Ministry in delivering this national initiative, which helps safeguard students against the financial impact of unforeseen circumstances.

Eligible students include those aged 5-21 years in Grades 1-13 from government schools, government-approved private schools, and Pirivena education, as well as students aged 4-21 years in assisted special schools.

The scheme provides hospitalisation, outpatient and critical illness cover, as well as personal accident cover for permanent and temporary disability, together with a life insurance benefit for children from low-income families on the death of a parent. Cover applies to incidents within and outside school premises.

For a child, an illness or accident can be far more than a temporary setback. It can place added pressure on a family and, in some circumstances, disrupt schooling. Suraksha acts as a safety net, giving children and their families greater peace of mind and helping them stay in school despite life’s uncertainties. The scheme is easily accessible through SLICGL’s islandwide network of 200 branches and customer service centres.

Children’s Day is a celebration of hope, the hope for every child to have the opportunity to learn, grow and build a better future. Celebrating children also means protection, not for a single day but for every day they spend in the classroom.

Commemorating Children’s Day, SLICGL extended support towards the educational needs of children at an underprivileged school. The project highlighted the company’s belief in protecting the future not only by being supportive when the unexpected happens, but also in helping create an environment in which children can learn, grow and fulfil their potential.

As Sri Lanka’s National Insurer, SLICGL’s role goes further than protecting people against risk. It is also about contributing to a stronger, safer and more resilient country as children’s education, wellbeing and aspirations contribute directly to help build the journey ahead.

Vietjet, which already flies between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City, has officially launched new services connecting Hanoi with Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Prague, Czech Republic, as well as Almaty with Prague, expanding its intercontinental network and marking its entry into the European Union. The new air links offer more affordable travel options while fostering greater tourism, trade and cultural exchange between Asia and Europe.

For Sri Lanka, the new routes widen the network that Vietjet is building out of Colombo. The airline has operated non-stop flights between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City since August 2026, three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while its new Ho Chi Minh City to Maldives service via Colombo is scheduled to begin on 5 December 2026. With Hanoi now linked to Central Asia and Europe, Sri Lankan travellers have a growing choice of destinations reachable through Vietjet’s extensive network.

The inauguration ceremonies took place at Almaty International Airport and Václav Havel Airport Prague on 10 October, amid a warm welcome from local leaders, residents and visitors. The inaugural flights were greeted with traditional water cannon salutes and performances showcasing local cultural heritage, marking the beginning of new journeys connecting the three regions and welcoming international travellers to Vietnam. Passengers on the inaugural flights also received commemorative gifts from Vietjet and the airports, adding a special touch to their journeys.

The Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya has launched a 400-seat Tourist Enclosure for the 100th Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Perahera, scheduled for January 21, 2027, at 7.30 p.m. The enclosure offers reserved seating, live commentary, complimentary refreshments, dedicated parking and priority entry for visitors. The centenary procession will feature caparisoned elephants, traditional dancers, drummers and fire performers. Tickets can be booked through

[www.kelaniyaperahara.com]