Having considered the resolution furnished by the Prime Minister in her capacity as Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to grant concurrence for the issuance of a new circular instructions relating to the admission of students from Grades 2 to 11, excluding Grades 5 and 6, to be implemented with effect from 2026 onwards.

A discussion on accelerating recovery measures and providing relief to those affected by the Cyclone Ditwah was held on March 28 at Temple Trees, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and civil society organizations.

During the meeting, a brief report on the current status of government measures including compensation payments through District Secretariats and information related to safety camps was presented to the Prime Minister by the Chief of Staff to the President and Commissioner General of Essential Services,  Prabath Chandrakeerthi.

Special attention was given to the concerns of the estate sector Estate sector Malaiyaha Tamil community affected by the cyclone, particularly those without legal land ownership, in accessing government relief and compensation. Attention was also drawn to the need for a policy decision in coordination with the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure regarding this matter.

It was further stated by the Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Engineer L. Kumudu Lal Bogahawatta , that plans have been made to accelerate the recovery process related to damages caused by the disaster in 2025. These include the construction of 20,000 new houses, the renovation of 115,000 partially damaged houses, and the provision of financial assistance amounting to Rs. 5 million for individuals who already possess safe land to build a house. Additionally, there are plans to construct apartment complexes with public facilities in major urban areas.

Officials further emphasized that the physical, psychological, and social well-being of affected communities especially women, children, and persons with special needs will continue to assess through civil society organizations, special committees, and sub-committees.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the efforts to rebuild damaged housing have focused on constructing homes in locations that are more suitable and equipped with urban public facilities over the past four months, stressing the importance of maintaining continuous communication with communities and ensuring that reconstruction takes place in safer locations that are less vulnerable to future disasters.

The discussion was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Chief of Staff to the President and Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Engineer L. Kumudu Lal Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Defence K.C. Dharmathilaka, and representatives from civil society organizations.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Parliament yesterday (30) said the use of inferior quality coal at Norochcholai Lak Vijaya coal-fired power plant caused environmental pollution.

The Opposition has accused the Energy Ministry of importing low quality coal and the CEB has directly blamed the developing crisis in coal imported from South Africa.

The Parliament is scheduled to debate a no-confidence motion moved by SJB-led Opposition against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody on 10 April.

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has instructed officials to immediately prepare a plan for the environmentally friendly disposal of ash emitted from the Norochcholai Lak Vijaya Power Plant.

These instructions were given at a recent meeting of the Committee held in Parliament, under the Chairmanship of Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy.

It was revealed during the meeting that due to issues related to the quality of coal imported to Sri Lanka for power generation, the volume of ash emitted during electricity generation had increased significantly. Officials were directed to formulate a plan under the leadership of the District Secretary of the Puttalam District, to take the necessary measures.

It was also proposed that the possibility of reusing the coal ash for production purposes be studied, and that any revenue generated from such products be utilised for welfare projects benefiting the communities affected by the power plant.

In addition, the Committee instructed the Central Environmental Authority to submit a comprehensive report on whether water and air pollution have occurred as a result of the Norochcholai Power Plant. Furthermore, the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority was also instructed to provide responses within two weeks regarding the questionnaire and related matters submitted by the Committee in connection with the Norochcholai Power Plant.

Officials of the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority stated that although the volume of ash emitted from the plant had increased, the filtration system in use at the plant was sufficient to absorb it. Several matters, including the issuance of environmental protection licenses for the power plant, were discussed at the committee meeting.