News
UNFPA signs MoU with University of Colombo, hands over medical supplies to Health Minister
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka, on Friday (01), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Colombo for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE), the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region.
The MoU formalizes the collaboration between the UNFPA Sri Lanka Country Office and the University of Colombo for the design and establishment of the Centre of Excellence, underscoring UNFPA’s commitment to thought leadership, knowledge creation, and innovation in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Pio Smith, UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Director and Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan, ceremoniously handed over medical supplies to Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health at the Ministry of Health.
The medicines and medical equipment, worth more than USD 2.1 million, were donated under the project “ENSURE: Ensuring access to life-saving sexual & reproductive health and providing gender-based violence prevention and response services for women, girls and vulnerable groups”.
This project, which is entirely worth USD 4.6 million, has been funded by the Government of Japan, as part of a response to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka and is aimed to support women in vulnerable communities.
News
Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.
She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.
The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations. 
The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.
Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.
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Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Free 14 day visa extension for visitors unable to depart Sri Lanka
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