News
Applications open for ‘Wasath Siriya- 2024’ New Year Festival competitions
The “Wasath Siriya 2024” celebration for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year will take place on Saturday, 27th April, 2024 at Shangri-La Green, Galle Face, Colombo. This event is being organized by the Welfare Society of the Presidential Secretariat along with other ministries and will be held from 7.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The “Wasath Siriya- Miazia musical concert”, will commence at 7:00 pm at the same venue with the participation of popular artistes .
The competitions have been divided into three sections, namely State Section, Open Section, and Guest Section, and feature a total of 11 competitions for both men and women. These competitions are open to staff members of ministries and government institutions, their family members, friends, and children.
Additionally, there will be a segment open to all Sri Lankans, featuring 16 competitive activities. These include the “Pura Sariya” Standard Bicycle Race, Marathon Race, Climbing the sliding tree, Tug of War, Wrestling, Candle Lighting, bursting the Balloon, marking the Elephant’s Eye, Best Smile and the New Year Prince and Princess contests.
Also, there is a guest section for foreign tourists, expatriate staff of diplomatic missions, companies, institutions and hotels. The competitions in this category include marking the Elephant’s Eye, breaking the lucky pot, threading the needle, feeding curd/yoghurt to your partner (Sagayata kiri kaweema), bursting the balloon, lime on the spoon race, musical chairs and musical hats competitions, bun eating contest and drinking milk with a soothe.
Registration forms for the “Wasath Siriya 2024” New Year Prince and Princess, Marathon Race, Standard Cycle Race and Tug of War. Applications can be accessed by visiting the website www.pmd.gov.lk.
For the “Wasath Siriya 2024” New Year Prince/Princess (Open) competition, applicants must submit a recent colour photograph taken within the last three months. All applicants must be unmarried individuals aged between 18 and 30 years. Completed applications should be submitted via WhatsApp at 077-1557146 before 3.00 p.m. on 20th April 2024.
Athletes aged above 16 years are eligible to compete in the “Wasath Siriya” marathon race. To apply, please access the application form via the website www.pmd.gov.lk obtain a certificate from a government registered doctor confirming your fitness to compete. Send the application to “Sri Lanka Army Sports Medicine Division, Army Sports Development Village, Army Colony, Panagoda, Homagama,” with the words “Wasath Siriya Open Marathon 2024” on the top left corner of the envelop.
Alternatively, you can submit a clear photo of the completed application to the Security Division of the Presidential Secretariat or send it via WhatsApp to the number 0710573828.
The applications submitted after 10.00 a.m. 26th April, 2024 will not be considered.
The “Wasath Siriya” Standard Bike Race for Men and Women is co-organized by the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Sri Lanka Cycling Federation. Completed application forms accompanied with a fitness certificate issued by a government registered doctor should be submitted to the Organizing Committee at the address “Wasath Siriya 2024 Bicycle Race”, Sri Lanka Air Force Base, Colombo.” Alternatively, applications can be handed in at the main security office of the Sri Lanka Air Force Base, Colombo, or scanned and sent via WhatsApp to the number 070-3166384. Applications received after 12.00 noon on 25th April 2024, will be disqualified. Applicants will receive notification of acceptance or rejection via WhatsApp. There is no fee for application and registration.
The organizing committee requires the list of all male and female teams participating in the “Wasath Siriya” tug-of-war competition to be submitted three days prior to the event. Each team should consist of 8 members, with an option for two reserve players, bringing the total number of members per team to 10.
The decision of the organizing committee regarding any dispute in the competition conditions is final. For further information, please contact the Coordinator Mrs. Krisanthi Witharana via 0718412300.
(PMD)
It has been reported that Attorney at Law Rakitha Rajapakshe, the son of former Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over alleged links with the underworld.
… alleges NPP trying to implement UPFA, UNP plan
Front-line Socialist Party (FSP) yesterday (24) alleged that the NPP government’s move to amalgamate the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) and the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), under a unified, tripartite governance framework, would be detrimental to the private sector workers.
Addressing the media at Melder Place, Nugegoda, FSP spokesman Duminda Nagamuwa said that the Cabinet of Ministers approved this proposal on 15 June.
Nagamuwa claimed that the NPP was trying to implement what President Mahinda Rajapaksa had sought to do, in 2011, causing the police to open fire on a group of the Export Processing Zone workers, protesting against the move to create a private pension scheme. A worker, identified as Roshen Chanaka, was shot by police on May 30, 2011, and he succumbed to his injuries.
Pointing out that the EPF and the ETF had been established for the benefit of private sector workers but with different objectives, Nagamuwa warned that amalgamation of the two funds could cause unnecessary complications.
The FSP spokesman said that Ravi Karunanayake, in his capacity as the Finance Minister of the Yahapalana government, in late November 2015 had declared their intention to amalgamate the ETF with the EPF.
FSP’s Pubudu Jayagoda told The Island that they expected all political parties, other than the NPP, to disclose their stand on the vital issue. Jayagoda urged the Opposition to take a stand on the vital issue .
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Opposition yesterday argued in Parliament that the National Environment Amendment Bill was unconstitutional. The Opposition said that it violated the 13th Amendment.
SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa argued that the approval of the Provincial Councils was required for the Bill to go ahead, as it was a subject in the Concurrent List of powers as per the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
The MP also said that the clause which enables the Central Government to file legal actions against Local Government bodies was unconditional as well, since local bodies are included in the Provincial Councils list.
“How can you go ahead at a time when the Provincial Councils do not function properly,” Premadasa questioned.
ITAK MP P. Sathyalingam also raised the issue, but Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, who responded, said the MPs could raise the relevant matters during the debate.
Former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s son arrested by CIABOC
Morocco come back after historic Haiti goals to reach World Cup last 32
Strong earthquake strikes northern Japan
Vinicius nets twice and Neymar returns as Brazil ease by Scotland
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Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
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