News
Marine Drive extension resumes on Jan 01; southward extension to stretch to Panadura
Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday said that the one-kilometre extension of the Marine Drive from the Colpetty Railway Station to the Hotel Ranmuthu would be resumed on Jan 1 and completed within 60 days.
There is a 300m stretch of the road to be completed, near the US Embassy, and work thereon would commence on 01 Jan. 2021, the Minister said.
Speaking to the media after an inspection tour to the site, Minister Fernando said that when the work was completed the Marine Drive would have a tunnel and an overhead bridge connecting the railway station.
“President Gotabaya Rajapaksa wants this work completed expeditiously to reduce traffic congestion on the Galle Road. The work was suspended due to security concerns with regard to the stretch of the road across the premises of the US Embassy. I met Embassy officials and the matter was sorted out. The work will resume on Jan 01.
The construction work will go on round the clock seven days a week, the Minister said, adding that the Marine Drive would be extended up to Panadura. The project has been designed to expand the existing Marine Drive through an underground tunnel through the Galle Face Green which will then be connected to an elevated highway on the Port City, linking up to the New Kelani Bridge.
Chairman of the Road Development Authority Chaminda Athuluwage, Working Director of RDA Chaminda Basnayake, Project Director K. Selvanathan were also present.
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.
Russia, China raise diplomatic voices against US-Israeli attacks on Iran
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
US embassy in Dubai hit; Israel pounds Tehran, Beirut
Perera, Sugandika, Ranaweera take Sri Lanka to T20I series win over West Indies
Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrives in Colombo
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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