News

Press Council gets new Chairman and three board members

Published

5 days ago

2025/04/5

Mahesha Mudugamuwa accepting the letter of appointment

The appointment of a new chairperson and three board members to the Sri Lanka Press Council was carried out recently under the leadership of the Minister of Health and Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, at the Ministry of Media.

Priyan R. Wijebandara was appointed Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Press Council.

Dr. Anushka Kandegama, a sociologist, Mahesha Mudugamuwe, a senior lawyer and media professional, and Devadasan Sendilvelawar, a senior journalist, were also appointed as board members.

Priyan R. Wijebandara, the newly appointed Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Press Council, holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Kelaniya and a Master’s degree in Media Studies from the University of Colombo. He also holds an advanced diploma in English for Administration and Academic Purposes from the University of Colombo and is currently pursuing a diploma in filmmaking at the National Film Corporation. He has served as an external lecturer at the University of Colombo, Sabaragamuwa University, and Peradeniya University. Wijebandara has over 25 years of experience in the print and online media, having worked as a communications specialist and researcher for various projects funded by the World Bank. He is also an award-winning writer and critic.

Dr. Anushka Kandegama, appointed as a board member, is a sociologist who completed her PhD in Social Science at Otago University. She holds additional qualifications in Social Science from the University of Colombo and a Master’s degree in Sociology. Dr. Kandegama has worked as a researcher in peacebuilding and gender studies, and has been an external lecturer at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute and the Open University of Sri Lanka.

Mahesha Mudugamuwa, an experienced lawyer and media professional, with over a decade of expertise in the field, currently works as a news editor at The Sunday Morning newspaper. She was a journalist at The Island. She has been involved in investigative journalism and news reporting and was selected to represent Sri Lanka in the US International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) in 2024. She has also participated in numerous training programmes in countries such as India, Singapore, Thailand, and Japan. Mudugamuwa’s international experience includes serving as a fellow for media collaboration programmes in Yokohama, Japan, and the Foreign Press Centre Japan (FPCJ) in 2015, where she gained valuable insight into global governance and disaster management.

Devadasan Sendilvelawar, with over three decades of experience in the media industry, serves as the chief editor of Thinakaran Daily and Thinakaran Varamanjari Weekly publications. He has received training in journalism from several countries, including the US, Germany, Hong Kong, India, and Malaysia. Sendilvelawar has also held the position of president of the All Lanka Tamil Media Journalists’ Association and is an accomplished writer and translator.

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Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail

Published

5 hours ago

2025/04/9

Priyan

A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.

During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.

Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.

The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.

The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.

News

Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]

Published

10 hours ago

2025/04/9

Priyan

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Sajith asks govt. to submit its MoUs with India to Parliament

Published

14 hours ago

2025/04/9

Sahan Weerasooriya

Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).

Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.

The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.

The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.

Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.

By Shamindra Ferdinando