News
Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships awarded to 150 students
The prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships were awarded to 150 Advanced Level school students from all 25 districts across Sri Lanka by G L Peiris, Minister of Education of Sri Lanka, and High Commissioner Gopal Baglay, at a special ceremony held at the Ministry of Education, on February 11, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said.
Minister G.L. Pieris in his speech lauded the values of Mahatma Gandhi who lived what he preached and how he fought against the powerful British in the last century using non-violence as a weapon. Sharing his experience of his recent visit to Jaffna and Killinochchi in the Northern Province where he had seen how the different communities live together without differences, he advised the students to follow this principle when they grow up. He thanked the Government of India for the help it extends in different fields to Sri Lanka.
Congratulating students for their achievement, the High Commissioner assured Sri Lankans in general and young students, in particular, that the Indian people, the Indian Government and the High Commission of India would always stand with them. Drawing parallel between the great Buddha and Mahatma, he stated that the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi still holds good in the fast changing world. Reminding that India and Sri Lanka have close cultural links, he advised the young students to utilize the opportunities available in India, which is a large country in terms of Education as well as career. He expressed confidence that the young students of Sri Lanka would be a great source of strength for both India and Sri Lanka in future.
Apart from Mahatma Gandhi scholarships, the High Commission of India offers around 750 scholarships annually in various fields including Engineering, Technology, Arts, Science, Para-medical courses, Indigenous medicine, etc. to Sri Lankan students. Thousands of seats are also on offer for Sri Lankan students in many highly regarded institutions of India under “Study in India”.
For more details on the scholarship programmes and other educational assistance, please visit the High Commission of India’s website www.hcicolombo.gov.in
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
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