Connect with us

Latest News

It is the Government’s priority to enable opportunities in the New World for all Children equally – Prime Minister

Published

on

Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that it is the Government’s priority to create an environment that enables all children, without discrimination, to access the opportunities in the modern world and to confidently pursue their dreams.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Annual Prize-Giving Ceremony for the year 2025 at St. Bernadette’s Model School, Kurunegala, during an education inspection tour in the Kurunegala District on Thursday [18 June 2026].

During the event, prizes were awarded to students who had demonstrated outstanding achievements in various subjects and grades during the year 2025 by the Prime Minister.

The official school newspaper of St. Bernadette’s Model school, titled “Adarsha Prabha,” was also launched on this occasion.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister stated:

“When we visit schools like this and meet children and teachers such as yourselves, it strengthens our determination to ensure that education in our country is elevated to the highest standards. We want to see schools where children’s faces reflect happiness and where they are nurtured in an environment of love and care.

As a country, we face numerous challenges. After a prolonged period of economic downturn, we are now gradually restoring stability. Global and climate-related challenges also affect us as a nation. We can overcome these challenges if we work collectively.

We are implementing our plans with the objective of bringing about a transformation in the education sector. This goes beyond curriculum development to a broad range of initiatives, including the strengthening of human resources and infrastructure within the education sector, thereby creating pathways for children to thrive in the new world. We must ensure that every child feels that the opportunities of the modern world are open to them and has the confidence needed to pursue their aspirations.

We are moving forward with many new reforms in the education sector. Efforts are underway to facilitate education through digitalization and the introduction of new subjects. Further, we aim to provide students with quality education by strengthening teacher training processes”.

Following the event, the Prime Minister undertook an inspection visit to St. Bernadette’s Model Primary School, Kurunegala.

The Prime Minister also visited Ridibendiella Gajanegama Maha Vidyalaya, Mahawa, where the Prime Minister held a discussion with the school’s academic staff. During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed her appreciation to the teachers who remain dedicated to providing education to children in the area despite challenging circumstances.

The occasion was attended by the Governor of the North Western Province Tissa Warnasuriya; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne; Kurunegala District Members of Parliament Ashoka Gunasekara and Geetha Herath; Chairman of the Kurunegala Pradeshiya Sabha M.A. Wimalasiri; Chairman of the Mahawa Pradeshiya Sabha Sumedha Kumara; Chief Secretary to the Ministry of the North Western Province Chandana Wanninayake; other government officials; and representatives of the North Western Provincial Education Authorities.


[Prime Minister’s Media Division]



Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Munoz sends Colombia into World Cup knockouts with 1-0 win over DR Congo

Published

on

By

Daniel Munoz celebrates scoring the winning goal for Colombia during the 2026 World Cup Group K match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan [Aljazeera]

Daniel Munoz has fired ‌Colombia into the World Cup round of 32 with a ⁠1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of the ⁠Congo in Group K after goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had threatened to turn the match into a night of frustration.

Munoz struck the winner from the right ⁠side of the penalty area in the 76th minute on Tuesday, finally beating Mpasi, who had repeatedly denied Colombia with an inspired performance.

Colombia, who opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, commanded possession and created numerous chances.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group K - Colombia v DR Congo - Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico - June 23, 2026 Colombia's Daniel Munoz celebrates scoring their first goal with Luis Diaz and Juan Quintero REUTERS/Raquel Cunha
Colombia’s Daniel Munoz celebrates with Luis Diaz and Juan Quintero after scoring a goal [Aljazeera]

James Rodriguez, making his 10th World Cup appearance to equal the Colombian record jointly held by Freddy Rincon and Carlos Valderrama, forced Mpasi into action with a powerful strike in the 11th minute.

The goalkeeper stood firm, repelling efforts ‌from Jhon Arias and winger Luis Diaz, who came close to breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute, controlling a chipped pass inside the penalty area, turning smartly, and firing a shot goal-wards, only for Mpasi to save it with his foot.

The African side, buoyed by their opening 1-1 deaw with Portugal, threatened sporadically through Edo Kayembe, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa, but lacked a clinical finish.

By half-time, Colombia had registered 15 ⁠shots, including six on target, with nine of their 10 ⁠outfield players attempting efforts.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group K - Colombia v DR Congo - Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico - June 23, 2026 Colombia's Luis Diaz has his shot saved by DR Congo's Lionel Mpasi REUTERS/Raquel Cunha
Colombia’s Luis Diaz has his shot saved by DR Congo’s Lionel Mpasi [Aljazeera]

In the stands, DR Congo had support from Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the team’s famous “living statue” fan, who made his World Cup debut after missing the opener against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine requirements.

Colombia resumed ⁠on the front foot after the break, with Diaz forcing another fine save from Mpasi in the 51st minute before Arias dragged ⁠the rebound wide.

Wissa almost snatched the lead for DR Congo ⁠in the 73rd minute, when his shot from Simon Banza’s assist was blocked, but Colombia struck shortly after through Munoz.

Diaz later thought he had doubled the advantage with a finish into the top corner, only for the ‌effort to be ruled out for offside.

Colombia moved to six points from two matches and guaranteed their progress to the knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Portugal, ‌who beat Uzbekistan 5-0 earlier on Tuesday.

DR Congo remained on one point and will need a result against Uzbekistan to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group K - Colombia v DR Congo - Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico - June 23, 2026 DR Congo fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, also known as Lumumba Vea in the stands during the match REUTERS/Daniel Becerril TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
DR Congo fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, also known as Lumumba Vea, in the stands during the match [Aljazeera]

[Aljazeera]

Continue Reading

Latest News

July 6th declared as Sri Lanka National Legal Aid Day

Published

on

By

The Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka was established under the Legal Aid Act No. 27 of 1978 with the objective of facilitating access to justice for all citizens, including vulnerable groups and marginalized persons.

The commission makes a significant contribution to the protection of fundamental rights through the provision of legal aid services promotion of legal awareness, strengthening the rule of law and promoting access to justice.

It has been identified the appropriateness of declaring a National Legal Aid Day to enhance the public awareness of legal rights and remedies, facilitate a national dialogue on law enforcement and enhance the public understanding of the importance of legal services.

Accordingly, having ratified the legal Aid Act No.27 of  1978, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to declare July 06th as the National Legal Aid Day.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Appointment of a special Committee for protection of lands in Eastern Province

Published

on

By

A series of political, economic, and administrative problems in the Eastern Province have arisen due to the misuse of government power and political patronage, as well as illegal land grabbing, unauthorized land grabbing, and unauthorized constructions along the coastline.

As a result, the natural ecosystem of the region has been severely endangered, and these informal and illegal human activities have also become a major factor in the rapid creation of severe soil erosion along the entire eastern coastal area.

Furthermore, despite 16 years having passed since the end of the civil war, the lack of a formal program to permanently resettle the displaced people and the deviation from common criteria in the formation of the administrative structure have had a direct impact on the development activities of the province, as well as national security.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the  President to implement the following proposals and find prompt and permanent solutions to the aforementioned problems, take legal action and  strengthen institutional coordination.

• Appointing a committee by the name of “Protecting Eastern Province Lands’ with the chairmanship of the former Land Commissioner of the Southern Province and current Local Government Commissioner of the Southern Province, Senaka Palliyaguruge, and comprising of representatives of relevant institutions.

• Establishing of a special unit headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police and granting of full powers to the security forces to stop unauthorized land acquisitions and land reclamations carried out using political power.

• Taking over the government lands that were provided by the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority 05 years ago, to the government where no project has been implemented so far.

• Handing over the acquired lands to the Divisional Secretaries to use for the development activities of the people under a formal program.

• Preparing of a formal plan to promote the tourism industry by utilizing the high potential of the eastern coastline while protecting the coastal system.

• Formulating a mechanism to ensure that the government officials implement the law impartially and transparently when operating hotels along the eastern coastal area.

Continue Reading

Trending