News
Australian HC launches professional cookery by VTA towards inclusive skills development in tourism
On the invitation of the Vocational Training Centre (VTA),the High Commissioner of Australia, Paul Stephens, launched a professional cookery project in the presence of delegates, government officials, members of the Chef Guild of Lanka, VTA students, staff, and visitors at the VTA Centre, in Kandy, recently.
A press release said: The launch was designed to mark the commencement of Industry validated Professional Cookery training, now available at key Government training centres, and to support Supreme Chef – Season 3 which is a trademarked initiation of Skills for Inclusive Growth programme (S4IG), with the support of Australian Aid. The reality show experience, in the form of an organised challenge, brings under the spotlight Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, through food experience and culinary art challenges.
The development of professional cooking training acknowledges that these skills require dedication and passion to acquire and master. This is an occupation that can generate many rewards for those that complete the training requirements, enabling higher income employment, opportunities to travel, and culinary journeys that can promote the diversity and uniqueness of Sri Lankan cuisine. The three key objectives of Season 3 include the promotion of the occupation of a Chef as an aspiring profession, supporting tourism recovery and promotion by showcasing untapped tourism destinations, and the promotion of food security by highlighting local foods and ingredients to support improved nutrition and import replacement that supports inclusive economic growth.
During a time that innovative initiatives need to align itself with strategic priorities of the nation, including minimising dependence on food, commodity and ingredient imports, the focus of the launch paid special emphasis on local sourcing and creativity, using ingredients from within Sri Lanka. It was noted that VTA and S4IG had invested many years in building networks with multiple stakeholders of the public and private sector to bring to light this national initiative. Additionally, The Chefs Guild of Lanka was credited for providing masterclasses, judges, and marshals for the training and competition to give the project more industry legitimacy and to ensure industry standards are maintained. This reality show experience aligns with the Presidential declaration of 2021-2030 as the Decade of Skills Development in Sri Lanka. The show is delivered on a national scale and aired on national TV stations Rupavahini and Nethra TV.
High Commissioner Stephens said that Season 1 and 2 of Supreme Chef were limited to four districts and were open to anyone who has the passion in cooking. “Owing to the success of Season 1 and 2, we’ve designed and delivered a national programme that is supported by Training Agencies and Industry and includes an international quality curriculum developed with the leadership and support of the Chefs Guild of Lanka. This is yet another flagship initiative of Australian Aid that supports quality skills development that meets industry needs and provides employment opportunities in Sri Lanka”.
Chulangani Perera, Director General, VTA, said that television, broadcast, and publicity partners have accepted the reality show format as successful and are interested in the brand, trademark, and rights of the show in the future.
Protesting Development Officers continued their hunger strike near the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo yesterday (01), for the seventh consecutive day.The protesters, who are members of the Lanka School Development Officers’ Association, are demanding that they be absorbed into the teacher service as they have served as teachers in state-run schools for nearly seven years.
Secretary of the Association, Viraj Manaranga, said the protesters were seeking an urgent meeting with the President. He added that a presidential aide had visited the protest site and offered to arrange for a meeting with the President on 03 Feb., but the union insisted on an earlier date. Manaranga warned that failure to grant a meeting could trigger a massive protest in Colombo today (02).
Four officers participating in the hunger strike have been hospitalised due to deteriorating health, while two more joined the fast on Saturday (31).
In a bid to raise awareness of their grievances, on 30 January a delegation of the All Island Development Officers’ Association visited Most Venerable
Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, and subsequently with the Chapter’s Registrar, Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera. The prelates said promises that had been made to them should be fulfilled.
The protest began on 26 January as a satyagraha, after authorities failed to respond to repeated requests to integrate the officers into the teaching service. The escalation into a fast-unto-death underscores the protesters’ frustration over the prolonged delay
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The long-vacant post of Auditor General would be filled on 03 Feb., after months of controversy and delays, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said on Friday (31) in Kandy.
The Constitutional Council met at the Parliamentary complex on Friday to discuss the appointment but failed to reach a decision on a suitable candidate. The President had previously proposed four names on four separate occasions, all of which were rejected. The Council is now set to consider the fifth nominee.
The post has remained vacant since April 2025, following the retirement of Chulanta Wickramaratne, who served as the 41st Auditor General. More than 10 months have passed without a permanent appointment.
Sources said a female officer in the Auditor General’s Department has been nominated again, though her previous recommendation was rejected due to some allegations against her.
Meanwhile, senior audit officer Dharmapala Gammanpila, with 31 years of service and the department’s most senior official, has received backing from the Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas, the Maha Sangha, and several civil society groups for appointment as the 42nd Auditor General.
Sources noted that the three civil society representatives on the Constitutional Council will play a crucial role in the final decision.
by Chaminda Silva and SK Samaranayake
Two 18-year-old youth were arrested by the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division on 31 January for allegedly aiding and abetting two murders carried out in Dehiwala and Kohuwala. ICE (crystal meth) was found in their possession at the time of arrest.
The suspects are residents of Mount Lavinia and Boralesgamuwa, according to the police. They are accused of having helped carry out a murder at a hotel in the Dehiwala Police Division on 9 January, 2026, and an attack on a person travelling in a three-wheeler at Bodhiyawatta, Kohuwala, on 12 December, 2025.
Police said the charges included sending photographs of the victims to a criminal living overseas.
Investigations revealed that the youth had acted under the direction of a criminal known as Sando.
Under the guidance of Janaka Kumara, Director of the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division, investigations are being led by Police Inspector Hemanta Kumara, assisted by Sub-Inspectors Prasanna Gunathilaka and Prasanna (40248), and Constables Chaminda (72987), Anil (79598), Kumar (88762), and Senanayake (19363), who are continuing the probe.
by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
China executes four more Myanmar mafia members
No decision yet on ICC meeting to discuss Pakistan boycott
Shoulder injury casts doubt over Eshan Malinga’s T20 World Cup
Showers expected in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Western, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Central provinces
Development Officers threaten to intensify their protest
Auditor General to be appointed tomorrow
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
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