News
Annual Indonesian festival on 28 June
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka-Indonesia Friendship Association (SLIFA), will host the Indonesian Festival & Bazaar 2025 on Saturday, 28th June, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Indonesian Embassy premises, located at 400/50, Sarana Road, Colombo 07.
Now in its fourth consecutive year, the Indonesian Festival & Bazaar 2025 is a vibrant cultural celebration aimed at fostering closer ties between Indonesia and Sri Lanka. This year’s event promises a dynamic cultural showcase, with performances by Indonesian and Sri Lankan artists, including the Sri Lanka Police Cultural Troupe.
Attendees can look forward to a colourful evening of traditional and contemporary dance, music, and entertainment.
As part of the Indonesian Festival & Bazaar 2025, there will also be a special photo and video exhibition highlighting key moments from the historic Asian-African Conference held in 1995, offering visitors a glimpse into the spirit of unity and cooperation that shaped the region’s diplomatic history.
The bazaar will feature over 35 stalls offering a wide array of items from both countries, including authentic cuisine, handicrafts, clothing, household goods, cosmetics, and decorative items—making it a must-visit event for families and culture enthusiasts alike.
All proceeds from the festival will be directed towards SLIFA’s ongoing charitable initiatives.
Last year’s event, held on 10th August, 2024, under the theme “Indonesian Festival”, attracted over 2,000 attendees and enabled SLIFA to carry out the following community service projects:
* Distribution of shoes to underprivileged students at Hendunuwewa Primary School, Kotmale.
* Donation of essential musical items to the Riversheen School of Music, which supports a group of visually impaired youth striving for independence, through music.
These initiatives were undertaken under the guidance and support of Indonesian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dewi Gustina Tobing, President of SLIFA Nihal Jayasuriya, and the SLIFA Executive Committee.
The Indonesian Festival & Bazaar 2025 promises to be an exciting and meaningful event for the whole family—celebrating friendship, culture, and compassion.
We warmly welcome the public to join us in this celebration. (HG)
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
-
Latest News7 days agoGold winner Tharanga gets brand-new Honda Vezel from SLAAJ
-
News6 days agoUS-assisted ‘Ice’ detection: NPC to examine IGP’s move to transfer drug-busting team
-
Features7 days agoWhy Sri Lanka needs an Inclusive Civic Nationalism – urgently
-
Editorial5 days agoColombo Port drug bust: The plot thickens
-
News7 days agoCivil society activist accuses govt. of favouring Ven. Gnanasara
-
Midweek Review7 days agoDappula’s Easter Sunday ‘grand conspiracy’ claim demolished
-
Editorial7 days agoWhen crime bosses rise above law and shrines
-
Editorial6 days agoDrug busting, transfers and trust deficit
