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Consul General of Sri Lanka meets Premier of Victoria, Australia
Consul General of Sri Lanka for Victoria, South Australia and The State of Tasmania, Pradeepa Saram met with the Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan MP, at Premier’s Office recently (22).A release from the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne said: The meeting focused on further strengthening cooperation between Victoria State and Sri Lanka particularly in trade & investment, education, cultural and people-to-people connections. Consul General accentuated that education plays a significant role in Victoria’s relationship with Sri Lanka, given the large number of Sri Lankan students studying at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the State. Premier stated that “our ties grow as we welcome more students”. Australia is a popular destination for Sri Lankan students seeking higher education.
Premier specifically underscored the valuable contribution made by the Sri Lankan community for the development of Victoria and to strengthen community harmony. Victoria has the largest Sri Lankan community in Australia, contributing to strong cultural and social connections and the State also has the most dynamic multicultural society in the country. Underscoring the importance of establishing a Community Centre for Sri Lankan community, Consul General appreciated Victoria Government’s recent commitment to allocate a significant portion of funding to support multicultural communities and programs, aiming to benefit culturally diverse Victorians. There are approximately 85,000 Sri Lankans presently living and working in Victoria, Australia.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
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