News
EU funds three year project to enhance relations among communities
Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum and Helvetas Sri Lanka recently arranged a group of undergraduates from the University of Peradeniya to visit Jaffna. It has been arranged in terms of a three-year project ‘InSPIRE’ funded by European Union.
Fourteen young undergraduates accompanied by Dr. J.M.P.N. Anuradha, lecturer, Department of Agricultural Extension, visited Jaffna to learn and experience the Hindu culture. The organisers said that the visitors from the South had an opportunity to meet 11 undergraduate students from the University of Jaffna. They participated in a field trip.
The atmosphere had been so vibrant the female students from the South wore “pottu” D. Mohanraj, a second nd Year Media student from University of Jaffna said, “I was surprised and overwhelmed when the sisters from the University of Peradeniya came to the hall with pottu on their foreheads. This created a great bond. It is a way of showing respect to the others’ culture and promote pluralism in the country.”
They visited, the Nallur Kovil, Naga Viharaya, Dambakolapatuna, Jaffna Fort and Jaffna Library. “This tour was a novel experience. It was my first visit to Dambakolapatuna and Buddhist temples in Jaffna. There was no language barrier in communicating with each other. We sang songs of both Tamil and Sinhala languages and danced,” said Pradeep Raj, a 2nd Year student from University of Jaffna.
“Before I participated in this programme, I thought it would be hard to communicate with my Tamil speaking friends. But it was amazing how we communicated our feelings and thoughts even without speaking the same language. Language was not a barrier for us, as we all were thinking of sharing and caring”, said Thisumi Weerasinghe, from the Department of Agriculture Extension, University of Peradeniya. This was the sentiment of many students from the Peradeniya University. They were amazed to see how friendly and welcoming the Hindu students are and how ready they were to start a bond that will last a lifetime.
The organisers said: The purpose of the inter-university/district exchange activity is to promote pluralism and diversity while developing a meaningful network among the future journalists in different universities. The InSPIRE project aspires to create and activate an innovative, socially responsible network of 350 future journalists and media professionals by empowering them in many ways to be active in the digital media sphere while being sensitive to the various important issues in the Sri Lankan society.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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