News

‘EU Support for Peaceful and Inclusive Society’ project underway

Published

4 years ago

2022/10/28

The European Union (EU) Delegation in Sri Lanka and the Maldives together with its implementing partners have organised a series of activities under the broader campaign of ‘EU Support for a Peaceful and Inclusive Society’ at the Independence Arcade, Colombo 7 from yesterday till 11 November 2022. The exhibition space will be open to the public from 1 pm to 6 pm on weekdays and 9.30am to 6pm on Saturdays.

Speaking about the campaign, EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Denis Chaibi stated: “for the European Union, inclusion, solidarity and human dignity are fundamental values, because they serve peace, our ultimate goal. Thus, an inclusive and peaceful society is one of the two priorities of the EU’s cooperation with Sri Lanka from 2021 to 2027. We hope this campaign, through art and dialogue will foster an enabling environment that promotes peace, solidarity and unity in diversity.”

Visitors can view the art exhibits of the winning entries including those shortlisted from the Art for Peace children’s virtual art competition that was held in June this year, as part of Europe Day celebrations. This will be complemented by art workshops conducted by three renowned and talented artists.

The venue also hosts the EU-funded photographic exhibition Thé Kahata, organised by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), which features creative visual images captured by youth from the plantation community, and Costumes Speak, an exhibition that explores different social influences on Rukada puppetry and the role different communities play in shaping artistic traditions.An interactive digital library consisting of audio and visual materials of the numerous initiatives of the EU funded projects is available for guests to access and indulge in.

The campaign on EU Support for a Peaceful and Inclusive Society, commenced with a jazz music tour across three key cities in Sri Lanka in celebration of the European Day of Languages in partnership with the Embassis of Switzerland, Italy, France, Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut and the British Council.

This was followed by Threads on Threads: An International Conference on Textiles in Sri Lanka, South Asia and Europe, organised in partnership with the Threads of History Museum and Lanka Decorative Arts, as an initiative of the EU Cultural Heritage Series.

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News

Animal Welfare Draft Bill to be Gazetted

Published

57 mins ago

2026/06/24

Priyan

A specialists committee has been appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation adhering to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 29.12.2025 for submitting appropriate recommendations analyzing the provisions of the draft bill formulation in regard to Animal Welfare.

Based on the recommendations of the said Committee, the Legal Draftsman has been instructed at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 18.05.2026 to prepare the final bill on the animal welfare.

Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the draft bill and the clearance of the Attorney General has been received in the connection.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to publish the said draft bill in the
Government Gazette Notification and subsequently forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.

News

Legal provisions on marking voters using indelible ink during elections removed

Published

1 hour ago

2026/06/24

Priyan

Under the legal provisions for elections in this country since 2004, it is mandatory for voters who come to mark their votes to verify their identity through a valid identity card, and it is also mandatory for all such voters to be marked with an appropriate mark using indelible ink. The dual purpose of these two functions is to prevent a voter from voting more than once in a single election.

It has been observed that having to follow two different
methods at the same time to achieve the same objective hinders the efficiency of the duties performed at the polling stations and also incurs additional costs to the government.

Therefore, it has been deemed appropriate to remove the legal provisions regarding the use of indelible ink and marking the voter with the appropriate mark from all election acts.

Accordingly, the development activities of the province, as well as national security, will benefit. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the
President to take necessary steps to remove the legal provisions

• Section 36 of the presidential Election Act, No 15 of 1981
• Section 38 of the Parliamentary Election Act, No 01 of 1981
• Section 36 of the Provincial Council Election Act, No 02 of 1988
• Section 53 A of the Local Government Elections Ordinance (262 Authority)
• Section 21 of the Referendum Act No 7 of 1981

News

Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/24

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 24 JUNE 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 24 June 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expectedat times over the Western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.