News
GL discusses with Governors how to improve education system
Prof. Peiris stresses a point during the discussion (Pic courtesy Education Ministry)
Having assumed office, Professor G. L. Peiris, Minister of Education on Monday (17) discussed with provincial Governors how to improve the educational system across the country.
Particular emphasis was placed on the organisation of a series of consultations with stakeholders, including principals and teachers of schools, parents, students, public officials and civil society organizations on the revision of curricula and teaching methods.
The Minister said that the government’s approach was bottom-up rather than top-down with regard to the formulation and implementation of policy, hence the critical importance of the fullest range of consultations and gathering of responses before decisions were made.
The discussion included links between the content of education and employment opportunity, lateral entry into programs of vocational education at different stages of the education process, and more extended use of online educational programs likely to receive greater acceptance in the post-COVID situation.
Those participating included Governor of North Western Province Mahipala Herath, Governor of Western Province Roshan Goonetileke, Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Governor of Central Province Lalith U. Gamage, Governor of Wayamba Province A.J.M. Muzammil, Governor of Sothern Province Willy Gamage, Governor of Eastern Province Anuradha Yahampath, Governor of Uva Province Raja Kollure, and Governor of Northern Province P.S.M. Charles.
Others present were Minister Piyal Nishantha de Silva (Women and Child Development, Pre-School and Primary Education, School Infrastructure and School Services), Minister Vijitha Berugoda (Dhamma Schools, Bhikku Education, Pirivenas and Buddhist Universities) and Minister Seetha Arambepola (Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation).
A number of other senior officers from the ministry of education also participated in this occasion.
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.
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
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.
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Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
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