News
Lanka and Australia sign cooperation agreement to improve inclusive growth outcomes in the tourism and hospitality industries
Sri Lanka and Australia signed a cooperation agreement to continue to improve inclusive growth outcomes in the tourism and hospitality industries through innovative skills development and system strengthening. The signing of the agreement coincides with the 75th anniversary of official diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia. Secretary for State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation, Deepa Liyanage and Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka David Holly signed the agreement on behalf of the two countries. The agreement builds on previous cooperation and expands support for the implementation of the Decade of Skills Development 2020-2030. It promotes better skills and better jobs.
The Skills for Inclusive Growth Program (S4IG) is a bilateral initiative of the Australian aid program developed in partnership with the State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research, and Innovation.The program supports the development of quality skills needed to support sustainable and inclusive growth across Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Minister for State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation Dr. Seetha Arambepola said in addition to an expanded geographic reach of the program and an increased inclusion and gender equality focus, the program will contribute towards the development and implementation of policy in collaboration with government, industry, and training providers. Australian High Commissioner David Holly said inclusive vocational education in the hospitality sector is a priority in Sri Lanka, and Australia is pleased to continue this bilateral partnership in support of this critical area of economic growth.
The objectives of S4IG are : Strengthen the enabling environment, specifically national and sub-national governance related to the policy, planning and coordination across skills development to implement new models that address local skills constraints ensuring training delivers what employers and government requires, Support demand for inclusive skills development through improved employment outcomes and MSME business revenues, Support the strengthening of the supply and relevance of skills. This enables the implementation of flexibly delivered, inclusive skills training relevant to both individual employment outcomes and enterprise growth.
A discussion with the Catholic Council was held on Thursday (21) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Science and Technology, Chrishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Discussions focused on administrative issues relating to Catholic schools taken over by the Government, the formulation of a structured teacher cadre system for Catholic religious education, the need to recruit Catholic nuns and priests into the teaching profession and the establishment of a mechanism to obtain the support of the Ministry of Education for the administration of Government-acquired Catholic schools.
It was also decided that discussions with the Catholic Council would be held three times annually, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage would serve as Secretary to the forum.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the Catholic Council, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith thanked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Government for facilitating the discussion.
His Eminence further stated that the expectation was to ensure every student, without discrimination, is given the opportunity to learn his or her own religion and stressed the importance of resolving the prevailing issues within the education sector.
Also present at the occasion were Most Rev. Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Most Rev. Bishop Christy Noel Emmanuel, Most Rev. Bishop Anton Ranjith, Most Rev. Bishop Wimal Siri Jayasuriya, other clergy representing the Catholic Council, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa and senior officials of the Ministry of Education.
(PMD)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to broaden the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which was launched last year. Unlike the inaugural edition held in November 2025 that featured eight Associate teams, the second edition will comprise 10 teams, including five Test-playing nations. The tournament is scheduled to be held in November this year.
Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE, which arrived in Colombo (21 May 2026) on a replenishment visit, departed the island today (22 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the departing ship in compliance with naval traditions at the port of Colombo.
During her brief stay in Colombo, the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Antonio BUFIS called on the Commander Western Naval Area at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Catholic Council reconvenes after nine years
ICC to widen Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy
Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE departs following replenishment visit
PM meets Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations
Tennessee execution called off after failed lethal injection
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features6 days agoSri Lankan Airlines Airbus Scandal and the Death of Kapila Chandrasena and my Brother Rajeewa
-
News7 days agoLanka’s eligibility to draw next IMF tranche of USD 700 mn hinges on ‘restoration of cost-recovery pricing for electricity and fuel’
-
News6 days agoKapila Chandrasena case: GN phone records under court scrutiny
-
News6 days agoRupee slide rekindles 2022 crisis fears as inflation risks mount
-
Features3 days agoOctopus, Leech, and Snake: How Sri Lanka’s banks feast while the nation starves
-
Business6 days agoExpansion of PayPal services in Sri Lanka officially announced
-
News2 days agoSteps underway to safeguard Sri Lanka’s maritime heritage
-
News6 days agoCourt orders further arrests in alleged USD 42 Mn NDB fraud case