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Lanka to develop Trincomalee with India, joint task force in the offing: President
ECONOMYNEXT – The Government plans to develop the Eastern province collaborating with India making Trincomalee into a national and regional hub for industry, energy and economic activity, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.
Trincomalee would also be connected to Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and Dambulla.
“Since India has the lead to develop industries in the province and industrial zone should be created,” President Wickremesinghe told parliament.
“The port therefore would also be connected and we are planning to establish a joint task force for this purpose.”
India is already developing a tank farm in Trincomalee. There were several agreements with India.
“It is important that we work together with India when developing Eastern province ports, by having discussions on several programs in that region,” President Wickremesinghe said.
“With Trincomalee being the core, India’s assistance as our closest neighbor in implementing Trincomalee district development project is of immense value to Sri Lanka.”
Cultural triangle cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla could be a natural route to boost tourists to Beachfront cities of Batticaloa, Arugam Bay and Trincomalee.The cabinet of ministers had also approved Singapore’s Surbana Jurong for a tourism plan from Verugal Aru to Arugam Bay.
In the north three industrial zones would be developed in Kankasanthurai, Mankulam A memorandum of understanding had been signed with India to develop solar and wind power.Pooneryn in the North will be developed as the main town in renewable energy production.
India’s Adani has come forward as one of the investors, he said.There has been concern raised over Adani being given power purchase agreement without competitive bidding at high prices.
Controversy erupts over pricing on unsolicited Adani wind power projectLegislators also raised queries over some Indian involvement.However President Wickremesinghe said no country can for forward alone, especially when recovering from a crisis.
It has been reported that a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 Helicopter has crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir this morning.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 4.00 p.m. 08 May 2025, valid for 09 May 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 and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
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 in the above table and it 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.
News
EC asks winners to name heads of majority-controlled LG institutions; bargaining continues in hung councils
Chairman of the Election (EC) Commission R. M. A. L. Ratnayake said yesterday that the EC would direct the political parties and independent groups that have secured absolute majorities in local government bodies to name the heads of those institutions.
The ruling NPP and the Opposition parties are vying for control of the hung local councils including the Colombo MC. Both the NPP and the SJB have offered to coalesce with independent groups to muster majorities.
Ratnayake said that notifications would be sent to the General Secretaries of parties and independent groups that have won local government bodies with a majority of more than 50% of the vote.
The results of the 2025 Local Government election held on Tuesday (6) were released on Wednesday (7).
The NPP won 266 out of 339 local government institutions. The SJB and the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi won 13 and 37 councils respectively. Independent groups and regional Tamil political parties won the other councils.
However, the winners have failed to secure more than 50% of seats in a majority of the local government institutions.Ratnayake said that the members elected to local government institutions at the ward level would be officially gazetted in the coming days.
The heads of the non-majority councils will be elected by their members. The government and the Opposition are accusing each other of using financial inducements to make some councilors switch their allegiance ahead of the election of the heads of the hung local councils.
The NPP has said it is confident of forming stable administrations in 134 local councils, but the Opposition is of the view that the NPP will not be able to do so in about 186 councils.
Bell 212 helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya reservoir
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
Showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.
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