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Let us unite with unwavering determination to rebuild the nation – President

Published

2 months ago

2025/12/15

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the recent disaster dealt a severe blow to an economy that was being rebuilt steadily and systematically and that in the face of such a challenge, It is the duty of every citizen not to withdraw or remain in hopelessness, but to come together with unwavering determination to restore the nation.

President Dissanayake paid heartfelt tribute to the Sri Lanka Navy for its immense contribution during the disaster, particularly commending its courageous rescue operations at the Kala Oya, where naval personnel risked their own lives to give hope to those trapped by fear of death and saved a large number of lives. He expressed deep gratitude for the Navy’s selfless service and honoured the naval personnel who made the supreme sacrifice while rescuing others.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while addressing the commissioning and passing-out parade held Saturday (13) afternoon at the Trincomalee Naval and Maritime Academy.

Upon his arrival at the Trincomalee Naval and Maritime Academy, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was received with full naval honours.

At the ceremony, eight directly commissioned officers of Intake 2024/03, thirty-three officers of the 40th intake of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and twenty-five officers of the 65th cadet intake of the Trincomalee Naval and Maritime Academy were commissioned.

Awards were presented to senior sailors who demonstrated outstanding performance during training and ceremonial swords were presented to the newly commissioned officers by the President.

The President paid tribute to the naval officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while saving lives in the face of the disaster.

The President also commended the Sri Lanka Navy for its vital role in combating the drug menace, which he described as one of the greatest challenges facing the country today. He reaffirmed the Government’s firm commitment to take every necessary measure to protect the nation from drug trafficking and called upon all citizens to unite in safeguarding the motherland from this threat.

Emphasising the importance of responsibility and duty, President Dissanayake stated that although he himself as the President, the Commander of the Navy and all other officers bear different responsibilities according to their positions, each responsibility is equally vital for a stable and strong state. The President stressed that the nation can move forward only when everyone faithfully discharges the duties entrusted to them and that no profession or responsibility should be regarded as secondary, as each contributes to nation-building.

Expressing appreciation to those who chose to join the Sri Lanka Navy an institution known for its discipline, courage and honour, the President urged the newly commissioned officers to carry out the responsibilities placed upon their shoulders with dedication from today onward. He extended his best wishes to all officers for a successful and distinguished professional career.

The event was attended by Governor of the Eastern Province, Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera, Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (retired), Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe, Inspector General of Police Attorney Priyantha Weerasuriya, senior officers of the Navy and the parents of the newly commissioned officers participated in this event.

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya extended

Published

11 hours ago

2026/02/14

Priyan

The landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation have been extended till 0600 hrs on 15th February 2026.

Accordingly,
The Level II [AMBER] warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Walapane and Nildandahinna in the Nuwar Eliya district and the
Level I [YELLOW] warning issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pathadumbara in the Kandy district have been extended.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and Badulla and Nuwara-Eliya districts

Published

12 hours ago

2026/02/14

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 11.30 a.m. 14 February 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 14 February 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Badulla and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 1.00 p.m. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.

The General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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Teacher recruitment examinations will be conducted in accordance with the relevant court decisions – PM

Published

21 hours ago

2026/02/14

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the forthcoming two teacher recruitment examinations will be conducted in accordance with the relevant court decisions pertaining to the ongoing legal proceedings and further noted that, taking into consideration the requests received, steps have been taken to make a request to Court’s approval to revise the conditions of the effective date of degree completion.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a meeting held at Monaragala Royal College to brief education authorities of the Monaragala District on the new education reforms.

Under the new education reforms, Smart Boards will be provided to 132 schools in the Monaragala District as part of the program to equip secondary schools with modern technology. As a symbolic step under this initiative, Smart Boards were presented to 10 secondary schools under the Prime Minister’s patronage. This program is being implemented with the intervention of the Digital Task Force operating under the Prime Minister’s Office. It was also emphasized that a new digital policy, formulated with special attention to child protection, will be introduced in April.

As part of her visit to the Monaragala District on the 13 th of February, the Prime Minister observed the implementation of the new learning methodologies introduced for Grade One under the new education reforms. She visited Kumbukkana Sri Shanmugam Tamil Maha Vidyalaya and Maduruketiya Maha Vidyalaya in Monaragala to observe the educational activities of Grade One students.

Considering the increase of student numbers and the development of infrastructure facilities, the Prime Minister also approved a proposal submitted by the School Development Society to rename Maduruketiya Maha Vidyalaya as Monaragala Dharmaraja Maha Vidyalaya.

Teachers briefed the Prime Minister that the new education system, supported by revised workbooks and activity-based learning methods, has proven to be effective, with students participating enthusiastically.

Addressing education officials further at the meeting held at Monaragala Royal College, the Prime Minister stated:

“Although this will not provide a complete solution to the existing teacher vacancies, these examinations can offer considerable relief. According to the Court’s previous determination, the effective date of degree completion had been set as 30.06.2025. However, considering numerous requests and following the cabinet approval we have sought Court’s consent to revise this date. We will act in accordance with the decision granted.

Funds allocated for school infrastructure must be utilized transparently and in line with proper planning, and progress must be reported accordingly. We cannot move forward by dividing ourselves along national, provincial, rural, or urban lines. As education authorities, you must make swift and accurate decisions based on correct data.

Further, discussions are already underway within the Piriven Committee of the Ministry of Education to develop Piriven education and to address the issues faced by Piriven teachers.”

The event was attended by the members of the Maha Sangha, Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade and Commerce R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ajith Agalakada, Uva Provincial Education Secretary Nihal Gunarathne, and several officials from the education sector.