News
New Chaplain for Army Christian Fellowship
Rev Fr (Dr) Noel Dias, Senior Lecturer in Law (Retd) of the University of Colombo, Lecturer Sri Lanka Law College, Chaplain, Catholic Lawyers’ Guild and the newly-inducted Chaplain for Army Christian Fellowship Thursday paid a courtesy call on General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army at the Army Headquarters, and army news release said.
The incoming Chaplain was warmly received at the Commander’s office where a cordial exchange of views and pleasantries ensued.
“We are very pleased to have you as the new Chaplain for Christian affairs in the Army Christian Fellowship, and the Army in the same spirit would like to reciprocate by giving all our support for development of your religious establishments or the community as ours is an outfit of all faiths. The Army with its professional engineering resources is always prepared to lend our expertise for renovations of churches and other religious establishments through which our bonds of goodwill can further be strengthened. We are always willing to give our maximum cooperation for community projects the church could organize by way of medical camps, self-help projects, relief services, etc in addition to the technical support that can be given to constructions and renovations. In short, our manpower expertise and resources can be made available for development of all religious faiths in the country on request. Your new affiliation in the Army would certainly serve a boost in this regard”, the Commander of the Army had said, according the news release.
Rev Fr (Dr) Dias expressing his warm sentiments thanked General Shavendra Silva for his frank assurances that could help forge and revitalized religious amity in the country and maintained that the Church too could closely work with the Army for its future spiritual development projects.
At the end of the interaction, General Shavendra Silva added memories to his new assignment and awarded a special memento to Rev Fr (Dr) Noel Dias before his departure.
Prior to Rev Fr (Dr) Noel Dias, Rev. Heshan De Silva of the Baptist Association served as the Chaplain of the Army Christian Fellowship. In the past also, the Chaplain Rev Fr (Dr) Noel Dias coordinated Christian affairs in the organization has supported the conduct of religious congregations for Army members of Christian faith, the release said.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
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PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
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