News
Paediatrician: Children need to be protected not only from heat but also dust
Education Ministry direct school principals to postpone all sports events
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Health officials say a significant number of children are experiencing respiratory problems due to high levels of dust particles in the environment.
Consultant Paediatrician at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Dr. Deepal Perera, advises that the elderly and pregnant women should also exercise caution. When the environmental temperature approached the body’s natural temperature of approximately 37 degrees Celsius, individuals tended to perspire more.
“It’s essential to replenish both sodium and water levels. Otherwise, you may experience dehydration, loss of appetite, nausea, body pains, and other symptoms that hinder productivity. Engaging in sports, under direct sunlight, increases the risk of heat exhaustion. Additionally, the high levels of dust in the air pose further challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha, said the Education Ministry had instructed school principals to postpone all sportsmeets until after the Sinhala and Tamil New year.
Athula Karunanayake, the Director General of Meteorology, attributed the dry weather to El Niño. He noted that although some rainfall was expected between 21 and 24 March, but that would not be sufficient to alleviate the intense heat.
News
Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.
She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.
The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations. 
The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.
Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.
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Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Free 14 day visa extension for visitors unable to depart Sri Lanka
US embassy in Dubai hit; Israel pounds Tehran, Beirut
Perera, Sugandika, Ranaweera take Sri Lanka to T20I series win over West Indies
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