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Picketing campaign at Zoo put off

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By Ifham Nizam

Dehiwela National Zoological Gardens Trade Union yesterday decided to postpone a protest scheduled for today after the Ministry Secretary agreed to meet them to discuss a plan to shift the zoo to Piliyandala.

The meeting would be held on August 31, an official said.

Annually, the Dehiwela zoo attracts more than 1.4 million visitors and generates nearly Rs. 175 million in revenue.

The Island

learns that the Ministry of Tourism has appointed an Expert Committee to provide input on shifting the National Zoological Gardens from Dehiwala to Piliyandala.

The committee’s report should be submitted in the next few weeks.

According to Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi a 70-acre plot of land has been identified in the Piliyandala are.

He said the government was keen on shifting the animals to a more spacious place. Special attention had been paid to the proposal made to move the Dehiwala Zoo to the Kahapola in Piliyandala, according to Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.

The Minister has gone on record as saying that the practice of watching animals locked in cages should be abandoned.

He made these remarks at a recent discussion with officials of the Department of Zoology and Botanical Gardens, at his ministry.



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Members of the National Student Parliament meet PM

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Members of the National Student Parliament met Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Monday [02nd of February] at Temple Trees.

The representatives of the National Student Parliament, representing schools from across the island, visited the Temple Trees following their visit to the Presidential Secretariat and the Parliament.

Expressing her views on the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated,

“The new education reforms were recently initiated starting from Grade One. Discussions are currently underway to include students entering Grade Six this year into the new education reform process in the future. The education reforms will not be halted, and the government is committed to implementing them in a systematic manner without shortcomings”.

She further noted that the reforms are being carried out under five main pillars, with the government’s key objective being to reduce disparities and provide children with quality education, while also nurturing a socially responsible community enriched with human values such as compassion, love for the environment, and a strong sense of civic responsibility.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Director of Education Kasun Gunarathne, along with officials from the Ministry of Education and representatives of the National Student Parliament.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Mrs. I.J. Aberathne appointed Director General of the Department of Trade and Investment Policy

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, to appoint Mrs. I.J. Aberathne to the post of Director General of the Department of Trade and Investment Policy with immediate effect.

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Cabinet gives green light to provide equipment for the promotion of Aesthetic Education in schools

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Although the teaching of art subjects such as music, dance, art, and drama under aesthetic education continues in the Sri Lankan school system, it has been observed that there is a severe shortage of equipment required for this purpose in many schools. Furthermore, a situation concerning the lack of modern equipment suitable for the needs of the children has also arisen, and it has been reported that most equipment available at present is outdated and dilapidated. It has been observed that this condition has an adverse effect on the quality of the aesthetic education and overall personality development of the children.

Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution presented by the Prime Minister in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education to implement a project for supplying aesthetic equipment for the promotion of aesthetic education in schools under an estimated cost of Rs. 1,215 million during the period of 2026 to 2028.

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