News
PM chief guest at prize awarding ceremony of Art and Animation Video competition themed “EMPOWERING CHILDREN AND YOUTH FOR BRIGHT FUTURE WITHOUT DRUGS”
Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya presided over the prize awarding ceremony of Art and Animation Video competition, at the Navy Headquarters. Organized by the Task Force to Combat the Use of Poisonous and Dangerous Drugs, on Friday (29th November 2024)
The competition was held for school children and the youth community and was organized by the Task Force to Combat the Use of Poisonous and Dangerous Drugs in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Science & Technology, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Colombo Plan and Dialog Axiata PLC.under the theme of “EMPOWERING CHILDREN AND YOUTH FOR BRIGHT FUTURE WITHOUT DRUGS” The Art competition was divided into two categories: the first for students in grades 6 to 8, and the second for students in grades 9 to 11. The Animation Video competition was divided into two categories as well. The first for students in Grades 10 to 13, and the second for participants aged 19 to 30.
Kavitma Induvarani of Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy, claimed first place in the art competition for students in grades 6 to 8. Sadwani Liyanaarachchi of Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo, secured second place, while Janilya Tennakoon of Vishvoda College, Kurunegala, took third.
Meanwhile, Vichith Manavage from Dharmaloka Vidyalaya, Palamadulla, secured first place in the Art competition for students from grades 9 to 11. Ishara Madhushanka of Bengamuwa Secondary School, Matara, claimed second place, while Hilmi Muhammad U Hakeel of Methai Palli Vidyalayam, Batticaloa, took third place.
In the Animation Video Competition for students from grades 10 to 13, the team from Medirigama Maha Vidyalaya, Mawanella—comprising Isuru Dimagi Bakmeedeniya, Thushari Deeshana Weerasekera, Shadisa Thilakshi Senanayake, and Metshadi Ushara Kumarasinghe secured first place. Navodya Kumara of Rathnaloka Vidyalaya, Matugama, claimed second place, while Pasandu Ranulka Watawala of St. Mary’s College, Matugama, earned third place.
Also, in the Animation Video competition held for the age group of 20 to 30 years, the first place was won by Lakshani Bhagya Weerasinghe, the second place was won by Navodi Malsha Harishchandra and the third place was won by Dasun Prabhath Chandrasena. The Prime Minister awarded the winners with their prizes and certificates.
To recognize and encourage young talent, merit certificates were awarded to 20 participants of the Art Competition, categorized into two groups, and 13 participants of the Animation Video Competition. The certificates were presented by Dr. Lakshmi Somatunga, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media; Indika Vanninayake, Chairman of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board; . Varuna Alahakoon, Director of Aesthetic Education at the Ministry of Education; and Benjamin P. Reyes, Secretary General of the Colombo Plan.
Commissioner General of Prisons, . Thushara Upuldeniya, representatives of Dialog Axiata PLC, winners and certificate recipients, parents, senior officials of Navy Headquarters and Western Naval Command were present on this occasion.
Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Sindurala arrived at the port of Visakhapatnam in India on 17 September 2026, to participate in the bilateral naval exercise ‘SLINEX – 2026’.
The Indian Navy formally welcomed the SLN vessel upon its arrival, adhering to naval traditions.
The joint exercise will take place on 20 and 21 September in the seas off the east coast of India. On 18 September, the Commanding Officer SLNS Sindurala, Captain Sunanda Appuhamy, held official discussions with Commander Suraj Aiyappa, Commanding Officer Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kavaratti, aboard both vessels.
The annual exercise aims to enhance cooperation, interoperability, and professional exchange between the two navies. During the exercise, crew members from SLNS Sindurala will also participate in several professional and cultural exchanges organized by the Indian Navy.
Advisory for strong winds and rough seas for Multi-day boats in the Bay of Bengal deep sea areas
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 05.00 p.m. 18 September 2026, valid for the next 24 hours.
PLEASE BE AWARE!
The atmospheric disturbance to the North of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, is likely to develop into a low pressure area within the next 24 hours.
Due to its influence, wind speed over the Bay of Bengal sea areas will increase during the next few days starting from
tomorrow (19th).
The wind speed in the sea areas marked under the “Advisory” category on the map below will increase to 55-65 kmph at times and those sea areas will be rough or very rough at times.
Navel and fishing communities engaging the activities over this sea area are advised to be vigilant and be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the department of Meteorology in this regards.
Text and Pic by Priyan de Silva
Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake has questioned whether some promises contained in the National People’s Power (NPP) manifesto, A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life, could be fulfilled even if the government wanted to implement them.
Dissanayake raised the issue during a discussion following the release of the third biannual report on manifesto monitoring by the March 12 Movement, at the BMICH, on Wednesday.
He questioned whether the report had taken into account legal and institutional constraints affecting the implementation of certain pledges.
Citing the proposal to establish Anti-Corruption Investigation Offices in each district, Dissanayake said such offices could be established only with the agreement of CIABOC and that amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act would be necessary.
He also referred to the pledge to abolish the Executive Presidency, noting that successive governments had made similar commitments since 1994. He questioned whether there had been adequate consideration of where the powers vested in the Executive President would be transferred if the system were abolished.
On the proposal to establish a Public Prosecutor, Dissanayake questioned whether the Government intended to maintain the office alongside the Attorney General, who currently performs prosecution-related functions.
Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) Manjula Gajanayake said Dissanayake’s remarks should be regarded as his personal views and not as Government policy.
Monitoring and Evaluation Consultants M. Thilakarajah and D.D. Mataharaarachchi presented the third-phase findings, covering January to June 2026.
SLNS Sindurala arrives in Visakhapatnam for SLINEX 2026
Advisory for strong winds and rough seas for Multi-day boats in the Bay of Bengal
Showers in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya Districts
Some NPP manifesto promises may be difficult to fulfil – CIABOC DG
Yoshitha and ex-Navy chief Karannagoda’s case fixed for PTC
Court orders probe into Wimal’s rally speech
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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