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Press Council gets new Chairman and three board members
The appointment of a new chairperson and three board members to the Sri Lanka Press Council was carried out recently under the leadership of the Minister of Health and Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, at the Ministry of Media.
Priyan R. Wijebandara was appointed Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Press Council.
Dr. Anushka Kandegama, a sociologist, Mahesha Mudugamuwe, a senior lawyer and media professional, and Devadasan Sendilvelawar, a senior journalist, were also appointed as board members.
Priyan R. Wijebandara, the newly appointed Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Press Council, holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Kelaniya and a Master’s degree in Media Studies from the University of Colombo. He also holds an advanced diploma in English for Administration and Academic Purposes from the University of Colombo and is currently pursuing a diploma in filmmaking at the National Film Corporation. He has served as an external lecturer at the University of Colombo, Sabaragamuwa University, and Peradeniya University. Wijebandara has over 25 years of experience in the print and online media, having worked as a communications specialist and researcher for various projects funded by the World Bank. He is also an award-winning writer and critic.
Dr. Anushka Kandegama, appointed as a board member, is a sociologist who completed her PhD in Social Science at Otago University. She holds additional qualifications in Social Science from the University of Colombo and a Master’s degree in Sociology. Dr. Kandegama has worked as a researcher in peacebuilding and gender studies, and has been an external lecturer at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute and the Open University of Sri Lanka.
Mahesha Mudugamuwa, an experienced lawyer and media professional, with over a decade of expertise in the field, currently works as a news editor at The Sunday Morning newspaper. She was a journalist at The Island. She has been involved in investigative journalism and news reporting and was selected to represent Sri Lanka in the US International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) in 2024. She has also participated in numerous training programmes in countries such as India, Singapore, Thailand, and Japan. Mudugamuwa’s international experience includes serving as a fellow for media collaboration programmes in Yokohama, Japan, and the Foreign Press Centre Japan (FPCJ) in 2015, where she gained valuable insight into global governance and disaster management.
Devadasan Sendilvelawar, with over three decades of experience in the media industry, serves as the chief editor of Thinakaran Daily and Thinakaran Varamanjari Weekly publications. He has received training in journalism from several countries, including the US, Germany, Hong Kong, India, and Malaysia. Sendilvelawar has also held the position of president of the All Lanka Tamil Media Journalists’ Association and is an accomplished writer and translator.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
Latest News
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
Latest News
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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