News
Press Institute Chief wins highest honour awarded to Indian Diaspora
The Government of India (GoI) has chosen Thiru Sivakumar Nadesan, Managing Director of Express Newspapers, who is also the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA), 2023.
The Indian High Commission issued the following statement: “PBSA is the highest honour conferred by GoI on members of the Indian diaspora. The prestigious award will be conferred by President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention, in Indore, from 8-10 January, 2023.
A Jury-cum-Awards Committee, with Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar as the Chairman, and External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, as the Vice-Chair, selected Thiru Sivakumar Nadesan for the coveted honour. PBSA recognizes excellence achieved by members of the Indian diaspora, across the globe, in various fields.
Thiru Nadesan was selected for his contribution to the welfare of the community. He is the current President of the Sri Lanka chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin and has been working relentlessly for community welfare. He initiated a fundraiser to assist stranded Indian Citizens in Sri Lanka during the Covid outbreak.
He actively promotes business and cultural exchanges between India and Sri Lanka and has been instrumental in inviting many Indian artistes to perform in Sri Lanka. Further, he has supported several initiatives pertaining to classical and traditional fields, such as Carnatic music in Sri Lanka. He has spoken at various PBD Conferences and was invited to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the Kumbh Mela, in 2019.
Thiru Nadesan is the second Sri Lankan national to secure the honour. It may be recalled that Thiru Mano Selvanathan was conferred PBSA in 2011 for his valuable contributions in the business sphere.”
Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) yesterday complained to the Election Commission (EC) regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent threat that the government would release funds only to local government bodies to be won by a clean party at the May 06 LG polls.
The EJP, led by former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, complained that President Dissanayake has claimed during a public rally at Weligama that the NPP was the only clean party.
The EJP is contesting 37 LG bodies at the forthcoming election.
The new party said that the rights of the other contesting political parties and groups had been violated by the President.
The EJP asked the EC to ensure a level playing field
Having handed over their complaint, EJP spokesman Theekshana Gammanpila told the media outside the EC office that Anura Kumara Dissanayake had won last year’s presidential election and then the parliamentary election as the then government ensured a free and fair election. But now President Dissanayake was making a despicable attempt to influence the electorate in the run-up to the vital mini polls. Gammanpila alleged that the President’s intervention could have a far reaching impact on the electorate.
The EJP spokesman emphasised the responsibility on the part of the EC to intervene and take tangible measures to prevent President Dissanayake from manipulating the electorate to their advantage. (SF)
Former North Central Province Chief Minister S. M. Ranjith and his private secretary Shanthi, who is his brother, former Minister S.M. Chandrasena’s wife, were yesterday (02) sentenced to 16 years rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption charges. They were also ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 200,000 each.
The judgment was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi.
They were convicted on charges filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
S.M. Ranjith was found guilty of enabling Shanti to secure an additional fuel allowance between Sept 2012 and Dec 2014 to the tune of Rs 2.68 mn.
The Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka hosted a concert of Japanese traditional music by the Honganji Temple & Foundation Japanese Orchestra featuring the performers of NYSC on 28th March in honour of the visit of Most. Ven. Ohtani Chohjun Nayaka Hamuduruwo, the 25th Head Priest of Higashi Hongan-ji Grand Temple.
The event featured a Japanese tea ceremony and breathtaking musical performances by the Honganji Temple & Foundation Japanese Orchestra, showcasing traditional Japanese instruments such as the Koto and Shamisen. The evening was further enriched by violin and vibrant dance performances by students from the National Youth Council (NYSC) and Lanka Nippon Biztech Institute (LNBTI).
This cultural celebration further strengthened the deep ties between Japan and Sri Lanka, offering a unique experience of Japanese tradition and heritage.
EC asked to ensure level playing field at LG polls; complaint lodged against President AKD
Former CM, and private secretary sentenced to 16 years RI for corruption
Traditional Japanese musical concert and cultural performance
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