News
Rape of Mannar for mineral sands on the cards
By Ifham Nizam
More than 8,000 families would be affected due to a licence given to commence heavy mining activities on Mannar Island from December, Mannar Citizens’ Committee (MCC) President, Father Anthonypillai Gnanapragasam said yesterday.
Responding to The Island, he said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should intervene before Titanium Sands Ltd., commenced its operation in December.
He alleged that the Australian-based mining company through its local subsidiary had commenced secretive heavy mineral exploration.
The company states that regulatory approval has been received and shipment of a further 900 samples from the Colombo port to Cape Town has been carried out.
“They have drilled more than 3,500 augur holes from late 2015 to mid-2019 to identify mineralized areas here,” Gnanapragasam added.
He also said that government officials had stated that the project was beyond their control.
Representatives from all sectors in Mannar have joined hands with the Members of Mannar Citizens’ Committee and they are in the process of taking legal action.
The Centre for Environmental Justice is providing legal aid to save the country’s rich biodiversity area considered a paradise for millions of migratory birds.
INS Sindhukesari, a submarine serving in the Indian Navy, arrived at the port of Colombo on 03 May 26 to undertake Operational Turnarounds.
The visiting submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in precision with naval traditions.
Throughout its stay in the island, the submarine’s crew is scheduled to participate in a variety of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, including visits to several tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.
This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.
The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
INS Sindhukesari arrives in Colombo
Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum
Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.
CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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