News
Schools to remain open till end December
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha said that plans were undersay to keep schools open until 22 or 23 December 2022.The minister said that he had spoken to all stakeholders in the education sector and everyone had agreed the need to keep schools open.
“We have to cover the 2022 syllabus. We have also taken steps to prepare text books, and obtain the inputs needed such as paper and equipment for education institutions to function. We have spoken to the Treasury to see if we can get necessary funding from credit lines extended to us. We have also taken steps to provide school uniform matieral for 2023. We have prepared the necessary estimates and soon they will be given to the treasury,” the Minister said.Minister Premajayantha said they were also concerned about the nutrition of students. The government already provided a mid-day meal to 1.1 pre school and primary school students in selected areas.
However, the daily allocation for each child was not adequate given the recent price hikes and the allocation has to be doubled at least, he said.
“We have prepared a Cabinet paper. I have also held meetings with the World Food Programme, the United National Development Fund and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. I have also held discussions with ambassadors of friendly nations. I am sure we will be able to secure the necessary funds and develop programmes,” he said.
The Minister said that many countries across the world provided free midday meals to students. Given the rising economic difficulties, expansion of the midday meal programme becomes doubly important, he said, adding that they were trying to minimise the corruption and irregularities in enrolling students to tier one schools. He said there were 393 national schools, but the real competition was to enter one of 34 tier one schools in major cities in the country.
“There is too much competition and too little space in these schools. There are a lot of irregularities when entering students in the classes. There is a circular specifying how many students can be in one class, bit this is blatantly violated in many tier one schools,” he said.
“We have released cutoff marks for Grade Five scholarship examination. We need to enroll these students in national schools. We need to minimise irregularities at school level,” he said.
Police urge motorists who intend to use the Ella – Wellawaya Road to use alternative roads as there is a severe vehicle congestion due to inclement weather condition.
The oil anointing ceremony for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held on April 16 at the historic Rajamaha Viharaya in Kolonnawa, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Following the chanting of pirith, the oil anointing ritual was carried out at the auspicious time of 9:04 a.m., by the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Kolonnawa Dhammika Thero.
Speaking after the ceremony the Prime Minister said that:
“The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most important festivities in our country. It is a celebration with our families, reflecting our traditions and customs while strengthening the ties.
This festival leads the path for renewing unity, love, and bonds stronger. These values enrich a country. Development of a country is not limited by one-dimensional; a true development includes spirituality, relationships, and connections. The reason why we uphold these customs in such ceremonies is to remind ourselves of the significance and to pass on their value to future generations.
Therefore, today marks a significant day. Throughout this week, we came together and engaged in various activities. Followed by, the next event will mark the leaving for employment at the auspicious time and we should start working collectively to rebuild the country.
I wish everyone a New Year that is prosperous, peaceful, joyful, full of strengthened relationships, and most importantly, safe for all.”
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, Divisional Secretary to Kolonnawa Priyanath Perera, Municipal Secretary Nelum Kumari Gamage, and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts today [16]
Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 16 April 2025
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the table below and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Peru’s ex-president and first lady sentenced to 15 years in jail
China’s Xi hails ‘new golden era’ with Malaysia during trade tour
Severe traffic reported on Ella-Wellawaya road due to inclement weather
-
News5 days agoSuspect injured in police shooting hospitalised
-
Features6 days agoRobbers and Wreckers
-
Business6 days agoBhathiya Bulumulla – The Man I Knew
-
Business5 days agoSanjiv Hulugalle appointed CEO and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka
-
Business7 days agoNational Anti-Corruption Action Plan launched with focus on economic recovery
-
Features4 days agoLiberation Day tariffs chaos could cause permanent damage to US economy, amid global tensions
-
Business4 days agoMembers’ Night of the Sri Lanka – Russia Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
-
Features4 days agoMinds and Memories picturing 65 years of Sri Lankan Politics and Society