News
Second phase of school third term begins today
The second phase of the third term for Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim schools begins today (16), with special guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education to address the ongoing disaster situation.
The Ministry’s circular, communicated to all Provincial Directors, Zonal Directors, Divisional Deputy and Assistant Directors, principals, and heads of government and government-approved private schools, emphasises that no fees should be charged from students, temporarily admitted to schools, due to disaster-related disruptions.
The second phase will continue until Monday, 22nd December, followed by a holiday from 23rd to 28th December, with the third phase scheduled from 29th to 31st December. For Muslim schools, the second phase will run until Saturday, 27th December, and continue until Friday, 2nd January 2026.
Students from schools affected by transportation difficulties or disaster impacts are to be temporarily placed at the nearest available school, with Zonal Directors authorised to manage such placements. Attendance for these students must be recorded in a temporary register, and no fees are to be collected.
The circular also directs schools to provide necessary lessons, study materials, and mental health support for students preparing for the Advanced Level and Ordinary Level examinations affected by the disaster. Hostel facilities should accommodate students from distant areas wherever possible.
No funds should be collected from students for disaster relief activities. Any voluntary work by students, over 14, must have parental consent and be fully supervised by teachers.
School meal programmes are to commence from today, following Public Health Inspector guidelines in disaster-affected areas. Schools unable to start immediately may begin on a date set by the respective Provincial Directors of Education.
The Ministry’s circular provides these and other operational instructions to ensure continuity of education while safeguarding students’ welfare during this challenging period.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to accept 08 used low floorboard buses offered as a grant by the Government of Japan.
News
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
While approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 18.08.2025 to pay the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Maha season 2025/26, the programme is planned to be continued for the Yala season 2026 as well.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to pay a financial subsidy of Rupees 25,000/- per hectare and for a maximum of 02 hectares per farmer for paddy cultivation and to pay Rupees 15,000/- per hectare for field crops cultivated in paddy lands[maximum of 02 hectares per farmer]
News
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
The rural agricultural livelihood and food security have been severely impacted due to the damage caused by wild animals such as elephants, wild boars, monkeys, toque macaque, squirrels, and peacocks roaming around human habitats and cultivated lands.
Animal-human conflicts and property destruction have mostly been reported around these areas, and serious social and economic issues have also arisen.
Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation has prepared a comprehensive program based on the opinions of all stakeholders, including the public, university community, farmers’ organizations, environmentalists, non-governmental organizations which work for environmental issues, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Development, and other relevant organizations.
Taking into consideration the report submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a ministerial committee with the participation of other relevant ministers, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, to submit appropriate recommendations on how the aforementioned program should be implemented by further reviewing the proposals included in the said program and incorporating new proposals.
Cabinet nod to accept Japanese government grant of 08 used low floorboard buses
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
New Zealand elect to bowl first at Eden Gardens
Cabinet approves import of Maize to meet shortfall
Cabinet nod for the removal of Cess tax imposed on imported good
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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