News
SHMA opens its second SSG program learning center in Kandy
With the aim of elevating Sri Lanka’s youth talent in the tourism and hospitality sector, the Swiss Hotel Management Academy Pvt. Ltd. (SHMA) of A. Baur & Co. Pvt Ltd., also known as Baurs, declared open its second learning center of the Skills for Sustainable Growth (SSG) program at the Kandy National Youth Corps.
Following its first center at Matale last Month, Kandy was chosen being a focal point for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation together with whom Baurs has forged a private and public sector partnership to implement the SSG program, and a majority preference from the applicants from across the island.
Over 70 students have successfully enrolled at the Kandy learning center, from different areas in the country including Ratnapura, Monaragala, Kurunegala, Negombo who are now boarded in close proximity to the Kandy National Youth Corps. SHMA is also planning to call out for its second intake during the beginning of 2024.
The SSG program in Kandy is carried out by veteran hotelier Sam Rajamanthri, who gears students through various learning techniques to gain employability skills. Many renowned hotels in the area have already shown their support of the SSG program, and have extended their scope to provide and internship opportunities for students, and some of these students have already made it through the interview and selection rounds for the blended learning phase.
SHMA has also implemented the Learning Management System (LMS) to enhance the study program at the Kandy learning center. The LMS enables and facilitates lecturers in seamlessly delivering lectures and effectively monitoring and planning their tasks in advance. The LMS also gives students access to additional learning content at their fingertips and are monitored during their on-the-job experience.
The course content is based on a Swiss Vocational Skills Development (VSD) curriculum, including 70% practical and 30% theoretical lessons, followed by the on-the-job learning at start class hotels and restaurants. Further, students have access to various soft skills development workshops including life skills training with team building activities.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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