President Anura Kumara Dissanayake directed officials to fast-track the completion of the resettlement process for people in the Kandy District who lost their homes due to the recent Ditwah disaster. Speaking at a Special District Coordinating Committee meeting held at the Kandy District Secretariat on the 12th, the President reviewed the progress of land acquisition for resettlement at the Divisional Secretariat level.

The President emphasised the urgent need to resolve existing administrative hurdles and ensure that affected families are provided with permanent housing solutions without further delay.

During the session, the President individually consulted Divisional Secretaries on the progress of compensation for the 12,169 houses reported as partially damaged within the district. According to official data, while 4,488 families are currently eligible, only 3,038 have received compensation thus far. The President also highlighted the status of 1,583 high-risk houses requiring full resettlement and thousands of others awaiting NBRI technical reports. He instructed officials to expedite the remaining payments and clear the backlog of inspections to ensure all victims receive their due relief.

Addressing the long-term safety of the community, President Dissanayake noted that it was the government’s primary responsibility to prevent residents from returning to identified high-risk zones. The discussion focused on identifying new lands for relocation, with special attention paid to the plantation community living on private estates. Plans were discussed to reclaim government lands currently managed by private companies to facilitate these housing projects.

Additionally, the President addressed the construction of retaining walls for houses where land stabilisation is necessary and promised a solution within the coming week regarding the fluctuating prices of construction materials and compensation for business losses.

The high-level meeting was attended by a distinguished gathering, including Minister of Agriculture K.D. Lalkantha, Central Province Governor Professor Sarath Abeykoon, and Deputy Ministers Hansaka Wijemuni and Prasanna Gunasena. Several Members of Parliament, including Jagath Manuwarna and Riaz Farouk, also participated alongside the Mayor of Kandy, the District Secretary, and various heads of state departments and security forces. The collective presence of these officials underscored the government’s commitment to a coordinated and swift recovery effort for the Kandy District.

By S.K. Samaranayake

The Central Environmental Authority has urged the public to refrain from using polythene and plastic products for Vesak decorations and dansals, warning that the use of several single-use plastic items remains prohibited under Sri Lankan law.

The Authority appealed to all Sri Lankans to celebrate Vesak in an environmentally friendly manner by avoiding plastic-based decorations, lantern materials and disposable items commonly used at dansals.

The CEA noted that during the Vesak season, polythene and plastic products are frequently used for Vesak lanterns, decorative items, entertainment equipment and charitable food distribution activities.

It pointed out that single-use lunch sheets, cups, plates, spoons, forks and wrapping materials made from plastic and polythene continue to be widely used despite existing regulations banning many such products.

The Authority said several single-use plastic items, including expanded polystyrene food containers, plastic straws, cups, plates, spoons, forks, knives, stirrers and plastic garlands, have been banned under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2341/30 dated July 19, 2023.

It further noted that polythene food wrappers and lunch sheets were already prohibited under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2034/34 issued on September 1, 2017.

The CEA stressed that the sale, free distribution, display or use of these banned items is a punishable offence under the law.

In addition, the Authority reminded the public that under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2034/37 of September 1, 2017, the use of polythene or polypropylene products for decorations at political, social, religious, national or cultural events is also prohibited.

The CEA said these regulations were introduced to protect both people and the environment from the harmful impacts of plastic pollution. Improper disposal of plastic and polythene waste has led to contamination of waterways, rivers and oceans, while animals often suffer injuries or death after ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic waste.

The Authority also warned that microplastics entering food and water systems pose growing environmental and health concerns.

Accordingly, the CEA called on the public to adopt eco-friendly alternatives and ensure that Vesak celebrations are conducted in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.

The annual National War Heroes’ Day commemoration ceremony will be held on 19 May, 2026, at the National War Heroes’ Monument at Battaramulla.

The event will be held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The event is scheduled to begin at 2.45 pm.

Sri Lanka brought the war to a successful conclusion on 18 May, 2009. Although the war-winning government held a combined armed forces parade, President Maithripala Sirisena discontinued the practice in 2016.