News
The unseen side of the Daya Pathirana Murder -will be launched on Jan 21
Senior journalist Dharman Wickremaratne’s latest Sinhala book, The Unseen Side of the Daya Pathirana Murder, will be launched on 21 January 2026 at 3.00 p.m. at the National Library and Documentation Services Board Auditorium, Colombo 7.
The book examines the first recorded murder within Sri Lanka’s student movement during the 2nd JVP insurrection, focusing on the killing of Daya Pathirana, who was the leader of the Independent Student Union of the University of Colombo. It documents the murder and the surrounding events in detail, naming individuals involved and placing the incident within its broader political and social context.
The publication consists of 392 pages and includes over 100 photographs. This is Dharman Wickremaratne’s fifth book dealing with the second JVP insurrection and his 56th book overall.
The launch ceremony will be chaired by President’s Counsel Dr. Wijedasa Rajapakshe. Speeches will be delivered by Engineer Champika Ranawaka, a former student leader of the University of Moratuwa; Professor Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri, a former active member of the Independent Student Union; and Gevindu Kumaratunga, a former student leader of the University of Colombo. The event will be conducted by Montegu Sarathchandra. The programme will be open to the general public. For further information, please contact: 071-2733986.
The 2nd JVP insurrection, which lasted from 1986 to 1990, has been the subject of several of Wickremaratne’s earlier works, including Ginnen Upan Gini Pupuru, Satanin Satana, Comrade Lionel, and Premakeerthi Ghathane Sulamula. These publications were well received by both readers and critics.
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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