News

Time has come to identify new contractors and expedite road development – Johnston

Published

4 years ago

2021/07/24

Minister Johnston Fernando instructed the relevant officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Highways, R. W. R. Premasiri to immediately look for new contractors, who could be used for road development projects and explore their potential.

He gave these instructions when the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Highways met in Parliament recently.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Highways instructed the relevant officials to take immediate action to expedite the development of roads in several districts, countrywide, including Matara, Kandy, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Badulla, Hambantota, Matale and Kalutara districts.

Member of Parliament Chandima Weerakkody pointed out the need to expedite the development of roads in the tourist zones, such as Galle, Rumassala and Unawatuna as the tourism industry in Sri Lanka was gradually picking up at present.

Expressing her views, MP Diana Gamage endorsed the proposal made by Weerakkody and pointed out that there were a number of very old iron bridges built by the British throughout Sri Lanka and they could be developed and made into very attractive tourist destinations.

She pointed out that there are popular tourist destinations around the world such as London Bridge in the UK and that Sri Lanka also had valuable and attractive tourist attractions such as the Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, adding that the development of those places could be very important for tourism.

Replying to this, the Minister Fernando said that it was a very important proposal and informed the officials to look into the steps that could be taken accordingly.

Madura Vithanage, MP pointed out that no systematic programme was being implemented to install electricity poles near roads.

MP Vithanage requested the Minister to discuss with the relevant parties and formulate a proper programme for the purpose and the Minister said necessary steps will be taken soon.

While MP Sanjeewa Edirimanne directed the attention on the development of several roads in the Kalutara District, MP Weerasumana Weerasinghe pointed out that more attention should be paid to the road works from the new town in the Matara area to the Godagama Expressway.

Minister Johnston Fernando said it is especially important to take the right steps as soon as possible for road development and instructed the relevant parties to take the necessary action as soon as possible.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee Angajan Ramanathan, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, State Ministers Dayasiri Jayasekara, Nimal Lanza and Janaka Wakkumbura and Members of Parliament Chandima Weerakkody, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Madura Vithanage, Sampath Athukorala, Isuru Dodangoda, Cader Mastan, Sanjeewa Edirimanne, Diana Gamage, and Goonetileke Rajapaksa, Members of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Highways V. Radhakrishnan, Amarakeerthi Athukorala and H. Nandasena also participated.

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Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]

Published

3 hours ago

2025/04/9

Priyan

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.

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 below 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.

News

Sajith asks govt. to submit its MoUs with India to Parliament

Published

7 hours ago

2025/04/9

Sahan Weerasooriya

Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).

Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.

The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.

The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.

Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

News

Govt. won’t extend suspension of ‘parate executions’

Published

7 hours ago

2025/04/9

Sahan Weerasooriya

The government would not extend the suspension of ‘parate executions’ that was now effective, Deputy Minister of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma told Parliament yesterday.

Suriyapperuma said so in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who asked about the government’s plans regarding a relief package to assist small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) struggling to repay loans.

Pointing out that about 263,000 SMEs had closed down, Premadasa asked what action the government would take to address the grievances of these SMEs.

He said that from 01 Jan., 2019, to 01 Dec., 31, 2023, licensed banks had collected Rs. 113.7 billion through 2,263 parate executions. As of 31 Dec., 2024, Rs. 1,380 billion had been recovered from Stage III defaulters.

The government has introduced loan schemes to assist SMEs impacted by the economic crisis. They included capital loans of up to Rs. 10 million, with a six-month grace period and a three-year repayment term at 8% interest, Suriyapperuma said. Additionally, another loan scheme under the consolidated fund aimed to help SMEs that werecurrently paying their loans. That scheme offered loans of up to Rs. 15 million, which must be repaid over ten years with a one-year grace period and a 7% interest rate. For SMEs that had defaulted on their loans, a loan of up to Rs. 5 million is available at 8% interest, with a six-month grace period and a five-year repayment term, Suriyapperuma said.

By Saman Indrajith