News

Yahapalana project has become victim of current political expediency – Stalin

Published

5 years ago

2021/05/21

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The ‘Langama Pasala, Hondama Pasala’ (nearest school is the best school) project, launched by previous government to develop schools, had been halted, Ceylon Teachers union (CTU) General secretary, Joseph Stalin said yesterday.

Stalin told The Island that Rs. 64.9 billion had been earmarked for the project between 2016 and 2020. Under the project 18,000 facilities were to be constructed in 9,063 schools.

“This project has been ignored since the 2019 regime change. Now, the construction of various facilities in 700 schools has been halted. These half-completed buildings have become a serious burden to schools. In some cases, old buildings were demolished to make way for the new ones to be built.”

The CTU General Secretary said that 40% of the funds had been released to provincial councils in 2016. The project was riddled with corruption from the beginning, and the CTU had even lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission, Stalin said.

“For example, money was allocated for a building at Nachchaduwa Sinhala School. However, there is no such school. There are many such examples. However, the current administration can’t just abandon this project. The government cannot halt half completed projects of the previous government. Instead of trying to finish the half-built buildings, this government has launched its own project to develop 1,000 schools.”

Stalin said that they had expected the current Minister of Education to adopt a more holistic approach to education, given his qualifications and experience. “However, the situation remains the same, he said.

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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

Published

19 hours ago

2026/04/13

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.

Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee 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 in the above table and it 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.

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Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon

Published

20 hours ago

2026/04/13

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.