News
First phase of the Urban Forest Project under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme launched
The first phase of the Urban Forest Project under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme was launched on Sunday (30) morning near the Kelaniya Bridge in Peliyagoda.
This initiative was implemented in collaboration with S-lon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of The Capital Maharaja Group, aligning with the “Tree Guardian” project. It also coincided with Zero Waste Day which fell on Sunday (30), further reinforcing its environmental significance.
Guided by the Presidential Secretariat, key government and private sector stakeholders, including the Road Development Authority, the Urban Development Authority and the Colombo Municipal Council, partnered in the launch.
As part of the initiative, trees were planted on state-owned land between the Nawaloka Roundabout and the New Kelani Bridge in Peliyagods, to transform the area into an attractive urban forest plantation.
A unique aspect of this project is the assignment of responsibility for the protection and maintenance of the planted trees to various community groups, such as school students, university students and Daham Pasal (Religious School) students. The students of Dharmawijaya Daham Pasala in Peliyagoda were entrusted with the care and preservation of the trees planted near the Kelaniya Bridge.
Additionally, a mobile application (App) has been introduced to continuously monitor and update the growth and condition of the trees, as well as track the progress of their respective caretakers.
Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake emphasized that this project is not merely a reforestation initiative but a social, environmental and ethical movement closely linked to the objectives of the Clean Sri Lanka Programme.
Highlighting the historical challenges faced by tree planting projects initiated by previous governments, he noted that many such initiatives have struggled to achieve long-term success. However, he expressed confidence that, due to its strong public participation, the Clean Sri Lanka Programme would ensure the Urban Forest Project evolves into a sustainable and enduring initiative.
Attending the event as a Guest of Honour, Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody emphasized that the concept of green cities has gained global attention, with increasing focus on urban forests. The Minister highlighted the importance of fostering a mindset shift among the public to achieve these environmental goals effectively. He stressed that assigning responsibility to the people in implementing this project is crucial for its success. Furthermore, he pointed out that greater attention is now being directed toward renewable energy sources as part of efforts to create a sustainable environmental system.
Minister of Urban Development, Housing, and Construction Anura Karunatilaka, who participated in the event, noted that while urbanization has made life more convenient, it has also resulted in significant losses. He explained that Sri Lanka is now experiencing the negative consequences of urbanization, including environmental pollution, water contamination, air pollution and rising global temperatures. In searching for solutions to these challenges, initiatives such as urban forest projects play a vital role.
Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Upali Pannilage, Operations Manager of The Capital Maharaja Group S.C. Weerasekara and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Russell Appuhamy, addressed the gathering.
Latest News
Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 25 March 2026, valid for 26 March 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts.
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.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Colombo declared that the United States and Sri Lanka maintain a long-standing defence partnership, grounded in transparency, mutual respect, and shared interests.
The official said so in response to The Island query regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent bombshell disclosure, in Parliament, that his government declined to allow the US Air Force to use the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, following the eruption of the latest West Asia war.
We sought views of the US on President Dissanayake’s claim against the backdrop of Sri Lanka being a party to the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) since 2007. Sri Lanka extended the ACSA in 2017, for another 10-year period, and its extension comes up next year.
The President revealed that the US had requested permission to use Mattala, between 04 and 08 March.
Claiming that the request had been made on 26 February, two days before the war began, President Dissanayake said that the US had sought to land two aircraft, carrying eight anti-ship missiles, but that the request had been turned down to maintain Sri Lanka’s neutrality. The President revealed that the aircraft were to come from a US base in Djibouti.
The US embassy pokesperson explained that questions related to operational movements, including ‘Operation Epic Fury’, should be directed to the Department of War (DOW) in Washington.
Camp Lemonnier is the primary base of operations for US Africa Command in the Horn of Africa. China, too, has its only overseas military base in Djibouti in the vicinity.
Military sources said whatever various interested parties said about US-Sri Lanka relations, the former provided significant intelligence support during last phase of the conflict that enabled the Navy to hunt down floating LTTE arsenals in international waters. Of the eight LTTE vessels sunk, the US backed four hits with specific intelligence, sources said.
News
No decrease in remittances from workers due to Gulf conflict, but significant drop in tourist arrivals – CB Governor
Sri Lanka’s worker remittances had not seen a decrease despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Central Bank (CBSL) Governor, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said yesterday.
“Based on currently available data, they have not seen a decline in remittances. In fact, according to that we have observed, is a slight increase in remittances in the past few days, ” the Governor said at a media conference held at the Central Bank head office in Colombo.
Governor Weerasinghe also mentioned that he had not seen any reports about Sri Lankans returning to the country from the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict.
The Central Bank Governor, however, acknowledged that there had been a decrease in tourist arrivals. He confirmed that tourist arrivals had decreased by around 17 percent due to the current volatile situation in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 7.75%, following its latest Monetary Policy Board meeting.
By Hiran H Senewiratne
UN votes to recognise enslavement of Africans as ‘gravest crime against humanity’
Meta and YouTube found liable in landmark social media addiction trial
Showers expected in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 pm.
Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts
US dodges question on AKD’s claim SL denied permission for military aircraft to land
No decrease in remittances from workers due to Gulf conflict, but significant drop in tourist arrivals – CB Governor
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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