News

Airman Roshan appointed brand ambassador to fight plastic pollution

Published

5 years ago

2021/04/22

By Ifham Nizam

Leading Aircraftman Roshan Abeysundera, who recently set a record by swimming across the Palk Strait, has been appointed an environmental brand ambassador in recognition of his outstanding contribution.

The SLAF officer received a commemorative gift and the letter of appointment as the brand ambassador from Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

Abeysundera, speaking at the event, said that he would like to express his gratitude to the Ministry of Environment for organising such a reception in appreciation of the world record he had set.

“I set a world record after a long training session. When I was training in the Southern Seas as well as the seas around Mannar, I saw things like polythene and plastic bags floating in the ocean. Sometimes, plastic bottles and shopping bags hit my face while I was swimming.”

Abeysundera said he was saddened to see plastic and polythene being carried towards our country by the waves.

“That’s why I asked everyone to work to make our ocean a place free of polythene and plastic. I will continue to contribute to the endeavor,” he added

Amaraweera said he would request President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to allow Abeysundera to participate in environmental programmes. “I also requested the Defence Secretary to pay attention to this matter,” he added.

Speaking at the ceremony, Amaraweera said that Abeysundera’s request that no plastic and polythene be dumped into the ocean should be heeded by the entire world.

“The World Earth Day falls on April 22. The main theme of this year’s World Earth Day is ‘Restore our Earth’, Amaraweera said.

Abeysundera is expected to participate in the launch of programmes on the occasion of World Earth Day.

Abeysundera set a new record by swimming across the Palk Strait. Earlier that record was set by Sri Lankan swimming champion Kumar Anandan.

The Minister also said that he had issued a gazette notification banning several types of polythene and plastic products used here. That law had come into effect on 31 March, he said.

Reports indicated that the production of sachets had come to a halt, the Minister said.

Companies had confirmed that the sachets currently in the market would sell out in another three or four months. “By the end of 2021, the sale of sachets in Sri Lanka will come to a complete halt. I have informed the Central Environmental Authority to strictly enforce that law.”

Air Commodore Senaka Fernandopulle and Additional Secretaries to the Ministry were also present on the occasion.

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News

SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

President of SJF Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi hands over a memento to Dr Alok Kumar Mishra Joint Secretary of the Association of Indian Universities

Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.

Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.

A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.

The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.

News

Governor of Gujarat met with Sri Lanka PM to discuss exposition of Devnimori Relics

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.

These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.

The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.

The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

INS GHARIAL makes port call in Colombo

Published

11 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.

During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.

The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.