News
Airman Roshan appointed brand ambassador to fight plastic pollution
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.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
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