News
Australia grants additional AUD1 Mn for landmine clearance in Lanka
The Australian High Commission has granted an additional AUD1 million or LKR135 million for landmine clearance in Sri Lanka.
The funds have been provided as continued support for landmine clearance charity, the Mine Advisory Group (MAG), until December 2022.
Australia has been a consistent supporter of mine clearance in Sri Lanka since the end of the 26-year conflict in 2009 and has spent more than A$20 million, or LKR2.7 billion, on mines clearance.
The Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka David Holly said Australia was pleased to be continuing its successful partnership with MAG.
“We are pleased to have partnered with MAG, and their partner DASH, to have delivered impressive results in demining following the end of the war in the North and Eastern provinces,” he said.
In total, the new project aims to return ca. 220,000 m2 of land – equivalent to 15 cricket pitches – to local people for safe use and help remove the threat of landmines. The new funding will support MAG and its national partner Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH) to conduct humanitarian demining.
MAG Country Director in Sri Lanka, Valentina Stivanello said MAG is grateful to Australia for its generous support, which together with their partner DASH, will help to release large areas of contaminated land and support the livelihood of communities as well as economic development potential in the North and East of Sri Lanka.
The project will support the Sri Lankan Government’s goal to become mine free, in line with its obligations to the Ottawa Landmine Treaty. MAG estimates more than 5,000 people living close to the minefields will benefit from the initiative.
DASH PM, Ananda Chandrasiri, said the elimination of the terrible legacy of landmines is essential for the future of Sri Lanka.
The three-decade long civil war in Sri Lanka ended in 2009, leaving behind over 2,000 km2 of contaminated land. Today, minefields cover about 13 km2 of land in Sri Lanka that could be used for housing, farming or to build homes,schools and clinics.
Since 2002, MAG has cleared over 43 km2 of land and recovered over 92,000 landmines and unexploded items.
Aljazeera reported that the holy month of Ramadan began at sundown on Wednesday, as the faithful prepared for a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting intended to bring them closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate.
For the next 30 days, Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything from sunrise to sunset. Many will strictly observe prayers, read the Quran and donate to charity as they seek to draw closer to God. They are also encouraged to refrain from cursing, fighting, gossiping and road rage throughout the holy month.
Muslims believe God began revealing the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan more than 1,400 years ago.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is required for all Muslims, though exceptions are made for young children and the sick, as well as women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating. Travelers are also exempt, including athletes attending tournaments away from home.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat with the heads of media organization on Thursday (23), that necessary steps will be taken to pass the best anti-Corruption Act in South Asia in Parliament soon
The President revealed that cabinet approval for the Bill has already been granted and said that he will discuss it with the Opposition representatives in the future and present it to the Parliament.
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News
Public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector in the future – President
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that due to the public sector engaging in business activities, the money that was available for the construction of 100 projects similar to the Mahaweli during the past decades, has been lost and noted that in the future, the public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector to create a free and productive economy.
President Wickremesinghe mentioned this at the 71st commemoration ceremony of the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake at Independence Square on Wednesday (22).
Holy month of Ramadan begins for Muslims around the world
Sri Lanka will have best anti-corruption law in South Asia soon – President
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