News
Classes for OL students in WP commence today; exam in March

Covid-19: Re-opening of schools to be taken at district-level
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The District Development Committees (DDC) have been asked to decide on re-opening of schools and related matters following consultations with the relevant authorities as the decisions taken by the Education Ministry seemed impractical due to the varying impact of the rampaging pandemic across the country.
The Education Ministry, in a statement issued yesterday (24) said that the decision to entrust the DDCs with the authority to decide on re-opening of schools had been taken at a meeting chaired by Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris a few days before the Minister had to self-isolate after he was categorized as a possible Covid-19 contact. Prof. Peiris was cleared on Saturday (23) following a RT-PCR test.
The Education Ministry has requested that the DDCs, in consultations with Divisional Secretaries and other relevant authorities, take a decision before Feb. 3. The DDCs would have to inform the Education Ministry of their decisions, accordingly.
The statement quoted Prof. Peiris as having said that schools in the Western Province, except those situated in areas isolated due to Covid-19 would be re-opened today (25).
However, the classes would be restricted to those sitting the GCE (Ordinary Level) examination in March 2021, the Minister said.
The examination is scheduled to be held from March 1 to 11.
Prof. Peiris said that the Education Ministry decided on the partial re-opening of schools in the Western Province comprising Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts for the benefit of those sitting the GCE (O/L) examination.
According to Prof. Peiris approximately 79,000 are scheduled to sit the examination.
The Minister said that in spite of some difficulties schools functioned in all districts outside the Western Province.
Prof. Peiris said that of 1,576 schools about 900 could be re-opened by Feb 15 and the other students, too, allowed to attend classes, gradually.
Prof. Peiris told The Island that schools couldn’t be closed indefinitely though the Covid-19 posed quite a challenge not only to the education sector but the entire economy. The academic urged interested parties not to play politics with their efforts to resume schooling. Responding to another query, Prof. Peiris recollected the trying conditions the Year 5 Scholarship Examination as well as the GCE (Advanced Level) Examination had been conducted late last year amidst the second Covid-19 eruption while interested parties propagated scare stories. “A couple of hundred courageous students sat the AL examination in spite of them being quarantined,” Prof. Peiris said, emphasizing the importance of resuming schools under strict health guidelines.
The minister said that setbacks couldn’t be allowed to derail government efforts to get the economic activities back on track.
State Minister of Women and Child Development, Pre-School & Primary Education, School Infrastructure & Education Services Piyal Nishantha tested positive for the coronavirus last week.
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AKD’s fourth state visit

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake a four-day state visit to Vietnam on 03 May, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Since the presidential election, President Dissanayake has so far visited India, China and the UAE.
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Sri Lanka-Pakistan bilateral defence dialogue strengthens strategic ties – MoD

The 5th annual Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue commenced on Monday (April 28) in Islamabad, Pakistan, marking a continued commitment to strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.
The MoD statement: “The Sri Lankan delegation is led by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha accompanied by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and Additional Secretary (Defence) of the Ministry of Defence Jayantha Edirisinghe. The Pakistani delegation is headed by Lieutenant General (retd.) Muhammad Ali, Secretary Defence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
In conjunction with the on-going defence dialogue, Defence Secretary Thuyacontha held a side-line meeting yesterday (April 29) with Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
These high-level engagements aim to enhance bilateral cooperation, foster mutual understanding on regional security dynamics and explore opportunities for defence collaboration. Both nations share a longstanding relationship rooted in mutual respect and strategic cooperation. The dialogue reflects the growing importance of partnerships in maintaining stability and promoting peace in the South Asian region.
The three-day dialogue, which concludes today (April 30), is expected to reinforce bilateral defence ties and contribute to broader regional security objectives.
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FS officers receive training on disarmament

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), conducted a two day seminar on disarmament for Sri Lanka Foreign Service Officers on 25 and 26 April, 2025 at the Ministry. The text of the FM statement: “Over 40 officers, based in Colombo, attended the workshop physically while over 60 officers, attached to Sri Lanka Missions abroad, followed the Seminar virtually.
Director of UNIDIR, Dr. Robin Geiss, Senior Researcher at the UNIDIR Security and Technology Programme, Dr. Dongyoun Cho, and Associate of Political Affairs, Ms. Fanny Sebban of UNIDIR, conducted the Seminar as resource personnel. They shared their expertise and perspectives on the global disarmament landscape and evolving threats to international peace and security, etc.
Director of UNIDIR, Dr. Robin Geiss, called on Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and discussed closer cooperation between the Ministry and UNIDIR.
The Human Resource Development, Research & Training Division and the United Nations and Human Rights Division of the Ministry organised the Seminar initiated by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva.”
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