News
Chandran Nagar Model Village in Mullaitivu handed over to 24 beneficiary families
Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, Anura Karunathilaka, jointly inaugurated and handed over Chandran Nagar Model Village in Mullaitivu to the 24 beneficiary families on Wednesday (28). Nagalingam Vethanayagan, Governor of Northern Province and Dr. Sellaththamby Thilaganathan, Member of Parliament, also participated in the ceremony.
The event was also attended by District Secretary, Mullaitivu; Chairman and senior officials from National Housing Development Authority, and senior officials from the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing of Sri Lanka; Northern Provincial Council and Mullaitivu District Administration.
Speaking at the event, High Commissioner Jha emphasised India’s unwavering commitment to support Sri Lanka’s development, particularly in improving livelihoods and supporting development of communities in the Northern Province. Minister Anura Karunathilaka conveyed gratitude on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka for the people-centric development cooperation initiatives of India in the country, particularly in the housing sector.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka was signed for the Model Village project in October 2017. The project encompasses housing facilities for 600 low-income families of Sri Lanka, with a model village each consisting of 24 houses per district for families. The Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing of Sri Lanka is implementing the project with grant support from the Government of India.
Earlier this month, Jim Brown Nagar Model Village was inaugurated on 26 May 2025. Model Villages in 13 other districts have been handed over earlier. The overall project progress is over 97% and the remaining model villages too are expected to be inaugurated and handed over to the beneficiaries soon, a release issued by the High Commission said.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to award the contract for printing and supplying vehicle number plates for the Department of Motor Traffic for a period of five (5) years to M/s South Asian Technologies based on the recommendations of the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board.
The National Lotteries board has been established subject to the Finance Act No. 11 of 1963. Having identified the requirement of amending that act which was imposed around 62 years to cater the current requirements of the lottery market, the Cabinet of Mnisters at their meeting held on 14.02.2017 granted approval to draft a new bill for the purpose.
Accordingly, the National Lotteries Board has recognized further amendments to be performed to the fundamental draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsmen.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
resolution furnished by the President in his office as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to direct the Legal Draftsmen to finalize the formulation of the draft bill for the National Lotteries Board as soon as possible including the proposed new amendments as well.
The Werahara office of the Department of Motor Traffic performs issuance of temporary driving licenses in this country based on the driving licenses issued overseas, and measures have been initiated to render the service from a service window of the Department of Motor Traffic established at the Bandaranayake International Airport from 03.08.2025.
The fees charged for issuing temporary driving licenses have been published in Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 prepared under the provisions of the Motor Traffic (Authority 203) Act.
But, as the fee of Rupees 2,000/- charged for the service is not sufficient, the requirement of amending the regulations has been recognized.
The regulations for introducing the revised fees have been published in the government extraordinary gazette
notification No. 2463/04 dated 17.11.2025. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to
submit the regulations to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Selfies and smiles: South Korea seeks ‘new phase’ in ties with China
M/s South Asian Technologies awarded contract to supply vehicle number plates
A new act for National Lotteries Board to be introduced
Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 to be amended
Mrs. P. K. L. S. Panduwawala appointed to the post of Surveyor General
Implementing the programme to provide concession for pepper, coffee and cardamom plantations affected by the disaster
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News17 hours agoBroad support emerges for Faiszer’s sweeping proposals on long- delayed divorce and personal law reforms
-
News2 days agoPrivate airline crew member nabbed with contraband gold
-
News4 days agoHealth Minister sends letter of demand for one billion rupees in damages
-
Opinion6 days agoRemembering Douglas Devananda on New Year’s Day 2026
-
News7 days agoLeading the Nation’s Connectivity Recovery Amid Unprecedented Challenges
-
Features2 days agoPharmaceuticals, deaths, and work ethics
-
News17 hours agoInterception of SL fishing craft by Seychelles: Trawler owners demand international investigation
-
Latest News2 days agoCurran, bowlers lead Desert Vipers to maiden ILT20 title