News
Colombo District Secretary appeals to public to cooperate to conduct census
By Rathindra Kuruwita
There are an increasing number of reports of families in Colombo district not allowing government officials to conduct the ongoing census, Colombo District Secretary, K.G. Wijesiri said.
“We could not hold the census scheduled for 2021 due to the crises that took place in the last two years. The last census was held in 2011. The data collected here will be used for development activities in the future,” he said.
Wijesiri said that most households will receive a government official collecting data for the census in the coming days. These officials are acting according to the instructions of the district secretary, and the public is requested to assist them.
“I have been receiving news that residents of some areas in Colombo are not allowing census officials in. Others are refusing to provide information. Please don’t do this,” he said.
Wijesiri said Colombo also sees the collection of a large quantity of garbage each day due to its economic activities and population density.
“There is a direct link between dengue and waste management,” he said.
There are 13 local government bodies in the Colombo district, out of which eight have been identified as high risk areas for dengue, he said.
Wijesiri also urged all state institutions to appoint a designated official to counter dengue. His or her responsibility is to check the office premises, daily or once in two days, identify dengue breeding sites, and take necessary steps to destroy them, he said.
“Schools should also appoint a designated teacher for dengue eradication. Schools are hotspots for the spread of dengue, and those in charge must ensure there are no mosquito breeding sites there. This is the same for places of worship,” he said.
NPP Parliamentarian Asoka Ranwala who was appointed the 22nd Speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament, on 21st November has resigned from his position today [13], in the wake of the controversy surrounding his educational qualifications.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has officially appointed members to the Port City Economic Commission.
Accordingly Harsha Amarasekera, President’s Counsel, has been appointed as the Chairman while Damien Amal Cabraal, Mohan Ray Abeywardena, Sanjaya Kulatunga, and Dr. Harsha Subasinghe were appointed as members of the Port City Economic Commission
The official letters of appointment were handed over to the members by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (13).
“We will not allow the trust the people have placed in us to be undermined in any way,” stated President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a meeting with the heads of state media today (13).
He further emphasised, “Regardless of their status in government, if mistakes are made, we will not hesitate to take appropriate action.”
The President further explained:
“For more than seven decades, the people of this nation have built and dismantled various governments. For the first time, we stand with a profound understanding of the historic mandate entrusted to us and the National People’s Power on two occasions.
The people placed their faith in the National People’s Power (NPP) government, hoping for a standardised and stable country. We will not tarnish that extraordinary trust, even by the slightest misconduct.
Simply put, our government is not here to shield anyone who errs, for any reason. Be it within the broader framework of the country or within our administration, anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will face consequences. We will not hesitate to act decisively and at the right time. In essence, our government will not shield anyone who makes a mistake, regardless of the reason. Whether the mistake occurs within the country or at any level within our government, we will not hesitate to take decisive action. Every necessary step will be taken at the appropriate time without delay.”
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the trust placed in them by the people, who have endured decades of deception. He pledged to work tirelessly to build a better nation.
The Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, Director-General of Government Information, Harsha Bandara, and the heads of state media were present at the meeting.
Macron names centrist Bayrou as French PM in bid to end political instability
Bloody siege ends Myanmar army control of western border
Speaker of Parliament Asoka Ranwala resigns
-
News5 days agoSri Lanka’s first seven-star hotel ready for opening in 2025
-
Business4 days agoLaunching in Kandy of SL’s first seven-star hotel, valued at Rs. 9 billion
-
News7 days agoLocally produced superphosphate to be introduced next year to save foreign exchange
-
Opinion3 days agoFuture of SriLankan
-
Business7 days ago‘Hotel sector investment in tourism industry exceeding USD 15 billion despite facing stiff challenges’
-
Business4 days agoSri Lankan appointed Vice President, Global Rural Tourism Council
-
Business6 days agoHigh powered Japanese business team visits Hambantota Port
-
News4 days agoCourt to be moved against Ranil over loss of state funds