News
Controversy over CMC-UDA project: State Minister clarifies
A fresh controversy has erupted with the Colombo Municipal Councillor Sharmila Gonawela (SLPP) alleging what she called an unauthorised and arbitrary handing over of the Kollupitiya market belonging to the CMC to a Chinese investor.
The building stands on a 109- perch land.
In a statement issued yesterday (17) Mrs. Gonawela alleged that the agreement in that regard had been signed under the leadership of State Minister Dr. Nakala Godahewa and Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake. Dr. Godahewa is the State Minister for Urban Development, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness coming under the purview of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. According Mrs. Gonawela Premier Rajapaksa hasn’t been briefed.
Mrs. Gonawala has urged Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Janaka Bandara to rescind the transaction as it didn’t have proper approvals.
The Island raised the issue at hand with Dr. Godahewa, who emphasized that the Colombo Mayor brought the proposal and presented to Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa before finalizing the agreement with the UDA. The UDA followed the procedures in place as regards the Colpetty building. Denying he signed any MoU as alleged, Dr. Godahewa said they didn’t have any objections to the CMC proposal as the country needed foreign investments.
The State Minister said that a similar campaign but on a much larger scale was carried out against the Shangri-La investment that made possible the construction of the state of the art defence complex at Akuregoda. Dr. Godahewa recalled the support extended by the CMC to the Shangri-La project that enabled the government to obtain funds required to undertake Akuregoda project (SF)
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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