News
Country reopens under strict guidelines
The public must follow health guidelines properly to prevent the spread of the pandemic when travel restrictions are lifted today, says Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena. All districts will be categorised according to the case loads reported therefrom, and based on such information, travel restrictions will be relaxed or imposed, he has said.
Dr. Gunawardana has urged the public to maintain physical distancing, wear masks and sanitise their hands besides minimising travel.
Dr. Gunawardena added that only two people from each family will be allowed to leave their homes and private cars and taxis will be allowed to carry only two people. Buses can carry passengers only up to 50% of their capacity except in the Western Province. Only those engaged in the provision of essential services, will be allowed to travel in the Western Province.
Public and private institutions must manage their operations with skeleton staff. The head of the institution must decide how many people should report for work and encourage people to work from home. Supermarkets must also limit the number of customers allowed in at a time.
Meanwhile, Police Spokesman Senior DIG Ajith Rohana said public transport vehicles must carry only seated passengers, who have to wear masks. Public meetings, gatherings, ceremonies, trips and pilgrimages have been banned.
Meetings, conferences, workshops, brand launches are prohibited in the Western Province but they can be held in other provinces if necessary with a limited number of participants. Industrial Complex must operate as per the bio bubble protocol. Weddings are banned but marriages can be registered with the participation of 10 persons.
Travel across provincial boundaries has also been banned.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain
Turkiye, Pakistan agree Saudi Arabia military deployment under Mecca pact
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