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Director General of SACEP meets Deputy Minister of Environment
The Director General of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Program (SACEP), Norbu Wanchuk, met with the Deputy Minister of Environment this (30) morning at the Ministry of Environment.
The meeting focused on a range of pressing environmental issues affecting the South Asian region, with particular attention to capacity building, marine-related activities, and transboundary concerns such as air and marine pollution. Both parties discussed the importance of conducting thorough needs assessments to ensure targeted and effective environmental interventions across member countries.
Climate change and its far-reaching impacts were also a key area of discussion. The Director General commended the Ministry of Environment for its continued leadership and strong commitment to advancing the goals of SACEP. He expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka’s significant role and its efforts in supporting regional environmental initiatives.
Yhe DG also reviewed the progress of the Second Assessment on Marine Pollution, which is being implemented through a multilateral partnership under SACEP. The PLEASE (Plastic free Rivers and Seas for South Asia Project) project’s progress report was submitted during the meeting, highlighting advancements made in recent months.
Furthermore, discussions included the development of the SACEP Headquarters, which is being established in Sri Lanka. Both sides acknowledged the strategic importance of this initiative and the positive steps taken toward its completion.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued cooperation and collective action in addressing the region’s environmental challenges.
Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado will meet President Donald Trump on Thursday, the White House has confirmed.
The visit comes just weeks after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was seized in Caracas by US forces. But Trump declined to endorse Machado, whose movement claimed victory in 2024’s widely contested elections, as its new leader.
The US instead backed Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice-president.
Machado said last week she hoped to thank Trump personally for the action against Maduro and would like to give the Nobel Prize to him. Trump called it “a great honour”, but the Nobel Committee later clarified that it was not transferable.
[BBC]
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
Minimum purchasing price of Samba and Kiri Samba paddy increased
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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