Latest News
Final rites of veteran actress Malani Fonseka to be held with state honours on Monday, 26th May at Independence Square
The final rites of veteran actress and iconic queen of Sri Lankan cinema, Malani Fonseka, will be held with state honours on Monday, 26th May 2025, at the Independence Square.
A discussion regarding the arrangements for the state funeral was held this afternoon (24) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the leadership of Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. H. M. Sunil Senevi and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The remains of Mrs. Malani Fonseka will be placed at the Tharangani Hall of the National Film Corporation on Sunday (25) and the funeral will take place on Monday evening (26) at Independence Square, with full state honours.
Extensive discussions were held regarding the necessary arrangements to provide appropriate facilities for the public arriving from across the country to pay their final respects.
The meeting was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Prince Senadheera, along with members of Mrs. Malani Fonseka’s family, fellow artistes and other dignitaries.
[PMD]
One of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes spewed a huge ash cloud more than 11 kilometres into the sky on Tuesday after officials issued the country’s highest alert.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, erupted at 17:35 local time (10:35 BST), the country’s volcanology agency said, sending the vast cloud above the tourist island of Flores.
A 7km exclusion zone was in place around the crater of the 1,584m (one mile) high twin-peaked volcano. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
The volcano erupted multiple times in November, killing nine people and forcing thousands to flee. The ash cloud also forced flight cancellations.
Geology agency head Muhammad Wafid said no one should carry out any activities within 7km of the eruption, and warned of potential lahar floods – a type of mud or debris flow of volcanic materials – if heavy rain occurs.
Residents were also urged to wear face masks to protect themselves from volcanic ash.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency meanwhile said that at least one village had been evacuated, and ash rain was reported in several others outside the exclusion zone.
A spokesman called on residents around the volcano “to evacuate to safe locations” as tremors were still being detected, which indicated ongoing volcanic activity.
Lewotobi Laki-laki’s last eruption was in May, when authorities also raised the level to the most severe.
Laki-Laki, which means “man” in Indonesian, is twinned with the calmer but taller 1,703m named Perempuan, the Indonesian word for “woman”.
[BBC]
Business
Cabinet nod to celebrate centenary of Tea Research Institute from 9th November to 14th November 2025
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Facilities to hold the 26th Session of the Intergovernmental Group on Tea of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the 4th Annual Meeting of the Asian Tea Alliance to commemorate the Centenary Anniversary of the Tea Research Institute in Colombo from 9th November to 14th November in 2025 and to take necessary steps in that respect.
Latest News
Cabinet green light to establish the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of Sri Lanka (AAIBSL)
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports ad Civil Aviation to prepare the relevant draft bill to establish the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of Sri Lanka (AAIBSL) in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka Act No. 34 of 2002
Indonesia issues highest alert as volcano erupts
Government focuses on developing a unique Food Security Index for Sri Lanka
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