News
Govt. to introduce mechanism to regulate social media
Dissemination of false information and promotion of racism
Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella told the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media on Saturday that a proper mechanism to regulate websites would be introduced within the next two weeks.
A member of the Committee MP Suren Raghavan said the promotion of racism and dissemination of false information through social media should be curbed. Minister of Education Prof. G. L Peiris said that a new law had been passed in Singapore to control such matters and that such legislation should be studied prior to formulation of a new mechanism here.
Rambukwella said that the Press Council Act should be amended to help protect the dignity of the citizens and that the rights of all citizens should be protected by the media.
MP Prof. Charitha Herath said that the amendments to the Press Council Act had been discussed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media. He also said that a proper mechanism should be formulated to regulate television and radio as well.
SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara said that there was a need to reactivate the self-regulatory system for media institutions, which was discussed in 2015.
Discussions were also held regarding resuming the telecast of Parliamentary sessions through Channel Eye of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. The Committee also focused on the importance of recognising journalists as professionals, the establishment of a minimum wage scheme for journalists, deploying graduates in Mass Communication to related vacancies, and the appointment of teachers to teach Mass Media as a subject.
Minister Keheliya Rambukwella pointed out that six chairmen had been appointed to the Independent Television Network (ITN) during the last four years. By 2014 ITN was the number one channel according to surveys but the state media institutions were running at a loss during the previous regime. It would take two years to make them profit-making ventures, he said.
The Minister said that providing educational scholarships to journalists and media equipment at concessionary rates along with multiple welfare activities would be implemented.
Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media Jagath P. Wijeweera informed the committee that an insurance scheme for journalists would be introduced along with the establishment of a journalism college in the coming year.
The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide Red Alerts to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya effective from 14:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 14:00 hrs on 21.09.2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Dehiowita, Aranayake, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kothmale West, Kotmale East, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district
LEVEL II [AMBER] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka in the Colombo district, Nagoda, Thawalama and Neluwa in the Galle district, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Bulathkohupitiya and Kegalle in the Kegalle district, Akuressa and Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Thalawakele in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I [YELLOW] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Niyagama and Baddegama in the Galle district, Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya in the Kalutara district, Udapalatha and Yatinuwara in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Warakapola and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Kotapola, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, and Eheliyagoda, Kalawana and Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.
News
Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common, people-oriented objective.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a discussion held on Friday [September 18] at the Western Province Council Auditorium to review the progress of the development project to rehabilitate Rathmalana Kandawala Road and the drainage system on either side of the road, within the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council limits in the Colombo District.
The project, which commenced on September 10, 2026, is scheduled to be completed before June 30, 2027. Implemented by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA), the project includes the construction of a bridge at a cost of Rs. 64 million, the rehabilitation of the drainage system at a cost of Rs. 930 million, and the rehabilitation of the road at a cost of Rs. 115 million.
The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the progress of the responsibilities assigned to the Western Province Council, the Irrigation Department and the Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat in accordance with decisions taken at the previous committee meeting. Attention was also given to the current status of the plans being carried out by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLRDC), as well as the construction and maintenance activities being undertaken by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA).
Commending the expedite and commendable progress of the project, the Prime Minister particularly appreciated the commitment demonstrated by officials of the relevant government institutions to work in close coordination with one another and in collaboration with the political authority.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of taking measures well in advance to control flooding and minimise its impact on Colombo and several other districts in view of the rainy weather that may affect the Western Province during the latter part of this year.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairperson of the Ratmalana Divisional Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Chairman of the Roads Sub-Committee of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee Dewananda Suraweera, Mayor of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Parakum Shantha, Chief Secretary of the Western Province K.G. Pradeep Pushpakumara, along with a number of government officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
News
Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The National Buliding Research Organization has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 10:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 10:00 hrs on 21.09.2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL II (AMBER) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Nagoda and Neluwa in the Galle district, Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Dehiowita and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district, Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Kotmale, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district and Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Ratnapura and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Palinda Nuwara and Bulathsinhala in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Kotapola in the Matara district and Ratnapura, Kalawana, Kuruwita and
Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.
Landslide Red Alerts issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya
Shafali dazzles with 49-ball unbeaten 100 and India march into Asian Games final
Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM
Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten 83 leads Sri Lanka into final
Showers expected in the Western, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya Districts.
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