News
Govt. turned holy event into a mess: Kiriella
Former SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella has said the JVP/NPP government totally mishandled the Siri Dalada Vandana relic exposition and now Kandy is reeking of waste.
Kiriella said the government’s lack of planning and experience in organising large-scale national events had led to serious public health concerns in both the city and its suburbs.
“They invited the public to Kandy even without ensuring that at least adequate sanitary facilities would be available. Now, the streets are strewn with heaps of garbage, human waste, polythene bags, and even bottles of urine. People are increasingly worried that this could trigger a disease outbreak.
“The government failed in every aspect of planning. It should have learnt from how former Presidents Ranasinghe Premadasa and Mahinda Rajapaksa handled similar expositions,” Kiriella said. “Those leaders began preparations three months ahead of the events.
They held at least 15 planning meetings, inviting MPs from both the government and Opposition to ensure proper coordination.”
Kiriella said that under past administrations, more than 10 ministries worked in unison to provide infrastructure and support for the event. “The Health Ministry ensured a steady water supply, the Housing Ministry provided tents and huts, and the Ministry of Tourism handled food and refreshments,” he recalled.
“The current government did none of this. What should have been a spiritual and well-organised national event was turned into a nightmare,” Kiriella said.
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.
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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
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