News
IIT Madras boosts AI and innovation ties with Lanka
The High Commission of India has been facilitating bilateral collaboration in research, innovation, and technological development. Continuing this endeavour, a delegation from IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, led by its CEO Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman, visited Colombo on 22–23 Sept.
IITM Pravartak, a Technology Innovation Hub, focuses on technology and entrepreneurship development, human-centric AI, and international collaboration in areas such as AI, IoT, and data science.
During the visit, the delegation called on the Prime Minister, the Minister of Science and Technology, the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, and the Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy. Discussions centred on collaboration in setting up incubation centres for innovation, using technology effectively in education, AI-based skilling, and developing human-centric AI applications.
The team also met with eminent AI experts from Sri Lanka, exploring multiple avenues of mutual cooperation in artificial intelligence.
A significant outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation and the University of Kelaniya to jointly promote academic enrichment, training, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
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
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