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India commits grant assistance to High Impact Community Development Projects here for five more years
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in Sri Lanka, through grant assistance from the Government of India, was signed and exchanged by High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka. Santosh Jha. and Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. on 11 November, 2025, extending the existing framework for another five years.
The text of the Indian High Commission statement regarding the above:
“The HICDP framework has been designed to contribute to the developmental aspirations and needs of Sri Lanka through relatively small but highly impactful developmental initiatives implemented in coordination with the Government of Sri Lanka, while maintaining the funding of large and medium scale developmental projects, as well as special financial assistance packages. The capital cost of a project covered under the HICDP framework is capped at SLR 600 million and the total capital cost of all such projects taken up for implementation at any time is capped at LKR 10 billion. Projects under the framework are entirely based on the requirements of the people and the priorities of the Government of Sri Lanka.
The Governments of India and Sri Lanka first entered into a MoU for implementation of such a framework for a period of five years in June, 2005. Noting the high utility of the implemented projects for socio-economic development in Sri Lanka, particularly in the education, health and community development sectors, and based on request from the Government of Sri Lanka, the framework has been extended thrice to date, in 2010, 2015 and 2020. The MoU signed on 11 November is thus the fourth extension of the framework for a period of another five years.
Over 50 HICDPs have successfully been implemented in Sri Lanka until now with Indian grant assistance. Some notable instances include construction of new surgical unit at Teaching Hospital Batticaloa, construction of 115 houses and infrastructure facilities at Ven. Sobitha Nahimigama in Anuradhapura, construction of Mahatma Gandhi Community Centre in Matale, supply of 110 buses to educational institutions across Sri Lanka, renovation of Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna, upgrading 70 crèches in the estate sector to assist mothers employed in tea estates, construction of buildings of faculties of Engineering and Agriculture at University of Jaffna, Killinochchi campus, construction of buildings for Department of Kandyan Dance at Pallekele under Sri Dalada Maligawa, establishment of Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Auditorium at Ruhuna University, among others.
A total of 21 HICDPs are currently under implementation with a total outlay of over SLR 7 billion. Notable instances include construction of model villages each of 24 houses in every district of the island, establishment of smart classrooms and computer labs in 200 schools in the Southern Province, supply of single cabs for use in police stations in Sri Lanka, among others. Most recently committed projects under the scheme include establishment of 60 smart classrooms in selected schools in plantation areas, rehabilitation of Karainagar boatyard, and construction and supply of medical equipments for Accident and Emergency Unit at District General Hospital, Mannar.”
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Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
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PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
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Opposition Leader rises in defence of Dr. Bellana
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
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