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Jehovah’s Witnesses to host three-day international convention in Colombo

Published

1 week ago

2025/07/6

Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri expresses government’s support for the upcoming JW International Convention by extending his greetings to Sasha Balakrishnan, the project official for the event.

Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW.ORG) is scheduled to host a three-day International Convention in Colombo from Sept 5 to 7, drawing over 3,500 international delegates from 10 countries and more than 14,000 total participants including local members. The convention will take place at the Sugathadasa Indoor and Outdoor Stadium, with all sessions conducted under the global theme “Pure worship”.

The announcement was made at a special media briefing held on July 1, attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, who affirmed the government’s full support for the event. He noted that all necessary approvals and logistical facilitation would be provided to ensure its success, recognising the convention’s significance for tourism and inter-cultural engagement.

The convention is expected to deliver a substantial economic impact. In 2018, a similar international JW.ORG gathering generated USD 6.9 million in tourism revenue. This year, organisers estimate an increase to USD 7.6 million, driven by high visitor turnout and extended travel itineraries across Sri Lanka’s leading tourist destinations.

Delegates from the United States, Greece, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, the Czech Republic, and Nepal have confirmed participation. Many of the international attendees have already secured bookings at over 12 luxury hotels across Colombo, with additional travel plans to Galle, Pinnawala, Yala National Park, and Nuwara Eliya following the convention.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for their peaceful conduct and high level of organisation, making them exemplary visitors,” noted a tourism industry spokesperson. “Their conventions not only contribute to hotel occupancy and revenue but also promote Sri Lanka as a safe and welcoming destination for global faith-based travel.”

The three-day programme will feature a series of spiritual discourses, video presentations, and panel discussions focused on biblical teachings and values. All sessions will encourage love, compassion, and community unity—hallmarks of JW.ORG’s global mission.

With over 8.5 million members worldwide, JW.ORG conventions are held across continents each year, offering both spiritual enrichment and substantial economic benefits to host cities. The upcoming Colombo convention is poised to reaffirm Sri Lanka’s capacity to host world-class religious events while bolstering the country’s ongoing tourism recovery.

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Aviation authority says Boeing fuel switches are safe during crash probe

Published

16 mins ago

2025/07/14

Priyan

260 people died when the Air India plane crashed in June, including 240 who had been onboard and 20 more at ground level [BBC]

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said the fuel control switches in Boeing aeroplanes are safe, following their reported involvement in a fatal Air India crash that killed 260 people in June.

The safety of the switches has become a key point of concern after a preliminary report on the disaster was released by investigators on Friday.

That report said fuel to the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner engines was cut off moments after take-off from Ahmedabad airport, and highlighted past FAA reports that suggested the switches should be inspected for safety.

The disaster involving London-bound Flight 171 was one of the worst aviation incidents globally in almost a decade.

Switches controlling fuel flow to the jet’s engines had been moved from “run” to the “cut-off” position, hampering the thrust of the plane, according to the preliminary report, which was published by the India Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB).

Investigators referred to a 2018 FAA advisory, which urged – but did not mandate – operators of Boeing models to inspect the locking feature of the fuel cut-off switches to ensure they could not be moved by accident. This step was not taken by Air India, the AAIB said in its early findings.

The FAA on Friday told civil aviation authorities that it had seen AAIB’s preliminary report. It noted that its own 2018 advisory “was based on reports that the fuel control switches were installed with the locking feature disengaged” – but added that it does not believe this makes the planes unsafe.

“Although the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models, the FAA does not consider this issue to be an unsafe condition that would warrant an Airworthiness Directive on any Boeing airplane models, including the Model 787,” said the authority, in an internal note shared with the BBC.

“The FAA will continue to share relevant information with foreign civil aviation authorities as appropriate.”

AAIB, which reviewed recovered cockpit voice recordings, reported that one pilot could be heard during the flight asking the other why he cut off the fuel. “The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” said the report.

Investigators said the fuel switches had almost simultaneously flipped from run to cut-off just after take-off. The report did not say how the switches could have flipped during the flight.

Air India Flight 171 was scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad in India to London’s Gatwick airport.

The plane crashed into a medical college near the airport within a minute of take-off, killing 260 people who were mostly passengers. One British national survived the crash.

Investigators are expected to produce a more detailed report in 12 months.

[BBC]

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Evaluating education, measured solely on exam results should be changed. – Prime Minister

Published

48 mins ago

2025/07/14

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the current perspective on education is extremely narrow and that the practice of evaluating education solely based on exam results is flawed and in need of change.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the “Pankaja Student Summit 2025” of the Polonnaruwa District, held on Sunday [July 13] at Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa aiming for the development of virtues among children by fostering the fundamental aspects of higher education.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya attended the event as Minister of Education, in response to an invitation from Praveen Maneesha Watthegama, the student Prime Minister representing Royal Central College in the National Student Parliament.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated;

“We are committed to transforming the exam-centered education system to one that allows talented children to move forward through their abilities and skills.

Our President constantly emphasizes the need to build a compassionate society by nurturing sensitive children with good values. It is not enough to raise individuals who only fulfill their own duties and needs, what matters is producing students who work for the betterment of society in mind.

Today, seeing the creativity and skills of these students, I truly feel happy. I am confident that there is a highly capable group of young people ready to take on the future leadership of our country. Our goal is to nurture not only creativity but also children who are enriched with humanity. Seeing your talents has given me further encouragement. You are the ones who give us the strength to keep working. Let us all join together and commit ourselves to building a compassionate and value-driven society.”

Praveen Maneesha Watthegama, the student Prime Minister of the National Student Parliament presenting his views said:

“We have named this student summit ’Pankaja’ (lotus), a flower that rises from the mud to symbolize the emergence of a noble new generation from a troubled society.

As a representative of the student community, I hope to present three key proposals to the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training.

Firstly, to implement the concept of student parliaments effectively in schools; secondly, to introduce a system where physical punishment is replaced with a skill-based point deduction method as a form of discipline; and thirdly, to investigate the possibility of implementing value-based programs in Sunday Dhamma schools that help shape students’ attitudes.”

The event was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha and clergy of other religions, Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramarathna, Deputy Minister of Housing Development, Construction and Housing T.B. Sarath, Members of Parliament for Polonnaruwa District Padmasiri Bandara and Sunil Rathnasiri, Principal of Royal Central College Mr. Ravilal Wijewansa, members of the school academic staff, students, and a large number of parents.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Import bill falls, even as vehicle inflow climbs

Published

9 hours ago

2025/07/14

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka’s import bill dropped by USD 179 million in May 2025 to USD 1.507 billion, despite a notable rise in personal vehicle imports, and there has been a continued surge in workers’ remittances, according to the latest data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

The value of personal vehicle imports stood at USD 118 million in May, a marginal dip from USD 134 million in April. However, the broader import decline was driven by weakening services inflows and tighter control on other categories of goods, amid concerns over the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s external sector.

The import contraction comes as remittance inflows continued their upward trajectory. Workers abroad sent home USD 635.7 million in June—up 22% year-on-year—bringing total remittances for the first half of 2025 to USD 3.7 billion. This represents an 18.9% increase from the same period last year, reinforcing remittances as the single largest source of foreign exchange for the country. In 2024, Sri Lanka received a total of USD 6.57 billion in remittances,

largely underpinned by a steady outflow of migrant workers, with 312,836 Sri Lankans officially departing for overseas employment during the year.

While gross inflows from exports, remittances, and services amounted to USD 2.14 billion in May—comfortably exceeding goods imports by USD 633 million—the performance of the services sector flagged warning signs. Services receipts fell to USD 464.6 million from USD 602 million in April. Tourism earnings dropped sharply to USD 164 million from USD 256 million, while IT and BPO service exports declined to USD 61.6 million from USD 85.4 million.

Investment goods imports, at USD 344.3 million in May, remained only marginally below April’s figure of USD 371 million.