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KOICA and AKOFE Donate Educational Equipment to Rural Schools in Sri Lanka

Published

4 months ago

2025/09/4

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), together with the Alumni Association of KOICA Fellows in Sri Lanka (AKOFE), organized donation ceremonies on August 31 and September 1, 2025, to support schools in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla Districts with essential educational
equipment.

The donations were made to Soragune Maha Vidyalaya in Haldummulla and Heewelkandura Maha Vidyalaya in Mawelagama, both of which serve students from Grade 1 to Grade 13, with 600 and 423 students respectively. The donations included computers, printers, sports items, shoes, and furniture, aiming to improve the learning environment and provide better opportunities for students in rural areas.

The event at Heewelkandura Maha Vidyalaya was especially meaningful, as parents and community members joined the ceremony. The program also featured the awarding of certificates to recent graduates who had advanced to university, symbolizing the school’s success in nurturing the next generation of leaders Speaking at the event, KOICA’s Country Director emphasized the importance of education, stating, “Education is the key to a country’s development. By investing in education, we can cultivate young leaders who will uphold the nation and shape its future.” School principals expressed their heartfelt gratitude to KOICA and AKOFE, highlighting that the donation will serve as a beacon of hope for students.

KOICA, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, is the Republic of Korea’s leading governmental organization responsible for
implementing grant aid programs and promoting sustainable development worldwide. Established in 1991, KOICA has maintained a country office in Sri Lanka since 1995. Over the past three decades,KOICA has supported Sri Lanka through diverse projects, expert and volunteer deployment, fellowship programs, and partnerships with ministries and local institutions. To date, more than 3,350 Sri Lankans have participated in KOICA’s fellowship and capacity-building programs, and on average around 130 government officials are invited to Korea each year through the CIAT Fellowship Program.

AKOFE, established in 1999, consists of Sri Lankan alumni who studied in Korea through KOICA fellowship programs. In line with KOICA’s
vision of “Leave no one behind,” AKOFE not only organizes charity events like this, but also hosts knowledge dissemination sessions for returning
fellows, ensuring that the benefits of training extend beyond individual capacity building to strengthening the capacities of Sri Lankan institutions
as well.

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Navy seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in northern waters

Published

4 hours ago

2026/01/3

Priyan

During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 01 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 11 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan of Kareinagar, Jaffna.

The Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the Northern Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Kovilan.

Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of one Indian fishing boat and apprehension of 11 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (11) were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.

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Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

11 hours ago

2026/01/3

Priyan

Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounts to LKR. 372,776,918.28.

The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over on Wednesday (31 December) at the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The donations comprised LKR. 250 million from the Commander of the Army, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo; LKR. 73,963,879.71 from the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and LKR. 48,813,038.97 from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present on the occasion.

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CEB demands 11.57 percent power tariff hike in first quarter

Published

13 hours ago

2026/01/3

Thilina Walpola

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) seeking an 11.57 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the first quarter of 2026, citing an estimated revenue shortfall and additional financial pressures, including cyclone-related damages.

According to documents issued by the PUCSL, the proposed tariff revision would apply to electricity consumption from January to March 2026 and includes changes to both energy charges and fixed monthly charges across all consumer categories, including domestic, religious, industrial, commercial and other users.

Under the proposal, domestic electricity consumers would face increases in unit rates as well as fixed monthly charges across all consumption blocks.

The CEB has estimated a deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for the first quarter of 2026, which it says necessitates the proposed 11.57 per cent tariff hike. The utility has noted that any deviation from this estimate whether a surplus or a shortfall will be adjusted through the Bulk Supply Tariff Adjustment (BSTA) mechanism and taken into account in the next tariff revision.

In its submission, the CEB said the proposed revision is aimed at ensuring the financial and operational stability of the power sector and mitigating potential risks to the reliability of electricity supply. The board-approved tariff structure for the first quarter of 2026 has been submitted to the PUCSL for approval and subsequent implementation, as outlined in Annex II of the proposal.

The CEB has also highlighted the financial impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which it said caused extensive damage to electricity infrastructure, with total losses estimated at around Rs. 20 billion. Of this amount, Rs. 7,016.52 million has been attributed to the first quarter of 2026, which the utility said has a direct bearing on electricity tariffs.

The CEB warned that if external funding is not secured to cover the cyclone-related expenditure, the costs incurred would need to be recovered through electricity tariffs in the second-quarter revision of 2026.

Meanwhile, the PUCSL has said that a decision on whether to approve the proposed tariff increase will be made only after following due regulatory procedures and holding discussions on the matter.

By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️