News
Lankan academic elected SecGen of international Twin Research body
Prof. Athula Sumathipala, the founder of the Sri Lanka Twin Registry and one of the founding members of the Institute for Research & Development in Health and Social Care, Sri Lanka has been elected to the post of Secretary General of the International Association for Twin Research for the two years 2024 – 2025, a news release from the Institute said. Over 60 active twin research organizations and registries around the world are members of this association.
Sumathipala was elected to the post at the 18th International Twin Research Congress held in Budapest, Hungary from June 15th to 18th this year (2023). Under his leadership, the Sri Lankan Twin Registry has contributed a wealth of new knowledge to the field of scientific research, the release said.
Prof. Adam Domonkos Tarnoki from the Emmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary was elected as the President of the Twin Society. He is a twin himself is a founding member of the Hungarian Twin Registry. Prof. Nicholas Martin was elected to the post of treasurer. He is a Human Geneticist and founded the Australian Twin Registry. He is also the Editor of the journal of Twin and Genetic Research.
Another six leading twin researchers were elected to the council; Prof Nancy L. Segal is an American Evolutionary Psychologist and Behavioural Geneticist, specializing in the study of twins. Nancy Segal is the Professor of Developmental Psychology and Director of the Twin Studies Center, at California State University.
Asma Khalil is a Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine at St George’s University Hospital (University of London), Prof Jeffery Craig, Professor in Epigenetics and Cell Biology at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia, Prof. Petra Zwijnenburg, Medical Specialist, Human Genetics; Medical Specialist, ACS – Atherosclerosis & Ischemic Syndromes; Medical Specialist in Reproduction Medicine, Monica Rankin, Chairperson, International Council of Multiple Birth Organisations, Melbourne, Australia.It has also been decided to hold the International Twin Research Congress in 2025 in Sri Lanka, the release said.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
Minimum purchasing price of Samba and Kiri Samba paddy increased
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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