Connect with us

News

Major WB-funded project underway

Published

on

President Rajapaksa speaking with top WB official while State Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa looks on (Pic courtesy PMD)

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the World Bank representatives inspected a pumping station at Nagalagam Street, in Colombo, yesterday (5).

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, when he was the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, planned the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project in 2012, and it includes 55 sub projects, and the Nagalagam Street Pumping Station is one of its sub-projects.

The President’s Office said the main objective of this sub-project was to control floods in Colombo and to avoid the pollution caused by the depletion of water in the canals during the dry season. “Five pumps capable of discharging 30 cubic meters of water per second into the Kelani River and two pumps capable of carrying 12 cubic meters of water per second from the Kelani River into the canals have been installed at the pumping station. It also has two automatic locking doors and a control system.”

“The total cost of the project is US $ 321 million and the World Bank has provided a concessional loan of US $ 213 million. The Government of Sri Lanka has provided US $ 108 million for the project.

Project Director Mrs. A.H. Thushari explaining the progress of the project to the President and the World Bank representatives said that within the next few months the project will be completed.

Simultaneously, 47 km of roads will be developed in selected areas. The project also includes the development of Viharamahadevi Park, Crow Island Beach Park and Beddagana Wetland Park.

Representatives of the World Bank including World Bank’s Vice President for the South Asia Region Hartwig Schafer, State Ministers Nalaka Godahewa and Mohan P. de Silva too participated in the inspection tour along with officials .



News

Preventing road accidents should be approached not merely as a legal obligation but as a personal responsibility to save lives – PM

Published

on

By

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that preventing road accidents should be approached not merely as a legal obligation but as a personal responsibility to save lives while efforts must be undertaken with awareness and dedication, not just adherence to rules and regulations.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the inauguration ceremony of the awareness program held at Royal College, Colombo on road safety titled ’Take Care – Let’s Be Safe on the Road,’ organized jointly by the Clean Sri Lanka Program, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the Sri Lanka Police.

Police officers should conduct awareness sessions on road accident prevention for schoolchildren and distribution of equipment necessary for school transport safety to 25 selected schools across 25 districts was taken place under the patronage of the Prime Minister.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister stated:

“This is another significant initiative under the Clean Sri Lanka Project. Road accidents have become a major national crisis. The tragic reality is that most of these incidents are preventable if we have the will and dedication.

About seven people die every day due to road accidents. We must stop this tragedy. Every deceased, disabled, or injured victim of road accidents is a citizen of this country. They are someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, or child. When someone becomes a victim, the whole society is affected. The statistics on accidents are not just numbers—they carry deep stories and pain.

Preventing road accidents is not only about obeying laws. It’s about thinking of others, acting with empathy, and treating the preservation of life as our own duty. We need to build a society that functions with compassion and responsibility. That is the kind of beautiful country the government is striving to create.

It is important that education must come before punishment, setting an example must precede enforcement of the law, cautious before precede accusations. Parents must set a good example, drivers must be committed to saving lives, children must be given a clear understanding of traffic rules while the police must prioritize public education before enforcing laws.”

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Continue Reading

Latest News

President scheduled to attend a meeting with representatives of Germany’s Tourism and Travel Industry Associations and Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce today

Published

on

By

President Anura Kumara Disanayake who is on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, is scheduled to attend a meeting with representatives of Germany’s Tourism and Travel Industry Associations at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Berlin today (13).

Following this engagement, the President will participate in a Business Forum organised by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), to be held at its headquarters in Berlin.

President Disanayake is also expected to hold bilateral discussions this afternoon with Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ms Reem Alabali-Radovan, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

In the afternoon, the President is further scheduled to meet with members of the Sri Lankan community residing in Germany.

Accompanying the President on this official visit are Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and a delegation of senior government officials, all of whom will participate in these engagements.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Former Army Commander General Hamilton Wanasinghe passes away at the age of 91

Published

on

By

It has been reported that, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, General Hamilton Wanasinghe has passed away at the age of 91.

Continue Reading

Trending