News
Media Secy. finds fault with TV ratings, calls for remedial measures
Outdated French equipment bought at a cost of Rs 108mn in 1999 not used at all
Mass Media Secretary Anusha Palpita has told the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) that the current television rating system practised here is biased and implemented in an irregular mannar.
Attending a COPA meeting chaired by State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna recently in Parliament, Palpita, who is also the Chairman of Lake House, underscored the urgent need to take remedial measures.
Janakantha Silva, Director Legislative Services and Acting Director Communication, has said in a media statement that Palpita discussed the issue at a meeting called by COPA to examine the Auditor General’s reports on the Government Information Department performance in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and the current situation.
Palpita has questioned the very basis of the data obtained for want of a transparent system, according to the statement issued by Parliament. The official was quoted as having said that a special device required for collecting data is installed in randomly selected 400 television sets. However, the entire process was manipulated by interested parties, Palpita said.
Palpita said that the state-owned television stations couldn’t resort to the same tactics to secure higher ratings.
During the proceedings, it was disclosed that a negative tape machine and the positive tape machine procured at a cost of Rs 108 mn from France in 1999 hadn’t been used at least once. Officials told COPA that the technology was outdated.
State Ministers Diana Gamage, Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Members of Parliament Niroshan Perera, J. C. Alawathuwala, Jayantha Ketagoda, Sivagnanam Sritharan, (Dr.) Major Pradeep Undugoda, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, (Ms.) Manjula Dissanayake and M. W. D. Sahan Pradeep Withana participated in the proceedings. (SF)
News
Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.
She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.
The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations. 
The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.
Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.
Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Free 14 day visa extension for visitors unable to depart Sri Lanka
US embassy in Dubai hit; Israel pounds Tehran, Beirut
Perera, Sugandika, Ranaweera take Sri Lanka to T20I series win over West Indies
Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrives in Colombo
New charges for son of Norway’s crown princess on trial for rape
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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