News
Prelate tells minister govt. should give priority to solving people’s problems
By Ifham Nizam
Mahanayake of Malwatte Chapter, the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sumangala Thera has instructed Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera to pay close attention to the problems the people are facing and provide proper solutions.
There were many issues that affected the people of the country at present, but the government did not appear to be implementing a proper programme to address them, the Chief incumbent told Minister Amaraweera.
The Minister visited the Malwathu Viharaya on Sunday to pay a courtesy call on the Mahanayake Thera. During the discussion with the prelate, the Minister mentioned a proposed programme to be implemented in the near future to conserve the environment in the Kandy District.
Minister Amaraweera also briefed the prelate on major environmental damage caused by the pollution of the Mahaweli Ganga in the suburbs of Kandy and steps being taken to tackle the problem.
A comprehensive programme would be launched in the near future to prevent polluting of the Mahaweli River in the suburbs of Kandy, he said.
The Mahanayake Thera also spoke of the gas, electricity and fuel crises as well as the problems faced by the farming community caused by the non-availability of required fertilisers.
“The government should pay more attention to the issues affecting the public,” the Mahanayake thera said.
The Minister also apprised the prelate of the current economic crisis facing the government. “To overcome the current economic crisis, we must enhance national productivity and tap our full economic potential,” he said.
The people had made tremendous sacrifices and it was up to the politicians to reciprocate, the minister said.
“I will not receive my MP’s salary until the end of Covid-19 epidemic. It is sent to the Covid Fund. If more sacrifices are needed I am ready for it. Not only the ruling party politicians but also the members of Parliament as well as officials need to make sacrifices for that,” the Minister said.
A budget provision of Rs. 14,400 million has been allocated to the Sri Lanka Transport Board for the purchase of 600 new standard buses with 49-54 seats under the Government Investment program in the year 2026.
After allocation of said provisions, ‘the Road Safety Plan -2025-2026’ has been introduced.
Under the aforementioned plan, the buses used for passenger transport have been identified as safe vehicles. Accordingly, the minimum specifications of the buses suitable for intercity and long-distance services have been identified. According to these specifications, Delux model (air-conditioned) buses should be used for the intercity and long-distance services.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Acting Minister of Transport,
Highways, and Urban Development to take further steps to purchase more comfortable Deluxe model (air-conditioned) buses rather than the standard model new 600 buses for which provisions have already been allocated.
News
Protection of Historical, Cultural, and Traditional Intellectual Property related to the Kandy Esala Perahera
The Committee on Development and Intellectual Property of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has initiated a project called “Promotion of Festival Tourism Development
through Intellectual Property.” The objective of this project is to increase the capacity of cultural festival organizers in the beneficiary countries to use intellectual property rights for the development of festival tourism while respecting local traditions and cultural heritage.
It has been identified the appropriateness to submit a project proposal for the protection of historical, cultural, and traditional property rights related to the Kandy Esala Perahera, comprising traditional art models and knowledge that have been passed down through the centuries.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution submitted by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development to appoint a committee comprising all relevant parties under the co-partnership of the
Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development and the Minister of Buddhism, Religious Affairs, and Cultural Affairs to prepare and submit the relevant project proposal aimed at protecting intellectual property rights of the historical, cultural, and traditional identity and values of Kandy Esala Perahera, with special attention toward ‘Protection of Publication Rights’ and ‘Trademarks and Brand Names.
The Road Development Authority is responsible for the construction, rehabilitation, improvement, maintenance, and management of the national highway systems, which include A and B grade roads, expressways, and related bridges.
Requests have been made by District Coordination Committees and other institutions to take necessary steps to take over the roads that are not under the management of the Road Development Authority and other authorities, that require urgent rehabilitation by the Road Development Authority.
60 roads that are under the Provincial Councils and other Local Government Institutions have been identified.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to appoint a committee of officials comprising representatives from the following institutions to forward the recommendations relevant to the rehabilitation of the aforementioned roads.
• Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development
• Ministry of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development
• Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Council, and Local Government
• Finance Commission
• A Chief Secretary to a Provincial Council
• Department of Management Services
• Road Development Authority
• A General Manager of a Provincial Road Development Authority
Purchase of 600 buses for intercity / long distance services of the Sri Lanka Transport Board
Protection of Historical, Cultural, and Traditional Intellectual Property related to the Kandy Esala Perahera
Development of roads which are not under the Road Development Authority
Trump slaps 50% tariffs on Canada and Carney vows to ‘intensify’ trade talks
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
Move to extend judges’ retirement ages could damage Sri Lanka’s global image, warns Prof. Peiris
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Business3 days ago‘Giving up was never an option’: The fisherman who fought back after losing millions in SL
-
Features3 days agoTwo memorable excerpts from a former SLAF commander’s memoir
-
Latest News3 days agoDavis cup Asia/Oceania Group IV 2026 to be held in Colombo from 20th to 25th July
-
Features3 days agoErdoğan’s New Republic
-
Life style3 days agoTaste of the Swiss Alps comes to Colombo
-
Features6 days agoDirty Money
-
News3 days agoDengue outbreak gallops ahead: Infections surpasses 73,455, leaving 50 dead
-
News3 days agoEvidence recorded in money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa