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Prof. Peiris strongly defends re-opening of schools

Education Minister Prof. G.L Peiris yesterday (23) strongly defended the government decision to re-open schools in areas not affected by the rampaging coronavirus epidemic.
Schools in the Western Province and some areas isolated due to the epidemic remained closed.
Addressing the media at Waters Edge, Prof. Peiris emphasised that all schools couldn’t be kept shut, pending total eradication of the epidemic.
Such a strategy wouldn’t be realistic, Prof. Peiris said, pointing out that the government decided to re-open schools after having studied the situation.
Responding to a barrage of questions regarding possible risks faced by the student population, the Education Minister asked how schools could remain closed indefinitely.
“Of course, the Education Ministry took the decision in line with overall government response to the corona threat,” Prof. Peiris shot back, pointing out that the situation would be monitored closely.
The Education Minister assured that sufficient funds had been allocated to regional school authorities to provide whatever material support necessary. The minister provided a breakdown of funds made available to provinces while acknowledging the possibility shortcomings.
The minister said that a perfect system couldn’t be expected during the ongoing crisis.
Responding to another query, the minister said that in areas where schools were re-opened some remained closed in terms of the decision taken by school authorities in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Prof. Peiris said that the Education Ministry permitted school authorities to decide on the re-opening in terms of the overall approval given by the ministry. Therefore, six schools in the East, 14 in Central Province, 14 in North central, 12 in Sabaragamuwa, 48 in North Western Province and 1 in the South remained closed.
Prof. Peiris pointed out that the government conducted the Year 5 Scholarship Examination and GCE Advance Level examination though some opposed the idea. What would have happened if both examinations were cancelled to appease those who opposed everything for the sake of opposing, the minister asked
(SF)
News
Pope Leo appeals for no more war in first Sunday address

Pope Leo XIV appealed for “no more war” in a message to world powers during his first Sunday address at the Vatican.
Reflecting on current conflicts, the newly selected pontiff called for a “lasting peace” in the war in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed Saturday’s agreement to end recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.
He said he was “deeply hurt” by events in Gaza, expressed hope for a “lasting accord” between India and Pakistan, and wished for a “authentic, true and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
The Pope also recited the Regina Caeli prayer, in honour of the Virgin Mary, to the crowd in St Peter’s Square.
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May this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings – PM

In her Vesak day message, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya wished that this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings
The full text of the prime ministers vesak day message:
“It is an honor to extend my Vesak day message to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which Buddhist community across Sri Lanka come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha, upholding both material and spiritual offerings and commemorating the threefold sacred events of the Lord Buddha’s life.
Since ancient times, the lives of the Sri Lankan people have been deeply rooted by the teaching of the Lord Buddha and this is a greater inheritance we have received through the Dhamma. In our country, where people of diverse ethnicities and religions coexist in harmony, the collective celebration of a major religious festival such as Vesak stands as a powerful testament to that unity.
This year Vesak day celebration marks the first to be celebrated under the current government, which was established with the vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.” I believe that this Vesak season is a particularly a time to heal the hearts and minds of humanity, especially as our nation embarks on a path of meaningful transformation. Through this message, I take this opportunity to invite all of citizens to unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion.
I join all Sri Lankans in praying that the flames of war burning in various parts of the world at this moment may be extinguished, and that all people across the globe may be blessed with lives of happiness and peace.
May all of you have a blessed Vesak!”
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Special waste management programme launched under “Clean Sri Lanka” during the State Vesak Festival

Parallel with the State Vesak Festival that commenced on Saturday (10) in the Nuwara Eliya District, a special waste management initiative has been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to enhance facilities for devotees and ensure proper waste disposal in the city of Nuwara Eliya.
With hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit Nuwara Eliya during the Vesak Week, from May 10 to 16, this initiative is aimed at preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the area.
The programme will focus particularly on areas around the Gregory Lake, a key tourist attraction, and the Nuwara Eliya International Buddhist Centre, the venue for the State Vesak Festival.
In addition, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative urges visiting devotees to refrain from bringing non-biodegradable material such as polythene and calls on all citizens to act responsibly by properly disposing of waste only at designated locations, while maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the environment.
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