News
Royal Navy officer’s ashes laid to rest at Ostenburg Point, Trincomalee
In a solemn and dignified ceremony held at Trincomalee’s Ostenburg Point on 27th September 2024, the ashes of late Lieutenant Norman Schofield, a Royal Navy officer and Mrs Marian Schofield, his late spouse, were respectfully scattered at sea with full naval honours.
Lieutenant Norman Schofield enlisted in the Royal Navy as a signalman in August 1935 and received his commission in June 1947, during the Second World War. After being assigned to various ships and bases of the Royal Navy, he served as the Port Signal Officer at HMS Highflyer Naval Base in Trincomalee from 1956 until its transfer to the Sri Lankan Government in 1957.
His final wish could not be fulfilled soon after his demise as the practice had been discontinued due to various complications but was made possible at the special request made by the Defence Adviser of the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, Colonel Darren Woods to the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera.
Defence Adviser of the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, Colonel Darren Woods and two relatives of the late officer attended the ceremony. The ceremonial proceedings were carried out by the Commanding Officer, officers and sailors of the Naval Dockyard.
(Navy media)
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.
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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
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