News
Series of events organisd to mark Malay contribution to enrichment of Lanka for centuries
Centennial and sesquicentennial anniversaries of SLMA and CMCC
By Saman Indrajith
A series of cultural, sports, literary, commemorative and aesthetic events have been organised by the Sri Lanka Malay Association and the Colombo Malay Cricket Club to mark their centennial and sesquicentennial anniversaries respectively,throughout this year.
“The series of SLMA centenary commemoration is scheduled to be inaugurated on 22 Jan. with the issuance of a first day cover and thereafter it will be marked with several sports tournaments, a symposium, commemorative cricket charity dinner, Malay walk, launch of a coffee table book and commemorative jubilee book. The events are organised to be held throughout the year,” Rilwan Lantra, President SLMA told a press conference held at Padang Complex in Colombo on Tuesday.
He said: “A ‘Pasara Malam,’ a hawker-street styled Malay food festival, along with a Malay cultural show, an event to showcase Lankan Malay lifestyle is scheduled for July. A symposium is scheduled for September where research papers would be presented on contributions made to the nation by Lankan Malays and how they have imbibed well with the national fabric. In October a ‘Malay Rally’, a gathering of the community to promote peace and brotherhood with sports, cultural and various other events will be held. There will be a ‘Heroes Day’ in November as a mark of respect to the fallen Malay heroes and all who sacrificed their lives in the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity of mother Lanka,” Lantra said.
Colombo Malay Cricket Club (CMMC) past President Ibnusha Ally said that interaction and advent of the Malays could be traced as far as back as the Sixth and Seventh Centuries. “They have amalgamated well with the mainstream community, sharing their unique culture and traditions. Today these facets could be seen countrywide, enriching the lifestyles of the populace. Same can be said of its brothers contributing much to the development of the country in academia, corporate business, the tri-forces and police, aesthetics, social services and many other fields. It is a legacy enacted in the pages of history,” Ally said.
CMCC Vice President Hussain Jayah, its General Secretary, Roshan Allang, CMCC President Rizwan Badoordeen, CMCC Captain Rinaldin Rahaman and General Secretary of SLMA Rilwan Careem also addressed the media.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
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Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
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