News
SJB raises issue of proposed construction of Sinharaja tanks
Irrigation Act will be amended – Minister
Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa on Thursday told Parliament that there were many weaknesses in the current Irrigation Act, and that the ministry had proposed amendments thereto to the Attorney General’s Department.
Minister Rajapaksa made this statement responding to SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana, who asked whether it was possible to construct two reservoirs inside the Sinharaja Rainforest under the Irrigation Ordinance.
The government had initiated a programme to clean 103 rivers and strengthen the banks of irrigation tanks in the country, the Irrigation Minister said.
The minister said he would visit Anuradhapura, on March 31, to commence the construction work of the Lower Malwathu Oya Reservoir. He also planned to discuss the misuse of the water from the Thissawewa with the officials responsible for the protection of the tank, the minister said.
Responding to another question raised by MP Pathirana, Minister Rajapaksa said that the water in the Thissawewa was polluted and that unauthorised settlers and hotel owners were responsible for it.
The minister said that bathing had been prohibited in the tank, adding that alternative bathing spots had been set up on the banks of the Abhaya Wewa, Bulankulama Wewa, and Malwathu Oya. He added that a programme would be conducted to raise public awareness of the issue. (SI)
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, at Temple Tress on the 17th of February
Dr. Georgieva, commended the Government’s efforts in stabilizing the country’s economy and in managing recent economic and natural shocks. She noted that Cyclone Ditwah had caused severe impacts, especially on economically vulnerable communities, underscoring the importance of targeted support and resilience-building measures.
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the IMF’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The PM further emphasized that real economic recovery and development must directly benefit the economically vulnerable groups and ensure inclusive growth, highlighting the need for Sri Lanka to attract quality and sustainable investments, particularly in the tourism sector.
The importance of reforming the education system to focus not only on knowledge acquisition but also on skills development and employability was also discussed
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the IMF Managing Director Andreas Bauer, Director, Asia and Pacific Department, Dr. Krishna Srinivasan Division Chief (Strategic Communications), Communications Department, Pierre Mejlak Resident Representative for Sri Lanka Dr. Martha Woldemichael, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and Deputy Governor Dr. C. Amarasekara, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution forwarded by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to relocate the Deniyaya Base Hospital after constructing a new hospital with a capacity of 300 beds at an estimated cost of Rupees 6,000 million.
The Southern Provincial Department of Health has acquired a plot of land in Handford estate which is approximately 03 kilometres away from the town for this purpose.
News
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