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Special program at Panadura Beach for International Coastal Cleanup Day
The government is currently implementing special programs for marine and coastal conservation, including entering into agreements with other countries to protect Sri Lanka’s marine and coastal ecosystems.
As part of this effort, Sri Lanka has become a state party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction. The instrument of ratification for this has been submitted to the United Nations.
In a bid to ensure coastal cleanliness and marine protection, the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Department, both affiliated with the Ministry of Environment, are undertaking various positive initiatives.
In line with these efforts, the Marine Environment Protection Authority has organized a special program at the Panadura beach tomorrow, (September 20), for International Coastal Cleanup Day. The event will be held under the patronage of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi, with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody.
Similar to this event, programs are being organized across all 14 coastal districts of Sri Lanka to mark this day and Marine Resources Conservation Week. These activities are expected to involve government agencies, the private sector, the tri-forces, the police, and schoolchildren.
Mark Chapman bludgeoned 78 off 28 balls before New Zealand survived a late onslaught to record their first T20I victory of the home season in a bounce back against West Indies at Eden Park.
West Indies were down and out in the 208-run chase at 93 for 6 in the 13th over. They needed 18 an over from there but the required rate suddenly nosedived as Rovman Powell launched stunning hitting at the death.
Needing 16 runs off the final over, West Indies were suddenly in the box seat after a couple of Matthew Forde boundaries meant they required eight off four balls.
But Powell holed out to quick Kyle Jamieson on the fourth ball in a game-changer before Forde could only score a single off the final delivery as West Indies fell three runs short.
Jamieson held his nerve with a superb slower ball in a major relief for New Zealand, who were under pressure after a seven-run defeat in the series-opener at the same ground just 24 hours earlier.
After New Zealand were sent in to bat, Chapman ignited his side in favourable batting conditions and completely dominated the middle-latter overs with a slew of belligerent blows.
While chasing, West Indies succumbed to spinners Ish Sodhi, the only change from either team from game one, and Mitchell Santner combining for six wickets.
There was a late twist but the result snapped the West Indies’ five-game T20I winning streak.
DRS was used in this match after technical issues meant the technology could not be in place for the opener.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 207 for 5 in 20 overs (Mark Chapman 78, Tim Robinson 39, Devon Conway 16, Rachin Ravindra 11, Daryl Mitchell 28*, Mitchell Santner 18*; Mathew Forde 1-17, Jason Holder 1-34, Romario Shepherd 1-38, Roston Chase 2-33) beat West Indies 204 for 8 in 20 overs (Alick Athanaze 33, Shai Hope 24, Jason Holder 16, Rovman Powell 45, Romario Shepherd 34, Mathew Forde 29*; Jacob Duffy 1-21, Kyle Jamieson 1-51, Michell Santner 3-31, Ish Sodhi 3-39) by three runs
[Cricinfo]
The Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 (Budget Speech) is scheduled to be presented to Parliament tomorrow (07) at 1.30 p.m. by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.
Subsequently, the debate on the Appropriation Bill (Budget Debate) is scheduled to be held from November 8 to December 5, 2025.
The Appropriation Bill for 2026, which was presented to Parliament for the First Reading on September 26, 2025, will have its Second Reading Debate for 6 days from November 8 to 14. Accordingly, the vote on the Second Reading will be held on November 14 at 6.00 p.m.
The Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 will take place for 17 days, from November 15 to December 5, including 3 Saturdays. The Third Reading Vote on the Appropriation Bill will then be held on December 5 at 6.00 p.m.
During the Budget Period the Budget Debate will be held every day, including Saturdays, except for public holidays and Sundays. Also, during the Committee Stage Debate Period, Parliament is scheduled to meet at 9.30 a.m. on Mondays and at 9.00 a.m. on all other days.
Accordingly, during this period, in addition to the business under Standing Orders 22(1) to (6), time has been allocated for 5 Questions for Oral Answers and 1 Question under Standing Orders 27(2). Also, during this period, the Budget Debate is scheduled to be held until 6.00 p.m. and on all days except voting days, from 6.00 to 6.30 p.m., time will be allotted for Motions at the Adjournment Time based on a 50:50 allocation between the Government and the Opposition.
The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Ratnapura valid from 12:30 hrs on 06.11.2025 to 12:30 hrs on 07.11.2025
Accordingly,
Level II warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Ratnapura, Elapatha and Kuruwita in the Ratnapura district.
Level I warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Warakapola and Kegalle in the Kegalle district and Kiriella, Kahawaththa, Ayagama, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Nivithigala and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura district.
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