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Strengthening English language education in Sri Lanka: British Council, in partnership with HSBC and Ministry of Education marks success of training initiative

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Participants with British Council Sri Lanka Country Director Orlando Edwards

The British Council, in collaboration with HSBC and the Ministry of Education, held an Awards Ceremony on Monday, February 24, to commemorate the successful completion of the English Communication Skills for Remote Delivery Project (ECSRD) 2025.

The ceremony was attended by over 300 teachers and mentors, and certificates were awarded to 279 teachers and 51 mentors from the Regional English Support Centres (RESCs) island-wide, a news release on the event said.

Launched in 2022, the ECSRD Project aimed to enhance the quality of English language education in Sri Lanka, with a special focus on rural areas. By strengthening teachers’ ability to develop and assess listening and speaking skills, the initiative ultimately supports students’ future employment prospects and career ambitions.

The programme provided secondary English language teachers with practical training on how to better integrate speaking and listening activities into their classroom practice. It also equipped them with strategies to leverage the English language school textbooks more effectively for developing these skills, the release explained.

“Teachers were supported by mentors from the 29 Regional English Support Centres (RESCs), who guided them through the nine-month programme. They attended study sessions at their local RESCs and completed portfolio tasks that connected course materials to their real-life classroom teaching.

“Since the project’s inception in 2022, 66 RESC mentors from 31 RESCs from all nine provinces in Sri Lanka have been trained to support teacher participants and additionally, 501 English language teachers have received specialised training to improve their ability to develop and assess students’ listening and speaking skills in the classroom.”

Nimali Baduraliya, Director of Education (English and Foreign Languages), Ministry of Education – Sri Lanka, said: “This Project has helped to improve assessing listening and speaking skills of English teachers in secondary schools. Teachers have benefited through the project and the improved methodology of the teachers will enhance the students’ listening and speaking skills.”

“The unique feature of this project is that it was delivered through the RESCs located island-wide, where RESC trainers have also benefited with skills as mentors—and the continuous and constructive feedback has strengthened the skills of teachers in developing and assessing listening and speaking skills.”

“The initiative taken by HSBC to strengthen teacher capacity development with the British Council is immensely appreciated, since the ultimate beneficiaries of this project are the students who have been provided with opportunities to improve listening and speaking skills, which are fundamental in English communication,” Baduraliya said.

Mark Surgenor, CEO of HSBC Sri Lanka stated, “We believe that education is the foundation of progress, and English language is a powerful tool for empowerment. Through our partnership with the British Council and Ministry of Education, we are proud to have supported teachers in upskilling their English language proficiency, enabling them to better guide and inspire students.”

“By equipping educators with the right tools, we are ensuring that the next generation gains the language skills necessary to enhance their employability and thrive in a globalised market for talent,” he added. “This initiative reflects our commitment to investing in the future of our communities and fostering long-term economic growth.”

Orlando Edwards, Country Director, British Council Sri Lanka, commenting on the success of the initiative, said: “The British Council, together with HSBC and the Ministry of Education, is proud to see the very positive impact of the ECSRD Project.”

“By equipping mentors with advanced mentoring and assessment skills, we’re ensuring quality English teaching, particularly in rural areas. This initiative aligns with Sri Lanka’s broader education goals, ensuring that the methodologies we introduce are relevant, sustainable, and scalable. Today’s awards ceremony is not just a recognition of teachers’ dedication—it marks the beginning of a stronger, more confident English teaching community in Sri Lanka.”



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Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

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The RED Landslide Early Warnings issued  by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organization [NBRO]  to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been extended until 1600hrs today [06th December 2025]. Landslide Early warnings have also been issued to the districts of  Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Monaragala and Ratnapura,

Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Doluwa, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Akurana, Udunuwara, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Harispattuwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Warakapola,  Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya,  Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota and Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, Narammala, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Rideegama and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ukuwela, Pallepola, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district, and Nildandahinna,  Walapane,  Hanguranketha and  Mathurata in the Nuwara Eliya district.

LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of  Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Passara and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Godakawela and Kolonna in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka and Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Attanagalla and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara  district, Athuraliya and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kiriella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Ratnapura and Kaltota in the Ratnapura district.

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IMF pledges additional aid to Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah destruction

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Julie Kozack, Director, IMF Communications Department

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.

“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.

The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.

“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.

She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.

“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.

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Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir takes oath as SJB National List MP

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Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).

His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.

The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.

Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.

With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.

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