News
Students of Mahanama College visit Presidential Secretariat
Students from Mahanama College, Colombo 03 visited the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (29). This opportunity was afforded as part of the ‘Vision’ programme series, jointly organised by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education and the Parliament Department of Communication, specifically for schoolchildren.
During the visit, Mahanama College, Colombo, held the inaugural session of its Student Parliament. The proceedings included the appointment and swearing-in of the Speaker, along with the swearing-in of the Members of Parliament. Coinciding with this, certificates of participation were awarded to the members of the Student Parliament and Bank of Ceylon accounts were opened for them.
Additionally, the participating students received an informative session on future leadership, the history of parliamentary tradition and the role of Parliament. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President addressed the students, highlighting that a government chosen by the people represents a democratic administration, with its ultimate aim and objective being to serve the populace.
He expressed his hope that these children would become future leaders of the country and dedicate themselves to public service. Gamage also outlined the function of the President’s Fund and its importance for schoolchildren.
To coincide with the programme, valuable plants were presented to the school as a symbolic gift, emphasising the importance of environmental conservation and the ‘Vision’ magazine was also handed over.
Among those present at the event were Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Speaker of Parliament; Chaminda Kularatne, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament; Jayalath Perera, Director of Legislative Services and Acting Director of Communications; Air Commodore Asiri Gallage, Director of the Tri-Forces Coordination Unit at the Presidential Secretariat; Major Nadeeka Dangolla, Assistant Director of the Tri-Forces Coordination Unit; Duminda Wickramasinghe, Public Services Officer; along with teachers and parents from Mahanama College.
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
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Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
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