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.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
Minimum purchasing price of Samba and Kiri Samba paddy incresed
Showers in the Northern, North-central, Uva, Western, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Central provinces and Galle and Matara districts
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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