The upgrading of the Hingurakgoda runway was underway to meet international standards and accommodate widely utilised Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft, the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) said in a statement.

The Air Force said it had been entrusted with the design and construction of the runway and that the Road Development Authority (RDA) had been assigned to review the SLAF’s designs and provide consultations. The Civil Aviation Authority and Airports and Aviation Services Sri Lanka will issue essential guidelines and regulatory frameworks through a Cabinet memorandum.

The project was officially inaugurated on 19 August, 2024 by the Special Project Management Unit of the SLAF.

The upgrade process is divided into four distinct phases, with the first phase focusing on the construction of the main runway, which includes seven stages and the initial allocation of funds facilitated the completion of stages one and two, resulting in the asphalt binder course for 850 metres of the total 2,500-metre runway.

Prior to proceeding with the final asphalt course, the RDA consultant team recommended conducting a test landing on the completed 850-metre section. A Y-12 aircraft, piloted by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, successfully conducted the test landing on 13 January 2025, marking a significant milestone in the project. The event was attended by the Director of the Special Project Management Unit, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha Silva and the Base Commander of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, Air Commodore Dinesh Jayaweera.

The next stage of construction, which involves extending the runway by another 850 metres, is scheduled to begin on 15 January 2025. With approval granted by the President, the project aims to complete the full 2,500-meter runway, ensuring it meets the operational requirements of larger aircraft.

The High Commission of India in Colombo and the Consulate General of India in Jaffna distributed festive kits at a series of celebratory events ahead of the auspicious festival of Pongal, while the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy and the Consulate General of India in Hambantota distributed assistance based on the requests from local institutions and families.

In the Northern Province, Pongal kits were distributed among beneficiaries at events held at the Kayts Divisional Secretariat and at the Selva Sannithi Murugan Kovil, Thondaimanaru; while school bags and learning kits were distributed to underprivileged students at the Kalaimagal Free Education Society, Chulipuram.

In the Eastern Province, the High Commission of India, in coordination with District Secretariat Batticaloa, distributed essential supplies to support rehabilitation of 750 flood-affected families spread across Koralai Pattu South, Koralai Pattu West, Eravur Pattu, Manmunai South West, Porathivu Pattu, Manmunai South and Eruvil Pattu.

The Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy, as part of New Year celebrations, distributed 200 umbrellas and raincoats among estate workers at an event at St. Joseph Vaz Church Kadiyanlena in Nawalapitiya. In another event, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Duruthu Poya day, a donation of over 50 mattresses was made to the pilgrim rest house at Divurumpola Raja Maha Viharaya.

The Consulate General of India in Hambantota gifted eight LED Television sets to Tissamaharama Base Hospital. A special Ayurveda Medical camp was also organized at the Sri Sudharmarama Raja Maha Viharaya in collaboration with the Department of Ayurveda, Uva Province, to provide free Ayurvedic consultations and medicines to the local residents.

The distribution events were aimed at spreading festive cheer, as well as providing relief to those in need, thus further strengthening the bonds of the unique India – Sri Lanka relationship.

The distribution of assistance will continue over the next few days, and will include donation of roofing sheets to families in Mattale affected by the recent climatic disaster, school bags and stationery items to students at Ramboda Temple, a herbal crusher machine to Chamal Rajapaksa Ayurvedic Hospital at Hambantota, water purifier to Iqra Primary School at Hambantota, photocopier machine and multi-media projector to Aluthwala Maha Vidyalaya at Galle, essential fishing equipment to the fishermen community in Jaffna, among other initiatives.

By Harischandra Gunaratna

The Charged’affairs of the French Embassy in Sri Lanka, Marie-Noelle Duris said that the Thema Collection has fulfilled a dire need of a four-star hotel in the cultural triangle to meet the demand of individual travellers (FITs) with the introduction of the company’s latest addition to its portfolio ‘Amba Yaalu’.

Ms Duris was the Chief Guest at the ceremonial opening of ‘Amba Yaalu’ Sri Lanka’s first hotel to be fully operated and managed by women, a 33-room four-star thematic resort in Kandalama.

She said “France is deeply committed to promoting gender equality and empowerment of women and added that she was proud to be in the cultural triangle to inaugurate the hotel which reflects the great ambition of Thema Collection.”

The imperative was to enable Sri Lankan women, particularly in rural areas, to work and to pursue value-added occupations, she said. Women account for 70 percent of the global workforce, but only 10 percent contribute to the formal tourism industry Ms Duris said adding that this initiative breaks down existing barriers to women’s access to jobs in the hospitality industry .

There was a lack of responsibility-level training in this field for women, as well as the discrimination against women which limits their career progression, particularly towards management positions, she pointed ou.

She said that the tourism sector in Sri Lanka was hit hard between 2019 and 2022, and since the recovery in 2023, the number of visitors to the country had gradually increased and eventually has exceeded two million in 2024.

French Embassy’s Charged’affairs stated that with almost 83,000 tourists every year, France stands as the second European country and the sixth in the world to to visit Sri Lanka and many foreign tourists visit the cultural triangle. She said

The diplomat hailed Thema Collection for changing the face of country’s tourism industry and empowering women, developing their skills to ensure greater equality between men and women in hostelry, particularly in management and leadership positions such as traditional division of jobs between men and women,