News
US-funded Oil Spill Response Workshop and Exercise gets underway for Sri Lankans
The United States, in coordination with the Sri Lankan Navy, the Sri Lankan Coast Guard and 12 other Lankan agencies responsible for environmental conservation and disaster response, launched a U.S.-funded Oil Spill Response Workshop and Exercise yesterday.
This five-day workshop aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s ability to respond to oil spills and other maritime accidents. It will include training on how to respond to disasters at sea quickly and effectively, how to measure and minimize environmental damage resulting from oil spills, and how to keep first responders safe during disaster response operations.
United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung stated: “Yesterday we celebrated World Environment Day and this workshop is just one example of our ongoing commitment to environmental conservation in Sri Lanka. By working closely with our Sri Lankan partners in government and civil society, we aim to bolster Sri Lanka’s disaster response and environmental management capacity by providing local organizations with the resources and skills they need to keep marine ecosystems pristine.”
This workshop is in addition to a previous U.S.-funded training that was organized in response to the X-Press Pearl fire in May 2021, one of the worst environmental disasters in Sri Lankan history. Oil Spill response is just one sector of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Environmental Security Programme, which is funding this workshop. Other areas of expertise include illegal fishing mitigation, coastal zone management, and biodiversity conservation.
Prime Munister Dr Harini Amarasuriya returned to the island this (23rd) morning after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
The Sri Lanka Navy successfully conducted a diving operation on 19 Jan 26 to inspect and restore the sluice gate of the Bomburuella Reservoir.
Acting on a request from the Department of Irrigation, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed a specialized diving team from the Western Naval Command, for the urgent requirement.
Through concerted effort, the Navy divers successfully cleared accumulated debris, including a significant quantity of wooden fragments, which had impeded the sluice gate mechanism.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Wednesday [January 21] on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, engaging with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the global private sector.
The Prime Minister met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the meeting, she expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support extended by the European Union and its member states following Cyclone Ditwa. The Prime Minister also briefed the Commissioner on the key findings of the World Bank’s GRADE report and requested continued EU support for Sri Lanka’s development and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Alexander De Croo, representing the United Nations Development Programme. She expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Nations and acknowledged the UN’s support in flood relief and livelihood assistance. The Prime Minister noted that, following the mandate received at the parliamentary election, the government is focused on meeting public expectations through national rebuilding grounded in public trust and good governance. She further reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
In addition, the Prime Minister met with Robert M. Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding. The discussion focused on engagement with the private sector and potential areas of collaboration.
These meetings reflected Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with international partners and global stakeholders to support recovery, development, and long-term economic stability.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
PM returns to the island
Navy divers restore sluice gate of Bomburuella Reservoir
Gujarat Giants comfortably overcome sloppy UP Warriorz
After fall from grace, Asalanka aims to bat on for Sri Lanka
PM holds High-Level meetings with EU, UNDP, and corporate leadership at World Economic Forum
Trump withdraws Canada’s invite to join Board of Peace
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Editorial6 days agoIllusory rule of law
-
News7 days agoUNDP’s assessment confirms widespread economic fallout from Cyclone Ditwah
-
Editorial7 days agoCrime and cops
-
Features6 days agoDaydreams on a winter’s day
-
Features6 days agoSurprise move of both the Minister and myself from Agriculture to Education
-
Features5 days agoExtended mind thesis:A Buddhist perspective
-
Features6 days agoThe Story of Furniture in Sri Lanka
-
Opinion4 days agoAmerican rulers’ hatred for Venezuela and its leaders