News

The price of a 12.5 kg domestic cylinder of Litro Gas will be reduced by around Rs. 1,000 with effect from midnight tomorrow (April 04), according to Litro chairman Mr. Muditha Peiris.

He said that the new prices, based on the pricing formula, will be announced tomorrow morning.

Mr. Peiris mentioned that this is the highest price revision of Litro Gas in the company’s history.

He said that several factors including the drop in gas prices in the global market and the strengthening of the Sri Lankan Rupee have influenced the significant price reduction.

The prices of imported milk powder will reduce with effect from Saturday (01), the Milk Powder Importers’ Association said.

The price of a 1kg packet of imported milk powder will reduce by Rs. 200.

The price of a 400g packet of imported milk powder will reduce by Rs. 80.

"However, the milk powder packets with new prices will be released to the market on Monday, following the weekend holiday," the Milk Powder Importers' Association pointed out.

News 1st

In keeping with age old customs and traditions, the document containing the auspicious times for the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year was handed over to the President on Monday (3).

The presentation of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year rituals time table known as 'Nekath Seettuwa' to the President took place at the President's Office.

Marking the ancient tradition a drummer led the bearer of the ‘Nekath Seettuwa’ to the President's Office, and the document was presented to the President by Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka.

Astrologically, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year symbolizes the transition of the Sun from Pisces to Aries.

K.D.N. Ranjith Asoka has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government.

This was announced in a special gazette notification, dated March 30, issued by Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake.

The new appointment is effective from March 21.

Ranjith Asoka, who joined Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) in 1990, is one of the most senior administrative officers in the country.

He previously served as the Secretary to the Ministry of Industry & Commerce.

Ranjith Asoka succeeded former ministerial secretary Neil Bandara Hapuhinna, who found himself in hot water earlier this year over a letter he had sent to Returning Officers pertaining to the Local Government election.

A new initiative known as the "Guwan Hamuda Herali Peraliya" was launched today (01 April 2023) under the auspicious of the Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, at SLAF Base Anuradhapura. The ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal SudArchana Pathirana, the State Minister of Defence, Hon. Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon, the Senior Advisor on National Security, Hon. Sagala Ratnayake, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd), Servicemen, Government Officials and School Children.

The project aims to address the current and future food crisis in Sri Lanka. In this light, the Sri Lanka Air Force shoulders by adding manpower and organizational strength to the "Guwan Hamuda Herali Peraliya", the revolutionary movement in cultivation, under the guidance of Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana and the supervision of Command Agro Officer, Group Captain Eranda Gunewardane, with the goal of re-introducing jackfruit, a staple food of the ancestors, into society and using it as a remedy for any future food shortages. The jackfruit tree has a rich history in Sri Lanka and is revered as a holy tree. It has been called the "rice tree" as it is believed to have saved Sri Lankans from hunger during times of crisis.

The Sri Lanka Air Force has taken the lead in planting 3 million jackfruit saplings throughout the island and invites Non – Government Organizations to actively participate in this initiative. The project does not end with the planting of these saplings but also includes regular monitoring and distribution of the jackfruits to entrepreneurs who can prepare them for consumption in a systematic manner. A method has also been devised to promote jackfruit-based foods and beverages among the people.

During the launching ceremony, the book "Guwan Hamuda Herali Peraliya," which provides information about jackfruit cultivation, was presented to President Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe. Overall, the initiative is an important step towards addressing food insecurity in Sri Lanka and ensuring a sustainable future for all citizens.

www.airforce.lk

The Ministry of Transport has revised the fares of expressway buses in line with the revision of fuel prices.

According to the Ministry, the reduced expressway bus fares will be in effect from today, 31st March 2023.

The amended expressway bus fares are as follows:

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with Bharat Lal, Director General of the Indian Institute of Good Governance, at the President’s official residence in Paget Road, Colombo.

Mr. Bharat Lal is visiting Sri Lanka to discuss potential ways to enhance the country’s civil service and improve government institution performance by implementing effective monitoring measures.

During the meeting, he shared India’s success in incorporating information technology into public service delivery, which resulted in significant progress and cost savings.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also made a request to the Director General for his assistance in establishing a University of Governance and Public Policy in Sri Lanka.

Also present at the meeting were Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake and the Indian High Commissioner to Colombo Gopal Baglay.

The Minister of Sports has sent a letter to the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), asking for a meeting to address the social media rumors about the ICC forming a committee with three members to investigate potential political interference in the management of Sri Lanka Cricket and the related accusations.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe says he will not tolerate any breach of law and order during his tenure as the Head of State.

He made this remark while delivering a special address to the tri-forces and the police from the Air Force Base in Anuradhapura this evening (April 01).

Further, Wickremesinghe expressed his gratitude to the tri-forces and police personnel for their efforts to prevent ‘violent protesters’ from taking over the parliament complex and avert the country from falling into a state of anarchy.

Prof. Chandima Jeewandara of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura has been shortlisted for the Early Career Research Excellence Award conferred by the British Society for Immunology (BSI).

He is the only Sri Lankan national to be nominated for the 2023 BSI Immunology Awards, which aims to celebrate the remarkable achievements of individuals and teams shaping the future of immunology.

Prof. Jeewandara is among five other finalists announced for the BSI Early Career Research Excellence Award, namely Dr. Sebastiaan De Schepper from University College London, Dr. Madhvi Menon from University of Manchester, Dr. George Robinson from University College London, Dr. Simone Webb from University of Newcastle and Dr. Pedro Papotto from University of Manchester.

Prof. Jeewandara, who heads the Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of Sri Jayewardenepura University, has been a member of the BSI since 2012.

The winners shortlisted for the six BSI awards – Research Excellence Award, Early Career Research Excellence Award, Outstanding Team Award, Diversity and Inclusion Award, Public Engagement Award and Immunology Teaching Excellence Award – will be announced on April 20 at the ‘Transforming the Immunology Landscape’ event during the BSI Immunology Awards networking reception and ceremony.

The nominees for these six awards have been selected after careful review and deliberation by an expert judging panel, whose recommendations were subsequently ratified by the BSI Nominations Committee.

Veteran Sri Lankan actor Amarasiri Kalansuriya has passed away at the age of 83, according to family sources.

Born on September 20, 1940, Kalansuriya was an acclaimed actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television, fondly known as ‘Kalan’.

Kalansuriya made his first film appearance in the movie ‘Hanthane Kathawa’ in 1969, alongside the late actor Vijaya Kumaratunga.

During his acting career spanning over 50 years, Kalansuriya has appeared in a number of notable popular movies including Akkara Paha, Ahas Gauwa, Puja, Bambaru Awith, Yasa Isuru, Dolosmahe Pahana, Ahas Maliga and Diya Yata Gindara.

He won the Critics’ Award for his performance in Ahas Gawwa in 1974, and the Presidential Award and Sarasaviya Award in 1986 for his performance as the Best Supporting Actor in Puja.

Kalansuriya is survived by his wife Ajantha Ekanayake and son and two daughters.

A minor tremor of 3.7 magnitude was felt in the seas off the coast of Beruwala today (30).

The tremor was felt around 1:02 p.m. this afternoon, about 24 kilometres off the coast of Beruwala.

However, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) has confirmed that there is no tsunami threat.