News

Keel laying ceremony of 4000T floating dock for SL Navy, held

Published

2 years ago

December 7, 2023

editor

The Keel Laying ceremony of 4000T Floating Dock for the Sri Lanka Navy being built by M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd was conducted yesterday (Dec. 06).

The ceremony was held at M/s Dempo Shipbuilding and Engineering Pvt. Ltd. (DSEPL), Goa and High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka – Mr. Gopal Baglay, Commander of Sri Lanka Navy – Vice Admiral UVMP Perera along with all Joint Monitoring Committee members of Floating Dock from both countries, participated virtually.
The High Commissioner in his address during the occasion highlighted that the project symbolises the enduring bonds of cooperation, camaraderie and friendship between India and Sri Lanka. India has remained committed towards capacity building and sustained development of Sri Lanka Defence forces, towards realising vision of India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. He emphasized that the project of providing Floating Dock to Sri Lanka Navy has reinforced the strong bonds between Navies of both India and Sri Lanka. He mentioned that the Floating Dock will fulfill all maintenance needs of the Sri Lanka Navy and thereby enhancing Maritime security in the region.

He thanked all stakeholders for their contribution in making this project a reality and wished them for timely completion of the project. He expressed his appreciation to M/s Goa Shipyard Limited for organizing the event in physical as well as virtual mode.

The gifting of Floating Dock to Sri Lanka Navy is indicative of the growing cooperation and friendship between the two nations. The agreement between GoI and GoSL for gifting of 4000T Floating Dock to Sri Lanka Navy was signed on 15 Mar 2022 in Colombo.

The Floating Dock is capable of docking vessels up to 115 meters in length with a lifting capacity of 4000 Tonnes.

The Keel laying ceremony of 4000T Floating Dock built by @goashipyardltd for @srilanka_navy was held yesterday at Dempo Shipyard Goa. High Commissioner and VAdm Priyantha Perera Commander of 🇱🇰Navy participated virtually. pic.twitter.com/5h46t3HYQh
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) December 7, 2023

News

Special traffic plan in Borella today

Published

1 hour ago

July 7, 2025

editor

Police have announced a special traffic plan that will be implemented in Borella today (July 07) due to an event marking the 50th Golden Jubilee celebration of the Priesthood of His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

The event is expected to draw a large number of invited guests, including religious dignitaries, government officials, and members of the clergy.

To ease congestion, heavy vehicles will be restricted from entering the stretch between Kynsey Road junction and Nandadasa Kodagoda junction on Ward Place between 3.00 pm – 9.00 pm within the Borella Police Division.

Police have requested motorists to use alternate routes during this time.

News

Veteran civil servant Bradman Weerakoon bids adieu

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2025

editor

Senior civil servant and distinguished public administrator Bradman Weerakoon has passed away at the age of 94.

Mr. Weerakoon was educated at Holy Cross College, Kalutara, and St. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa, before entering the University of Peradeniya, where he graduated with honours in Economics and Sociology.

He later earned a Master’s Degree (MA) in Sociology from the University of Michigan, USA, on a Fulbright Scholarship.

He joined the Ceylon Civil Service in 1954 and served in various parts of the country before becoming secretary to the then Prime Minister – Sir John Kotelawala.

Over an extraordinary career, he went on to serve as Secretary to all elected Prime Ministers and Presidents until 2002, working under 07 Prime Ministers and 03 Presidents – an unparalleled contribution to Sri Lanka’s public administration.

News

Train schedules on Northern line revised

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2025

editor

The Department of Railways has announced amendments to train schedules on the Northern Line in response to public requests.

Due to high demand, the Intercity Express train, which previously operated only on weekends, will now run daily between Mt. Lavinia and Kankesanthurai starting today (July 07).

In addition, the departure time of the “Yaal Devi” train plying daily from Colombo Fort to Kankesanthurai has been revised from 5.45 am to 6.40 am.

The Department has advised passengers who made advance seat reservations for the “Yaal Devi” train a month ago, to note the new departure time.