News

Bandula asks teachers to report to work ; CTU responds

Published

11 months ago

June 28, 2024

editor

Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister, Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana, as Acting Education Minister has requested all teachers to report to work and dedicate themselves to educate children without engaging in trade union action further.

The Minister also said that he would request the parents to send all their children to schools as usual. The Minister made these remarks while addressing a special press conference to raise awareness regarding the ongoing teachers’ and principals’ strike at the Government Information Department, yesterday (27).

However, responding to the Acting Education Minister’s statement, the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) said that it is up to them to decide, not the Minister.

Speaking to ‘Daily Mirror’, CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin has said that during the tenure of Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana, nothing substantial was provided for teachers.

“We only held a strike for two days. We will not report for duties as he said. Initially, we planned a single-day campaign. The government forced us into today’s strike after using water cannons and tear gas against us yesterday. That’s why we’ve decided to continue our sick leave campaign for today,” he has said.

BIZ

1st stock of imported coconut milk to undergo clearance, lab testing today

Published

21 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The first consignment of imported coconut milk under the Government’s raw material importation programme is scheduled to undergo clearance and laboratory testing today (31), as part of a coordinated initiative by the Plantation Industries Ministry.

This initiative, approved by the Cabinet, aims to supply essential raw materials to industries linked to the coconut sector, aiming to reduce domestic coconut prices and support local manufacturers. The consignment currently under clearance includes products equivalent to 200 million coconuts. They are in the forms of frozen coconut milk, coconut milk powder and chunked coconut with testa (non-copra), imported as part of the programme initiated in March 2025. The stock will be used primarily in the coconut milk powder industry, which has been facing raw material shortages. The Plantation Industries Ministry expects this move to reduce the pressure on local coconut supplies and contribute to a drop in retail coconut prices.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Ministry denies Sevanagala sugar factory closure rumours

Published

32 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development states that reports circulating on social media about the possible closure of the Sevanagala Sugar Factory are false.

The ministry adds that neither the government nor Lanka Sugar Company (Pvt) Ltd. (LSCPL) has discussed such a move.

The ministry further states that the Sevanagala Sugar Factory, which operated at a loss under the previous government, is now continuing operations under a new marketing plan and has begun implementing measures to transform it into a profitable institution.

News

Youth killed in sword attack

Published

35 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

editor

03 individuals were attacked with a sword near the railway line at Nedurana Junction in Eheliyagoda last night (May 30).

A 22-year-old resident of Gatahetta, Iddamalgoda, died after being admitted to the Eheliyagoda Hospital with serious injuries, while the other 02 victims have been transferred to the Ratnapura Hospital for further treatment.

Eheliyagoda Police are conducting further investigations to apprehend the suspects.