News

Former minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera passes away at 83

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2024

editor

Former Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera passed away at the age of 83 this morning, February 17.

Born in 1941, Perera was educated at Nalanda College in Colombo. He was a politician and a Member of Parliament representing the United National Party (UNP) from Kurunegala electoral district. He was first elected to the Parliament in 1994.

During his political career, Perera has held ministerial portfolios for sustainable development, wildlife, Buddha Sasana, food protection, water management and irrigation.

He was elected as the chairman of ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) in 2016 and served as the chairman of UNP until 2013.

The former minister’s passing comes just 7 days after President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited him at his home in Katugampala, and engaged in a brief conversation with him to check up on his well-being.

News

Tenders called for e-NIC project

Published

58 minutes ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Digital Economy Affairs in Sri Lanka has said that Tenders have been called from Indian companies to develop Sri Lanka’s new digital National Identity Card (e-NIC).

Deputy Minister – Eranga Weeraratne stated that a 04 month period will be given for this process.

The Deputy Minister added that the new digital NIC is expected to be issued by mid-2026.

In January, Weeraratne had clarified that the government has decided to cover half of this cost through assistance from India to meet the financial burden.

News

Public consultation on renewable energy sector kicks off today

Published

1 hour ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that a public consultation will be held today (July 02) to identify challenges faced by renewable energy developers in Sri Lanka.

The Commission stated that oral submissions from stakeholders will be gathered from 8.00 am – 4.00pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

The public consultation is being held under the powers granted to the Commission by Section 17 of the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission Act, No. 35 of 2002.

Meanwhile, President of the Solar E P C Association (SEPCA) – Dr. Shyam Pathiraja has said that many stakeholders are expected to present their views on the crisis in the renewable energy sector.

On a related note, National People’s Power (NPP) MP – Ravindra Bandara claimed that the current government has not imposed any restrictions on renewable energy production.

Entertainment

Court order issued against ‘Eh Yaye’ song

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The Commercial High Court has issued an interim injunction order, preventing popular artistes Romaine Willis and Mass Ramli Miskin (DJ Mass) from performing, reproducing and distributing the song ‘Eh Yaye’.

Colombo Commercial High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando issued the order after the Plaint filed under the Intellectual Property Act by popular singer Corrine Almeida.

The case also alleges that the musical composition and the lyrics of the song ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the song ‘Api Natamu’.

Naming Willis and DJ Mass as defendants, the plaintiff Corrine Almeida had also stated that she is the owner of the copyright and economic rights to the musical composition and lyrics of her song titled “Api Natamu”.

The plaintiff instituted action in terms of the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003 alleging that the musical composition and the lyrics of ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the ‘Api Natamu’ song.

(Source : Dailymirror.lk)