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Govt. to establish new Sports University in 2024

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In a significant development, State Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. Rohana Dissanayake, has disclosed the government’s ambitious plan to inaugurate a new sports university in 2024. This initiative is under the visionary guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

During a press conference at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) today (10), under the theme ‘Collective path to a stable country,’State Minister Dissanayake emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing challenges within sports federations. To facilitate this, the Parliamentary Committee on Sports Ministries has been summoned to engage in proactive discussions and find resolutions.

State Minister Dissanayake highlighted the on-going efforts to streamline the operations of the country’s 72 sports federations. A notable aspect of this approach involves the negotiation for the merger of 66 active sports federations before the year 2024. The objective is to consolidate their responsibilities, duties and policies, promoting efficiency and unity within the sports sector.

The State Minister also announced the allocation of Rs.125 million to the Sports Development Department for proposed programs in the current year. Despite financial constraints, the government is determined to execute these initiatives effectively.

Furthermore, Minister Dissanayake detailed plans for the establishment of the sports university, projected to cost approximately one billion US dollars. The envisioned institution, set to commence operations in the first quarter of 2024 pending approvals from institutions such as the University Grants Commission, will offer programs in Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Science, Compound Annual Growth Rate and Environmental Impact Assessment.

In addition to academic pursuits, the government is fostering international collaboration through a motorbike rally involving India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, scheduled to commence on December 29 and conclude on January 14. Then on Thai Pongal day (15) this rally will start from Kankasanturai, Jaffna and will end at Galle Face, where a cultural show will also be held.

Moreover, arrangements have been made to involve members of the youth parliament in regional coordination committees, providing them with insights into local-level activities and responsibilities. This initiative aims to empower young leaders and contribute to effective governance at the grassroots level.

(President’s Media Division)

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Passengers jump from plane’s wing after fire alert on Spain flight, triggers panic

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Wildfires have broken out on an island and in towns near Athens in Greece, with blazes also being sparked in Turkey and Syria.

The Hellenic Fire Service and local authorities said that two villages – Tsakeoi and Limnionas – had been evacuated on the island of Evia after the blaze started late on Friday.

One fire service official said more than 160 firefighters, 46 trucks and five aircraft were deployed in southern Evia to put out the fire.

Southern Evia, to the east of Athens, was one of several regions in Greece placed on high alert for wildfires over gale-force winds forecast for today.

Images from Koropi, a town to the southwest of Athens, also show houses burnt down and helicopters dropping water on burning forests.

It marks the latest wildfires to break out in Greece – where blazes are common during the summer – as it tackles strong winds and dry conditions amid an early summer heatwave in southern Europe.

Officials have linked the conditions to at least nine deaths across the continent.

A wildfire broke out in Achlia on the island of Crete on Wednesday, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate – with some taken to a nearby basketball arena and hotels in safer parts of the island.

The fire service official told Reuters on Friday that the fire in Crete was largely contained.

Meanwhile, blazes have also broken out on Turkey’s west coast – the latest in a series of blazes which started in late June – as well as its southerly neighbour Syria.

At least five fires have been reported in Izmir after extreme heat, strong winds and low humidity. Two people have been killed by the blazes, while tens of thousands have been evacuated.

Fires also flared on both sides of the Turkish-Syrian border on Friday, with a new blaze reported near the town of Dortyol in Turkey’s border province of Hatay.

According to Syria’s Civil Defence, wildfires have spread across large parts of mountainous areas in the Latakia province.

The government department added that conditions have hampered efforts to bring the fire under control, and noted unexploded ordnance could be in some of the areas affected.

Source: SKY NEWS

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CBSL extends Perpetual Treasuries suspension for six months

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The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the business and activities of a Primary Dealer for a further period of six months.

The extension is with effect from 4.30 p.m. on 05th July 2025, in order to continue the investigations being conducted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

The suspension has been extended by CBSL acting in terms of the Regulations made under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance.

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Kataragama Basnayake Nilame pressured over complaint against Kapuwas’ donation misuse

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It has been reported that Dishan Wickramaratne Gunasekara – the Basnayake Nilame of the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, is facing pressure including from several parties including political circles to withdraw his complaint lodged against the custodians (Kapu Mahattaya) of the devalaya.

The issue had arisen after it was discovered that some custodians were collecting money into their own tills instead of allowing them to be deposited in the official donation box.

Public discussion about the transparency of the temple’s donations intensified after the Basnayake Nilame had begun using a portion of the funds for community projects like hospital construction.

Traditionally, devotees often handed donations directly to the custodians, but the Basnayake Nilame had urged the public via media to place offerings only in the official donation box managed by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

He subsequently arranged a proper audit of all such donations for the first time.

In response, some custodians had reportedly begun pressuring devotees near the official box to hand over donations to them instead.

Upon learning of this, the Basnayake Nilame had lodged a complaint with the Kataragama Police, arguing that diverting funds from the official box amounts to fraudulent misappropriation.

Acting on the complaint, police arrested 02 custodians who were collecting offerings near the official box.

However, other custodians then surrounded the police station and pressured the officers to release the arrested individuals, resulting in their release.

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