News

Govt. to set up mechanism to prevent & control forest fires

Published

2 years ago

September 26, 2023

editor

Taking into consideration the number of forest fires reported in the recent past, the Cabinet has approved a proposal to implement a programme to prevent the occurrence of forest fires and extinguish forest fires.

Government said that there is a rapidly increasing risk of forest fire caused by man-made fires around forests, especially during dry weather conditions.

“This situation is common in Badulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala, Puttalam and Rathnapura Districts. The number of forest fires reported so far this year is about 150. As a result, around 2,600 hectares of forests have been destroyed,” it said.

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved a proposal presented by the Forest and Wildlife Conservation Minister to implement a programme with the support of the government and other relevant parties from the national-level to the rural-level to prevent the occurrence of forest fires and extinguish forest fires.

News

Special traffic plan in Borella today

Published

49 minutes 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

1 hour 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

1 hour 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.