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Indian HC organises series of Yoga events in SL

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High Commission of India in Colombo, its cultural arm Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Colombo, Consulate General of India in Jaffna, Consulate General of India in Hambantota and the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy will organize a series of events across different parts of Sri Lanka to mark the 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY) from June 17 – 21, 2023.

A mega public event under the theme ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ would be held at the Independence Square in Colombo on June 17, 2023 from 06.45am onwards to mark the Day.

Participation in the event, which is being held in collaboration with various partners including the Ministry of Health, Government of Sri Lanka, is free for the public.

On June 21, the High Commission will organise another yoga event at the Port of Colombo. 

In a media release, the Indian High Commission further notes :

Yoga enthusiasts will be connected from the ‘Arctic to Antarctic’ as a special initiative of the 9th edition of IDY. This year, Yoga will be performed on select port locations across the world forming a ‘Global Ocean Ring’. Connecting people the world over in a common pursuit of wellness, IDY 2023 resonates with the theme of India’s ongoing Presidency of the G20, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam i.e.  ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’

To inculcate Yoga as a physical and mental wellness routine among the Sri Lankans, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre launched a 50-day run-up to IDY 2023. Since 01 May 2023, SVCC, in collaboration with government institutions, yoga organisations and local partners, has been organising Yoga events, workshops, lectures, demonstrations for different age-groups and professions. Some of the highlights of this campaign include yoga workshop for doctors of indigenous medicine, a yoga session at the Colombo Municipal Council grounds and an ongoing 3-day island-wide workshop for defence forces.

It may be recalled that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, piloted by India in 2014, proclaiming  June 21 each year as the ‘International Day of Yoga’. The resolution was supported by more than 170 countries, with Sri Lanka being one of the co-sponsors of the resolution.

Yoga, like Ayurveda, forms a part of shared heritage of India and Sri Lanka. Indian diplomatic offices in Sri Lanka have been celebrating International Day of Yoga with the participation of the Sri Lankan leadership and public since 2015 with great fervour. Average footfall for the event over the years has been in thousands. There was also enthusiastic participation at the virtual events held in 2020 and 2021 in the wake of Covid-19, and in 2022 at the Independence Square in hybrid mode.

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Standard egg prices to be announced daily via SMS

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Chairman of the All-Ceylon Egg Producers’ Association, R.M. Sarath Rathnayake has said new measures to announce daily standardized egg prices will be introduced from next Monday (June 23) to ensure fair pricing for consumers.

The prices covering wholesale, retail, and intermediary rates will be communicated daily at 5.00am via SMS to small, medium, and large-scale egg producers, as well as bakery owners, food manufacturers, and hotels through the number 070-7030700.

He warned of recent practices where eggs were bought at Rs.15-18 and stockpiled, stating such actions will no longer be tolerated.

He also criticized groups posing as “egg associations” without actual farming experience.

The cost of producing an egg is around Rs.28 for large farms, Rs.29-30 for medium range farms, and Rs.32 for small-scale producers, he further said.

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Speaker endorses certificate on NTC (Amendment) Bill

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Speaker of Parliament – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certificate on the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill) yesterday (June 19).

This Bill was presented in Parliament on 08th May 2025 to amend several provisions of the National Transport Commission Act, No. 37 of 1991, to update and adapt them to the current needs in order to provide solutions to several practical issues identified in the transport sector and to regulate several transport sectors that are currently not regulated. Accordingly, this Bill was passed after the Second Reading debate in Parliament on 05th June 2025.

Expressing his views on the bill, the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation – Bimal Ratnayake, said that before the amendment of this bill, the National Transport Commission was only able to regulate interprovincial private bus services.

However, the Minister stated that this bill has been amended in a way that allows the National Transport Commission to regulate school vans, office vans, three-wheelers and other vehicles including goods transport institutions and to establish new institutions required for that purpose.

The Minister further stated that the Amendment Bill will remove the legal obstacle currently preventing the buyer from obtaining ownership when purchasing a bus with a road permit.

Accordingly, this Bill shall come into force as the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Act, No. 8 of 2025.  

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Nearly 2,000 deaths so far due to road accidents in 2025

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Police report that nearly 2,000 individuals have lost their lives in fatal road accidents during the first 06 months of 2025.

He pointed out that January 01 – June 15, 2025, a total of 1,133 fatal accidents were reported, resulting in the deaths of nearly 2,000 individuals.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the Department of Government Information, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for Traffic Control and Road Safety, Indika Hapugoda has stated that the primary causes of these accidents are unroadworthy vehicles and reckless driving.

He added that 7,152 people suffered serious injuries from road accidents last year, in addition to the fatalities.

DIG Hapugoda further noted that starting July 01, 2025, authorities will begin removing unauthorized and unnecessary vehicle modifications and spare parts, which contribute to traffic hazards.

He further announced that, starting July 1, 2025, authorities will begin removing unauthorized and unnecessary vehicle modifications and spare parts, which contribute to traffic hazards.

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