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Ministry seeks Rs. 20bn for urgent road repairs

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The Transport and Highways Ministry is to urge the Government to release Rs 20 billion for urgent repairs and maintenance of roads in view of the adverse condition of existing road networks.

Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the Sunday Times that the Cabinet had been informed about the requirement, but the allocations had not been made so far and therefore the ministry would be making a fresh appeal.

He said the ministry was urging the Government to stop or reduce current allocations to other ministries and make available the allocations to protect the existing road network.

A Road Development Authority (RDA) senior official said a large number of projects and maintenance work on roads, including 12,000km maintained by the RDA, had come to a standstill.

Among the projects held up is the Asian Development Bank project for which an allocation of USD 235 million has been held back. Another Rs 20 billion more was required for the maintenance of a 100,000km road network and other national road networks.

He said the road maintenance cost would be higher if the current maintenance work was not carried out.

(Sunday Times)

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CID probing into ex-President Ranil’s overseas trips

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The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (June 24) that it has launched an investigation into the overseas trips made by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe during his tenure as president.

The CID reported the facts to the court and stated that the investigation is being conducted under the Public Property Act.

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Nelumwewa hot springs to be boosted as tourist destination

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As part of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, a development project has been proposed to enhance the area surrounding the Nelumwewa hot springs in Welikanda, Polonnaruwa, with the aim of promoting it as a tourist attraction.

A discussion regarding the proposed development was held this morning (June 24) at the site, followed by a field inspection.

Until now, the hot springs area has not been adequately developed, leading to a diminished interest from both local and international tourists.

During the discussion, attention was drawn to the importance of developing the Nelumwewa hot springs, the site’s tourism and scientific potential and its current condition.

Proposals currently being evaluated involve enhancing forest cover in the surrounding area, beautifying the island adjacent to the hot springs and building a bridge from the mainland to the island to facilitate better access for visitors.

Among those present were Deputy Minister of Housing T.B. Sarath, Chairman of the Welikanda Pradeshiya Sabha, D.W. Wasantha, retired hydrologist Prof. Dharma Gunawardena of the University of Peradeniya and officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the Mahaweli Authority, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the Welikanda Divisional Secretariat and several other institutions.

(President’s Media Division)

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22 Oluwil university students suspended over ragging

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A group of 22 students from Oluwil University have been suspended for allegedly ragging first-year students, Vice Chancellor Prof. S.M. Junaideen said.

The university’s Registrar, M.I. Naufer, stated that a special committee made up of university professors has been appointed to carry out a formal investigation into the incident.

According to preliminary reports, a group of second-year students from the Engineering Faculty were involved in ragging several first-year students. University authorities said strict disciplinary action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about ragging in universities, which remains a serious issue despite longstanding efforts to eliminate the practice from Sri Lanka’s higher education institutions.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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