News

Paris’s Gothic jewel Notre-Dame to reopen five years after fire

Published

5 months ago

November 29, 2024

editor

The world gets a first look inside a resplendent new Notre-Dame on Friday, as France’s President Emmanuel Macron conducts a televised tour to mark the cathedral’s imminent re-opening.

Five-and-a-half years after the devastating fire of 2019, Paris’s Gothic jewel has been rescued, renovated and refurbished – offering visitors what promises to be a breathtaking visual treat.

The president – accompanied by his wife Brigitte and Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich – are kicking off a programme of ceremonies that culminates with an official “entry” into the cathedral on 7 December and the first Catholic Mass the next day.

After being shown highlights of the building’s €700m (£582m) renovation – including the massive roof timbers that replace the medieval frame consumed in the fire – he will give a speech of thanks to around 1,300 craftsmen and women gathered in the nave.

Notre-Dame’s re-vamped interior has been kept a closely-guarded secret – with only a few images released over the years marking the progress of the renovation work.

But people who have been inside recently say the experience is awe-inspiring, the cathedral lifted by a new clarity and brightness that mark a sharp contrast with the pervading gloom of before.

News

Measures to formulate national road safety plan

Published

8 hours ago

April 30, 2025

editor

A discussion on preparing a national-level road safety plan under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme was held today (April 30) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The incidence of road accidents in Sri Lanka is on the rise, leading to a growing number of fatalities and injuries.

Recognizing the urgent need to raise public awareness on accident prevention and promote discipline in road use, this national plan is being formulated as a key initiative under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.

The programme aims to uplift society by fostering social, environmental and moral consciousness. A central focus is placed on building a disciplined society and responsible citizens.

The discussion was attended by the senior officials representing the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, the National Council on Road Safety, the Independent Television Network (ITN), representatives from the Ministry of Health and Mass Media (Social and Ethics Divisions), Dr. Indika Jagoda, Director of the National Hospital (Accident and Emergency Department), Prof. Sivakumar and Prof. H.R. Pasidu from the University of Moratuwa, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic) and other relevant officials.

(President’s Media Division (PMD)
30. 04.2025

News

Fuel prices slashed

Published

8 hours ago

April 30, 2025

editor

The CPC has reduced fuel prices with effect from midnight today (April 30).

The price reductions of a litre of fuel are as follows :
Octane 92 Petrol – reduced by Rs.06 to Rs.293
Octane 95 Petrol – reduced by Rs.20 to Rs.341
Auto Diesel – reduced by Rs.12 to Rs.274
Super Diesel – reduced by Rs. 06 to Rs.325
Kerosene – reduced by Rs.05 to 178

BIZ

Laugfs Gas says no price revision in May

Published

8 hours ago

April 30, 2025

editor

Laugfs Gas PLC, one of the two largest liquefied petroleum (LP) gas suppliers in the country, announced that the company will not revise domestic LP gas prices for the month of May 2025.

This was communicated by the Cluster Director/CEO of Laugfs Gas PLC, Dr. Niroshan J Peiris.