News

Parliament approves establishment of 07 SOCs

Published

2 months ago

March 18, 2025

editor

Parliament has approved the motion to establish 07 Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs) for the 10th Parliament.

As per the decision taken by the Committee of Selection, the motion in this regard was presented to Parliament yesterday (March 17) by the Leader of the House of Parliament and Minister Bimal Rathnayake, upon which the approval of the House was granted.

Furthermore, an agreement was reached regarding the distribution of chairmanships of these SOCs between the Government and the Opposition.
Accordingly, the chairmanships of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, and Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection were agreed to be allocated to the Government.

Meanwhile, approval was granted to allocate the chairmanships of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability to the Opposition.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

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

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.