President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed officials to develop a formal plan aimed at maximizing the contribution of the Nuwara Eliya District, a major tourist city, to the Sri Lankan Government’s program to establish a stable economy within a four-year timeframe.
During a discussion held at the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat this morning (10), the President has instructed officials to work on a formal plan to maximize the contribution of the Nuwara Eliya District.
A statement issued by the President’s Media Unit further says :
The discussion also included the unveiling of the Nuwara Eliya New Town Development Plan and the Nuwara Eliya Tourism Plan, which were attended by political authority and government officials from the Nuwara Eliya District.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who spoke at the occasion, highlighted that despite the belief of many that the country’s economy could not be rebuilt, the agreement reached by the International Monetary Fund and the Government, provides an opportunity for fresh hope on the country’s economy.
The President emphasized the importance of developing the Nuwara Eliya District as a striking city that can attract tourists throughout the year, targeting both local and foreign tourists.
The President stressed the importance of preparing the development plans while considering the needs of tourists. He explained that the plans should prioritize creating a pleasant environment for tourists to relax, rather than focusing on constructing large buildings.
He also pointed out that the absence of a formal system for rainwater drainage in Nuwara Eliya City is a longstanding issue, and he urged officials to implement an urgent program to address this problem. Additionally, he directed special attention to solving the problem of drinking water in the area.
Mr. Wickremesinghe further explained that buildings in the Nuwara Eliya City should be done according to a proper plan, rather than constructing buildings haphazardly. He emphasized that the city has suffered due to the construction of large buildings and that officials should consider whether to turn it into a bustling metropolis like New York or maintain its identity as Nuwara Eliya.
The President highlighted the likelihood of an increase in tourist arrivals to Nuwara Eliya with the completion of the Central Expressway and stressed the importance of developing facilities in accordance with a proper plan.
He also emphasized that no party or investor should be allowed to damage the resources of the Nuwara Eliya District, and that all development should be environmentally friendly and well-planned.
Furthermore, Mr. Wickremesinghe called for government officials and political authorities to work in a well-coordinated manner in these matters. He encouraged everyone to think beyond the traditional framework and align themselves with the new program needed by the country.
Following the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his intention to meet with all the secretaries of ministries, chairpersons of authorities and commissions, as well as heads of departments in order to obtain their contribution to realize the targeted 2025 development plan.
During the discussion, there was a widespread focus on developing the Nuwara Eliya District through sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
There was a detailed conversation regarding the development activities to be carried out in the city under the Nuwara Eliya City Development Plan, as well as the development of Nanu Oya as a sub-city.
Plans were also made to develop Nuwara Eliya as a green city by preserving forest conservation areas, and five suburbs were earmarked for development with Nuwara Eliya as the central hub. Additionally, the establishment of a university in Nuwara Eliya and the construction of a Ramayana Center were also discussed during the meeting.
The President issued instructions to modernize the Nanu-Oya Railway Station and establish a high-quality economic centre nearby. The aim is to enable farmers to pack their vegetables and transport them safely and conveniently to Colombo.
The development of the racecourse and the lake, improvement of parking facilities, and speedy implementation of a formal water management program in Nuwara Eliya were given special attention during the discussions.
In addition, a program to increase the income of local residents and improve their lives was discussed at length.
The event was attended by Minister Jeevan Thondaman, Nuwara Eliya District Members of Parliament S.B. Dissanayake, C.B. Ratnayake, V.S. Radhakrishnan and M. Rameswaran, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Nandana Galabada, and other government officials.
Sri Lankan animal rights activists today (April 03) protested against the rounding up of stray dogs ahead of a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Activists point out that authorities in Colombo and the sacred city of Anuradhapura have deployed dog catchers to impound stray dogs.
The Indian PM, who will arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (April 04) is to receive an official welcome at Colombo’s Independence Square and is also set to visit the holy city of Anuradhapura to pay homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
Around a dozen protesters from the Rally for Animal Rights and Environment (RARE) waved placards outside President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s office in Colombo today after submitting a petition to the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
RARE Sri Lanka activists point out that most of these dogs have been vaccinated, neutered, and cared for by local residents, animal welfare organizations, and respective municipal councils as part of Sri Lanka’s humane animal population management efforts.
“Not a cent from Budget 2025 for dog sterilization”
A statement by Panchali Panapitiya, Chairman of RARE Sri Lanka points out that although the cause of animal welfare were used in election campaigns of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and PM Harini Amarasuriya, not a single cent had been allotted by Budget 2025 for sterilization programmes of dogs.
“During AKDs Presidential election campaign, the National People’s Power (NPP) party used an advertisement featuring a man stopping his car to feed dogs on the street. This powerful image conveyed a message of compassion, empathy, and commitment to animal welfare, which resonated with animal lovers across the country. Similarly, the Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya also used themes of animal welfare and compassion in her campaign for the NPP,” the statement notes.
“Are you aware that AKD has not issued a single cent from the Budget for Sterilization Programmes of dogs? All previous Governments have allocated funds for sterilization programmes since 2007,” the statement adds.
Rationale?
Meanwhile, a statement by Ms. Anusha David, Trustee of the Rescue Animals Sri Lanka has also slammed the move, questioning its rationality when PM Modi has clearly demonstrated his love of animals and while India itself has an estimated 70 million community dogs.
“The so called People’s President has forgotten his election promises and proved himself to be no better than his predecessors . In the words of Mahatma Gandhi ” the progress of a Nation can be judged by the way it’s animals are treated “, it would behove our President well, to adhere to the principles of the Mahatma ahead of PM Modi’s visit, instead of trying to annihilate these hapless animals, most of whom have been sterilized, neutered , vaccinated and are 95 % human friendly,” the statement notes.
“Hope ran high prior to the elections that the People’s President would address a number of issues that have burdened the people of Sri Lanka starting with the COL – but no, their focus remains on destroying nature and wildlife. The appointment of the Prime Minister was greeted with much enthusiasm as she was perceived as a woman of intelligence and education and one who had a respect and regard for animals and nature – this perception has fallen by the wayside. The NPP’s Mayoral candidate this morning claimed that the clearance of the dogs has nothing to do with the govt but needs to be brought up with the CMC – but then as she is representing the CMC should she not be able to handle this burning issue which portrays our country in a most unfavourable light?,” the statement adds.
Don’t resort to knee-jerk reactions – BCI
In addition, The Blue Cross of India (BCI), which is a prominent animal welfare charity based in Chennai, India has issued a statement addressed to Sri Lankan President – Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the matter.
Noting that it was India which gave the concept of ‘Ahimsa’ (non violence) to the world, in thought, word and deed, the statement notes that it is ‘most ironic’ that the government agencies of Sri Lanka are trying to remove community dogs from the streets to welcome the Indian Prime Minister.
The statement signed by the organisation’s chairman – Dr. S. Chinny Krisha also notes that the Animal Welfare Board of India, set up by an Act of Parliament in 1962, has issued a warning two weeks ago that all community dogs must taken care of the communities they live in and that they cannot be removed or relocated.
“Our Prime Minister is known for his genuine compassion towards all life and his government has the only statutory body in the world to do the right thing by our animals – Animal Welfare Board of India, set up by an Act of Parliament in 1962,” the statement adds.
It further notes that India is also the “point of origin of the now well known ABC programme, short for Animal Birth Control programme which mandates that every local body=or municipality must implement sterilising the dogs in their areas.”
“As a former Vice Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board of India, may I implore you to please issue directions to the municipalities to please follow the ABC rules of India and not to resort to a knee-jerk reaction of resorting to the removal of dogs just because our Prime Minister is visiting your beautiful country,” the statement concludes.
The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued a Gazette notification stipulating the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for bottled drinking water. As per the Gazette notification, the MRP is effective from April 01, 2025.
Accordingly, the MRP for bottled drinking water are as follows;
500 – 999 ml bottles – Rs.70 01 -1.499 L bottles – Rs.100 1.5 -1.999 L bottles – Rs.130 02 – 2.499 L bottles – Rs.160 05 – 6.999 L bottles – Rs.350