News

President instructs immediate housing for homeless families in Kajimawatta

Published

1 year ago

March 7, 2024

nipuni

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed officials to take necessary steps to provide housing for all homeless families in Kajimawatte, Colombo.

The President also emphasized that the work must adhere to the government’s housing policies and criteria.

These instructions were provided by President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a discussion held yesterday afternoon (06) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the housing issue in the Kajimawatta, Colombo.

Additionally, the President instructed officials to examine underutilized government-owned buildings and lands within the Colombo Municipal Area, exploring the potential for development and utilization for commercial purposes.

The President underscored the significance of implementing the program through private investments, with the intervention of the public sector.

Furthermore, the President reviewed the advancement of government housing projects underway within the Colombo city limits, emphasizing the necessity for additional initiatives. Despite challenges posed by the current economic situation, he stressed the importance of devising a suitable system for further projects.

Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake, along with Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing W.S. Satyananda, Colombo District Secretary K.G. Wijesiri, Colombo Municipal Commissioner Bhadrani Jayawardena and officials from line institutions, participated in the discussion.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Batalanda commission report handed over to the AG

Published

1 hour ago

April 29, 2025

editor

The “Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme” which was recently tabled in Parliament, has been handed over to the Attorney General by the Presidential Secretariat following a directive from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The report, originally compiled over 25 years ago, was tabled in Parliament recently. The Government has taken a decision to take necessary action and as a result, actions have been initiated to hand over the report to the Attorney General’s Department today (29).

(President’s Media Division)

News

Ex-SLTB Vice Chairman granted bail

Published

1 hour ago

April 29, 2025

editor

The former Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), L.A. Wimalaratne, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) earlier today (April 29), has been released on bail.

He was arrested in connection with an investigation into a house in Kataragama, allegedly linked to the family of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

News

Franchise agreements of Colombo Strikers & Jaffna Kings terminated

Published

1 hour ago

April 29, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in collaboration with the event rights holder of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) – the IPG Group, has officially announced that the franchise partnerships of the ‘Colombo Strikers’ and ‘Jaffna Kings’ have been terminated.

According to a statement issued today (April 28), the terminations were made due to the respective franchises’ failure to fulfill contractual obligations outlined in their agreements with the IPG Group, which were established at the commencement of their participation in the league.

Accordingly, the forthcoming edition of the Lanka Premier League will feature franchises representing Colombo and Jaffna under new ownership, the statement notes.

As the event rights holder, the IPG Group retains the exclusive rights over the LPL franchise teams and, accordingly, is vested with the authority to transfer and/or assign the ownership rights of the said franchises to interested parties.

Sri Lanka Cricket and The IPG Group remain committed to upholding the integrity, standards, and success of the Lanka Premier League and look forward to an exciting upcoming season with renewed participation.