News

President to appoint committee to safeguard traditional Kandyan dance

Published

12 months ago

April 7, 2024

nipuni

President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced the formation of a committee tasked with preserving and maintaining the rich cultural heritage of Kandyan dancing art. This decision was made during a meeting with Kandy traditional dancers at the President’s House in Kandy this morning (07), the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

The committee will comprise representatives from relevant institutions such as the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the University of Visual and Performing Arts. President Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of including a representative of traditional Kandyan dancers in this committee to ensure their voices are heard and their interests represented, it added.

Additionally, the President instructed Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, to explore the possibility of providing pensions to traditional Kandyan dancers as a gesture of recognition for their invaluable contribution to the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.

Acknowledging the popularity of Kandyan dance both locally and internationally, President Wickremesinghe highlighted the need to address issues related to the preservation of traditional practices and rituals associated with this art form. The newly formed committee will be tasked with providing recommendations on how to effectively safeguard and promote Kandyan dance for future generations.

Furthermore, the President underscored the significance of preserving other traditional arts of the country, such as the Sabaragamuwa dance, and instructed officials to address the challenges faced by traditional dancers in Kandy, ensuring they receive the necessary support and recognition.

In expressing their gratitude for President Wickremesinghe’s initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth and creating a better country for all citizens, traditional dancers in Kandy commended the efforts undertaken to preserve and promote Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage.

Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security, and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, along with United National Party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, were also present during this significant occasion, according to the PMD.

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

News

Only half of Sri Lankans brush teeth twice a day

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2025

editor

Available statistics suggest that only 50% of Sri Lankans brush their teeth twice a day, the Health Ministry has stated.

This was highlighted during a press briefing in Colombo yesterday (March 19) held to mark the World Oral Health Day which falls today (March 20).

Speaking, Consultant Dental Surgeon and vice secretary of the Sri Lanka Dental Association – Dr. Nilantha Ratnayake has stated that this leads to tooth decay, heavily impacting oral health.

He also noted that 3/4 of Sri Lankans inflicted with oral diseases have been identified to be hailing from low income households.

Dr. Ratnayake further stated the high consumption of sugar and not using toothpaste with fluoride as major reasons for oral health issues in Sri Lanka.

News

Gazette revises import export regulations

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2025

editor

An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued, revising multiple import and export regulations, including a significant update permitting Bureau Veritas inspection certificates for vehicles imported from all countries.

A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued yesterday (March 19) revising amending multiple import and export regulations.

The revised regulations include a key change allowing Bureau Veritas inspection certificates for vehicles imported from all countries.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka Customs is required to verify the authenticity of documents online before clearing motor vehicles.

News

Lanka Sathosa riddled with corruption : Mujibur (Video)

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2025

editor

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP for the Colombo district Mujibur Rahman made a startling revelation about irregularities and malpractices at Lanka Sathosa, and charged that a tender for system audit had been offered to a company that belongs to Duminda Hulangamuwa who now serves as the advisor to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Delivering his remarks in Parliament during the budget debate, he said the previous tender for system audit which was opened on February 28, 2025 was scrapped since Hulangamuwa’s company had not been selected.

He charged that a fresh tender calling had been done purely for this particular company to qualify. The SJB MP charged that Lanka Sathosa is riddled with corruption in the purchase of supplies such as eggs and rice and transporting coconuts.

“In the past, Lanka Sathosa had always been tainted with corruption and fraud. Today, it is under the purview of a Minister who spearheaded the anti-corruption watch at that time. Despite your past role in an anti-corruption movement, you have miserably failed to address corruption at an institution which is under your purview. You raised your voice against corruption and fraud at that time. Today, you have failed. I wonder whether you remain silent or are incapable of addressing it. Or else, I wonder whether you pretend to not know anything,” he said.

Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe was present at that moment.

He said that the current Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lanka Sathosa had interfered in the tender process for rice purchases, and an audit inquiry is now underway in this regard. He said the Acting CEO had been appointed initially as Deputy General Manager- Internal Audit.

“Now, he operates in two positions,” Rahman said.

Responding to the allegation,Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe said there has been no violation of tender procedures in awarding the systems audit contract to a company of Presidential Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa.

Denouncing the allegation, Minister Samarasinghe said any company which is qualified will be awarded contracts irrespective of ownership.

“The opposition alleged that a contract had been awarded to a company which is said to be owned by the President’s advisor. However there has been no violation of procedures in awarding the contract. A company owned by anyone can secure a contract if it is qualified. A number of government contracts have been awarded to a number of companies owned by a few members of the present Parliament. I don’t want to reveal their names,” he said.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk on March 19, 2025, has not been edited by SLM staff)