Japanese ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki yesterday (08) attended the handover ceremony of the newly expanded Kandy Child Development Centre of Child Action Lanka for vulnerable children, youths, and women in Kattukelle, Kandy District, the Central Province.
The project was funded under the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
In this project, the Japanese government provided a total of US$ 63,935 to expand the Development Centre building by adding two floors, which includes classrooms, a hall, library, and ICT room. This will improve the learning environment and extend the capacity to accommodate approximately 350 children, and youths in total, as well as enhance the vocational training opportunity for 80 vulnerable women for better employment.
Ambassador Mizukoshi reiterated his strong commitment to continue to contribute to the sustainable development of Sri Lanka by providing support in various fields to protect the human rights and dignity of children and women, to promote their stability and independence, and to break the cycle of poverty.
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (July 02), the Department of Meteorology said.
A few showers may occur in the Jaffna and Mannar districts.
Fairly strong winds of about 30-40kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Fourth review under the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement, allowing the authorities to draw about US$350 million, said Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka.
This brings the total IMF financial support disbursed so far to about US$1.74 billion.
“The EFF arrangement for Sri Lanka was approved by the Executive Board on March 20, 2023 in an amount of SDR 2.286 billion (395 percent of quota or about US$3 billion). The program supports Sri Lanka’s efforts to durably restore macroeconomic stability by (i) restoring fiscal and debt sustainability while protecting the vulnerable, (ii) safeguarding price and financial sector stability, (iii) rebuilding external buffers, (iv) strengthening governance and reducing corruption vulnerabilities, and (v) enhancing growth-oriented structural reforms.”
Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake has said that Cabinet approval has been granted to implement an islandwide online traffic fine payment system.
He made this statement during a media briefing near the Kottawa Expressway entrance, following a public awareness programme on mandatory seat belt use for vehicles travelling on expressways.
“The Cabinet approved the proposal today. At present, the online fine payment system is available only between Kurunegala and Anuradhapura. Now, we’re providing all police units with mobile devices, so that from this year, traffic fines can be paid from anywhere via mobile phones… Rather than paying fines, we urge everyone to drive carefully, wear seat belts, and avoid violations. Our core message is simple, travel safely,” the minister has said.