News

Textbooks printed with Indian support, dispatched

Published

2 weeks ago

March 11, 2023

editor

Textbooks printed with Indian support, dispatched

On 09 March 2023, the Minister of Education of Sri Lanka – Dr. Susil Premajayantha and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Mr. Gopal Baglay formally dispatched a consignment of textbooks printed with Indian support at the State Printing Corporation (SPC) for use in various schools across Sri Lanka.

The State Minister of Education – Mr. A. Arvind Kumar, senior officials of the Ministry including Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Nihal Ranasinghe and officials from the SPC attended the event

A concessional Credit Facility of USD 1 billion was extended to the Government of Sri Lanka by the Government of India in March 2022 for supply of essential items including food, fuel, medicines, industrial raw materials etc. Out of this Facility, over USD 10 million has been used by SPC and private importers to procure printing paper and material from India. This is being used to print 45% of textbooks required by 4 million young students of Sri Lanka for the academic year 2023.
Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner stressed that India’s support for text books is an investment in Sri Lanka’s future and will contribute to the bright future of its young students. The Minister of Education appreciated India’s support to Sri Lanka in the last one year and timely assistance through the Indian Line of Credit to import paper for printing textbooks for school children. The State Minister of Education appreciated India’s helping hand to the people of Sri Lanka in these difficult times. The dignitaries also undertook a tour of SPC’s facilities and were briefed by the officials on its operations.

India and Sri Lanka enjoy a multi-faceted and multi-sectoral partnership. In line with its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, Government of India’s assistance to the people of Sri Lanka is extended in various forms, including through concessional Credit Facility and Lines of Credit. Till date, Lines of Credit worth over US$ 4 billion have been extended to Sri Lanka in diverse sectors including supply of essential items, petroleum, fertilizers, etc. development of railways, infrastructure, defence sector and renewable energy etc.

Hon. State Minister A. Aravindh Kumar appreciated 🇮🇳's helping hand in these difficult times.
High Commissioner stressed that #India’s support will contribute to bright future of #lka's young students. (3/3)
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) March 9, 2023

BIZ

Only 50 Dollars to go to India by passenger ferry!

Published

27 mins ago

March 27, 2023

editor

Sri Lanka will commence the operations of the passenger ferry service between Kankesanthurai and Pondicherry on April 29, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation said.

It said a passenger terminal is currently being constructed at the Kankesanthurai Port to facilitate the ferry service by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Ferry owners have mentioned during a recent discussion that they will be charging 50 US Dollars per passenger for a one-way trip, while allowing a passenger to carry baggage weighing 100kg.

A ferry is expected to carry 150 passengers at a time and will take around 4 hours to travel from Karaikal Port in Pondicherry to Kankesanthurai.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that any businessman in India and Sri Lanka can join this passenger ferry service.

News

Uebert Angel brought in by Jerome Fernando involved in gold smuggling!

Published

32 mins ago

March 27, 2023

editor

It has been revealed that Zimbabwean pastor Uebert Angel, who was brought to Sri Lanka by ‘Born-Again’ religious sect leader Pastor Jerome Fernando, is involved in large-scale gold smuggling.

This was revealed during an investigation conducted by Al Jazeera News.

This pastor has also worked as a Zimbabwean diplomat.

The Zimbabwean pastor has participated in the services held at the Katunayake ‘Miracle Dome’ hall owned by Pastor Jerome Fernando on several occasions.

During his visit to Sri Lanka, the Zimbabwean pastor had met former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa as well.

According to Al Jazeera, Uebert Angel has laundered millions of US dollars through gold smuggling.

Angel, appointed ambassador-at-large and a presidential envoy by Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa in March 2021, has told reporters he would be able to carry large volumes of dirty cash into the country using his diplomatic status.

The 44-year-old, who claims to be a prophet and heads a congregation — the Good News Church — with branches in 15 countries, said he would facilitate a scheme through which unaccounted cash could be exchanged for Zimbabwe’s gold.

Source – Aruna

News

Joint Combined Exchange Training with US Army concludes in Trincomalee

Published

21 hours ago

March 26, 2023

editor

The Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) Balance Style 01/2023 conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and the U.S. Army came to an end at the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) Headquarters in Trincomalee over the weekend.

The certificate awarding ceremony was held under the patronage of Deputy Area Commander Eastern Naval Area, Commodore Mahesh De Silva on Saturday.

Thirty-six (36) Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) personnel from SBS (24) and 04th Fast Attack Flotilla (12) and nine (09) members of Special Force Operational Detachment Alpha participated in JCET 01/2023 training program from 27th February to 24th March 2023.

The Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) mainly focused on Mission Planning (MP), Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), Close Quarter Battle (CQB), Combat Marksmanship & Sniper Training (CMST), etc. with the theoretical and practical sessions.

Commanding Officer 04th Fast Attack Flotilla, Captain Thusara Mahesh, Commanding Officer Special Boat Squadron, Commander Dharmasiri Herath, members from the SFODA – 1121 of the U.S. Army and a group of naval personnel were present on this occasion.

(sundaytimes)