News

USAID-funded SLEP wins at 2024 SID-US annual conference

Published

7 months ago

June 14, 2024

nipuni

The U.S. Embassy announces that Sri Lanka’s USAID-funded Sri Lanka Energy Project (SLEP) has received top honors at the 2024 annual conference for the Society for International Development, the premier U.S. event for international development professionals.

The award was given in recognition of the innovative solar-powered electric vehicle battery swapping stations owned and operated by Sri Lanka’s Sling Mobility (Pvt.) Ltd., particularly highlighting the station located at the Center for Women’s Research in Colombo, which generates income to support the center’s activities.

In a ceremony held June 13 at the Center for Women’s Research, U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung and Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera presented the Innovation Competition Award to representatives from SLEP and Sling Mobility. “It is inspiring to see this international honor come to Sri Lanka, especially since this is such a great example of innovation, renewable energy, private sector development, and women’s empowerment,” Ambassador Chung said, noting the project’s solar-powered battery swapping station at the women’s center contributes to the center’s income and supports sustainable urban mobility. “The United States is committed to our partnership with Sri Lanka to develop solutions that secure the country’s energy future, drive economic development, and lift all segments of society.”

This year’s conference “World in Crisis: Sparks of Hope” saw over 1,500 in-person and virtual attendees voting for innovative approaches to sustainable development. The USAID-supported SLING “360° Sustainable Mobility” project emerged as a standout, providing cost-effective and efficient solutions to the retail logistics sector through a smart electric vehicle ecosystem. This initiative significantly reduces the high initial costs of buying batteries and e-bikes by offering a battery subscription service. Collaborating with Uber for food delivery services, Sling Mobility has demonstrated the model’s effectiveness in reducing downtime for riders, thus saving both money and time.

“SLING Mobility’s collaboration with USAID marks a significant step towards a sustainable and green future for urban mobility in Sri Lanka,” said Sling Chief Executive Officer Love Yadav. “The “360° Sustainable Mobility” solar powered battery swapping project is not just a technological innovation but a testament to the transformative power of partnerships driving positive change and has a potential of sustained innovation in the energy sector beyond electric mobility.”

Additionally, USAID SLEP’s assistance also focuses on economically disadvantaged and marginalized populations, promoting their involvement in the retail logistics sector through electric vehicle use. In its first phase, the initiative trained 18 drivers, assisted 10 individuals in obtaining driver’s licenses, and conducted four outreach activities reaching over 100 participants.

News

5 Acting Ministers appointed

Published

7 hours ago

January 13, 2025

editor

With President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s departure from the country for a State Visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, five acting ministers have been appointed to oversee key ministries under the president’s purview.

Acting ministers have been appointed for three ministries under the President’s purview: the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. Additionally, acting ministers have been assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, as well as the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation.

The acting ministers are as follows :

Acting Minister of Digital Economy – Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne
Acting Minister of Defence – Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera
Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development -Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism – Deputy Minister of Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra
Acting Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation – Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Kumara Gunasena

(President’s Media Division)

News

Tsunami warning after huge earthquake in Japan

Published

8 hours ago

January 13, 2025

editor

Japan was hit by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake on Monday causing two small tsunamis to form.

The quake was at a depth of 23 miles and mainly hit the southwestern Kyushu region, said the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre.

The quake struck at 9.19 pm local time, according to the agency.

Tsunami warnings were issued shortly after for Miyazaki Prefecture, where the temblor was centred, in the southwestern island of Kyushu.

A warning was also issued for the nearby Kochi Prefecture.

Masamasa Sato, chief of the crisis management department of Takanabe Town Hall in Miyazaki Prefecture, said: “The shaking was so strong that it was difficult to stand for about 20 to 30 seconds.”

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned of possible tsunami waves of up to one metre (three feet) and urged the public to stay away from coastal waters.

“Tsunami can strike repeatedly. Please do not enter the sea or go near coastal areas,” the JMA said on X.

Two small tsunamis of around 20 centimetres were detected at two ports in the region, the weather agency said.

Local media reported no immediate injuries, with live television feeds from the region on public broadcaster NHK showing no visible damage as well as calm seas, vessels operating and traffic running normally.

(heraldsun.com.au)

News

Teachers – Principals to be among highest paid professionals

Published

8 hours ago

January 13, 2025

editor

The government is taking significant steps to address salary disparities in the education sector and elevate five key education services, including teachers and principals, to be among the 10 highest-paid professions in the country, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe said.
Speaking at an event held in Maharagama, the Deputy Minister outlined the government’s commitment to improving remuneration and addressing long-standing salary issues in the education sector.

“We will present the first budget next month, and there will be an increase in the salaries of public servants in that budget. Do not have any doubts about that,” said Jayasinghe, emphasizing the government’s efforts to prioritize public sector wage reforms.

He also acknowledged the persistent concerns about salary disparities in the education sector. “Many people are asking about the two-thirds salary disparity for teachers. We are already conducting the necessary preliminary discussions to resolve this issue,” he added.

Highlighting the government’s plans for educators, the Deputy Minister noted that five services—teachers, principals, educational administrators, teacher educators, and teacher advisors—are being considered for inclusion among the top 10 salary scales.

“Discussions are currently underway to not only address the salary scales but also to improve the quality of these services. Our goal is to enhance the standards of education through appropriate salary adjustments,” he stated.

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)