News

China distributes food packages to flood affected in East SL (Pics)

Published

6 months ago

December 30, 2024

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Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong visited Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara of Eastern Province on Dec. 29.

During the visit, thousands of food packages valued at Rs. 16 million were distributed to those flood affected families.

Speaking during the event, the Chinese ambassador reiterated that China’s friendly policy towards Sri Lanka is inclusive and open, focusing on engaging equally with all individuals, political parties, ethnic groups, and regions.

“Our support for the Sri Lankan people, especially the people of the Eastern Province, has never ceased. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China donated a large number of Sinopharm vaccines to Sri Lanka, with a special focus on the Tamil people in the Northern and Eastern regions, saving countless lives of the Sri Lankan people. When Sri Lanka suffered from severe flooding, China extended a helping hand in a timely manner, providing a batch of Emergency Humanitarian Materials worth 400 million rupees and making a donation of 30 million rupees (USD100,000) as emergency flood relief to the Sri Lankan government with an aim of assisting those affected. Over the past few years, I have visited the Eastern Province time and time again. Early this year, the Chinese government has supported the northern and eastern regions by providing essential supplies for livelihoods with a total value of 1.5 billion rupees, including housing units, rice, and fishing nets. During my last visit to the Eastern Province last month, another 8 million rupees was donated to the province and a number of livelihood projects will be carried out step by step. Today, we are once again here in the Eastern Province to donate 2,470 food packages worth 16 million rupees to people affected by the flooding. We hope that with our assistance, you can overcome these challenges and restore normal life as soon as possible. The Chinese people will always stand with the Sri Lankan people. Together, we can make a difference,” he said.

News

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit SL

Published

4 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

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The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from June 23 – 26, 2025.

This marks the first visit by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Sri Lanka since February 2016.
During the visit, the High Commissioner is scheduled to call on the President and the Prime Minister. He will also hold meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, several other Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior Government officials, religious leaders, representatives of civil society, members of the diplomatic community, and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.

As part of the programme, the High Commissioner will travel to Kandy where he will pay respects to The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and call on the Chief Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters. He will also travel to Jaffna and Trincomalee where he will meet with the Governors of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Substantive discussions during the visit will focus on further advancing the promotion and protection of human rights and reconciliation, in line with the Government of Sri Lanka’s ongoing constructive engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

News

3 DMT officials remanded until July 07

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2025

editor

Three officials from the Narahenpita branch of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), including the Deputy Commissioner, have been remanded until July 07 following allegations of accepting bribes totaling nearly Rs. 04 million.

The suspects were presented before Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali Jayatunga earlier today (June 20) and court ordered their continued detention as investigations are continuing.Authorities allege that the officials solicited bribes from members of the public seeking vehicle licenses and registration services with these bribes reportedly discovered in their possession during the arrest.

News

Billion rupee loss due to Southern Expressway design changes – Bimal

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2025

editor

Minister Bimal Ratnayake revealed in Parliament today (June 20) financial losses running upto to billions of rupees has occured due to politically influenced changes made to the original design of the Southern Expressway.

He stated that two interchanges, which were not included in the expressway’s initial plan, were constructed under political pressure – leading to unnecessary cost escalations and inefficiencies.

These interchanges are located in Kapuduwa and Bedigama, the minister revealed.

Minister Ratnayake emphasized the need to protect large-scale infrastructure projects from political interference to avoid waste of public funds and ensure proper planning and execution.

He also revealed that there is only one rest area in the Southern Expressway which has been leased by the Rajapaksas for a prolonged period of 99 years for a mere Rs. 10,000.

(Video : VoiceTube)