News

World Bank Group President meets with President AKD (Pics)

Published

1 week ago

May 7, 2025

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President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga met with President Anura Kumara Disanayake this afternoon (07) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

This visit marks a milestone, as it is the first time in nearly two decades that a World Bank Group President has visited Sri Lanka.

During the meeting, discussions centred on strengthening collaboration to support Sri Lanka’s future development agenda. Priority areas identified included digitalisation, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure development, with particular emphasis on identifying short-term rewards, including advancing development in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

The Sri Lankan government’s efforts to establish a robust legal framework conducive to attracting new investments and recent policy initiatives were also discussed during the meeting.

Attendees at the meeting included Trevor Kincaid, Special Advisor – World Bank Group, David Sislen, Country Division Director – Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka – World Bank Group, Imad Fakhoury, Regional Director – South Asia International Finance Corporation and Gevorg Sargsyan, Country Manager – Maldives & Sri Lanka¸ World Bank Group.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Harshana Suriyapperuma and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, along with several other dignitaries, also attended the occasion.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Internal disputes delay LG member lists

Published

6 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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Due to various issues that have arisen within many political parties during the selection of members for LG bodies, submission of name lists to the Election Commission (EC) are being delayed, reports say.

As a result, the establishment of LG bodies is expected to be delayed further.

In this backdrop, the EC has instructed all political parties and independent groups to submit their name lists within a week.

The gazette on the newly appointed members will follow only after the EC receives all lists.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

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Ministry cancels Br. Charles’ program at Padeniya temple

Published

6 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has issued a letter over a program organized by Br. Charles Thomas.

The relevant program is scheduled to be held today (May 17) at the historic Padeniya temple and is allegedly scheduled to be held in a manner that is harmful to Buddhism.

The letter notes that the Deputy Minister has taken steps to cancel the program following complaints from various parties, citing strong displeasure expressed by the local Buddhist community.

News

Applications open for A/L Vocational stream

Published

6 hours ago

May 17, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has announced that applications are now open for admissions for Grade 12 students for the Advanced Level (A/L) Vocational stream subjects.

According to the Ministry, the vocational stream will be offered in 608 schools starting this year.

The Ministry further clarified that students who have not passed the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination will still be eligible to apply, as O/L results will not be a determining factor for admission to this stream.

For this, students need to submit an application to the principal of the school they wish to enroll in.