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Send-off reception held for 17 JDS fellows

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2023

editor

Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka – Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki yesterday (08) held the reception to send-off JDS (the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship) scholarship fellows and extended his heartfelt congratulations on new 17 JDS fellows, who are heading to Japan as scholarship students this month.

In a media release the Japanese embassy in Sri Lanka states :

The JDS program is one of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs to promote high-quality growth of a country through human resource development. One of its main purposes is to accept young promising administrative officers, who are expected to be in leadership positions in the future, as international students in Japanese graduate schools so that they can utilize the expertise they gain in Japan in formulating and implementing social and economic policies after they return to their home country.

JDS fellows are also expected to solidify foundations for further bilateral relations with Japan and succeed as a bridge between both countries by utilizing their human network developed through academic and social activities while in Japan.

Under the project, 17 public sector officials will be sent to pursue a 2 – 3 year Master or PhD degree from this year. Areas of their degrees cover Public Policy, Macroeconomics, Public Finance and Investment Management, Industry Development Policy and Investment Promotion, and Urban and Regional Development.

Since its inception in 2009, JDS project has supported 205 public sector officials in Sri Lanka. The project will contribute not only to enhancing individual capacities but also to improving institutional capacity of the public sector in Sri Lanka, which helps Sri Lanka to overcome various difficulties related to the current economic hardships and to achieve prosperity further in the future.

The reception was held as a pre-alumni reunion as well, with the enthusiastic participation of 22 returned JDS fellows who are willing to establish the JDS alumni association. Stressing the essentiality for relevant ministries to cooperate so that they could overcome current complex and difficult problems, Ambassador Mizukoshi expressed his sincere beliefs that arranging alumni gatherings by JDS fellows themselves and sharing the knowledge gained in Japan would be highly conducive to accelerating Sri Lanka’s development.

In line with the IMF program, various endeavors such as reforms on revenue and expenditure, state-owned enterprises as well as the eradication of corruption are being carried out. Also, on the occasion of our Foreign Minister Hayashi’s courtesy call to Prime Minister Gunawardena, the signing ceremony of Exchange of Notes for next year’s JDS program was conducted in the esteemed presence of the Prime Minister and our Foreign Minister at the Temple Trees on 29th July, which highlights the importance of the JDS program. In this regard, the year 2023 would mark a milestone in kicking off the rebirth of Sri Lankan economy along with the JDS program.

News

President Dissanayake pays last respects to cinema legend Malini Fonseka

Published

1 hour ago

May 26, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid his final respects yesterday (25) evening to the late veteran actress Malini Fonseka, fondly remembered as the “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema.”

Her remains have been placed at the Tharangani Hall of the National Film Corporation, allowing the public to bid farewell to the beloved screen icon.

Malini Fonseka passed away in the early hours of May 24 at the age of 78 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Her body was initially kept at her Madiwela residence before being moved to the National Film Corporation, where crowds continue to gather in tribute.

Among the dignitaries paying their respects were former Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Chandrika Kumaratunga.

The final rites of the legendary actress will be held today (26) with full state honors at Independence Square.

News

Last rites of Malini Fonseka with state honours today

Published

1 hour ago

May 26, 2025

editor

The final rites of Sri Lankan cinema icon and veteran actress Malini Fonseka, widely celebrated as the “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema,” is scheduled to be performed with full state honours this evening (26) at Independence Square in Colombo.

The cultural luminary, who passed away on May 24 at 78, will be honoured with full ceremonial rites attended by artists, dignitaries, and adoring fans.

Final journey of a cinematic legend

The late actress’s remains, lying in state at the National Film Corporation’s Tharangani Hall, will be taken to **Independence Square at 8:00 AM.

The public can pay their last respects from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

At 3:30 PM, her body will be moved to a special platform for Buddhist rites, organized by fellow artists and former students of Gurukula College, Kelaniya, her alma mater. The final cremation rites will commence at 5:45 PM.

Traffic advisory

Police have announced brief traffic restrictions around Independence Square. While no major road closures are planned, vehicles entering Nidahas Mawatha from the Independence Roundabout will face 15-minute delays as the procession passes.

A legacy that transcended borders

Malini Fonseka’s illustrious career spanned nearly 150 films, earning her multiple Sarasaviya Awards for classics like Hingana Kolla (1980), Aradhana (1982), and Yasa Isuru (1983). She broke barriers as the first Sri Lankan actress to win international acclaim, securing awards at the Moscow (1975) and New Delhi (1977) film festivals.

Her collaboration with Indian cinema legend Sivaji Ganesan in Pilot Premnath(1978) and her recognition as one of Asia’s 25 Greatest Film Actors of All Time (CNN, 2010) cemented her as a cultural icon.

As Sri Lanka bids farewell, her legacy endures—not just in film, but as a trailblazer who elevated **Sri Lankan cinema onto the world stage.

Funeral schedule:

Public viewing: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Religious rites: 3:30 PM
Cremation: 5:45 PM

She wasn’t just an actress—she was the soul of our cinema.— Tribute from a fellow artist.

News

Thundershowers expected in some areas today

Published

1 hour ago

May 26, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (May 26).

Fairly heavy rains above 75 mm are likely at some places.

A few showers may occur elsewhere.

Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, Southern and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Monaragala districts.