Sri Lanka’s major reservoirs currently hold around 50 percent of their total storage capacity, providing sufficient water resources for irrigation and domestic needs, Director General of the Department of Irrigation, Eng. Dr. Kithsiri Weligepola, said.
The 11th National Accident Prevention Week commenced today and will continue until July 10, featuring a series of awareness programmes aimed at reducing preventable injuries and deaths, Community Medicine Specialist Dr. Samitha Sirithunga of the Ministry of Health's Non-Communicable Diseases Unit said.
The ongoing El Niño phenomenon is expected to reduce rainfall in Sri Lanka in the coming months, according to Director General of the Department of Meteorology, Ajith Wijemanna.
The 11th National Accident Prevention Week will be observed from July 6 to July 10 with the aim of raising public awareness on accident prevention and reducing the loss of lives, injuries, and disabilities caused by accidents in Sri Lanka.
Under the amended regulations, beverages containing more than 8.0 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres must carry a red label, those containing between 2.5 and 8.0 grams must display an amber label, while drinks containing less than 2.5 grams of sugar must carry a green label.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan have held discussions aimed at further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the aviation and port sectors during a meeting between Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Anura Kumaratilleka and a Pakistani delegation led by Defence Secretary Lieutenant General (Retd.) Muhammad Ali on July 2.
The National Water Supply and Drainage Board has announced that water supply will be suspended for 12 hours in several areas of the Colombo District on Saturday (July 4), from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that all relevant institutions must operate in accordance with a national plan in order to eradicate the drug menace.
The President made these remarks while attending the meeting of the “A Nation United” National Steering Council for the eradication of the drug menace, held this morning (02) at the Presidential Secretariat with the participation of the Maha Sangha of the three Nikayas and other religious leaders.
The President instructed that a report be submitted at the next meeting detailing the responsibilities assigned to each institution under the national plan to eliminate the drug menace, the progress achieved thus far and the programmes implemented by each institution to combat the problem.
It was revealed that approximately 70 per cent of the prison population consists of individuals addicted to narcotic substances. Attention was therefore directed towards measures that could be taken in relation to them in order to address the serious issue of prison overcrowding.
The President also inquired into the measures being taken to prevent schoolchildren from becoming involved in drug use. It was noted that 225 programmes, including awareness initiatives for teachers and students, have already been implemented at school level. Discussions have also been held with vice-chancellors and heads of departments at universities and higher educational institutions, leading to the establishment of peer groups among students to carry out awareness programmes.
Attention was further drawn to conducting a nationwide survey on the prevalence of drugs within the school system. The President emphasised the need to establish a committee led by the Ministry of Education, comprising representatives of all relevant institutions, to operate under a common plan aimed at eliminating the drug menace from schools.
It was also decided to convene a special discussion with the owners of private and international schools to involve them in the national drug prevention programme.
Progress in drafting new legislation to ensure the prompt destruction of seized narcotics was reviewed. Attention was also given to introducing an automated system for managing court exhibits and to decentralising laboratory facilities with the support of legal and scientific experts in order to minimise delays in investigations.
The Most Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Thera, Deputy Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter of the Maha Vihara tradition of the Siam Maha Nikaya, has been appointed as the new Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.
As part of the Government's national programme to strengthen digitalization and make public services more efficient, transparent, and accessible, the official launch of the new payment facility enabling the public to make payments to government institutions via bank cards (through POS machines) was held on the 2nd July at the Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is committed to building a Sri Lanka that respects the language rights of every citizen, safeguards equality, and transforms diversity into a national strength.
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