Sri Lanka holds the dubious distinction of being the worst performer in South Asia when it comes to blacklisting corrupt contractors in public procurement, a new report reveals. Unlike its neighbors, the island nation neither recognizes fraudulent practices as a reason for disbarment nor actively enforces existing rules against defaulting contractors. Verité Research, the organization…
The President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has commended President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s commitment to the program aimed at implementing economic reforms in Sri Lanka, acknowledging its challenging nature. Dr. Tanaka Akihiko made these remarks when he called on the Sri Lankan leader on (Feb.14), according to the President’s Media Division (PMD). In response, President…
President Director General (Community Affairs), Rajith Keerthi Thennakoon, announced the initiation of an “Odapana” loan scheme during a meeting held at the President’s Office the day before yesterday (14). This loan scheme, implemented in response to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s directives, aims to address the financial challenges encountered by small and medium-scale rice mill owners, rice…
The number of children diagnosed with cancer averaged 1,000 a year, Dr. Suraj Perera, Consultant Community Physician of the National Cancer Control Programme said yesterday addressing the media at the Health Promotion Bureau.Dr. Perera said that 37,553 cancer patients had been reported in 2021. ” Of that 2 to 5 percent were children. During the…
The Education Ministry announced that, the 3rd term for 2023 in government and government-approved private schools will end on 16 February (tomorrow). Also the first stage of the first term of 2024 will commence on 19 February 2024.
The Asian Development Bank has pledged to assist in developing Smart Agriculture in Mahaweli Zones in a positive move made over a request made by Minister of Irrigation, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Pavithra Wanniarachchi. Accordingly, ADB has pledged to provide US$ 8 million to introduce modern technology in the field of agriculture and livestock…
Dr. Jehan Perera President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been indicating the government’s intention to conduct both presidential and parliamentary elections this year. He is reported to have made this same declaration during his visit to Australia last week. This would be viewed positively by those who are waiting for elections that would ensure a government with…
Sri Lanka can expect significant rain only in mid-April, Director General of Meteorology, Athula Karunanayake, has said. The Met Chief said yesterday that the prevailing high temperatures would persist until mid-April. Karunanayake warned that children, athletes, military personnel, labourers, and others exposed to the sun must be vigilant against life-threatening dehydration. There might be slight…
A key Sri Lankan civil society group, the CSO-NGO Collective, has clashed with the government over a proposed law regulating non-governmental organizations (NGOs). While the government claims the legislation, aimed at “Registration and Supervision,” has been under development since 2005, the Collective argues it was blindsided by the draft and demands wider consultations before it…
Several spells of showers will occur in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts. A few showers may occur in Northern province and in Anuradhapura district. Showers or thundershowers may occur ata few places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m. Fairly strong winds…
