English News24: Srilanka news

The Government of Sri Lanka strongly condemns any act of torture, and will ensure that allegations

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The Government of Sri Lanka strongly condemns any act of torture, and will ensure that allegations of torture committed in the country will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law and seeks the assistance and cooperation of all those relevant parties in this endeavour, including parties outside the country, as evidence is key in the conduct of investigations”, the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prasad Kariyawasam informed New York Times yesterday (8th Nov.).</div>
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Responding to the article titled ‘Dozens of Men Describe Rape, Torture by Sri Lanka Government’ by the Associated Press that was published in the New York Times Mr. Kariyawasam further said the government is committed, as promised to the people of the country, to work towards reconciliation, good governance, rule of law, and the promotion and protection of human rights, and has taken numerous concrete steps to prevent the commission of torture.</div>
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In his letter written to the Editor of New York Times, the Secretary describes many steps the present government has taken in this respect including strengthening the National Human Rights Commission, forbidding of torture of any kind and issuing a standing invitation to Special Rapporteurs of the High Commission for Human Rights.</div>
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<br />Mr. Kariyawasam also added that it would be appreciated in this regard, if this response from the Government of Sri Lanka could also be published in the New York Times, considering the gravity of the allegations and the firm commitment of the National Unity Government to uphold the rule of law.</div>
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The Government of Sri Lanka strongly condemns any act of torture, and will ensure that allegations

The Government of Sri Lanka strongly condemns any act of torture, and will ensure that allegations of torture committed in the country wi...

An agreement signed to recruit Sri Lankans as Geriatric Care Nurses

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Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Employment G.S. Withanage and Dr. Götz Schmidt-Bremme, Ambassador for the 2017-2018 Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) Co-Chairmanship of Germany on 27th June signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on principles of fair recruitment of personnel for training as geriatric nurses in Germany.</div>
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The signing ceremony took place at the German Federal Foreign Ministry in Berlin, during Secretary Withange’s visit to Berlin leading from the Government of Sri Lanka delegation to the 10th Meeting of the GFMD hosted by the Government of Germany.</div>
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Ambassador Schmidt-Bremme, expressing his satisfaction that the Agreement could be concluded following a very brief consultation said that it was a sign of enhanced cooperation for the future.</div>
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Thanking the Government of Germany for providing the opportunity for Sri Lankan health sector professionals to work and live in Germany through this program, Mr. Withanage said that it will be a win-win situation for both countries and will be a path to further strengthen the relations between the two countries.</div>
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The Agreement envisages training to commence in Sri Lanka from 2018 and the trainees will be provided with a comprehensive German language training (B2 level) and the professional training in the Geriatric care on par with the requisite standards in Germany with the assurance of working and integrating in Germany.</div>
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An agreement signed to recruit Sri Lankans as Geriatric Care Nurses

Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Employment G.S. Withanage and Dr. Götz Schmidt-Bremme, Ambassador for the 2017-2018 Global Forum o...

Expansion program is not to privatize Lanka Sathosa - Minister

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Two Lanka Sathosa branches were opened on 10th June in Kathankudy and Kokkadicholai by the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishard Bathiudeen.</div>
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Addressing the opening ceremony in Kathankudy, the minister said that Lanka Sathosa expansion program was to strengthen the largest state owned supermarket system and not to privatise it.</div>
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He said that number of Lanka Sathosa branches would be increased to 500 by December.</div>
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“Lanka Sathosa not only serves Sri Lankan consumers but even steps in to assist at times of disaster. This is done by giving out dry rations to the government to be given to the people. For example, Lanka Sathosa’s in Ratnapura Electorate alone delivered Rs 10 Million dry rations to Divisional Secretariat officials to be distributed to the flood victims there”, he added.</div>
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Lanka Sathosa’s annual sales turnover is now around Rs 30 billion. Almost 93% of its expenditure in 2016 was spent for capital development projects.  It plans to open 8,000 franchise outlets with SME businesses in the coming year while expanding its present 379 branch network to 500 by December 2017.</div>
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Expansion program is not to privatize Lanka Sathosa - Minister

Two Lanka Sathosa branches were opened on 10th June in Kathankudy and Kokkadicholai by the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishard B...

Weather today

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Cloudy skies can be expected over Northern and North-Central provinces today.<br />
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Showers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.</div>
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Fairly strong winds about 50kmph can be expected at times over the island (except Northern Province).</div>
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Weather today

Cloudy skies can be expected over Northern and North-Central provinces today. Showers will occur at several places in the Western, S...

President says Poson unveils path to five precepts

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President Maithripala Sirisena said in his message in view of Poson day marked today, that our determination on this noble Poson full moon day should be to commit ourselves to make a better world through the discipline of mind, body and word.</div>
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The President further said that the day King Devanampiya Thissa relinquished the bow and arrow, our nation accessed into a path of a new life guided through the concept of Panchasheela, non-violence, compassion and loving-kindness.</div>
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President Sirisena said the guidance offered by Buddhism to live with a close relationship with the environment was a prime fact of safe existence, adding that it was when we deviated from the teachings of the Buddha that nature threatened us in return. </div>
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President says Poson unveils path to five precepts

President Maithripala Sirisena said in his message in view of Poson day marked today, that our determination on this noble Poson full ...

New ministers take oaths

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Nine Cabinet Ministers and one State Minister took oaths before President Maithripala Sirisena today (22nd May) following the Cabinet reshuffle held at the Presidential Secretariat.</div>
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe was also present on this occasion.</div>
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Mangala Samaraweera        - Minister of Finance and Mass Media</div>
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<br />S.B. Dissanayake              - Minister of Social Empowerment, Welfare and Kandyan Heritage  </div>
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<br />W.D.J. Seneviratne            - Minister of Labor, Trade Union Relations and Sabaragamuwa Development  </div>
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<br />Ravi Karunanayake            - Minister of Foreign Affairs  </div>
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<br />Mahinda Samarasinghe      - Minister of Ports and Shipping  </div>
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<br />Gayantha Karunatilake       - Minister of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms  </div>
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<br />Arjuna Ranathunga           - Minister of Petroleum and Resources Development  </div>
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<br />Chandima Weerakkody       - Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training  </div>
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<br />Thilak Janaka Marapana      - Minister of Development Assignment</div>
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Mahinda Amaraweera        - State Minister of Mahaweli Development (Including his Current Ministerial portfolio)</div>
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New ministers take oaths

Nine Cabinet Ministers and one State Minister took oaths before President Maithripala Sirisena today (22nd May) following the Cabinet r...

Health Minster participates at 70th WHA meeting

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The Seventieth World Health Assembly (WHA) will be held from today (22nd May) to 31st May in Geneva, Switzerland.</div>
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Representing Sri Lanka, Minister of Health, Nutrition, and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senarathne is participating at the WHA.</div>
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During his visit, the minster is scheduled to address the World Health Assembly, 19th meeting of the Ministers of Health of the Non-Aligned Movement, Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting, and several other parallel international events.</div>
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The Colombo declaration from last year's Commonwealth Ministerial Conference held in SL will also be presented in Geneva.</div>
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Health Minster participates at 70th WHA meeting

The Seventieth World Health Assembly (WHA) will be held from today (22nd May) to 31st May in Geneva, Switzerland. Representing Sri ...

Senior DIG the Acting IGP

Senior DIG (Administration) C.D. Wickremerathne will be the acting IGP from 22nd to 26th May. Inspector General of Police Pujith J...

President to visit Australia

President Maithripala Sirisena on an invitation will leave for Australia on a state visit today (22nd May). The visit, which begins...

Navy opens two more RO plants

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Two more Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants produced by Navy’s Research and Development Unit was bestowed on the public on Saturday (20th May).</div>
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The two facilities were installed at the premises of the Sri Lanka Transport Board and Divisional Secretariat in Vavuniya.</div>
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The financial allocation for the facilities was made by the Presidential Task Force on Prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease.</div>
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The RO plant erected at the Sri Lanka Transport Board premises can produce clear drinking water for 365 families in the area. Meanwhile, the RO system installed at the Divisional Secretariat will quench the thirst of 425 families in and around the Divisional Secretariat.</div>
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Navy opens two more RO plants

Two more Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants produced by Navy’s Research and Development Unit was bestowed on the public on Saturday (20th May)...

INS ‘Sumedha’ arrives at Colombo harbour

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Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sumedha’ arrived at the Colombo harbour on a three day official visit yesterday (21st May).</div>
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During the stay of INS ‘Sumedha’, its crew is scheduled to take part in many programs including; training exercises, display of cultural performances and friendly sporting events organized by their Sri Lankan counterpart. Besides, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship together with a group of Indian naval officers is expected to call on the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle at the Western Naval Command Head Quarters.</div>
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In year 2016 fifty seven (57) ships and thus far in 2017 twenty (20) ships belonging to the foreign navies and coast guards had made similar ports of call in Sri Lanka.</div>
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INS ‘Sumedha’ arrives at Colombo harbour

Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sumedha’ arrived at the Colombo harbour on a three day official visit yesterday (21st May). During the sta...

President opens Lanka Patuna Bridge

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President Maithripala Sirisena opened the new bridge built across the Lanka Patuna lagoon on 20th May.</div>
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The bridge which is 150 meters long, built under the supervision of Road Development Authority will facilitate the devotees who visit the Lanka Patuna temple.</div>
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President opens Lanka Patuna Bridge

President Maithripala Sirisena opened the new bridge built across the Lanka Patuna lagoon on 20th May. The bridge which is 150 mete...

Showers expected today

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Fairly strong winds (up to 50kmph) can be expected at times over the island (especially in the western slope of the central hills) and strong winds at times are expected also in the south-eastern and southern sea areas (up to 60 kmph).These winds can be strengthened during showers, Met. Department says.</div>
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<br />Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces.</div>
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<br />Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Eastern and Uva provinces after 2.00pm.</div>
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<br />Fairly heavy falls (more than 50 mm) can be expected at some places.</div>
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<br />Public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning.</div>
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Showers expected today

Fairly strong winds (up to 50kmph) can be expected at times over the island (especially in the western slope of the central hills) and ...

President opens cultural center in Sampur

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President Maithripala Sirisena opened the new cultural center in Sampur, built under the project to develop infrastructure facilities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces on 20th May.</div>
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This cultural center was built at a cost of Rs. 22 millions.</div>
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During the visit, the President also opened the new Sampur Divisional Hospital which facilitates more than 4,253 people, living in five Grama Seva Divisions; Sampur-East, Sampur-West, Nawarathnapura, Konithiv and Kadakarachachennai.</div>
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He also registered the first patient to be served in the hospital.</div>
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President opens cultural center in Sampur

President Maithripala Sirisena opened the new cultural center in Sampur, built under the project to develop infrastructure facilities i...

No new tax on dates - DG

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The Director General, Trade and Investment Policies Department denied news reports published by certain media saying that new duty has been imposed on dates.</div>
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Only a special commodity levy of Rs.60 is currently charged for imported dates per kilogram and no other tax is charged for dates, the DG said.</div>
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A total tax of Rs.130 was charged per kilogram of imported dates by 2015. It consisted of 15% Customs duty, 7.5% Ports and airport duty, 25% Cess tax, 11% VAT and 2% Nation Building tax.</div>
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All taxes for dates were abolished when prices of essential commodities were reduced on 20th November 2015after the Good Governance rule assumed office and, a special commodity tax of Rs.60 per kilogram was introduced instead. This enabled traders to import dates Rs.70 less than that of the price they paid earlier.</div>
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In addition, the government has already made necessary monetary allocations for respective ministries in lieu of the taxes they ought to pay for stocks of dates the country receive as donations from foreign countries to be distributed free during special religious events.</div>
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Participating in the parliament debate with regard to the special gazette notification dated November 21, 2016 in connection with the imposing of special commodity levy, although MP Sunil Handunnetti interpreted this as imposing new tax for dates, this is not imposing any new tax but further extension of the already reduced tax plan for dates maintaining since November 2015.</div>
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No new tax on dates - DG

The Director General, Trade and Investment Policies Department denied news reports published by certain media saying that new duty has ...

Water supply charges should be revised – Minister Hakeem

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The water supply charges should be revised soon for the economic stability of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), Minister of City Planning and Water Supply Rauff Hakeem said.</div>
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He said a liter of bottled drinking water is sold at Rs. 60 while the NWSDB is providing 1,000 liters to the people at a price of Rs.12. The NWSDB bears a huge cost for purification and distribution of water, so it is impossible to provide water at such a low price, he added.</div>
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Minister Hakeem made these remarks yesterday (28th April) in Pothuhera, Kurunegala participating at the ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the Polgahawela, Pothuhera and Alawwa Integrated Water Supply Project. It will be providing drinking water for over 167,700 beneficiaries in 167 Grama Seva divisions in Polgahawela, Kurunegala, Weerambugedara, Alawwa, and Mallawapitiya Divisional Secretariat divisions in Kurunegala District.</div>
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The estimated cost of the project is USD 108 million, of which USD 91.8 million is funded by the EXIM Bank of India while Bank of Ceylon will provide USD 16.2 million and Government of Sri Lanka will provide Rs. 4,547.8 million. The total expected cost of the project is Rs 20, 207 million. The Contractor of the project is VA-TECH WABAG Limited, India.</div>
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Water supply charges should be revised – Minister Hakeem

The water supply charges should be revised soon for the economic stability of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), Min...

President invites Malaysian investors

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President Maithripala Sirisena invited leading Malaysian entrepreneurs to explore possibilities of expanding investment and trade and look for the potential of new trade opportunities in Sri Lanka.</div>
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He stated this when the CEO of Malaysia’s petrochemical giant, Petronas, Datuk Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin called on him with a delegation at the Presidential Secretariat on 26th April.</div>
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The CEO of Petronas, the only Malaysian company to be listed in the Fortune 500, said that his company has business interests and joint projects in more than 30 countries, said that he would explore the possibility of long-term business with Sri Lanka. He said, although there were several instances of supply of petroleum products to Sri Lanka by the Petronas, the company is yet to enter into a long term arrangement.</div>
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President Sirisena said that the current political stability and peaceful atmosphere is conducive for foreign investments and said the government would welcome established companies like Petronas to invest in Sri Lanka.</div>
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Datuk Wan Ariffin said that he was highly impressed with what Sri Lanka could offer for business and thanked the President for giving him an opportunity to meet him and discuss these issues. The delegation will also meet Ministers of Petroleum and Power and Energy.</div>
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Malaysian High Commissioner Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah also participated in the discussion.</div>
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President invites Malaysian investors

President Maithripala Sirisena invited leading Malaysian entrepreneurs to explore possibilities of expanding investment and trade and l...

SLBFE reports 1.2 billion profits

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Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment for the first time in the history has achieved a profit of Rs 1.2 billion, said Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorale.</div>
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She said that compared to last year it is an increase of 45percent. In 2015 the operating profit was Rs 338 million while in 2016 it improved to Rs 642 million.</div>
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SLBFE reports 1.2 billion profits

Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment for the first time in the history has achieved a profit of Rs 1.2 billion, said Foreign Employme...

Sri Lanka's Lotus Tower Project -- The Tallest in South Asia

Government to face infrastructure challenges of Megapolis Development Project

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Present government under the directives of President Maithripala Sirsena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has planned to implement the Megapolis development plan covering the entire Western Province.</div>
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<br />With the implementation of this gigantic project, it is expected that there will be an increased demand for essential utility services such as transport, electricity, water, drainage and waste disposal.</div>
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<br />Accordingly, the Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka this week presented a Cabinet Memorandum to take several actions to face the above challenges and it was approved as a policy by the Cabinet of Ministers.</div>
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<br />The proposal of Minister Ranawake includes the improvements to road system. It propose the extension of the Baseline Road to Galle Road, extension of Polduwa – Koswatta Road, which is under construction to Kelaniya via Kolonnawa, widening the road section of 120 bus route from Pamankada Bridge to W.A. Silva Mawatha, construction of a new express transport way from multimodal transport hub in Makumbura to Mahenawatta Science and Technology City, construction of new flyovers in Kohuwala junction and Railway crossing near Castle Hospital, construction of multimodal transport hubs in Battaramulla, Katunayake, Kadawatha, Moratuwa, and Panadura and regularizing the bus service reaching the town, and the extension of proposed elevated road from Kelani Bridge to Rajagiriya via Orugodawatta to outer circular highway covering Battaramulla administrative city. The Ministry of Higher Education and Highways has already taken steps to implement some of these activities.</div>
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<br /> Under the Solid Waste Management, it expects to improve of municipal solid waste disposal yards using sorting or burning technology.</div>
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<br />Further, the development of big reservoirs in Seethawaka Ganga and Wee Oya which are branches of Kelani River, use of recycled waste water for non-drinking purposes, and desalinate of sea water using electricity in off peak hours also proposed to affirm the required water supply demand.</div>
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Government to face infrastructure challenges of Megapolis Development Project

Present government under the directives of President Maithripala Sirsena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has planned to implemen...