October 27, 2013 is a significant day for all Sri Lankans, the highways sector and the engineering profession in general, when President Mahinda Rajapaksa inaugurates the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway. This is a project that many previous governments have attempted to complete but failed to make it a reality. As a person who has been involved in the highways sector for more than 35 years, I would like to share with the readers some accounts that transpired over the life of this project.
Monday, October 28, 2024
Saturday, October 26, 2024
DEEPAVALI THE HOLY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Diwali or Deepavali is one of the biggest and auspicious festivals celebrated by Hindus all around the globe, with ebullience.The festival of lights signifies peace and joy, the victory of good over evil, and light over darkness every day.
Look out for exhausted Pittas
As the southernmost landmass along the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds, Sri Lanka attracts over 200 winter visitors, who start arriving from the end of August. Many of the migrants are already here but bird lovers are on the watch out for that special migrant in October.
Friday, October 25, 2024
The journey to Sri Lanka and back… ‘Tracing bird migration’ positively impacts bird watching, conservation efforts
Annually, as Sri Lankans eagerly await the return of migratory birds to this island, there comes an opportunity to witness a nature’s awe-inspiring spectacle—birds traversing continents and diverse landscapes. In an innovative initiative, the Daily Mirror is employing cutting-edge technology to track these avian travelers’ journeys. Colombo University Zoology Department Prof. Sampath Seneviratne launched a project that attaches GPS transponders to birds, providing unprecedented insights into their migration routes, behaviours and the challenges they confront.
Thursday, October 24, 2024
The Senanayake Legacy: Pioneers of Sri Lanka’s Independence
Don Stephen Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of independent Ceylon, was born on October 20th 1884. His family was in the forefront of the struggle for independence that began following the 1915 riots.
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
HEC in Hambantota Walsapugala farmers urge authorities to release MER for elephants
Farmers in Walsapugala staged a 108-day long protest back in 2021 braving various threats and challenges urging the then government to implement the Managed Elephant Reserve (MER) which allocated some 23,000 hectares to elephants that roam the area. The MER in fact is an important elephant corridor that connected three main national parks including Bundala, Lunugamvehera and Uda Walawa. Even though the MER has now been gazetted in response to the demands made by farmers, they continue to be at the receiving end of an aggravating Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC).
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Plantation workers to get revised daily wage of Rs. 1,350 from 10 October
The plantation sector workers will receive their long-awaited revised daily minimum wage of Rs. 1,350 along with an additional allowance of Rs. 50 for each extra kilo of harvest from 10 October.
Friday, October 4, 2024
Saravanapavan’s latest book Taking readers through the ‘Most Dangerous Moment in Ceylon’
The role of the Canadian Air Force to save Ceylon from an impending military disaster at the height of World War II has been brought to the limelight in author K. Saravanapavan’s latest book ‘The Most Dangerous Moment in Ceylon – Ceylon Aerial Engagement : Canadian Reconnaissance Vs. Japanese Bombers’.
Are the Apex Court Judges retiring too early?
During the last few months or so, news items popped-up more often than not, on the appointment and non-appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal due to the retirement of judges in both courts.
Increase in spreading influenza among children, advised to wear masks: Pediatrician
Colombo, October 4 (Daily Mirro) - There has been an increase in the number of children showing symptoms of influenza and doctors advise vulnerable groups to wear masks, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Will agriculture farmers be forced to pay taxes for water?
Water is one of man’s primary needs of humans. Water is a key factor in agriculture as well as for consumption. Throughout history, from the times of ancient kings to future leaders, reservoirs and dams were built to meet the need for water. At present, the Irrigation Department of Sri Lanka and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka ensure the supply of essential water. Accordingly, water is provided for agriculture, which is one of the country’s basic needs.
Sri Lanka faces Rs. 237 billion annual burden due to alcohol-related health issues
The Sri Lankan government incurs an annual cost of Rs. 237 billion to address health problems linked to alcohol consumption, highlighting the significant social, economic, and health challenges posed by alcohol, according to the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC).
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