The “Asidisi” Scholarship Programme organized annually by the Ministry of Mass Media with the objective of equipping all journalists with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to establish the art of professional journalism, would have its symbolic Scholarship Awards Ceremony this time on Tuesday, December 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the auditorium of the Ministry of Mass Media.

The purpose of this project is to create an environment for journalists to improve their skills via training courses and encouraging them.

Journalists, Freelance Journalists, Provincial Journalists and Web Journalists who have obtained the Identity Card issued by the Department of Government Information, between the ages of 18-55 and have completed three years of full time or part time service in recognized electronic and print media institutions in the island would be awarded with this scholarship on non-refundable basis.

A maximum amount of Two hundred thousand rupees (Rs.200,000.00) for undergraduate and postgraduate courses or One hundred thousand rupees (Rs. 100,000.00) for short or long term certificate courses, diplomas and advanced diploma courses would be offered under this scholarship program. Scholarship recipients can take media related courses conducted by recognized universities and higher educational training institutions.

Under this scheme of scholarship, the journalists have the opportunity to reap its benefits twice without paying any amount of money and the journalists who have successfully completed the course can apply for the second chance in five years after being qualified for the 1 st time.

The beneficiaries were selected after interviewing the applicants by a committee elected by the secretary of the Mass Media Ministry. Among the journalists who had applied for the scholarship this time, the Ministry of Mass Media has taken steps to offer this scholarship to everyone who has fulfilled the qualifications. Accordingly, 85 journalists are eligible for these scholarships.

‘Prof. Senaka Bandaranayake Archaeological Field School’ constructed by the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) was opened by Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Sigiriya yesterday. The Field School was built utilizing Rs. 50 million from CCF funds. It provides residential training facilities for budding scientists.

Eminent Archaeologist Prof. Senaka Bandaranayake is the first Archaeological Director of the Sigiriya Project of the Cultural Triangle.Minister Janaka Bandara Thennakoon and State Minister Vidura Wickramanayake also attended the event.

The Central Expressway will be extended to Dambulla, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

He made this observation participating in the National Programme to award one million ‘Ranbima’ deeds islandwide in line with the ‘Prosperity and Splendour’ National Policy.

The event was held at the Ransara Festival Hall, Kurunegala and the land deeds were presented to 400 beneficiaries in the North Western Province.

The programme is implemented by the Land Reforms Commission.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa said that the Opposition, while criticizing the negative aspects of the Government, should also have the courtesy to appreciate the good deeds.

The Premier observed that the expressway to Dambulla would have been built a long time ago, had not the Government changed in 2015.

“Steps have been taken to start the expressway from Kurunegala to Kandy. Minister S.M. Chandrasena is requesting to extend that expressway to Dambulla.We will definitely do that,” he added.

“As a government we will do everything we can.The President has taken steps to look into village level issues too by meeting villagers. This will encourage the officers to complete the work expeditiously,” he noted.

“When the Land Reforms Commission was set up in 1970, the Government took over some lands. The Commission continues to hand over those lands to landless people. People who were residing in those lands for a long period have faced problems when they apply for a bank loan as they do not have a valid deed,” the Premier pointed out.

The Prime Minister also handed over a PCR machine worth Rs.5.4 million to the Kurunegala Hospital from the decentralized fund of Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa.

Ministers S.M Chandrasena, Johnston Fernando, State Ministers Arundika Fernando, Lohan Ratwatte, D.B. Herath, Priyankara Jayaratne, MPs Asanga Navaratne, Manjula Dissanayake, Sumith Udukumbura, Charitha Herath, Gunapala Ratnasekera, Jayaratne Herath, Shantha Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Lands R. A. A. K. Ranawaka and Land Commission Chairman Nilantha Wijesinghe were present.

The Dr Roland Silva Mural Preservation and Research Centre’ was opened by Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Dambulla yesterday.

It was built near the ‘Rangiri Dambulu Raja Maha Viharaya’ as a tribute to Dr. Roland Silva, who was the Founder of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF).This is the first state-of-the-art mural preservation and information centre in Sri Lanka. Rs. 100 million of the CCF was utilised for the purpose.

The Centre will copy historical drawings of murals and scientifically preserve and protect them.

The Centre consists of lecture halls, auditorium, digital room, 2D and 3D facilities, residential facilities for researchers and facilities to repair damaged historical drawings.

Rangiri-Dambulu Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven. Udugama Mangala Nayaka Thera, Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon and State Minister Vidura Wickramanayake were present.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday instructed officials not to hinder the activities and traditional ways of life of villagers who enter forests for legitimate purposes such as tapping Kithul trees.

President Rajapaksa gave this directive during a visit to the Ravanakanda village in the Imbulpe Divisional Secretariat Division in Balangoda under the “Conversation with the Village” programme (Gama Samaga Pilisandarak).

The President was responding to villages who drew his attention the problems faced by Kithul tappers. The President gave specific instructions to the Police and Wildlife and Forest Conservation Department officials to ensure that these Kithul tappers can carry out their livelihood without any obstruction.

He also gave instructions to the officials concerned not to institute legal action in an arbitrary manner against villages who enter the lands belonging to Forest Conservation and Wildlife Departments to carry out their livelihood such as tapping Kithul and plucking tea leaves.

His visit to this remote village in the extreme corner of the Ratnapura district bordering the Nuwara Eliya district is the third such programme implemented on the instructions of the President.

The first programme was conducted in the Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat Division in the Badulla district and the second was held in the Wilgamuwa DS division in the Matale district in September and October this year.

The President embarked on this programme “Conversation with the Village” to identify the problems faced by the people in underprivileged villages by himself and provide lasting solutions for them. The issues faced by the people in this village were discussed at a meeting held at the Thorawelkanda Vidyalaya grounds.

People residing in adjoining villages such as Kattadikande, Gallenakanda and Thorawelkande turned up at the school grounds to air their grievances to the President.

The President on seeing the poor condition of the roads, gave instructions to the Highways Ministry for the development of Walegoda road from Pudukaduwa junction, Gallenkanda - Ravanakanda road, Thorawelkanda – Wathukarakanda and Egodawaleboda – Wathukarakanda roads.

He also ordered the officials to construct bridges across Ura Oya and Imo Oya enabling the tea smallholders in the area to transport their produce to the factories. “Their traditional way of living has had no impact on the environment,” the President observed.

The President also focused on the construction of a tea processing centre which is a long felt need in the area. He also instructed the people’s representatives in the area to directly intervene to minimize any unnecessary delays in transporting tea leaves.

The officials were also ordered to resolve the land issues faced by the villages at this meeting.

It was decided to launch an infrastructure development programme targeting schools in the area. Many schools in the area including Karagasthalawa Vidyalaya, Suumana Vidyalaya, Balangoda Kanaganayagam Tamil School, Waleboda Tamil School, Udagama Vidyalaya and Pinnawela Tamil School will benefit by this programme.

It was also decided to address the teacher shortage in these schools especially the shortage of Tamil medium teachers. The President also gave specific instructions to the officials concerned to recruit the Tamil medium teachers for Advanced Level classes soon.

A vocational training institute for the youth in the area will also be set up on the instructions of the President. Infrastructure facilities in several rural hospitals in the regions will also be uplifted.

The President opened a smart classroom with Internet facilities provided by Sri Lanka Telecom and Mobitel at the Thorawelkanda Vidyalaya.

The President also commended the efforts of Grade 09 student of Ananda Maithree Vidyalaya in Balangoda Dinurudh Fernando for inventing a machine to monitor body temperature, that could save foreign exchange by being manufactured locally.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday evening called on Bishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. Fr. Dushantha Lakshman Rodrigo at the Bishop's office. Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris was also present.

The first investment within the Colombo Port City will commence with the one billion dollar Colombo International Finance Centre (CIFC) Mixed Development Project.

The agreement between Browns Investments, the strategic investment arm of the LOLC Group, and China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) was signed under the witness of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chaina’s Ambassador Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong.

“Attracting Foreign Direct Investment is a key priority for our Government, and this landmark project is a strong indicator that Sri Lanka is now back in business,” Prime Minister Rajapaksa said.

“We invite investors from around the world to explore the multitude of investment opportunities that Sri Lanka presents with its strategic location and human resource capabilities.”

The Colombo Port City brainchild of Prime Minister Rajapaksa, was launched during his Presidency together with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his state visit to Sri Lanka in 2014.

With an initial investment of US$ 1.4 billion and an expected overall investment of US$ 15 billion when completed, the Port City is set to be the leading business, retail, residential and tourist destination in South Asia.

“At this crucial moment, China once again demonstrates its confidence in Sri Lanka and commitment to help Sri Lanka’s economic and social development,” Ambassador Zhenhong said.

“It’s believed that the International Financial Centre Project will not only effectively boost the vigorous growth of Sri Lanka’s finance and other industries, but also create more high-quality job opportunities, benefiting the public and society.”

The project comprises a total land area of 6.8 hectares, implemented under two phases.

The first phase of the CIFC Mixed Development Project, with an investment of US$ 450 million and comprising a land area of 3.06 hectares, will consist of the incorporation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company, jointly managed by Browns Investment and CHEC.

The overall project, which will be implemented in a sustainable and socially-responsible manner, expects to create significant quality employment opportunities across a variety of sectors.

The 111th anniversary of our sister paper Dinamina was marked yesterday with a simple ceremony at the Dinamina Editorial in the presence of ANCL Chairman W. Dayaratne, PC, Acting General Manager Sumith Kotelawala, Deputy General Manager Chandana Bandara, Dinamina Editor Gamini Jayalath and staffers. Picture by Wasitha Patabendige

Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella being presented the commemorative stamp and First Day Cover to mark the 95th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) yesterday. Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information Jagath P. Wijeweera, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Chairman Jagath Wickramasinghe, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Director General Chandrapala Liyanage and a number of other distinguished guests were present. 

Challenging the challenges amidst the current crisis, the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) is gearing up for an exercise to uplift the nation, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a congratulatory message on the 95th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).

SLBC Director General Chandrapala Liyanage read out the Prime Minister’s congratulatory message at the event held yesterday (16) under the theme :95 Years of the Nation’s Communicator”.

“The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation earned the title of Nation’s Communicator through a long-term national mission. The people of this country will never forget the invaluable service rendered by the SLBC for the betterment of the nation for over 95 years.

The SLBC continued to serve the nation without bowing down to commercial forces.

The religious service of the SLBC began with a sermon by Vajiraramadhipathi Ven.Pelene Sri Vajiragnana Thera and also fulfilled the religious requirements of the Christians, Hindus and Muslims alike which can never be forgotten.

The National Radio has played an invaluable role in transforming communities of all walks of life from childhood to adulthood into a community of righteous, high-minded people with knowledge that blesses their nation.

National Radio, which stands for the Nation and Prosperity of the country, is gearing up for an exercise that will uplift the nation by challenging the challenges of the current crisis by mobilizing the urban masses as well. Hence, I hope that the SLBC would be able to formulate programmes that would uplift the people of this country to stand up as a righteous society,” the Prime Minister said in his congratulatory message.

Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella, Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information Jagath P. Wijeweera, SLBC Chairman Jagath Wickramasinghe, SLBC Director General Chandrapala Liyanage and many other distinguished guests were present.

The SLBC Officially commenced broadcasting as the first radio station in Asia on 16.12.1925 and has formed a close bond with the people of this country. Having passed a golden era in broadcasting it serves the people amidst numerous commercial challenges.

The SLBC aims to become the leading communications company in the country by successfully managing production and technology by changing the competitive structural conditions to be faced in the communications space after 2021.

Addressing the gathering, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said, “Having come this far, over 95 years old is not an easy journey. I would like to thank all those who have taken up this challenge and taken the company forward during the 95 years evolving with the new equipment used for radio technology.

I witnessed many emotional speeches being made with a sense of pride about the history of this institution. Of course you can speak so proudly because there is much to be proud of. We understand the difference between boasting and what is said from the heart. There may be setbacks at times, but the theme of moving forward without giving up has come to the fore in these 95 years. When I was a child I participated in the “Handa Maama” program with my sister. And I came here in the late 70s for a movie promotion. I had a little challenge at the time. I wanted Bandara K. Wijetunga to dub. At that time the Head of State had banned Bandara K. Wijetunga from entering the radio premises. But as a young man I wanted to break through that barrier and go inside. I said if you bring a recording you can put it on and the voice is not banned.

I was told at that time “young man you should not clash with the Government and state leaders, it is not a good thing”. But I did not give up. From that I learned one thing. When challenges are accepted, challenges can be overcome. If we shirk challenges, we will not be able to reach our goals.

Now you have a similar challenge. In 1922, scientist Guglielmo Marconi said that one could control the world from one place. How should the situation change in 2020? But what a powerful media institution it must be to carry forward that programme without change. Everything in the world changes, but these tasks do not change. This is the second time I have taken over the ministry of mass media. Once we accept responsibility, we must fulfill it. Whatever subject we are given, we have a responsibility to take it to a higher level, both commercially and academically. Although such institutions have commercial value, it is important not to forget the enormous background and pride. They cannot be valued in money. We cannot be of the view that if profits are not made these institutions should be closed.

Communication systems that have value beyond money alone need to be identified. Everyone thought that when television came, the film industry would collapse. But that did not happen. The same goes for the audio medium.

We must change with the times. Let us put aside our minor differences for a moment and move this institution forward. If we go ahead like that, we can correct our shortcomings. So let’s all join hands and move forward together. Let us all be stakeholders in this proud history.”

A commemorative stamp was also issued to mark the 95th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

The Ministry of Education, together with the Central Provincial Council, held a cornerstone ceremony for a new girls’ school that is to be set up in the Digana-Rajawella area in Kandy, recently. It is to be constructed under the ‘Green Smart School’ concept and would be provided with modern facilities.

The project’s concept is the brainchild of Central Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Lalith U. Gamage. The Governor, together with Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, and Wasantha Yapa Bandara, took part in the ceremony and laid the foundation stones for the school.

The school is being set up with the objective of reducing the competition for entering students to city schools. The school will be a trilingual one, with state-of-the-art facilities that include a hostel, playground, auditorium, swimming pool, library, and a laboratory.

The school is scheduled to open for Grades 6 to 11 in the first phase of the project, and classes up to G.C.E. (A/L) during the second phase of the project. A separate aptitude test will be conducted for students who pass their Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

Furthermore, students, in general, will be selected through an open competitive examination system. The school will be open to students from all education zones in the province.

It is expected to maintain this model school with a new aspect to adapt to a competitive educational environment.

It is also planned to run this school in accordance with the model of Ranabima Royal Boys’ College in Gannoruwa, Kandy. Governor Gamage has instructed the implementation of this type of school in the other two districts of the Central Province for the future as well.