Ratnapura Archives - Ceylon Independent

Policeman killed by monk promoted posthumously by IGP

12Jul

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Policeman killed by monk promoted posthumously by IGP

A policeman who was killed by a monk while on duty, has been promoted posthumously by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The Buddhist monk strangled the policeman to death in Ratnapura when an attempt was made to arrest him. The Police said that the policeman had visited the temple in Galenda in Ratnapura to arrest the monk over an ongoing investigation. The monk had then strangled the policeman and killed him. The Police Sergeant has been promoted to the rank of Sub Inspector (SI) by the IGP. Courtesy: Colombo Gazette

U.S. assistance for Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness ahead of the monsoon season

24May

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

U.S. assistance for Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness ahead of the monsoon season

Officials of the United States and Sri Lanka have held discussions on the island nation's natural disaster preparedness as the south-western monsoon season has already brought floods and landslides in several parts of the country. U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Atul Keshap, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Sri Lanka Mission Director Reed Aeschliman, and Dr. Michael Ernst from USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) met with Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Disaster Management Duminda Dissanayake to discuss Sri Lanka's preparedness ahead of the monsoon season. Topics also included past and ongoing U.S. financial and technical assistance for disaster preparedness, management, and recovery, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo...

Sri Lanka Army ready to deploy 1000 troops for disaster relief

23May

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Sri Lanka Army ready to deploy 1000 troops for disaster relief

Sri Lanka Army said currently 300 members of the Army, together with Navy and Air Force personnel are currently engaged in flood relief emergencies in worst-affected Districts of Galle, Kalutara, Matara, Ratnapura and Puttalam as of Tuesday (22) noon. The Army Media Unit said another contingent of about 1000 Army personnel, if needed are on standby in flood-hit areas in close contact with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and respective District and Divisional Secretariats to face any emergencies. The Army has already sent 25 boats to most affected locations in Hiniduma, Palindanuwara, Kamburupitiya, Ratnapura and Puttalam where some of the public roads remain inundated. Army troops have also assisted the evacuation of flood-hit civilians in some areas at the request of DMC aut...

Officials instructed to promptly provide information of people affected by adverse weather

23May

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Officials instructed to promptly provide information of people affected by adverse weather

Minister of Social Welfare and Primary Industries Daya Gamage has instructed the relevant officials to promptly provide information on people affected by adverse weather, flood victims and disabled persons to expedite relief efforts. Over 23,000 families in 16 districts have been affected by the sudden floods resulted from the torrential rains. Nearly 1500 people in Ratnapura, Kalutara and Nuwara Eliya districts have been evacuated and sheltered in 30 camps while a large number of houses have been partly damaged due to landslides in the Badulla District. Social Welfare and Primary Affairs Minister Daya Gamage has advised the Secretary of the Ministry to obtain the reports on the affected people from the Social Services Officers in all relevant Divisional Secretariats.

Schools closed in Ratnapura, Dehiowita and Nivithigala due to adverse weather

21May

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Schools closed in Ratnapura, Dehiowita and Nivithigala due to adverse weather

Schools in Ratnapura, Nivithigala and Dehiowita Educational Zones will be closed today and tomorrow (22) due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions. The Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council says that the principals of the schools have been given the authority to close the schools if there is a danger of landslides or if displaced people who live in landslide prone areas are sheltered in schools. Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has directed school principals and Zonal Directors of Education to decide whether or not to open schools in disaster prone areas.

Gold Awards for NOLIMIT from JASTECA for 5S Practices

9May

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

Business

Gold Awards for NOLIMIT from JASTECA for 5S Practices

NOLIMIT, Sri Lanka’s leading fashion retail chain recently won an array of awards and recognition for being commendable in 5S practices from JASTECA – Japanese Sri Lanka Technical & Cultural Association. The highly respected alumni society with an active global network identifies, the best performers in the country who excel in the practice of 5S practices after a series of audits conducted by industry experts. The Association upholds the benchmark of excellence for companies practicing Japanese productivity concepts such as the globally accepted 5S system for organizing spaces, promoting efficiency, effectiveness and safety. JASTECA has over 1500 life members and 62 corporate members and the award ceremony was held for the 22nd consecutive year. NOLIMIT outlet in Ratnapura ...

USAID, IOM hand over new homes to Sri Lanka flood, landslide victims

14Apr

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

USAID, IOM hand over new homes to Sri Lanka flood, landslide victims

USAID and IOM, the UN Migration Agency, this week handed over new transitional homes to 120 families affected by the May 2017 floods and landslides in the Ratnapura district of Sri Lanka. The homes, which were built by IOM in Dombagammana village over the past three months, will house some 445 people, including 194 children. The families either lost their homes to floods and landslides or were unable to return home due to the ongoing risk of landslides. The new temporary homes were built by IOM on land permanently allocated by the government. Families will eventually be able to upgrade them to permanent housing on the same land, with government support. IOM also built a community hall and clean water supply infrastructure in the village as part of its USAID-funded Sri Lanka Advers...

Ten complaints lodged over upcoming Local Government election

16Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Ten complaints lodged over upcoming Local Government election

The National Elections Commission has received ten complaints with regard to the upcoming Local Government Election. The complaints were lodged from Ratnapura, Kalutara, Matale, Kegalle and Matara. Meanwhile, Executive Director of PAFFREL, Rohana Hettiarachchi, said that following the acceptance of nominations for 93 local government bodies, 15 cases of election law violations have been reported. The National Elections Commission says 597 political parties have deposited bonds for 248 local government bodies, so far. Additional Elections Commissioner, Saman Sri Ratnayake, said the acceptance of nominations for the relevant local government bodies will begin December 18.

Authorities say water supply disrupted due to inclement weather ‘completely restored’

4Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Authorities say water supply disrupted due to inclement weather ‘completely restored’

The Ministry of Urban Development and Water Supply says, water supply services that were disrupted due to adverse weather has been completely restored. The Secretary, Sarath Chandrasiri, said the water supply in some areas were interrupted owing to failure in the supply of electricity. Accordingly, steps have been taken to install generators at all pumping stations. Furthermore, the Ministry of Power and Energy says more than 100,000 people are still affected by the current power failure.According to the Spokesman of the Ministry, Sulakshana Jayawardena, the ministry aims to restore all power failures by today. He further stated, employees from other areas in the country which have not been affected by the adverse weather have been requested to report for work. However, power cu...

Temporary lull to make way for heavy showers as ‘unusual phenomena’ move away

3Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Temporary lull to make way for heavy showers as ‘unusual phenomena’ move away

The Met Dept predicts that heavy showers will continue in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provinces. The Cyclone named Okhi, which originated from the Arabian seas, is said to be 850km away from the country, placed to the west. The Met Dep predicts that the cyclone may move away from the country It is also forecast the the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces will experience heavy falls of about 50 to 75mm. Gusty winds of 50 kmph can be expected in the Ratnapura,Kalutara and Galle districts. Meanwhile, the temperature in Colombo district is set to be around 23 and 29 degrees Celsius throughout the day today, while in Galle, the temperature is expected rise from 25 degrees Celsius, and Kandy is expected to experience a rise in the present temperature of 21 degrees...