[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-shell":3,"taxonomy":4,"breaking":5,"article-foundation-stones-laid-for-23-new-houses-in-kalutara-district":9,"cover-media-foundation-stones-laid-for-23-new-houses-in-kalutara-district":34,"comments-foundation-stones-laid-for-23-new-houses-in-kalutara-district":46,"related-foundation-stones-laid-for-23-new-houses-in-kalutara-district":51},[4,4],true,{"data":6},{"articles":7,"ticker":8},[],[],{"data":10},{"id":11,"lang":12,"title":13,"subtitle":14,"slug":15,"excerpt":16,"html":17,"readingTimeSec":18,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":22,"tagIds":23,"authorIds":24,"coverMediaId":25,"galleryMediaIds":26,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":27,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":30,"relatedArticleIds":33},"6acde5fc3b462735d00bd8db","en","Foundation stones laid for 23 new houses in Kalutara District",null,"foundation-stones-laid-for-23-new-houses-in-kalutara-district","Foundation stones were laid for the construction of 23 new houses in Walakada village, within the Palindanuwara Divisional Secretariat Division of Kalutara District, on October 12, under the National Housing De...","\u003Cp>Foundation stones for 23 new houses were laid on October 12 in Walakada village, in the Palindanuwara Divisional Secretariat Division of Kalutara District, under the National Housing Development Authority’s housing assistance programme, “A Place of Your Own – A Beautiful Life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The foundation-laying ceremony was held under the patronage of Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe. More than 370 new houses are expected to be constructed in the Kalutara District this year with housing assistance provided by the National Housing Development Authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Kalutara District Member of Parliament Dhanushka Ranganath, the Chairperson of the Palindanuwara Pradeshiya Sabha, the Divisional Secretary, National Housing Development Authority Chairman Aravinda Sirinatha, other officials and residents of the village.\u003C\u002Fp>",35,"standard","published","6a8de2d51984b727d3b0b545",[21],[],[],"6acde5fc3b462735d00bd8d7",[],"2026-10-13T07:10:48.000Z",false,"public",{"views":31,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":31},62,0,[],{"data":35},{"id":25,"url":36,"width":37,"height":38,"variants":39,"alt":14,"caption":14,"credit":14},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.newsradio.lk\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fcdb78591-55b5-4755-bd29-640285219955\u002Foriginal.jpg",800,595,[40],{"key":41,"width":42,"height":43,"format":44,"url":45},"thumb",320,238,"webp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.newsradio.lk\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fcdb78591-55b5-4755-bd29-640285219955\u002Fthumb.webp",{"data":47,"meta":48},[],{"total":32,"page":49,"limit":50,"hasMore":28},1,30,{"data":52},[53,69,85,102,117,132,148,164],{"id":54,"lang":12,"title":55,"subtitle":14,"slug":56,"excerpt":57,"html":58,"readingTimeSec":59,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":60,"tagIds":61,"authorIds":62,"coverMediaId":63,"galleryMediaIds":64,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":65,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":66,"relatedArticleIds":68},"6acf6ff63b462735d00d92c1","Saudi Supreme Court overturns death sentence of Sri Lankan Anojan Sivarasa","saudi-supreme-court-overturns-death-sentence-of-sri-lankan-anojan-sivarasa","The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia overturned the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa on October 13, marking a significant breakthrough in Sri Lanka’s continued diplomatic and legal eff...","\u003Cp>The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia overturned the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa on October 13. The ruling marked a significant breakthrough in Sri Lanka’s continued diplomatic and legal efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The decision brings immense relief to Mr. Sivarasa and his family and reflects the outcome of sustained interventions and coordinated efforts by the relevant authorities and legal teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Government of Sri Lanka has expressed its sincere gratitude to the Government of Saudi Arabia, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and the Sri Lankan and Saudi legal teams for their support in securing this outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>",32,[21],[],[],"6acf6ff63b462735d00d92bd",[],"2026-10-14T11:16:27.000Z",{"views":67,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":67},44,[],{"id":70,"lang":12,"title":71,"subtitle":14,"slug":72,"excerpt":73,"html":74,"readingTimeSec":75,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":76,"tagIds":77,"authorIds":78,"coverMediaId":79,"galleryMediaIds":80,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":81,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":82,"relatedArticleIds":84},"6acf6fde3b462735d00d92b6","Interim report on Prisons Ordinance rules handed to Secretary to the President","interim-report-on-prisons-ordinance-rules-handed-to-secretary-to-the-president","The interim report of the special committee appointed to update the rules, regulations and standing orders made under the Prisons Ordinance was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath K...","\u003Cp>The interim report of a special committee appointed to update the rules, regulations and standing orders made under the Prisons Ordinance was handed over this morning (14) to Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The committee was appointed after a discussion on 08 October between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Maha Sangha representing the three Buddhist Nikayas. It was tasked with studying the relevant matters and submitting proposals to amend the regulations and standing orders within two weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The committee has submitted revised proposals relating to regulations governing the imprisonment of Buddhist monks and other religious clergy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Committee Chairperson Mr. Prince Senadheera, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, handed over the report. Also present were committee members Piyumanthi Peiris, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration; Wasantha Ariyaratne, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; R. M. G. Senaratne, Commissioner-General of Buddhist Affairs; and A. C. Gajanayake, a Commissioner of the Department of Prisons.\u003C\u002Fp>",47,[21],[],[],"6acf6fde3b462735d00d92b2",[],"2026-10-14T11:01:10.000Z",{"views":83,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":83},43,[],{"id":86,"lang":12,"title":87,"subtitle":14,"slug":88,"excerpt":89,"html":90,"readingTimeSec":91,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":92,"tagIds":93,"authorIds":94,"coverMediaId":95,"galleryMediaIds":96,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":97,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":98,"relatedArticleIds":101},"6acf612b3b462735d00d7434","Graduate teacher exam results released, interviews to begin November 15","graduate-teacher-exam-results-released-interviews-to-begin-november-15","Results of the competitive examination held on May 24, 2026, to recruit graduates to Grade 3-I (a) of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service have been released, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa a...","\u003Cp>Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa announced that results have been released of the competitive examination held on May 24, 2026, to recruit graduates to Grade 3-I (a) of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a special media briefing at the Department of Government Information on October 14, Kaluwewa said interviews for the first phase of recruitment, covering 17,000 graduates, will begin on November 15.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A total of 126,034 graduates sat the examination under the limited and open categories to fill Sinhala, Tamil and English medium teacher vacancies in national and provincial schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaluwewa said approximately 23,000 graduate teacher vacancies exist islandwide and that the Ministry aims to fill all these vacancies before the end of this year. Recruitment of Bachelor of Education graduates at provincial level is also planned.\u003C\u002Fp>",36,[21],[],[],"6acf612b3b462735d00d7430",[],"2026-10-14T10:08:21.000Z",{"views":99,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":100},46,45,[],{"id":103,"lang":12,"title":104,"subtitle":14,"slug":105,"excerpt":106,"html":107,"readingTimeSec":108,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":109,"tagIds":110,"authorIds":111,"coverMediaId":112,"galleryMediaIds":113,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":114,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":115,"relatedArticleIds":116},"6acf614d3b462735d00d7448","PM outlines digital economy ambitions at SLEIS 2026","pm-outlines-digital-economy-ambitions-at-sleis-2026","Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the 26th edition of the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit (SLEIS) 2026 on 13 October. The summit, held on 12 and 13 October 2026, brought together po...","\u003Cp>Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya took part on 13 October in the 26th edition of the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit (SLEIS) 2026, addressing a session titled “Nation Building in the Digital Age.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The summit, held on 12 and 13 October 2026, brought together policymakers, business leaders, investors and other stakeholders to discuss Sri Lanka’s economic prospects and investment opportunities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prime Minister highlighted the Government’s commitment to transforming Sri Lanka from a consumer of technology into a creator of innovation, with the ambition of expanding the digital economy to USD 15 billion by 2030, increasing digital exports to USD 5 billion, and developing a digital workforce of 200,000 professionals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She highlighted the importance of Digital Public Infrastructure in modernising government institutions and improving public service delivery. The Government has committed approximately Rs. 30 billion towards foundational digital transformation initiatives through the institutional framework established under the Ministry of Digital Economy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cited GovPay, which has processed over Rs. 6 billion in payments with more than 300 organisations connected, as an example of how digital platforms can simplify government transactions, improve transparency and reduce administrative burdens on citizens and businesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prime Minister also outlined the role of digital technology in transforming key sectors of the economy, including healthcare, agriculture, energy and transport. She highlighted the potential of digital health systems and telemedicine to improve access to healthcare, data-driven agricultural practices to strengthen productivity and water management, and smart grids and digital energy management systems to support the transition towards renewable energy. She further noted that digital ticketing, real-time fleet tracking and intelligent traffic management could improve transport efficiency and reduce the daily difficulties faced by commuters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prime Minister stressed that vocational and technical education must be recognised as an equally valuable pathway to employment and professional advancement. She called for stronger partnerships between educational institutions and industry, opportunities for practical training, and the adoption of flexible qualifications, including micro-credentials, to respond to evolving labour market demands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also stressed that technology alone cannot eliminate inequality and that digital policies must remain citizen-centric. She noted that the success of digital transformation should be measured not simply by the number of platforms developed, but by whether public services, business operations and everyday life become more accessible, efficient and convenient for all citizens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Participating in a panel discussion afterwards, the Prime Minister noted that while technology offers significant opportunities to transform education, the process must be carefully managed to ensure that existing inequalities are not further widened and that all students have equitable access to these opportunities. She emphasised the importance of investing in digital infrastructure, expanding access to technology-enabled education, and introducing modern curricula that respond to evolving global demands. She also highlighted the need to approach the integration of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in education with caution, particularly regarding their potential implications for critical thinking, reasoning and cognitive development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Referring to the Government’s ongoing efforts to address disparities in digital access, the Prime Minister stated that a five-year plan had been developed, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy, to strengthen digital readiness across the education system and ensure that more schools are equipped with the necessary infrastructure to benefit from technological advancements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She further underscored that transforming education and preparing the workforce for the future cannot be achieved by the Government alone. Calling for stronger collaboration between the Government, private sector and industry, she encouraged businesses to support vocational education through industry placements, partnerships with vocational training institutions, and the development of programmes that reflect actual labour market needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The occasion was attended by Chairperson and the member of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Krishantha Balendra, the secret to the Ministry of Digital Economy, Mr. Watuna Sri Dhanapala, and government officials and industry representatives.\u003C\u002Fp>",172,[21],[],[],"6acf614d3b462735d00d7444",[],"2026-10-14T10:05:33.000Z",{"views":75,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":99},[],{"id":118,"lang":12,"title":119,"subtitle":14,"slug":120,"excerpt":121,"html":122,"readingTimeSec":91,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":123,"tagIds":124,"authorIds":125,"coverMediaId":126,"galleryMediaIds":127,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":128,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":129,"relatedArticleIds":131},"6acf612b3b462735d00d743e","Poppy Remembrance Ceremony to be held on November 8","poppy-remembrance-ceremony-to-be-held-on-november-8","The annual Poppy Remembrance Ceremony will be held on November 8 under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces Veterans Association, Lieutenant Colonel Ajith ...","\u003Cp>Lieutenant Colonel Ajith Siyambalapitiya, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces Veterans Association, announced that the annual Poppy Remembrance Ceremony will be held on November 8 under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking at a media briefing at the Department of Government Information on October 14, he said the ceremony has been held for 82 years, centred around the War Memorial at Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A symbolic Poppy Walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, from Galle Face Green to the War Memorial. An annual dinner will also be organised to raise funds for the welfare of war veterans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The programme aims to honour fallen and disabled war heroes, as well as those currently serving, while supporting their welfare. The public has been invited to contribute to the initiative.\u003C\u002Fp>",[21],[],[],"6acf612b3b462735d00d743a",[],"2026-10-14T10:01:42.000Z",{"views":83,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":130},42,[],{"id":133,"lang":12,"title":134,"subtitle":14,"slug":135,"excerpt":136,"html":137,"readingTimeSec":138,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":139,"tagIds":140,"authorIds":141,"coverMediaId":142,"galleryMediaIds":143,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":144,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":145,"relatedArticleIds":147},"6acf614d3b462735d00d7452","Integrated digital database to be developed to identify rural community needs, minister says","integrated-digital-database-to-be-developed-to-identify-rural-community-needs-minister-says","An integrated digital database will be developed to identify the actual needs of rural communities and plan development programmes accordingly, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empow...","\u003Cp>An integrated digital database will be developed to identify the actual needs of rural communities and plan development programmes accordingly, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannila said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr. Pannila made the remarks during a discussion at the Ministry on the morning of October 13. The meeting centred on developing the database under the Praja Shakthi National Programme, which is being implemented as a key government initiative to eradicate poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Participants discussed ways to improve the effectiveness of efforts to eliminate rural poverty by identifying development needs and priorities and integrating data used for rural development planning into a single digital platform. Attention was also given to the steps required to establish the database and the practical measures needed for its implementation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The importance of bringing relevant information together in one system was highlighted to ensure that development programmes are designed according to the actual needs of rural communities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Gunaratne, Ministry Secretary Sampath Manthrinayake, Additional Secretary Menaka Herath, Director of the Institute of Rural Development Training and Research Thilini Surangika, and officials of the Praja Shakthi National Secretariat also participated in the discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>",53,[21],[],[],"6acf614d3b462735d00d744e",[],"2026-10-14T09:59:22.000Z",{"views":130,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":146},41,[],{"id":149,"lang":12,"title":150,"subtitle":14,"slug":151,"excerpt":152,"html":153,"readingTimeSec":50,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":154,"tagIds":155,"authorIds":156,"coverMediaId":157,"galleryMediaIds":158,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":159,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":160,"relatedArticleIds":163},"6acf28cd3b462735d00d21cc","PM says government committed to transforming Sri Lanka into a nation that creates innovation","pm-says-government-committed-to-transforming-sri-lanka-into-a-nation-that-creates-innovation","Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the government is committed to transforming Sri Lanka into a nation that creates innovation. She stated that the government aims to grow the digital economy to US$ 15 ...","\u003Cp>The government is committed to transforming Sri Lanka into a nation that creates innovation, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said the government aims to grow the digital economy to US$ 15 billion by 2030, increase digital exports to US$ 5 billion, and develop a digital workforce of 200,000.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prime Minister made the remarks while attending the second day of the 26th Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit (SLEIS 2026), held yesterday (13) under the theme \"Nation Building in the Digital Age.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",[21],[],[],"6acf28cd3b462735d00d21c8",[],"2026-10-14T05:54:14.000Z",{"views":161,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":162},50,49,[],{"id":165,"lang":12,"title":166,"subtitle":14,"slug":167,"excerpt":168,"html":169,"readingTimeSec":50,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":170,"tagIds":171,"authorIds":172,"coverMediaId":173,"galleryMediaIds":174,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":175,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":176,"relatedArticleIds":178},"6acf1ba83b462735d00d0fe2","Increased rainfall expected in sea areas around Sri Lanka","increased-rainfall-expected-in-sea-areas-around-sri-lanka","An increase in rainfall is expected in the deep and shallow sea areas around Sri Lanka over the next few days due to a persistent low-level atmospheric disturbance in the Bay of Bengal vicinity of the island. T...","\u003Cp>Over the next few days, an increase in rainfall is expected in the deep and shallow sea areas around Sri Lanka due to a persistent low-level atmospheric disturbance in the Bay of Bengal vicinity of the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Department of Meteorology has requested naval and fishing communities to remain attentive to future weather forecasts and bulletins issued in this regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Showers or thundershowers will occur in the sea areas around the island. Winds will be northeasterly or variable, with speeds ranging from 20 to 30 kmph.\u003C\u002Fp>",[21],[],[],"6a985ebe55750bd6c4a636fb",[],"2026-10-14T04:52:55.000Z",{"views":177,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":177},51,[]]