[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-shell":3,"taxonomy":4,"breaking":5,"article-measures-underway-to-protect-diyagama-forest-as-a-reserve-deputy-minister-says":9,"cover-media-measures-underway-to-protect-diyagama-forest-as-a-reserve-deputy-minister-says":34,"comments-measures-underway-to-protect-diyagama-forest-as-a-reserve-deputy-minister-says":46,"related-measures-underway-to-protect-diyagama-forest-as-a-reserve-deputy-minister-says":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},"6ac8ca6e3b462735d0060b40","en","Measures underway to protect Diyagama forest as a reserve, Deputy Minister says",null,"measures-underway-to-protect-diyagama-forest-as-a-reserve-deputy-minister-says","The government is taking all necessary measures to protect the Diyagama forest area located in Homagama within the Colombo District, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody, stated today (9) while de...","\u003Cp>Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody stated today (9) that the government is taking all necessary measures to protect the Diyagama forest area located in Homagama within the Colombo District. He delivered the remarks in a special address in Parliament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jayakody said the area was originally an abandoned plot of land that has regenerated naturally over the past two decades into a sensitive ecosystem bearing the characteristics of a rainforest. With rapid urbanization, he said, numerous wildlife species displaced across the Colombo District have now migrated to and found sanctuary in this ecological haven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Citing field research conducted by a team of scholars from the University of Colombo, including Prof. S.W. Ranwala, Prof. Ileperuma, and Prof. Abeykoon, the Deputy Minister pointed out that nearly 120 species of flora and fauna have been identified in the area. Among them are species endemic to Sri Lanka, as well as rare wildlife such as the red slender loris and pregnant animals close to giving birth, clearly testifying to the rich biodiversity thriving within this habitat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said the green zone, located adjacent to the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium and the Japan–Sri Lanka Friendship Baseball Ground, serves as a vital ecosystem for absorbing carbon dioxide emitted by athletes and residents in the vicinity. In addition to directly contributing toward Sri Lanka’s commitments under the Paris Agreement to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, he said, the forest also functions as a vital catchment area feeding into the Bolgoda water basin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hon. Deputy Minister emphasized that, following the approval of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee (DCC) with the participation of the Divisional Secretary, government officials, and environmentalists, steps will be taken to submit a Cabinet paper to formally declare this valuable woodland a forest reserve.\u003C\u002Fp>",79,"standard","published","6a8de2d61984b727d3b0b547",[21],[],[],"6ac8ca6e3b462735d0060b3c",[],"2026-10-09T10:25:41.000Z",false,"public",{"views":31,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":31},28,0,[],{"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\u002F39084d03-f160-43b0-94bd-b0c039f82d2b\u002Foriginal.png",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\u002F39084d03-f160-43b0-94bd-b0c039f82d2b\u002Fthumb.webp",{"data":47,"meta":48},[],{"total":32,"page":49,"limit":50,"hasMore":28},1,30,{"data":52},[53,70,87,104],{"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":69},"6ac8ca6e3b462735d0060b4a","Government allocates Rs. 1,500 million to construct 55 new university hostels","government-allocates-rs-1500-million-to-construct-55-new-university-hostels","The Government has allocated Rs. 1,500 million under the 2026 Budget to construct 55 new hostels at state universities and a further Rs. 853 million to renovate and upgrade existing facilities, Prime Minister D...","\u003Cp>Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament yesterday (08) that Rs. 1,500 million has been allocated under the 2026 Budget to construct 55 new hostels at state universities, with a further Rs. 853 million to renovate and upgrade existing facilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prime Minister noted that only 63,318 of the 150,815 students enrolled in the state university system currently have access to hostel facilities, representing approximately 42% of the total student population. She said the Government was taking steps to address the shortage of university accommodation through new construction projects and improvements to existing facilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the five state universities operating outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) system, all 465 students at the Sri Lanka Bhikkhu University have residential facilities. At the University of Sri Lanka Pali and Buddhist, accommodation is available to 442 of the 551 students, including all foreign students and 80% of local students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hostel access remains limited at several other institutions. The Ocean University of Sri Lanka provides accommodation to 196 of its 1,516 students, while 406 of 8,218 students at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University have access to hostel facilities. At the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC), 332 of 4,348 students have accommodation, currently limited to female students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prime Minister further stated that the University Grants Commission was developing a formal hostel policy to ensure transparency, safety, fairness and inclusivity. Regulatory guidelines are also being prepared to improve the quality and safety of private hostels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cabinet approval has been sought to relocate the Ocean University of Sri Lanka to new premises with capacity for 1,600 students. Plans are also underway to construct a multi-storey complex for UNIVOTEC, including hostel facilities for 600 male students, modern lecture halls and a cafeteria with seating for 300 people. The project is proposed to be implemented using domestic funding during 2027–2029.\u003C\u002Fp>",83,[21],[],[],"6ac8ca6e3b462735d0060b46",[],"2026-10-09T10:23:22.000Z",{"views":67,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":68},33,32,[],{"id":71,"lang":12,"title":72,"subtitle":14,"slug":73,"excerpt":74,"html":75,"readingTimeSec":76,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":77,"tagIds":78,"authorIds":79,"coverMediaId":80,"galleryMediaIds":81,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":82,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":83,"relatedArticleIds":86},"6ab61c3b3b462735d0d48cf5","Prime Minister says justice must be accessible to all without discrimination","prime-minister-says-justice-must-be-accessible-to-all-without-discrimination","Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said establishing the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice are among the Government’s key commitments, stressing that justice must be accessible to all without ...","\u003Cp>Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament yesterday (24) that establishing the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice are among the Government’s key commitments. She stressed that justice must be accessible to all without discrimination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prime Minister said the proposed constitutional amendment should be considered as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening the justice system. She noted that measures have been taken to improve independent investigations, strengthen the Police and CID, address vacancies in the justice sector, increase court capacity and introduce technological support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said the proposed amendment would also enable the establishment of Courts of Appeal in provinces where required, while increasing the retirement age of judges across the board without targeting any individual judge or court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prime Minister stressed that the amendment would not grant special powers to the Executive over the Judiciary or alter the existing balance of power among the institutions of government.\u003C\u002Fp>",42,[21],[],[],"6ab61c3b3b462735d0d48cf1",[],"2026-09-25T06:08:03.000Z",{"views":84,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":85},235,47,[],{"id":88,"lang":12,"title":89,"subtitle":14,"slug":90,"excerpt":91,"html":92,"readingTimeSec":93,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":94,"tagIds":95,"authorIds":96,"coverMediaId":97,"galleryMediaIds":98,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":99,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":100,"relatedArticleIds":103},"6a985ebf55750bd6c4a63727","Committee requests quality reports on imported coal consignments","committee-requests-quality-reports-on-imported-coal-consignments","Committee requests quality reports on coal consignments in three imported vessels  Matters relating to coal imported to Sri Lanka for electricity generation were examined at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on ...","\u003Cp>The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development requested quality reports on coal consignments in three imported vessels after examining matters relating to coal imported to Sri Lanka for electricity generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The review took place when the committee met in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of S. M. Marikkar, Member of Parliament. Officials from the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Lanka Coal Company (Private) Limited were summoned to attend the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The committee sought clarifications from officials on procedures followed in the coal importation process. Particular attention was given to the procedures used in the most recent coal imports, and officials were questioned in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chairman inquired whether any issues had arisen concerning the quality of the coal most recently imported into the country. Officials informed the committee that samples from three coal vessels that arrived in Sri Lanka had been sent to India for quality testing, and that accurate information could be provided once the relevant reports were received.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter was discussed at length. The chairman stated that the former chairman of Lanka Coal (Private) Limited, who was involved in the processes related to the importation of these coal consignments, would be summoned before the committee at its next meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chairman instructed officials to submit to the committee, on the same day of the next meeting, the quality reports of the coal in the three vessels that arrived in Sri Lanka, as well as the laboratory reports conducted in Sri Lanka on the quality of coal contained in the most recently arrived vessel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Members of the committee, Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera and Chathura Galappaththi, were present at the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>",76,[21],[],[],"6a985ebf55750bd6c4a63723",[],"2026-01-27T09:54:54.000Z",{"views":101,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":102},538,59,[],{"id":105,"lang":12,"title":106,"subtitle":14,"slug":107,"excerpt":108,"html":109,"readingTimeSec":110,"seo":14,"type":19,"status":20,"primaryCategoryId":21,"categoryIds":111,"tagIds":112,"authorIds":113,"coverMediaId":114,"galleryMediaIds":115,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":116,"isBreaking":28,"isFeatured":28,"isPinned":28,"allowComments":4,"visibility":29,"location":14,"stats":117,"relatedArticleIds":120},"6a985ebf55750bd6c4a63731","Speaker endorses certificate on three Bills","speaker-endorses-certificate-on-three-bills","The Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced to the House today that he endorsed the certificate on three Bills on 17.12.2025. Accordingly, the Speaker endorsed the certificate on the Bills titled Social Sec...","\u003Cp>The Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, announced to the House today that he endorsed the certificate on three Bills on 17.12.2025.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bills were the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment), the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment), and the Strategic Development Projects (Amendment). They will come into force as the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Act, No. 24 of 2025, the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Act, No. 25 of 2025, and the Strategic Development Projects (Amendment) Act, No. 26 of 2025.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill had the primary purpose of amending the Social Security Contribution Levy Act, No. 25 of 2022. It was presented to Parliament on 09.10.2025 and passed in Parliament on 05.12.2025.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill, duly passed on 05.12.2025, aimed to amend Section 2 of the principal enactment. Amendments to the Bill aimed to limit the gross collection of ten per centum to have been applicable only for the time period from April 1, 2023, to October 1, 2025, increase the gross collection levy from persons carrying on a business of bookmaker or business of gambling to eighteen per centum from October 1, 2025, and increase the casino entrance levy from persons who are citizens of Sri Lanka to United States Dollars one hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Strategic Development Projects (Amendment) Bill was presented to Parliament on 14.11.2025 and passed in Parliament on 05.12.2025 to amend the Strategic Development Projects Act, No. 14 of 2008. The amendments included reducing the maximum tax holiday period from twenty-five years to ten years; mandating a new process for project identification, the Board of Investment (BOI) identifying a project and referring it to the Ministry of Finance for a mandatory ex-ante cost-benefit analysis before any tax holiday or concession was granted; establishing new requirements for ex-post monitoring by the BOI, including the authority to impose administrative penalties or restrict or revoke exemptions for non-compliance with key performance indicators; requiring tax returns to be filed; and mandating the Ministry of Finance to publish an annual report on tax expenditures related to these projects.\u003C\u002Fp>",94,[21],[],[],"6a985ebf55750bd6c4a6372d",[],"2025-12-18T07:16:12.000Z",{"views":118,"uniqueViews":32,"shares":32,"comments":32,"likes":32,"trendScore":119},445,41,[]]