Govt. Pharmacists to take TU action on Aug. 31

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that the Central Highlands Conservation Authority Act will be presented to Parliament either at the end of this year or at the beginning of next year.

Once the Act is passed, a new authority body will be established with assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the purpose, which would be empowered to protect the unique ecosystem of the region, he added.

The President made the announcement during the handing over of the Navodayapuram’ housing scheme. The project provides housing to families who lost their homes in the 2023 landslide at Punagala Kabaragala Mountain in Bandarawela.

The President pointed out that although it may take decades for the Central Highlands to return to their original state, immediate steps must be taken to halt the ongoing destruction, where mountain collapses, spring failures, and river blockages were already evident.

The Final Randoli perahera of this year’s Kandy Esala Perahera paraded the streets of Kandy last night (Aug. 28).

The honour of carrying the Sacred Tooth Relic Casket during the final Randoli Perahera was bestowed upon the tusker ‘Wasana’ of Katharagama.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also joined thousands of devotees and spectators to witness the procession.

Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha, Central Province Governor Dr Harsha Suranga, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha(Retired) and Inspector General of Police Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya were among those present, along with foreign Ambassadors and senior representatives of the security forces.

The Day Perahera and ‘Diya Kepeema’ ceremony today concludes year’s Esala Perahera festival.

(Pics : Sri Dalada Maligawa)

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has stated that Rs. 124,574,925 in revenue was generated from vehicles using the expressway network during the two recent holidays on August 26 and 27.

During these two days, a total of 325,316 vehicles travelled across the entire expressway network. On August 26, a total of 163,763 vehicles used the expressways, generating revenue of Rs. 60,409,995.

On August 27, 161,553 vehicles travelled on the expressways, generating total revenue of Rs. 64,164,930.

The highest volume of vehicular traffic during the two days was recorded on the Southern Expressway (E01) and the Outer Circular Expressway (E02).