The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today announced the arrest of former Southern Province Chief Secretary Rannulu Chandrasiri de Soysa over corruption charges.

According to the Bribery Commission, in 2019, under the Southern Provincial Ministry, the Southern Provincial Development Authority allocated Rs. 16.5 million from council members’ proposals to provide chairs for voluntary organizations. 

A manufacturing institution was selected outside the prescribed procurement process, allegedly granting undue benefit and causing financial loss to the government.

De Soysa was taken into custody by Commission officers around 12.30 pm today (24), and is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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Indian diplomat Santosh Jha became the first Indian High Commissioner in recent times to undertake a standalone visit to the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.

According to the Indian High Commission, Santosh Jha held diverse engagements in the Galle, Matara and Hambantota Districts from 6-7 March 2024.

The High Commissioner met the Governor of the Province, Dr. Willie Gamage on March 06, 2024, and highlighted several projects undertaken by the Government of India (GOI) in the region. 

The Indian High Commissioner also expressed willingness to carry out more projects for the benefit of the people in the Southern Province through grant assistance as well as investments. The Southern Province Governor thanked the High Commissioner for the Indian Government’s diverse initiatives.

The High Commissioner also paid floral tributes to the bust of Rabindranath Tagore, installed in the auditorium named after Gurudev Tagore at the University of Ruhuna. With a seating capacity of 1500 people, this is the largest auditorium in any Sri Lankan University. It may be recalled this facility, built through Indian grant assistance, was inaugurated in 2018. 

During an interactive session with the Vice Chancellor and faculty heads of the University, the High Commissioner expressed interest in closer educational collaborations and conveyed a willingness to further support the University in multiple ways.

The Indian High Commission said India is currently implementing two dedicated housing projects, covering around 50 villages in Galle, Matara and Hambantota Districts. The Indian Government has committed to build 1200 housing units for the homeless, landless and low-income people under these two projects. The Indian High Commissioner visited two villages in Hambantota District to take stock of the progress of these two project sites.

The High Commissioner’s visit to the Southern Province underscored the enduring cultural linkages between India and Sri Lanka.

The High Commissioner also sought the blessings of Lord Buddha at the sacred Dondra, Katragama and Tissamaharama Temples and prayed for further strengthening of ties between the people of India and Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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A day of mourning has been declared in the Southern Province today (March 01) over the passing of former Minister Ronnie de Mel. 

The announcement was made by Southern Province Governor W. W. Gamage via a statement.

Former Cabinet Minister Ronni de Mel passed away at the age of 99 on Tuesday (Feb 27).

The late former minister Ronnie de Mel entered the Sri Lankan Parliament in 1977 after contesting from Devinuwara. He has held several Cabinet portfolios during his tenure. (NewsWire)

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Zonal Education Directors have been entrusted with powers to decide on the operations of schools in the Akuressa, Deniyaya, Mulatiyana, and Walasmulla areas.

The Director of Education of the Southern Province announced that the decision has been taken due to inclement weather experienced in the areas.

Accordingly, Zonal Education Directors have been entrusted with the power to decide the closing of schools in the said areas based on the inclement weather conditions. (NewsWire)

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All government schools in the Galle and Matara Districts will reopen tomorrow, (October 11), the Education Secretary to the Southern Province announced.

According to the Education Secretary, however, schools affected by floods will remain closed until further notice.

The Education Ministry decided to close all government schools in the Galle and Matara Districts on Monday and Tuesday this week due to the inclement weather experienced in the areas in the past few days.

As a result, the Governor of the Southern Province also decided at the time, to postpone indefinitely Term Tests in schools in the province, which were scheduled to start from October 12.

However, the schools in the province, except those affected by floods will resume academic activities from tomorrow. (NewsWire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has deployed relief teams in certain areas in the Southern Province to provide assistance and support to those who may be affected by floods.

According to a Sri Lanka Navy statement, the relief teams were deployed yesterday (May 14) as a result of the looming inclement weather in several parts of the country. 

On the directives of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Southern Naval Command has sent relief teams to the Galle, Akuressa, Kotapola, Nagoda, Thawalama, Kamburupitiya and Athuraliya areas, to ensure a coordinated and effective response.

The Navy has sent relief teams to the Galle and Matara districts as floods have been caused by the overflow of the Gin Ganga and Nilwala River. These teams are now prepared to assist the affected people with the necessary relief.

Moreover, additional Navy relief teams have been kept on standby to be deployed at will, to render assistance to the general public, in the event they are affected by floods. (NewsWire)

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