The Political Council of Tamil-Speaking Peoples has called on the government to urgently review the existing uniform regulations for Health Assistants, taking into consideration cultural and religious sensitivities while maintaining professional standards and patient safety.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Health today (17), Opposition MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, Convenor of the Political Council of Tamil-Speaking Peoples, urged the government to take necessary steps to address concerns surrounding the regulations.

The letter follows recommendations made by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) regarding the issue.

The Council emphasised that uniform regulations should accommodate legitimate cultural, religious and modesty-related preferences while upholding clinical hygiene and professional standards.

It also called on the government to review and amend the relevant circular and establish a clear, practical and inclusive national policy applicable to all public healthcare institutions.

Referring to the Health Minister’s invitation in Parliament to submit proposals, the Council sought clarification on whether the proposed committee had been formally appointed, the progress made so far and the timeframe for issuing a revised national circular.

The Council further stressed that while Opposition political parties are prepared to contribute proposals and support a fair solution, the responsibility for implementing the necessary policy changes rests with the government.

It also urged the Ministry to provide a prompt response and a clear timeline to prevent unnecessary communal tensions over the issue.

The letter was issued on behalf of six political parties, including the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA), Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA). (Newswire)

The post Tamil-speaking political parties urge Govt to review Health Assistants’ uniform regulations appeared first on Newswire.

The Ministry of Education has announced that the distribution of school uniform material donated by the People’s Republic of China for the year 2026 has been completed.

According to the Ministry, a total of 11.484 million meters of uniform cloth was provided as a donation, covering the annual requirement for students of government and government‑assisted schools, student monks in government‑approved pirivenas, lay mothers, and lay students.

The Ministry confirmed that the cloth has now been distributed to 4,418,404 students across the country, ensuring that all eligible recipients have received their allocations. (Newswire)

The post China-donated school uniform material fully distributed to 4.4 million students appeared first on Newswire.

The Government of China will provide school uniforms to 4.3 million children in Sri Lanka for the academic year 2025, as a grant. 

According to the Education Ministry, the grant has been provided following Education Minister Susil Premajayantha’s discussions with the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka and relevant Chinese authorities.

As such, uniforms will be provided to 4.3 million schoolchildren and robes required for 825 piriven schools for the year 2025.

The Chinese Government has confirmed that the first batch of uniforms will arrive on 13 November 2024, while the second batch will arrive on 21 November, and the third batch will be provided on 20 December.

The Education Ministry says as the uniforms will be provided 100% free of charge, the Sri Lankan Government will save Rs. 7000 million. 

The ministry further said that the school uniforms would be distributed before 20 January 2025, before the commencement of the first academic term. (Newswire)

The post China to provide uniforms for Sri Lankan schoolchildren appeared first on Newswire.

The Ministry of Education has informed school principals to notify if they are yet to receive school textbooks and uniform materials for this year (2024). 

Issuing a statement, the Education Ministry said that steps have been initiated to distribute school textbooks and uniform materials to all state schools.

The Ministry added that the textbooks and uniform materials have already been handed over to the Divisional Education Offices as of now.

Schools that are yet to receive school textbooks and uniform materials have been instructed to notify the Education Ministry via the following hotlines and emails;

• For school textbooks : 

Hotlines – 0112784815/0112785306

Fax – 0112784815

Email – epddistribution2024@gmail.com 

• For school uniform materials 

Hotline – 0112785573

Fax – 0112785573

Email – schoolsupplymoe@gmail.com (NewsWire)

The post Notice for schools on textbooks & uniform materials for 2024 appeared first on Newswire.