Srilanka

The passenger boat service operating on the Beira Lake from Union Place to Colombo Fort has been launched under the patronage of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe a short while ago.The boat service, which was proposed as a solution for the heavy traffic congestion in the city, is managed by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC).The passengers will be given the opportunity to utilize the boat service free-of-charge for one month since commencement.Estimated time of commuting between Colombo Fort to Union Place via the boat service is 9-10 minutes, the Chairman of SLLDC Roshan Gunawardena said.

Windy condition over the island, particularly in Northern, North-central, North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Hambantota districts up to 50 kmph at times and the showery condition in South-western part of the island is expected to enhance to some extent. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and Northern provinces. Several spells of showers may occur in Anuradhapura and Badulla districts. Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 pm. Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Jaffna, Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in North-western province and in Colombo and Gampaha districts. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

The construction work of St. Sebastian South Pumping Station, another major intervention to control floods in Colombo under Metro Colombo Urban Development Project functioning under the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry, was launched recently under the patronage of Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

SAARC Development Fund will hold its 31st board meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka on August 23-24.The CEO of SAARC Development Fund Dr Sunil Motiwal called on the Sri Lankan Finance Minister of Mangala Samaraweera in his office Tuesday for discussions prior to the meeting. As SDF Governing Council member, the Minister expressed his continued support to SDF's role in enhancing regional connectivity and economic cooperation, Dr. Motiwal said in a statement.