News Lithuania warns Lankans against falling into job offer scams Published 7 mins agoon 2026/07/17 Kanchana Kodituwakku The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Lithuania in Sri Lanka has warned the public against fraudulent schemes involving individuals and agents claiming th…
News Lithuania warns Lankans against falling into job offer scams
Published 7 mins agoon 2026/07/17
Kanchana Kodituwakku The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Lithuania in Sri Lanka has warned the public against fraudulent schemes involving individuals and agents claiming they can secure employment in Lithuania for Sri Lankan nationals travelling on tourist visas. The Consulate said it had received several complaints and inquiries regarding such false promises and urged Sri Lankans not to fall victim to scams offering overseas employment opportunities through illegal channels. It emphasised that individuals cannot enter Lithuania on tourist visas and obtain employment, warning that anyone demanding money while promising to arrange jobs through such means could be attempting to commit fraud. Sri Lankans seeking employment opportunities abroad have been advised to follow only legally approved procedures and seek assistance from registered foreign employment agencies recognised by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). Applicants have also been urged to verify all information through official channels before making any payments. Kanchana Kodituwakku, Director – Public Relations, Communications, Political and Diplomatic Relations, and Consular Affairs of the Honorary Consulate, said the institution worked closely with the Embassy of Lithuania and continued to monitor reports of fraudulent job offers to protect people from financial losses and risks to their safety. He said the Consulate remained committed to guiding Sri Lankan nationals seeking legitimate opportunities in Lithuania, including higher education and lawful employment pathways. The public has been advised to refer to the official communication channels of the Honorary Consulate of Lithuania in Sri Lanka for verified information and seek clarification directly from the Embassy of Lithuania or the Consulate before pursuing any overseas opportunities.
News NPP government here to stay, says Lal Kantha
Published 7 mins agoon 2026/07/17
Minister Lal Kantha speaking to the media in Kandy on Wednesday Agriculture Minister Lal Kantha on Wednesday asserted that the NPP government intended to remain in power for the long term, claiming that it enjoyed continued public support. Addressing a press conference in Kandy, the Minister said the government had not come into power temporarily and would continue to govern the country with the backing of the people. “We did not come here to leave; we are not going anywhere, and it is we who will remain forever,” Lal Kantha said. He said the opposition was making various allegations against the government in an attempt to justify its existence, adding that criticism was a normal role of opposition parties. The Minister also criticised the SJB, questioning its electoral performance under Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. “They previously said they could not win with Ranil Wickremesinghe. Have they won with Sajith Premadasa now? How many elections has Sajith lost?” he asked, claiming that the Opposition Leader had lost public confidence. Lal Kantha further alleged that Tamil and Muslim political parties were moving towards forming a separate alliance due to a lack of confidence in the current opposition leadership. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, who also addressed the press conference, said recent surveys had indicated high levels of public approval for the government. He claimed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake currently enjoyed the approval of around 75 per cent of the population, while the government’s approval rating stood at approximately 65 per cent. “We are not going anywhere; our government will continue to lead this nation,” Dr. Gunasena said. Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake ✍️
News WPC signs MoU with NGO to implement an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programme
Published 7 mins agoon 2026/07/17
MoU signing The Western Provincial Council and the Mosvold Martinus Foundation (MMF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programme aimed at improving preschool education standards in the province. Under the initiative, 500 preschool teachers will be supported to pursue diploma courses offered by the National Institute of Education (NIE) or the Open University of Sri Lanka, while 1,000 teachers will receive training in play-based learning methods. The programme will also provide age-appropriate educational materials, establish two model ECE centres and conduct parental awareness programmes. The project will contribute towards strengthening the governance framework of the ECE sector and support the implementation of the newly introduced ECE Curriculum Framework developed by the NIE. Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj stressed that early childhood education forms the foundation of formal schooling and highlighted the Government’s commitment to strengthening the sector through education reforms and public-private partnerships. The Ministry of Education said around 17,000 preschools operate in Sri Lanka with nearly 30,000 teachers, while about 70 per cent of these institutions are managed by the private sector, underscoring the need for effective quality monitoring mechanisms.