Classes suspended in La Trinidad amid heavy rains, landslide threats

Classes at all levels in both public and private schools in La Trinidad, Benguet were suspended on Wednesday, Aug. 5, due to persistent heavy rains that have triggered landslides and soil erosion in parts of the municipality.

La Trinidad Mayor Roderick Awingan ordered the suspension as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and school personnel.

The La Trinidad Public Information Office said the decision was prompted by prevailing weather conditions and reports of landslides and soil erosion affecting areas near several schools and other critical facilities.

According to Weather Advisory No. 12 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Benguet is expected to receive 100 to 200 millimeters of rainfall from Tuesday until Wednesday afternoon.

The municipal government noted that ongoing clearing operations and debris removal along major and secondary roads also pose risks to commuters and pedestrians.

Authorities said the suspension would allow Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis teams to inspect schools and assess the structural integrity of educational facilities without exposing students and school personnel to potential hazards.

The local government reminded parents and students that the class suspension does not authorize students to loiter in commercial establishments.

Under the municipality’s Juvenile Welfare Ordinance and anti-truancy regulations, students are prohibited from staying in internet cafés, billiard halls, parks, and other recreational areas during class suspensions.

Sen. Mark Villar hails Alex Eala’s historic WTA triumph

Senator Mark Villar has filed Senate Resolution No. 564 congratulating and commending Filipina tennis star Alexandra ‘Alex’ Eala for capturing the 2026 Mubadala DC Open, becoming the first Filipino professional tennis player to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 500 Tour singles title.

The resolution recognizes Eala’s latest historic achievement after she defeated an elite field on her way to the championship, including 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, World No. 10 Elina Svitolina, four-time Grand Slam singles champion and former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka, and World No. 3 Jessica Pegula in a thrilling three-set final.

The victory propelled Eala to a career-high World No. 20, making her the highest-ranked Filipina WTA tennis player in history and further cementing her place among the world’s top tennis players.

‘Vamos, Alex! Ang tagumpay mo ay patunay na world-class ang atletang Pilipino. Isa ka nang kampeon, ngunit naniniwala akong marami ka pang maaabot. Pag lumago, hindi na hihinto. Patuloy kang mangarap, magsikap, at ipagmalaki ang Pilipinas sa bawat laban,’ Villar said.

The senator said Eala’s remarkable rise is a testament to years of hard work, discipline, and perseverance, adding that her achievements have inspired a new generation of Filipinos to believe that they, too, can compete with the world’s best.

At just 21 years old, Eala has already rewritten Philippine tennis history. She became the country’s first Grand Slam junior singles champion in 2022, the first Filipino in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam main-draw singles match, an Asian Games medalist, a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, and now the nation’s first WTA Tour singles champion.

Villar also praised Eala’s character, saying her humility and grace have made her an exceptional role model beyond the tennis court.

‘Ang higit na kahanga-hanga kay Alex ay ang kanyang karakter. Sa bawat panayam at pagharap sa publiko, makikita ang kanyang kababaang-loob, paggalang sa kanyang mga katunggali, at pagmamalaki sa Pilipinas. Patunay ito na isa siyang huwarang atleta at mabuting mamamayan,’ Villar said.

The senator also expressed confidence that Eala’s historic breakthrough is only the beginning of an even brighter career.

‘Napakarami mo nang naabot, ngunit naniniwala akong simula pa lamang ito. Inaasahan naming mas marami ka pang maipapanalong titulo at, balang araw, maiuwi mo rin ang isang Grand Slam championship para sa Pilipinas. Ang buong sambayanang Pilipino ay nasa likod mo at ipinagmamalaki ang bawat tagumpay na iyong nakakamit. Congratulations, Alex, at vamos!’ Senator Villar concluded.

The extortionate checkpoint police personnel arrested in Abuja

IF crime continues to fester in the country despite the protestations of officialdom, we warned in various editorials, it is because there are usually no consequences for egregious behaviour. Over the years, we have found no reason to alter this conclusion, and the recent incident involving four police personnel in Abuja who robbed their way into trouble only serves to illustrate the accuracy of our observation. According to reports, the errant policemen decided to turn yet another checkpoint in Banex, Wuse, Abuja, into an extortion arena and fleeced, of all persons, the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN!

According to the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, the officers had abandoned their posts to form a mini-extortion syndicate. They flagged down Dr Aliyu, demanded for his vehicle papers, then cooked up an excuse to extort money from him. Completely unaware of who they were dealing with, they dragged him to a nearby POS operator where, at their prompting, he withdrew the sum of ?53,000 to bail himself out of trouble. He even paid the transaction charges before the extortioners shared the money among themselves.

If the commissioner was angered by the incident, that anger was palpable in the manner he addressed it. He described the policemen as thieves who had no business wearing the police uniform. He added:’They are a gang of criminals who left various divisions, clustered together, and moved to Wuse Banex and created a checkpoint where they perpetrated this act before fleeing. We got all of them. We are going to make sure they are severely punished. Those that are going to be dismissed will definitely be dismissed. You cannot stop anybody on the road and ask the person to bring out his phone for search. If any policeman stops you and asks to search your phone, don’t agree. Call the police emergency lines and we will ask them why. We will still enforce the IG’s directive. Some of them are on the task because they are criminally minded. They want to perpetrate such acts. If we get them, they will face disciplinary actions and will be made to face the consequences.’

This, no doubt, is a good move by the police. Policemen extorting money from drivers on the road are not just doing the force a disservice; they are battering the country’s already sullied image. In the current incident, as in many others, the police personnel assumed omnibus powers over hapless citizens at gunpoint. The idea, namely that the victims either cooperate or get roped into crimes they knew nothing about, is extremely perverse, but that has been the lot of innocent citizens for years. No doubt, the profile of the victim seems to have weighed heavily on the present case. But what if he had been an ordinary Nigerian, particularly one who lacked the courage to take the matter up with the police authorities? Would the incident not have passed off as yet another unreported case of checkpoint extortion? And what if the driver flagged down in this case was actually a criminal poised to bribe his way through that checkpoint? In all probability, he would have navigated that spot with ease, and gone on to do whatever his criminal mind dictated as the next course of action, confident in the belief that the law isn’t catching up with him anytime soon. This cannot be the way to keep the Nigerian public safe.

In fairness to the police authorities, though, they have been taking action on reported cases, from Lagos to Abuja. But more evidently needs to be done. The issue should not be about who was robbed of their hard-earned money; it should be about the total absence of extortion on the roads. That is the crux of the matter. When law-abiding citizens approach police checkpoints, they should do so in the assurance that they are not going to experience any hassles whatsoever. They have the right to expect to be treated with dignity and courtesy. As a matter of fact, in an ideal situation, a stoppage at a police checkpoint should provide an opportunity for road users and the police to interact in a courteous, friendly manner. It is a no-brainer that if interacting with the police at a checkpoint or any other place potentially means trouble whether or not you are law-abiding, then fostering a cooperative and productive relationship between the police and the public becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible. When people have useful information that will help the police in their duties, they will withhold it out of fear or resentment.

The prognosis can lead to only one conclusion: there is still a lot for the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and his team to do in ridding the force of bad eggs. While we are not saying people should not be subjected to interrogation at checkpoints, regardless of their status, we are resolutely against extortion. If members of the force are to serve and protect with integrity, like the authorities are wont to say, they cannot do so in a climate of distrust. In this regard, we urge the leadership to launch a renewed onslaught on corruption and corrupt practices within the force. They can use espionage tactics to rid the force of corrupt personnel. The IGP should set up unmarked monitoring units and give them all the resources they need to do a fantastic job.

Nonetheless, we commend the police for the swift response in this case. That response is extremely strong, clear and unambiguous, and that is the way it should be. It is axiomatic that if all cases of police misbehaviour attracted such swift and decisive response, the situation in the force would be much saner. It is true that the police are not paid fantastic salaries, but when you join the force, you have committed yourself to service, and cannot engage in extortion of any kind. Besides, the fact is not hidden that the government has approved allowances for the men at checkpoints. The superiors should, however, not sit on those allowances. They should not give any cause for errant policemen to batter the integrity of the force. Needless to say, the suspects arrested in connection with the current case should be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law.

NITDA set to roll out national software framework

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated the National Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Framework.

The initiative is expected to improve the quality, security and reliability of software used across government institutions, regulated industries and wider digital ecosystem.

This is according to a statement issued in Abuja recently by Mrs Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations.

She quoted the Director-General of NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, as saying that the framework, in line with NITDA’s Act of 2007, was expected to take effect in the second quarter of 2027.

Inuwa said it was designed to eliminate costly information technology failures, strengthen cyber security and enhance public confidence in digital governance.

He said the framework combined three regulatory instruments comprising the National Software Development Guideline, the National Software Testing Guideline and the Software Testing Organisations Licensing (STOL) Guideline.

‘The National Software Testing Guideline establishes rigorous pre-deployment testing benchmarks for functionality, cyber security, performance under peak loads, and system interoperability.

‘The STOL Guideline, regulates and accredits third-party, independent Licensed Software Testing Organisations (LSTOs) to evaluate and certify software before deployment.

‘Under this new framework, government software projects must undergo independent third-party testing and receive official certification prior to going live, making compliance a mandatory prerequisite for obtaining IT Project Clearance,’ Inuwa said.

He further said the framework also introduced a risk-based classification model under which software would be categorised into Class A, B and C based on operational impact.

According to him, high-impact Class A platforms such as core banking switches, identity management systems and power grid control will be subject to the stringent security standards.

They would also be subject to deep penetration testing and specialised audit oversight by top-tier accredited testing bodies.

Inuwa said the initiative would improve the delivery of reliable and secure digital services, safeguard public investments, create opportunities for indigenous software testing firms and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigerian software products.

‘Quality is the foundation of digital trust. With this framework, every software solution serving Nigerians, whether built for government or the private sector, will meet clear national standards for security, reliability and interoperability.

‘This is how we modernise government technology and position Nigerian software to compete on the global stage,’ Inuwa said.

The D-G said the framework was scheduled to take full effect in the second quarter of 2027.

He said the agency would embark on nationwide stakeholder engagement, capacity-building programmes and the accreditation of software testing organisations.

He added that it would soon issue an Expression of Interest for organisations seeking licences to operate as independent software testing bodies under the new regulatory regime.

Academy relives memories of founder at 20th anniversary

Family, teachers and guests relived the memory of the late founder of Albest Academy, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Rev Abidayo Abe, during the school’s 20th anniversary last week. The event also coincided with the school’s valedictory/graduation.

The widow, Mrs Esther Modupe, recalled that the school was their baby, which opened its doors to secondary education in 2006 and the primary arm 10 years later.

Since then, she added, the school has garnered many achievements because of the solid foundation laid by her husband with the support from God. She said their vision was: ”Righteousness exalts a nation” with excellence as their objective.

While thanking those who helped them, she said without their support, it would not have been easy. Specifically, she praised Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, his wife; a retired Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lagos State, Mrs Abosede Adelaja, for her immense contributions to the school’s approval; ”dedicated staff and non-teaching staff” as well as ”friends of the school”.

She announced that the school has made its impact not only in the community but also in the country and abroad with many of its graduates excelling in their chosen careers.

The late founder’s brother Pastor Rotimi Abe said when he wanted to start a business, he had trained his eyes on investing in petrol stations, but that he advised him against it. Rather, he suggested to him to invest in an area that would leave a legacy. He listened. Later, he returned to inform him that he and his wife had decided to invest in schools. Albest was the result, adding the name was drawn from his brother’s name and that of his wife. He commended the wife for keeping the torch of their dream alive.”Modupe, we are proud of you,” he added.

Prof Foluso Okebukola, who represented her husband, described Albesta as a huge success and ”a living testimony of the house” that the Lord built.

Okebukola, who is the grand patron of the school, prayed that Albesta Academy would build a university.

The Principal of the school, Thompson Imahanbor, said the school believes in producing a total child, adding that their Trade and Skills Acquisition (TSA) programme is geared towards that. He listed the lab upgrade, installation of CCTV to check insecurity and infrastructure as some things done in the school during the session.

While congratulating the outgoing pupils, Imahanbor thanked them for donating to the school.

Vice Chancellor/the guest speaker, Crawford University, Prof Solomon Makinde, represented by Dr Olalekan Kesinro, noted that great institutions are born from great partnerships akin to the founding couples of the academy. He said education is not about acquisition of certificates but reformation of character of future leaders.

He urged the graduates to be of good character and excellence, saying only character earns trust and that excellence is a continuous assignment.

There were goodwill messages from Prof Fakeye Johnson, the pioneer vice principal of the school; Segun Ademola, another former VP; Dean, Faculty of Social Science, Crawford University, Prof Comfort Amire; Mr Afolabi A. O. , Director, Quality Assurance, Education District Three, Lagos State Ministry of Education.

The valedictorian, Isaac Fakolujo, thanked the school and their teachers for their assistance during their stay in the institution. He advised his colleagues to be good representatives of the schools as advised by the proprietress and others.

A pupil, Philip Oreleoluwa, got a scholarship for scoring the highest marks in the entrance exam

At the event were Pastor Abrahim Laleye and his wife; Elder Samuel Laleye; Mr. Femi Afolabi, Ayo Babajide, former PTA chairman, among others.

Fed Govt orders varsities to expel students linked to kidnapping

The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts of tertiary institutions to dismiss, after due investigation, any student involved in kidnapping or related crimes.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, gave the directive during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and management of the Federal University of Lafia, yesterday.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the minister said: ‘Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions. Such individuals must be dismissed. Our campuses must never become safe havens for criminal elements.’

He said Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education were largely safe, but recent isolated cases involving students outside campuses showed the need for stronger intelligence gathering and closer collaboration with security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS).

Alausa reiterated that no public institution should negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that doing so would encourage criminality. He directed governing councils to establish internal intelligence mechanisms, saying he had met the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative nationwide.

On infrastructure, the minister said the Federal Government would fund security upgrades, including perimeter fencing, in tertiary institutions through TETFund’s 2027 intervention programme, and urged eligible institutions to apply early. He also reaffirmed plans to expand the Energising Education Programme with the Federal Ministry of Power for institutions needing more electricity capacity.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Dr Adebimpe Adebajo, commended the Federal Government’s support to the institution but identified inadequate hostel accommodation, power supply to its second campus and insecurity as major challenges. She said some students were suspected of involvement in off-campus kidnapping activities, adding that the university opposed ransom payment because it would embolden criminals.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Isa Kida, commended the minister’s reforms and appealed for the Energising Education Programme to be extended to the university’s second campus, along with additional office space and staff. Alausa advised the university to submit formal requests for consideration under the relevant programmes.

Why Kano Assembly suspended 3 council chairmen

More details have emerged regarding the suspension of the chairmen of Rogo, Bebeji, and Bagwai local government councils by the Kano State House of Assembly.

According to the Majority Leader,Lawan Hussaini Dala, the action was prompted by multiple petitions alleging financial and administrative misconducts.

Daily Trust reports that the Assembly suspended Abubakar Mustapha (Rogo), Dr. Alhassan Salisu (Bebeji), and Bello Gadanya (Bagwai) following the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during plenary.

Speaking exclusively with Daily Trust, the House Majority Leader said the Assembly received petitions from a wide range of stakeholders, including community groups, civil society organisations, and elected councillors from the affected local government areas.

He explained that the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs subjected the petitions to preliminary scrutiny by examining financial and administrative records obtained from the councils and holding interactive sessions with key local government officials before recommending the suspension of the three chairmen.

According to him, the petitions alleged financial misappropriation, abuse of office, breach of public trust, fraud, and other administrative infractions.

The chairmen were also accused of incompetence in managing the affairs of their councils and diverting public funds for personal interests.

‘The investigation is far from over,’ Dala said, adding that the committee would widen its probe by inviting all relevant stakeholders to present evidence and defend their positions before arriving at its final recommendations.

He explained that, in line with the Assembly’s constitutional oversight powers, the House directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure the immediate handover of leadership to the vice chairmen pending the outcome of the investigation.

Dala disclosed that the committee has three months to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Assembly, after which lawmakers will determine whether the allegations against the suspended chairmen have been established or whether they should be cleared.

He urged residents of the affected councils and other stakeholders to remain calm and allow the committee to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation without interference.

Our correspondent could not reach any of the suspended chairmen as of press time last night.

WHO defends Uganda’s early end to Ebola outbreak

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has defended Uganda’s decision to declare the end of its Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak before completing the conventional 42-day waiting period, saying the country prioritized stopping transmission over procedural timelines.

Uganda discharged its last confirmed Ebola patient from the National Isolation and Treatment Centre in Mulago on July 16, 2026, and officially declared the outbreak over on July 28, less than two weeks later. The move sparked debate, with some observers questioning why the country did not wait the standard 42 days after the last confirmed case.

Responding to journalists on Tuesday, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, said Uganda’s response should be judged by results, not timelines.

“Uganda’s actions should be judged by the effectiveness of its response rather than strict adherence to procedural timelines,” Dr Janabi said.

Dr Janabi, who is in Uganda with a delegation from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) led by Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya, noted that while Uganda had declared its outbreak over, the wider regional response was ongoing.

He said Uganda remains actively involved in efforts to contain the outbreak in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where authorities had confirmed 3,605 cases and 1,587 deaths by Monday.

Although Uganda and the DRC declared their outbreaks on the same day in May, Uganda registered only 20 confirmed cases. Fifteen of those were imported infections involving Congolese nationals who had crossed into Uganda seeking medical care.

Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi said Uganda has since shifted focus to supporting the response in eastern DRC. “As of Monday, 58 Ugandan health specialists had been deployed to Kasenyi, on the western shores of Lake Albert in Ituri Province, as well as Aru Territory, which borders Uganda’s Arua District,” Dr Baryomunsi said.

Both WHO and Africa CDC described Uganda’s handling of the outbreak as a model for other countries. They noted Uganda recorded a case fatality rate of about 10 per cent, compared to approximately 44 per cent in the DRC, where nearly half of confirmed patients have died.

Despite the international praise, Uganda’s response faced criticism domestically. Some officials questioned whether an outbreak needed to be declared at all, arguing it would damage the economy.

Allan Kasujja, Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre and the government’s communications lead during the outbreak, repeatedly argued that Uganda was being unfairly grouped with the DRC in announcements despite dealing largely with imported cases and a handful of infected health workers.

Asked about the concerns, Dr Janabi said WHO had been clear on Uganda’s situation. “WHO had consistently communicated that Uganda was responding to imported cases and rejected suggestions that the organisation had misrepresented the country’s situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya criticised the United States for maintaining travel restrictions on Uganda despite the successful containment. Kaseya described the restrictions as unnecessary and accused the U.S. of applying double standards. “France had also reported an imported Ebola Bundibugyo case from the DRC but had not faced similar travel measures,” Dr Kaseya said.

DFCC Bank and SriLankan Airlines partner to reward journeys beyond borders

DFCC Bank PLC and SriLankan Airlines have partnered to launch the SriLankan Airlines DFCC Visa Platinum Credit Card, a premium co-branded credit card designed for customers whose lives increasingly extend beyond borders. The launch ceremony was held at the DFCC Bank Head Office, Galle Road, Colombo 3, on 21 July 2026, with the participation of senior management representatives from DFCC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and SriLankan Airlines, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership between two leading Sri Lankan brands.

The SriLankan Airlines DFCC Visa Platinum Credit Card allows cardholders to earn FlySmiles Miles through both local and international spending while enjoying premium travel benefits including priority check-in, airport lounge access, additional baggage allowance, companion travel benefits, and a range of year-round lifestyle offers. Designed around the needs of today’s globally connected customer, the card goes beyond rewarding travel to creating greater value throughout everyday life. Customers also receive 3,000 bonus FlySmiles Miles upon enrolment, giving them an immediate head start towards future travel.

Today, travel is how businesses expand into new markets, how students pursue opportunities abroad, how families remain connected across continents, and how people discover new experiences. As lives become increasingly global, customers expect the financial products they carry to do more than facilitate payments. They expect them to quietly support the journeys that matter most.

For DFCC Bank PLC Director / Chief Executive Officer Thimal Perera, changing lifestyle is shaping the future of banking.

‘Today’s customers expect banking to fit naturally into the way they live. Whether they are travelling for business, education, family, or leisure, they want the products they use every day to create value beyond the transaction itself. This partnership is about recognising that reality and rewarding customers for the lives they already lead. It reflects our commitment to designing banking around our customers, ensuring that the solutions we create evolve alongside their changing lifestyles and aspirations.’

Bringing together trusted banking with meaningful travel privileges, the partnership transforms everyday spending into future travel opportunities while delivering greater value wherever life takes customers.

SriLankan Airlines Commercial Head Dimuthu Tennakoon said the partnership reflects the changing way customers experience travel.

‘FlySmiles has always been about recognising and rewarding customer loyalty. Through our partnership with DFCC Bank, we are extending those rewards beyond the journey itself, enabling our members to earn FlySmiles Miles through their everyday spending while enjoying benefits that enhance their travel experience. Together, we are creating more opportunities for customers to turn daily transactions into rewarding journeys.’

The partnership reflects a broader evolution in banking, where financial services are becoming part of the experiences that matter most to customers. As people become increasingly connected to opportunities across borders, they expect banking to move with them. The SriLankan Airlines DFCC Visa Platinum Credit Card has been designed with exactly that in mind-helping customers turn everyday spending into more rewarding journeys beyond borders.

Govt. to make Delft Island SL’s first zero-emission tourism destination

Sri Lanka Tourism yesterday said the Government has launched plans to develop Delft Island as the country’s first zero-emission eco-tourism destination, with infrastructure upgrades, community participation and environmental sustainability forming the cornerstone of the proposed investment.

The initiative, discussed during a site inspection and stakeholder consultation led by Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, seeks to position the northern island as a flagship sustainable tourism destination while preserving its natural, historical and cultural assets.

Sri Lanka Tourism said Delft Island, known for its Dutch-era ruins, archaeological sites and free-roaming wild horses, remains an underutilised tourism asset despite its unique attractions and has so far made only a limited contribution to the country’s tourism industry.

Govt. to make…

According to the Tourism Ministry, priority investments will focus on improving water supply, road infrastructure, transport connectivity and accessibility to support tourism development. The project also envisages strengthening community participation by enhancing the hospitality skills and knowledge of local residents to enable them to benefit directly from tourism-related economic activity.

Prof. Ranasinghe said the island should become a destination for both international and domestic visitors, adding that the Government was committed to unlocking its tourism potential through environmentally responsible development.

Sri Lanka Tourism said environmental sustainability would underpin the development strategy, with the island planned as a zero-emission tourism destination showcasing renewable and sustainable solutions and responsible tourism practices. The project is also expected to serve as a model for environmentally friendly tourism development elsewhere in the country.

Officials from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau participated in the discussions alongside Jaffna District MP Ilankumaran Karunanathan, Government officials, representatives of local authorities and members of the Delft community.

Sri Lanka Tourism said the initiative marks an important step towards positioning Delft Island as one of the country’s most distinctive sustainable tourism destinations, combining environmental conservation, heritage preservation and community-based tourism to create a world-class visitor experience.