[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-shell":3,"taxonomy":3,"article-vocational-training-centres-to-open-in-five-districts":4,"breaking":37,"comments-vocational-training-centres-to-open-in-five-districts":50,"related-vocational-training-centres-to-open-in-five-districts":59},true,{"data":5},{"id":6,"lang":7,"title":8,"subtitle":9,"slug":10,"excerpt":11,"html":12,"readingTimeSec":13,"seo":14,"type":15,"status":16,"primaryCategoryId":17,"categoryIds":18,"tagIds":19,"authorIds":22,"coverMediaId":24,"galleryMediaIds":25,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":26,"isBreaking":27,"isFeatured":27,"isPinned":27,"allowComments":3,"visibility":28,"location":14,"stats":29,"relatedArticleIds":36},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a5915c","en","Vocational Training Centres to Open in Five Districts","The centres will offer courses in construction trades and hospitality.","vocational-training-centres-to-open-in-five-districts","The centres will offer courses in construction trades and hospitality. The development was confirmed by officials in Negombo this week, following months of preparation behind the scenes.","\u003Cp>The development was confirmed by officials in Negombo this week, following months of preparation behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials say similar initiatives elsewhere have produced encouraging early results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>We are listening closely to feedback from the communities most affected.\u003C\u002Fp>Programme Coordinator\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Community groups welcomed the announcement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Officials confirmed the details in a press briefing on Negombo\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Similar programmes are being considered for other districts\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Authorities say progress will be reviewed again before the end of the year.\u003C\u002Fp>",30,null,"standard","published","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad20",[17],[20,21],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad2e","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad2f",[23],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad43","6a88f165ae8b28c3f2a59056",[],"2026-08-11T00:46:30.112Z",false,"public",{"views":30,"uniqueViews":31,"shares":32,"comments":33,"likes":34,"trendScore":35},1726,1376,0,1,14,226,[],{"data":38},{"articles":39,"ticker":40},[],[41,44,47],{"id":42,"text":43,"link":14},"6a88f1671984b727d3b0b4a0","Parliament passes amended budget bill after marathon debate",{"id":45,"text":46,"link":14},"6a88f1671984b727d3b0b4a1","Central Bank holds policy rate steady amid inflation concerns",{"id":48,"text":49,"link":14},"6a88f1671984b727d3b0b4a2","Sri Lanka clinches series win over Bangladesh in thrilling finish",{"data":51,"meta":58},[52],{"id":53,"articleId":6,"parentId":14,"authorName":54,"body":55,"likes":56,"createdAt":57},"6a88f1661984b727d3b0b3d7","Chamari Weerasinghe","Finally some good news for a change.",29,"2026-08-02T00:46:30.647Z",{"total":33,"page":33,"limit":13,"hasMore":27},{"data":60},[61,82,103,125,146],{"id":62,"lang":7,"title":63,"subtitle":64,"slug":65,"excerpt":66,"html":67,"readingTimeSec":13,"seo":14,"type":15,"status":16,"primaryCategoryId":17,"categoryIds":68,"tagIds":69,"authorIds":72,"coverMediaId":24,"galleryMediaIds":73,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":74,"isBreaking":27,"isFeatured":27,"isPinned":27,"allowComments":3,"visibility":28,"location":14,"stats":75,"relatedArticleIds":81},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a59159","National Reading Week Encourages Literacy Among Children","Schools and libraries islandwide are hosting storytelling and book-swap events.","national-reading-week-encourages-literacy-among-children","Schools and libraries islandwide are hosting storytelling and book-swap events. Figures shared with reporters show a 19% change compared to the same period last year.","\u003Cp>Figures shared with reporters show a 19% change compared to the same period last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials say similar initiatives elsewhere have produced encouraging early results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>We are listening closely to feedback from the communities most affected.\u003C\u002Fp>Programme Coordinator\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Officials confirmed the details in a press briefing on Colombo\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Community groups welcomed the announcement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fc13f0fed-f029-4f0c-b814-565d2ea8c90a\u002Foriginal.jpg\" alt=\"Education illustration\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Education — file photo\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Cp>More updates are expected in the coming weeks as the situation develops.\u003C\u002Fp>",[17],[70,71],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad35","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad33",[23],[],"2026-08-15T00:46:30.107Z",{"views":76,"uniqueViews":77,"shares":78,"comments":33,"likes":79,"trendScore":80},1215,850,8,10,253,[],{"id":83,"lang":7,"title":84,"subtitle":85,"slug":86,"excerpt":87,"html":88,"readingTimeSec":13,"seo":14,"type":15,"status":16,"primaryCategoryId":17,"categoryIds":89,"tagIds":90,"authorIds":93,"coverMediaId":24,"galleryMediaIds":95,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":96,"isBreaking":27,"isFeatured":27,"isPinned":27,"allowComments":3,"visibility":28,"location":14,"stats":97,"relatedArticleIds":102},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a59155","Scholarship Programme Expands for Estate Sector Students","The fund will cover tuition and transport costs for qualifying families.","scholarship-programme-expands-for-estate-sector-students","The fund will cover tuition and transport costs for qualifying families. Figures shared with reporters show a 21% change compared to the same period last year.","\u003Cp>Figures shared with reporters show a 21% change compared to the same period last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials say similar initiatives elsewhere have produced encouraging early results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>This is a meaningful step, but sustained effort is what will make it count.\u003C\u002Fp>Ministry Official\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Officials confirmed the details in a press briefing on Matara\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Similar programmes are being considered for other districts\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fed1fa8ff-504a-4e1a-8f56-7db6c2aa98b4\u002Foriginal.jpg\" alt=\"Education illustration\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Education — file photo\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Cp>Authorities say progress will be reviewed again before the end of the year.\u003C\u002Fp>",[17],[91,71,92],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad36","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad32",[94],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad42",[],"2026-08-15T00:46:30.101Z",{"views":98,"uniqueViews":99,"shares":100,"comments":33,"likes":34,"trendScore":101},497,366,7,110,[],{"id":104,"lang":7,"title":105,"subtitle":106,"slug":107,"excerpt":108,"html":109,"readingTimeSec":13,"seo":14,"type":15,"status":16,"primaryCategoryId":17,"categoryIds":110,"tagIds":111,"authorIds":115,"coverMediaId":24,"galleryMediaIds":116,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":117,"isBreaking":27,"isFeatured":3,"isPinned":27,"allowComments":3,"visibility":28,"location":14,"stats":118,"relatedArticleIds":124},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a59151","Teachers Union Calls Off Strike After Salary Agreement","Classes resume islandwide after a deal was reached late Tuesday night.","teachers-union-calls-off-strike-after-salary-agreement","Classes resume islandwide after a deal was reached late Tuesday night. Figures shared with reporters show a 3% change compared to the same period last year.","\u003Cp>Figures shared with reporters show a 3% change compared to the same period last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials say similar initiatives elsewhere have produced encouraging early results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>This is a meaningful step, but sustained effort is what will make it count.\u003C\u002Fp>Ministry Official\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Officials confirmed the details in a press briefing on Jaffna\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Community groups welcomed the announcement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Similar programmes are being considered for other districts\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>More updates are expected in the coming weeks as the situation develops.\u003C\u002Fp>",[17],[112,113,114],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad31","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad2a","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad39",[94],[],"2026-06-30T00:46:30.088Z",{"views":119,"uniqueViews":120,"shares":121,"comments":33,"likes":122,"trendScore":123},4455,3764,9,60,105,[],{"id":126,"lang":7,"title":127,"subtitle":128,"slug":129,"excerpt":130,"html":131,"readingTimeSec":13,"seo":14,"type":15,"status":16,"primaryCategoryId":17,"categoryIds":132,"tagIds":133,"authorIds":135,"coverMediaId":24,"galleryMediaIds":137,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":138,"isBreaking":27,"isFeatured":27,"isPinned":27,"allowComments":3,"visibility":28,"location":14,"stats":139,"relatedArticleIds":145},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a59147","Education Ministry Reforms A-Level Curriculum for 2027","The changes add more practical assessment alongside traditional exams.","education-ministry-reforms-a-level-curriculum-for-2027","The changes add more practical assessment alongside traditional exams. The development was confirmed by officials in Batticaloa this week, following months of preparation behind the scenes.","\u003Cp>The development was confirmed by officials in Batticaloa this week, following months of preparation behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials say similar initiatives elsewhere have produced encouraging early results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>The numbers are encouraging, but there is still a lot of work ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>Independent Analyst\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Officials confirmed the details in a press briefing on Batticaloa\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Similar programmes are being considered for other districts\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F08\u002F8e35b9eb-b1a2-433a-9f4c-95c6b157a2ac\u002Foriginal.jpg\" alt=\"Education illustration\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Education — file photo\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Cp>More updates are expected in the coming weeks as the situation develops.\u003C\u002Fp>",[17],[71,134],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad25",[94,136],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad41",[],"2026-06-30T00:46:30.061Z",{"views":140,"uniqueViews":141,"shares":142,"comments":32,"likes":143,"trendScore":144},2841,2097,17,102,65,[],{"id":147,"lang":7,"title":148,"subtitle":149,"slug":150,"excerpt":151,"html":152,"readingTimeSec":13,"seo":14,"type":15,"status":16,"primaryCategoryId":17,"categoryIds":153,"tagIds":154,"authorIds":157,"coverMediaId":24,"galleryMediaIds":158,"videoUrl":14,"publishedAt":159,"isBreaking":27,"isFeatured":27,"isPinned":27,"allowComments":3,"visibility":28,"location":14,"stats":160,"relatedArticleIds":166},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a5914a","University Entrance Cut-Off Marks Released for Science Stream","This year’s marks rose slightly compared to the previous intake.","university-entrance-cut-off-marks-released-for-science-stream","This year’s marks rose slightly compared to the previous intake. The initiative is expected to reach roughly 1399 people across the country in its first phase.","\u003Cp>The initiative is expected to reach roughly 1399 people across the country in its first phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials say similar initiatives elsewhere have produced encouraging early results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>We are listening closely to feedback from the communities most affected.\u003C\u002Fp>Programme Coordinator\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Similar programmes are being considered for other districts\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Officials confirmed the details in a press briefing on Kandy\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Community groups welcomed the announcement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>More updates are expected in the coming weeks as the situation develops.\u003C\u002Fp>",[17],[134,155,156],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad2c","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad37",[23],[],"2026-05-25T00:46:30.071Z",{"views":161,"uniqueViews":162,"shares":163,"comments":32,"likes":164,"trendScore":165},2980,2239,31,81,38,[]]