Qatar Charity (QC) has inaugurated a newly constructed science laboratory building at the Kalutara Muslim Central College in Sri Lanka, marking a major investment in education and scientific learning.The project, valued at approximately QR1,065,000, aims to enhance science education and provide modern learning opportunities for more than 1,500 students studying in Sinhala, Tamil, and English.The facility was officially opened by Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof and Khalil al-Mahmoud, the chargé d’affaires at Qatar’s embassy in Sri Lanka.The event was attended by distinguished guests, including QC country director Mahmoud Abu Khalifa, member of parliament Nandana Pathmakumara, former minister Ali Sabry, and school principal Nafras Nilar, alongside teachers, students, and community leaders.The newly built science complex includes four fully equipped laboratories dedicated to chemistry, biology, physics, and general science.These laboratories are furnished with modern equipment, learning resources, and safety facilities to support practical science education.In addition, the building contains four spacious classrooms and advanced digital display systems to facilitate interactive teaching and learning.A landscaped front garden further enhances the educational environment and adds to the overall appeal of the school campus.Speaking at the inauguration, QC country director Mahmoud Abu Khalifa emphasised that education remains a top priority both globally and in Sri Lanka.He noted that investment in educational infrastructure delivers lasting social and economic benefits by equipping future generations with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to contribute to national development and long-term progress.The new science laboratory complex is expected to significantly enhance learning opportunities for students by providing access to modern facilities for practical experiments, investigations, and hands-on scientific learning.These experiences will deepen students’ understanding of scientific concepts while improving academic performance and fostering critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.Speaking at the event, embassy official al-Mahmoud described education as the foundation of national progress and characterised the project as an investment in future generations.He encouraged students to make full use of the new facilities, praised Qatar Charity’s contributions, and reaffirmed the strong partnership between Qatar and Sri Lanka in education, human development, and prosperity.Governor Yusoof expressed appreciation to the QC and the people of Qatar for their continued support of educational development in Sri Lanka.He emphasised that investing in education is an investment in the future of the nation.Meanwhile, lawmaker Pathmakumara stressed the importance of unity and collective development, noting that initiatives of this nature strengthen both educational institutions and friendship between nations.

Qatar has categorically denied claims that it is detaining Iranian pilots, saying the airmen died after their aircraft violated Qatari airspace and that its search and rescue teams recovered the remains of one of them.In a post on X, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson HE Dr Majed al-Ansari said Qatar was surprised the claims had surfaced at this particular moment, amid diplomatic efforts and initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region.Contact was established with the pilots concerned after they violated Qatari airspace and after the trajectory of the targeting had been confirmed, he said. Rules of engagement were followed and attempts made to communicate with them, but no response was received. The necessary measures were then taken to defend Qatari territory in accordance with international law, a sequence, he added, that was set out at the time through official channels.Qatar's search and rescue teams, which he described as possessing world-class expertise and capabilities, carried out their duties to the fullest in searching for the remains of the pilots.Qatar subsequently contacted the Iranian side to co-ordinate the handover of the remains of one pilot who had been found, in line with the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law.Qatar also invited an Iranian team to visit the country in April to be briefed on the details of the search and rescue operations. The Iranian side has yet to respond to that invitation, al-Ansari said.

Qatar Post has taken a decisive step in its digital transformation strategy by partnering with India Post and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) to launch a new remittance service, enabling near real-time transfers from Doha to India. The initiative, unveiled during celebrations of India’s 80th Independence Day in Qatar yesterday, is expected to reshape the remittance market by offering institutional trust and competitive value to thousands of Indian workers and their families, according to Sandeep Kumar, chargé d'affaires of the Indian embassy in Doha.Addressing key dignitaries and officials during the India Utsav 2026 celebrations at LuLu Hypermarket Al Gharrafa, Kumar explained that the service enables customers in Qatar to send money transfers to beneficiaries in India via the ‘PosTransfer’ service powered by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Kumar further pointed out that the service integrates the UPI with the trusted networks of both postal systems, noting that customers can remit between QR10 and QR4,000 at a nominal fee, with funds credited almost instantly to UPI linked accounts in India.Kumar noted that with more than 800,000 Indians residing in Qatar, establishing a credible remittance channel “makes strong commercial sense.” He continued to explain that while other exchange systems exist, the postal partnership adds institutional reliability, particularly for low income workers who depend on secure and transparent transfers.He emphasised that credibility and reliability are the strongest features of the mechanism. For workers in the Industrial Area who may lack access to mobile banking, the ability to transact in cash or card at a Qatar Post branch provides a secure alternative, he stated.According to Kumar, the system is fully integrated with UPI IDs, ensuring recipients in India receive SMS notifications without needing to visit a post office.Kumar also pointed out that exchange rates are managed transparently by state institutions, ensuring competitive value for senders and recipients alike. He described the initiative as a welcome step that reflects the strength of bilateral ties and a shared commitment to financial inclusion.He noted that the launch of the new initiative on India’s Independence Day added symbolic weight to the occasion, reinforcing the role of financial services in deepening economic and social connections between Qatar and India.Mohammed Zayed and Shenfeer Kalliyath of Qatar Post said the partnership strengthens the institution’s digital transformation strategy while addressing the needs of the large Indian community in Qatar. Kalliyath highlighted that India Post’s extensive nationwide network adds value, particularly for workers from lower income backgrounds and remote regions. Zayed added that he will propose branch expansion in the Industrial Area to ensure accessibility for resident workers and communities that rely heavily on remittances.State-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that the launch of the service comes within the framework of Qatar Post's efforts to develop its service system and expand the scope of financial solutions it offers, keeping pace with customer needs and the rapid developments witnessed in the postal and financial services sector.“Furthermore, the cooperation with India Post and UPU reflects the importance of international partnerships in developing postal and financial services and expanding their scope. “This falls under Qatar Post's strategy to leverage global expertise and postal networks to provide practical and reliable solutions that serve customers, strengthen the ties between Qatar and India, and facilitate money transfers for Indian expatriates residing in the country,” QNA added.