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COVID-19 exacerbates inequalities in education

Published

5 years ago

2020/11/19

By Saman Indrajith

COVID-19 had exacerbated inequalities in education because for many low-income students online courses were a poor substitute for in-person learning, Parliament was told yesterday.

Galle District SJB MP Gayantha Karunathilake said that not all students had access to online education that had being introduced by the government as a solution to disruptions to education caused by the pandemic control measures. “During the times of our government we tried to give every student a tablet computer, but that did not happen due to political problems. Now, some students do not have access to online education. Some have no Internet; some have no devices; some have no data and some have no mobile phone connections.

“In families where there are two or three children, how could their parents buy a phone each for them? This is not practically possible. At this rate, online education will be the final nail on the coffin of free education. This clearly creates a widening gulf between the rich and the poor. We appreciate the efforts of teachers engaged in virtual teaching. But will the government put in place mechanism to enable all student to benefit from online education? Despite these disparities, all children will have to sit the same examinations. We call upon the government to solve this problem.”

State Minister of Education Piyal Nishantha de Silva admitted that there were some issues pertaining to the closure of schools and introducing online education which is still new to this country. “We have already identified these issues. Discussions have been held. Even now at this moment Education Minister Prof GL Peiris is at the Presidential Secretariat attending a meeting to decide when to reopen schools. In this regard, The matters are being addressed and we hope we can find a solution.”

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INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo

Published

20 mins ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts

Published

3 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

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.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities

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Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).

The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.

Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:

01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)

02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)

03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)

04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See

05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan

06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait

Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.