News
Is expansion of BRICS the beginning of a new world order?
18th Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration
By Dr. Sashi Tharoor
The 18th Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration will be delivered at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, October 31, at the BMICH by Dr Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram, India, bestselling author of 24 books, former Under Secretary – General of the United Nations and a former Minister of State for Human Resource Development and for External Affairs in the Government of India.
His topic will be “Is expansion of BRICS the beginning of a new world order?”
The Annual Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration, being a premier annual event of the University of Colombo is hosted for the 18th consecutive year by the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo, in memory of its illustrious Past President the late Mrs. Sujata Jayawardena who rendered immense service to the University of Colombo.
Speaking on the Oration, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo Senior Professor H.D. Karunaratne said We look forward to the 18th Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration to be delivered by the World Renowned Dr. Sashi Tharoor on a subject which would undoubtedly be a topic of great interest during these evolving times.
University of Colombo Alumni President J.M.S. Bandara said that the Association was honoured to have Dr. Sashi Tharoor as the Orator to speak on a topic which is most pertinent to the Region and Sri Lanka given its special geographical setting.
Past Orators have been Prof. Chandra Wickramasinghe, Jayantha Dhanapala, Robert O. Blake Jr., Judge C.G. Weeramantry, Vidyajothi Prof. Arjuna Aluwihare, Lalith Weeratunga, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, Prof. Sudarshan Seneviratne, Emeritus Prof. Carlo Fonseka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Chinese Ambassador H.E. Yi Xianliang, Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Tony Weerasinghe, Prof. Neelika Malavige and Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy.
This Oration is organised with the support of the Alumni Corporate Partners LOLC Group and Akbar Brothers Group, and Event Sponsors Multiform Chemicals (Pvt.) Ltd and the Marlbo Trading Company.
All those interested in participating at this year’s Oration are requested to connect with the Alumni Association by E-mailing sjoration2023@gmail.com no later than 20th October 2023.
Only a limited number of invitations are available, and therefore registrations will be on a first come first served basis. If it is an Alumni requesting Invitations, do indicate the same in your request. All Alumni of the University of Colombo are Associate Members of the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
-
Features6 days agoRuGoesWild: Taking science into the wild — and into the hearts of Sri Lankans
-
News6 days agoOrders under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruptions Act No. 9 of 2023 for concurrence of parliament
-
Features7 days agoNew species of Bronzeback snake, discovered in Sri Lanka
-
News5 days agoProf. Rambukwella passes away
-
Business23 hours agoPick My Pet wins Best Pet Boarding and Grooming Facilitator award
-
News7 days agoPhoto of Sacred tooth relic: CID launches probe
-
Opinion6 days agoSri Lanka’s Foreign Policy amid Geopolitical Transformations: 1990-2024 – Part IX
-
Features7 days agoSri Lanka’s Foreign Policy amid Geopolitical Transformations: 1990-2024 – Part VIII