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Peradeniya University initiates Endowed Professorship Scheme
The University of Peradeniya has launched an Endowed Professorship scheme, a first for Sri Lanka.
At the 30th iPURSE research conference at Peradeniya concluded recently, the University initiated the Endowed Professorship scheme. The Professor Lakshman Samaranayake, a Professor Emeritus from the University of Hong Kong and an esteemed alumnus of the University’s Faculty of Dental Sciences, donated five million rupees from his personal funds for the scheme.
Although relatively unfamiliar in Sri Lanka, endowed professorships are a revered tradition in prestigious universities worldwide, such as Harvard University in the USA and the University of Oxford in the UK. Historically, these professorships date back to AD 176 with Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and in more recent times, they were established at the University of Oxford in 1505 and later at Harvard University in 1721.
Endowed professorships bring essential research funding to the University from private funds and industrialists. The endowment, typically a substantial sum of money, is invested, and the income generated is utilized to sustain a named professorship, in perpetuity.
These professorships are often established to attract and retain top faculty members by offering additional resources and recognition. The funds from the endowment can support the professor’s salary, research activities, travel expenses, and other scholarly pursuits, enhancing the institution’s reputation and prestige.
Endowed professorships also play a crucial role in ensuring stability and continuity in key academic positions by providing a reliable source of long-term funding. The title of the Endowed Professor can be named after the donor, their loved ones, or an industry leader who contributed to the professorship.
Following Professor Samaranayake’s initial donation, additional alumni generously contributed twenty million Rupees, creating an initial foundation of 25 million Rupees earmarked for the research foundation.
At the iPURSe ceremony, Professor Samaranayake said, “I hope our current efforts will grow into a robust foundation, inspiring a culture of philanthropy among philanthropists and industry leaders for the benefit of Peradeniya University and the wider Sri Lankan university landscape. Given our resource-limited environment, public funding alone cannot uphold high-calibre research, making such contributions vital in retaining our talented researchers and preventing brain drain.”
Further information on the endowed professorship scheme could be obtained from Professor Janaka Ekanayake, Director, University Research Council, University of Peradeniya.
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Our government has reaffirmed its commitment to breaking barriers that limit women’s full participation in the economy, recognizing their vital role in national development. – Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
The Prime Minister made this statement while addressing the launching the She Trades Sri Lanka Hub funded by the UK’s She Trades Commonwealth+ Program held at Galle face Hotel in Colombo on March 14 organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
While addressing the audience, the Prime minister stated, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to breaking barriers that limit women’s full participation in the economy, recognizing their vital role in national development. Emphasizing gender-inclusive policies, financial inclusion, and access to global markets, authorities are prioritizing support for women-led businesses in key sectors such as ICT, agribusiness, and engineering.
A new initiative will establish 200 women-led cooperatives, fostering supportive environments for female entrepreneurs. Additionally, efforts to strengthen childcare, elderly care, and disability services aim to reduce the burdens that limit women’s economic participation.
A dedicated platform has been launched to provide women entrepreneurs with knowledge, networking, and international trade opportunities. Strengthening public-private partnerships and expanding global market access are key strategies to create an inclusive and sustainable trade ecosystem.
By equipping women with the necessary skills, financial resources, and digital trade access, the government aims to ensure that women entrepreneurs become key drivers of economic growth, aligning with broader policies for inclusive and sustainable development.
The event was attended by Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Center, His Excellency Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Officials from the International Trade Center and the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, Chairman of the Export Development Board Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe and Officials from Export Development Board and International Trade Centre and woman Entrepreneurs.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
by Saman Indrajith
TheBatalanda Presidential Co-mission report was tabled in Parliament yesterday (14) by the Leader of the House and Transport Minister, Bimal Ratnayake.
Minister Ratnayake announced that the government has decided to forward the report to the Attorney General for legal advice. Additionally, a Presidential Committee will be appointed to provide guidance and recommendations on how to proceed with the findings of the report.
Ratnayake said that the Cabinet-of-Ministers, along with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has made a policy decision to take necessary action in response to the report. He reassured the public that steps are being taken to ensure that such a dark chapter in the country’s history is never repeated.
Minister Ratnayake said that a two-day debate on the Batalanda Commission report will be scheduled in Parliament at an appropriate time, allowing for a detailed discussion on the report’s findings and recommendations.
The report, which will be printed in all three official languages—Sinhala, Tamil, and English—will be made available to the public in the near future. Ratnayake confirmed that printed copies would be provided to Members of Parliament, as well as the general public, for review.
The Leader of the House revealed that there are 28 evidence volumes associated with the Commission’s work, which will be submitted to Parliament at a later date for further scrutiny.
Ratnayake said that as the entire country is concerned about the findings of the Batalanda Commission, the government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised, and preventing future atrocities, stands clear. The next steps, including legal action and policy recommendations, will be shaped by expert advice and informed parliamentary discussions, he said.
The Parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has found that there were fake documents regarding the importing of medicines under the emergency procurement system in 2022 and 2023.
This was revealed during a COPE meeting held at Parliament probing the transactions of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
NMRA CEO Saveen Semage told the Committee that several fake documents have been found due to the lack of registration of medicines.
Stating that six such fake documents were found last year alone, Saveen Semage said he had recorded statements regarding each of the documents with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division.
He revealed that, however, no investigations have been conducted yet into the incidents.
“We have documents with confessions from a woman accepting that fake documents had been made. However, a statement has not even been recorded from that woman yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, COPE member MP Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana also revealed that the highest number of waive-off registrations (WOR) for medicines had been obtained in 2022 and 2023.
He said 656 waive-off registrations (WOR) had been obtained in 2022 and 261 in 2023, adding that this proves that discrepancies have taken place during the emergency procurement of medicines during these periods.
Furthermore, Deputy Director General of the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry, Dr. G. Wijesuriya, said discussions are underway on allowing the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) to directly import essential medicines.He pointed out that it was essential to take a policy decision in this regard as a solution to mitigate such discrepancies.
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