News
Medical Specialists urge govt. to defer enactment of KDU Bill to allow time for adequate consultation
The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) yesterday called on the government to defer the enactment of the proposed Kotelawala Defence University Bill, providing an opportunity for adequate consultations from all the relevant stakeholders.
The AMS has, in a media statement ‘Proposed KNDU Bill – more questions than answers’ signed by AMS President Dr. Lakkumar Fernando and AMS General Secretary Dr. R. Gnanasekeram, requested the government not to repeat the same mistakes as predecessors who set up the North Colombo Medical College (NCMC) and SAITM.
Full text of the AMS statement: “As a responsible professional trade union of medical specialists who are concerned about the higher education in general and the QUALITY medical education in particular in our country, we would like to put forward following observations about the much-talked about proposed KNDU bill.
1. KDU is no more a “university established for a specific purpose” (mainly for military recruits) as it has day scholars following wide variety of courses for a fee. Further, the proposed KNDU bill gives powers to recruit “other persons” to KDU with no clear definition of who these other persons are.
2. Since the KDU is funded by the government (even though under different ministry) apparently with huge amount of tax payers’ money, we believe that the QUALITY of their courses (entry, process and exit) should be on par with UGC standards and other guidelines stipulated by relevant regulatory bodies.
3. By giving legal powers to recognize and affiliate other institutions to KDU under this proposed bill, we are going to establish another parallel institution to UGC in our country, funded by the tax payers’ money.
4. With more civilians planning to be recruited to this institution under “other persons “category, majority of the students here eventually will be civilians. Under these circumstances, we feel that the main governing body of this university should have majority of civilian educationists than military hierarchy who could well be political appointees.
5. If the KDU is empowered to recognize courses conducted by outside institutions to the conferment of their own degrees for civilians without the approval of the UGC, it can create an alternative pathway to civilian population to skip the standards of UGC which will undermine the purpose of the whole universities Act and the UGC.
6. If the UGC is given the authority to scrutinize the courses exclusively offered to the military as announced recently, it can undermine the confidentiality of the sensitive military sciences.
7. The role of the regulators of professional courses (eg: Sri Lanka Medical council) will unfairly be undermined leading to passing out of substandard medical and other professionals. It is pertinent to mention here that the minimum standards of medical education were enacted by the present government after a long delay which gave the necessary legal framework for the SLMC to regulate medical education. Hence, any regulation which can possibly by pass these standards will be detrimental to the medical education in Sri Lanka.
On principle, the AMS is not against QUALITY fee levying medical education in our country, if it is regulated and monitored by the UGC and the Sri Lanka Medical Council. However, lack of proper process and transparency will prevent the establishment of such fee levying institutions in Sri Lanka.
After careful consideration of above issues in the proposed bill, we would like to request the government to defer the enactment of this bill till we get the opportunity for adequate consultations from all the relevant stakeholders.
Further, we earnestly request the President and the government not to repeat the same historical mistakes our rulers did in the case of NCMC and SAITM, a few years back. It’s the responsibility of all of us to establish and protect QUALITY university education in our country.”
SLNS Samudura on 27 Apr 25 set sail from the Port of Colombo to Changi, Singapore to join the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2025, Asia Pacific’s leading naval and maritime defence event.
The vessel was ceremoniously sent off from Colombo, following traditional naval customs.
IMDEX Asia 2025 is set to take place from 05 to 08 May 25 featuring cutting-edge advancements in naval technology and the event will conclude with a special warship display.
The 9th International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) will take place alongside the exhibition, featuring high-level discussions on evolving maritime security challenges in an era of geopolitical uncertainties.
Naval forces and maritime representatives from multiple nations are set to take part in the upcoming IMDEX Asia 2025 and IMSC. Taking part in this nature of naval and maritime defence events would open new avenues to the Sri Lanka Navy to build inter-operability with regional and extra-regional partners, exchange best practices and procedures in maritime operations and identify new challenges in maritime domain.
News
The NPP government has removed the political protection given for corruption and crime in the past – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the current government has removed the political protection that existed for corruption and crime for the past seventy-five years.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held on Sunday (27) in Suriyawewa, Hungama, and Tangalle in the Hambantota District.
Addressing the gatherings, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“We have ended the political protection that existed for seventy-five years providing shelter for corruption and crime. There no longer exists any protection for those public-hostile acts of corruption and crime. When we first started this, there were groups within the public service and even within the security forces who were scared and unsettled. All of this was carried out with political protection. Such political protection does not exist now and what you see is the effort to uncover and clean up the remnants.
One of the most notable incidents in this regard is the arrest of former Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and the actions taken against him thereafter. Have you ever heard of an Inspector General of Police being arrested before? A parliamentary tripartite committee has also been appointed regarding this. Even those who were previously protected by the system are now feeling fear.
Former Cabinet Minister and ruling party member Pillayan has also been taken into custody. There, too, I witnessed rather absurd situations. According to members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), it was Pillayan who won the war. However, he was arrested in connection with the disappearance of a university vice-chancellor.
It has been reported that the Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha is charging a market tax. If taxes or fees are collected, it must transfer into a service or facility for the people. The current method violates tax policy. A contract has been given to collect these taxes, meaning the money is being collected by a third party. If the taxes collected were genuinely used for the maintenance of the market complex, it should be in excellent condition.
The income of the Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha amounts to 110 million rupees. If that money had been properly used for the Pradeshiya Sabha, today it would be in the best condition. The fact that it indicates that the money has ended up in someone else’s hands.
Despite instructions not to collect money in schools, we continue to receive complaints that it is still happening. We are taking necessary actions to address this matter. However, there are currently insufficient investigative officers to conduct thorough investigations. We are working to strengthen the investigative units within the ministries.
Through the approved budget, we have allocated a large amount of funds for rural development including rural infrastructure, rural economy, and especially to create self-employment opportunities for women and youth, as well as to build clean villages.
The government has now stabilized the economy. The next goal is to increase income and push the economy toward a growth trajectory.”
Prime Minister further noted that the government has been in power for only six months so far and that it will continue working to correct all these issues in the future.
The event was attended by the members of Parliament Saliya Sandaruwan and Athula Weladagoda, along with a large number of candidates and local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 27 April 2025, valid for 28 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 Mullaitivu and Vavuniya 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.
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