News
FUTA opposes UGC decision to close universities temporarily
The Federation of University Teachers Union (FUTA) has opposed the decision of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to close the universities temporarily. It has written to the UGC, taking exception to the latter’s decision to allow Vice Chancellors to decide when to reopen universities.
Full text of the FUTA letter to the UGC Chairman:The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) is writing this in response to the University Grant Commission’s (UGC) decision to allow the Vice Chancellors of state Universities to decide whether to keep the respective universities open or close them, considering the prevailing situation in the country, and the decision of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya that followed, to temporarily discontinue all academic activities owing to the inability to sustain its programmes of study in the prevailing conditions.
We appreciate the difficulties that have arisen to students, such as the lack of adequate hostel facilities which has resulted in overcrowding, illness and poor sanitation, prohibitive food and transport costs, and poor-quality foods. We understand that these difficulties are on top of the uncertainties that the economic crisis has brought for them and their families.We would like to highlight that apart from the difficulties faced by students, staff are faced with the uncertainties brought about by the lack of transportation and, where available, the rising cost of transportation.
Furthermore, the general lack of resources required for a university to function makes keeping universities in operation practically impossible. While acknowledging the extreme challenges and difficulties outlined above, it is our belief as the main trade union of academics representing the state university system, that we need a more creative and committed response from the government to the impact of the current economic crisis on higher education.The university authorities, including the Vice Chancellors, Deans and Registrars, are in a hopeless situation as the government is not offering any kind of credible strategy or assistance to face this situation.
We would also like to highlight the fact that although every faculty in each university had to admit additional numbers of students for the last two intakes, the UGC has so far failed to provide any of the additional resources it has promised to cater for these students. This is another reason for the inability of the universities to sustain at this moment of crisis. However, the solution is not and cannot be simply shutting down the universities. Students’ education has already been severely impacted by two years of the pandemic and now with the economic catastrophe unfolding in Sri Lanka there is significant threat to the future of the entire education system in the country.
We need a system in place that would allow university staff to have transport facilities to report to work. For students in hostels to have their basic nutritional needs and other livelihood needs catered to. Without such a system, simply shutting down institutions in an ad hoc manner will lead to catastrophic breakdown in the entire education system. We ask “Where is our government? What is it doing? How can a country function in this manner?” Shutting down entire sectors of the economy and society is not the way to face this crisis. We need better answers. We need better responses. We cannot simply jeopardize the future of our youth. Therefore, the FUTA asks the university authorities and the UGC to immediately discuss the dire situation in universities with the government and convince it that education is a vital component of our society and ensure that at least a minimum of resources is allocated to ensure the functioning of the education system.
Former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was produced before the Hulftsdorp court, after being arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and produce
The U.S. Navy ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) arrived at the Port of Colombo this morning, 7 October 2026 for replenishment purposes.
The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions.
The 127.7-metre-long platform is a Littoral Combat Ship commanded by Commander BM Wanier. Commissioned on 16 February 2019, USS Tulsa has since been in service with the US Navy.
The ship previously made a port call in Sri Lanka on 27 August 2025.
Govt. tells fuel distributors to maintain stocks to ensure uninterrupted supplies
by Saman Indrajith and Norman Palihawadane
The government had instructed private fuel distributors to maintain minimum stocks and ensure uninterrupted supplies to the market, Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament yesterday (06).
Karunathilaka said the Ministry of Energy Secretary had notified the relevant companies of the requirement, following a reduction in supplies by some private distributors, amid higher international fuel prices.
The Minister said private companies had informed the government that they were facing losses because international prices had risen while fuel was being sold, locally, at prevailing prices. As a result, some companies had reduced the volumes released to the market.
The reduced supplies had increased the burden on the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), whose share of the diesel market had risen from about 54% to 82%, the Minister said.
“The CPC currently holds an 82% share of the market,” he said, adding that it had increased its supplies, compared with February, to compensate for the reduction by private distributors.
Karunathilaka said the government could not, under the existing agreements with private companies, specify the quantities they should supply to individual filling stations. However, it could require them to maintain minimum stocks in the country.
The Minister said the Energy Ministry had already instructed companies that had failed to maintain the required stocks to take steps to prevent supply disruptions.
The Minister attributed the queues reported at some filling stations to reduced supplies from private distributors, as well as normal variations in fuel distribution. He also said demand for CPC fuel had increased because private companies generally did not provide fuel to dealers on credit, while the CPC offered a three-day credit facility.
“We expect that, as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation takes on this additional burden, the problem will ease to some extent by Wednesday or Thursday,” Karunathilaka said.
He said instructions had also been issued to increase supplies to CPC filling stations. A special discussion on the issue is scheduled for today (07), with officials of the Energy Ministry and CPC expected to participate,
along with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Meanwhile, Petroleum Dealers’ Association officials have called for an early solution to the supply issue. Association Chairman D.V. Shantha Silva said queues had been reported at many filling stations, mainly those operated by private distributors.
He said the situation was not due to an overall shortage of fuel, but was linked to reduced orders by Lanka IOC, Sinopec and R.M. Parks amid concerns over losses incurred on fuel sales.
The Ceylon Petroleum Private Tanker Owners Association has urged motorists to refrain from panic buying, saying there was no nationwide disruption to fuel supplies.
The government earlier increased fuel prices and introduced a per-litre diesel subsidy following concerns raised by distributors over rising international prices.
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