News
SL Embassy holds cultural awareness programme in Tehran
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Iran with the support of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, organised an educational and cultural exchange awareness programme at the Chancery premises, in Tehran, on 21 Sept.The Lankan Embassy in Tehran said that around 45 representatives from universities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, higher education institutes, media and other line agencies in Iran were in attendance. The objective of the programme was to create a platform to share the educational and cultural information and exchange available opportunities in the respective fields between Sri Lanka and Iran.
Delivering the opening remarks, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Iran, G.M.V. Vishwanath Aponsu welcomed the distinguished participants and appreciated their interest to join hands with the Embassy in strengthening the educational and cultural relations between Sri Lanka and Iran. While highlighting the available opportunities in the fields of education and culture in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador emphasized the need for more awareness programmes among the students, scholars, academics and non-academics of the two countries.
Deputy Registrar Commander H.B.H. Deeshana delivered a virtual presentation giving an overview of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University including degree programmes, eligibility criteria, application procedure, course duration, enlistment of foreign students and officer cadets and other relevant details. He stated that under the academic exchange programme of the University, foreign students have the opportunity to apply for scholarships in degree programmes apart from payable courses.
Vice Dean of International Affairs of the Tehran University Prof. Roodabeh Bahramsoltani made a comprehensive presentation on “School of Persian Medicine” underlining the opportunities and prospects available for foreign students in medicine and pharmaceutical sectors in recognized Universities in Iran. Further, she emphasized the need to continue awareness programmes to build networks and partnerships in order to expand higher educational sector cooperation between Iran and Sri Lanka.
Representing academia, several Iranian scholars stated that they will share the information of the available degree programmes of the Defence University among the universities, high schools and other higher education institutes in Iran enabling interested students to follow suitable degree programmes in Sri Lanka. In response, the Sri Lankan envoy appreciated their genuine interest and looked forward to their continued cooperation.
Further, he stated that the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tehran is always ready to facilitate students who wish to enroll in their preferred degree programmes in higher education institutions in both Sri Lanka and Iran. Expert of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran Mohomad Deldari thanked the Ambassador and the staff for organizing the programme and assured the fullest support of the Government of Iran.Dr. Zameer Careem, a scholar of the University of Colombo was the guest speaker of the awareness programme who focused on “Sri Lanka-Iran Relations” and covered all areas of cooperation in historical perspective.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).
‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’
Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.
Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.
‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.
Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.
Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.
Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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