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Controversy over C’bo Uni. Chancellor’s SUV: Higher Education Ministry, UGC won’t intervene – Dr. Raghavan

Published

4 years ago

2022/10/20

Sahan Weerasooriya

… Puttalam District lawmaker original owner

By Shamindra Ferdinando

State Higher Education Minister Dr. Suren Raghavan yesterday (19) said the Higher Education Ministry, and the University Grants Commission (UGC), wouldn’t get involved in the ongoing issue pertaining to the sale of SUV by Chancellor of the Colombo University Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda, the chief incumbent of the Abhayarama temple.

Dr. Raghavan emphasised that as it was a private matter there was no need for them to intervene. The SLPP National List MP said so in response to The Island query whether the Ministry would inquire into the allegations regarding the sale of a V-8 by the Chancellor.

Ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed Ven. Ananda as Chancellor, last November.

Declaring his commitment to what he called total independence of Universities, the State Minister questioned the current process in selecting Vice Chancellors. The SLPP National List MP said: “I stand for the total independence of all universities, including the selection of their Vice Chancellors. Presidents do not need to appoint them.”

Responding to another query, Dr. Raghavan said that if anyone believed the Ven. Thera had violated the law, that party should move Court.

Chairman, UGC, Prof. Sampath Amaratunga said that the President exercised the power to appoint Chancellors of Universities. Therefore, in his capacity as the Chairman, UGC, he couldn’t comment on the issue at hand.

A simmering controversy erupted over the Ven. Thera’s SUV, after former JVP MP Wasantha Samarasinghe alleged that Thilini Priyamali, proprietor of Thico Group of Companies now in remand custody, in connection with the misappropriation of large sums of money, stole the V-8, used by the Ven. Thera.

Having cleared Thilini Priyamali of stealing the vehicle, Ven. Ananda has revealed that he had lodged a complaint with the police alleging that Colombo Municipal Council member, Priyanka Jayasekera (SLPP), sold the vehicle, on his behalf, but didn’t hand over the proceeds.

At a hastily called media briefing, Councillor Jayasekera contradicted Ven. Thera. Jayasekera said that she sold the V-8, with the blessings of the Ven. Thera, to cover losses, amounting to Rs. 50 mn ,incurred by her, having invested on an enterprise, as requested by the monk. Jayasekera is on record as having said that she provided a Mercedes Benz, belonging to her, to the Ven. Thera, after the sale of the V-8. She said that the V-8 hadn’t been in the name of Ven. Ananda, though the monk claimed its ownership.

The Island

asked Wasantha Samarasinghe, who now heads a trade union collective, led by the JVP, whether he still stood by his original claim that the alleged fraudster Priyamali stole the vehicle, the former lawmaker said that he would respond to the query, after having studied the developments.

Rohan Laksiri, Secretary, Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA), said that as they hadn’t discussed the Chancellor’s issue yet, a statement couldn’t be issued. “We’ll do so once consensus was reached on this matter,” Laksiri said.

Responding to Councillor Jayasekera, Ven. Thera told the media that he decided to sell the V-8 after a philanthropist, based in Japan, offered him another vehicle. Ven. Ananda said that he abandoned the plan as he couldn’t get the heavy tax, on the car, waived off.

Ven. Ananda told The Island yesterday that since 2017 he was the legitimate owner of the V-8, which originally belonged to a Puttalam District Muslim MP. The monk said that he didn’t want to discuss this issue, over the phone, though he was willing to show the documents, in his hands, which proved the accusations wrong.

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Pakistan High Commissioner pays courtsey call on PM

Published

19 mins ago

2026/05/2

Priyan

High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer met with the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on 30th April

Welcoming the High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister expressed sincere appreciation for the continued support and cooperation extended by the Government of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, particularly the assistance provided following the Ditwah Cyclone.

Both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which are founded on mutual respect, friendship, and shared interests.

The meeting also focused on the importance of further strengthening collaboration in key sectors such as education, tourism, and sports, with a view to enhancing people-to-people ties and creating new opportunities for cooperation reiterating Sri Lanka’s commitment to deepening bilateral engagement.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Ms. Zunaira Latif, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka pays farewll call on PM

Published

27 mins ago

2026/05/2

Priyan

The Ambassador of Nepal to SriLanka, Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday (30th of April) at Temple Trees.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed sincere appreciation for the dedicated service and valuable contributions towards strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal during the tenure of Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali.

Both parties reaffirmed the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, which are based on shared cultural, religious, and historical linkages. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further deepening bilateral relations with Nepal and enhancing cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

Published

36 mins ago

2026/05/2

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 01 May 2026, valid for 02 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

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 the 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.