News
Controversial Batticaloa Campus can reapply for registration:
Higher Education Ministry
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The administrators of the controversial Batticaloa Campus could reapply for registration with the Ministry of Higher Education although its previous application was rejected on April 05, 2019 as the evaluation committee was not convinced of the institution’s financial viability, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks, was informed on Thursday.
Testifying before the PCoI, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education Kamal Rohitha Uduwawala said that the applicants had not revealed that they had received foreign funds amounting to Rs. 5 billion. It had been revealed only after the Easter Sunday attacks during an inquiry by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education and Human Resources Development, Uduwawala said.
“These funds have come as soft loans and the Ministry received these details in June 2019,” the witness said.
Uduwawala said that former Eastern Province Governor M. L. A. M. Hizubullah, his son and other officials had participated at the meetings held by the Ministry of Higher Education over the application.
The witness also told the PCoI that the Jamiah Naleemiah Islamic Institute, Beruwala had not been registered under the Higher Education Ministry as a degree awarding institution.
“According to the registration criteria to provide a local degree, the institution has to conduct at least one programme related to Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. We called this the STEM concept. But the Jamiah Naleemiah Islamic Institute has Bachelor of Arts and Islamic studies degree programmes.”
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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