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Crisis in education sector: Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians offers to help govt. overcome challenges

Published

4 years ago

2022/07/1

The Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians (SLCP) has offered to join hands with the Ministry of Education and the government to overcome the challenges in the education sector amidst the ongoing political-economic-social crisis. The outfit declared a tangible action plan was required to address the issues at hand.

The following is the text of the statement issued by SLCP President Prof. Guwani Liyanage: “Sri Lanka as a country has always been held in the highest esteem due to its high literacy indices in comparison to other countries in the region. However, the past three years have been a challenge to all sectors and especially so for education of children and young people.

The COVID-19 outbreak had brought fear, anxiety, and above all maximal stress worldwide. Institution of health safety measures and lockdowns, which were a novelty to us all, made physical contact an impossible task except in dire circumstances related to health. The schools were closed initially and with the use of current technology, online teaching commenced, based on the available facilities of each region. According to a study, most of the children had received some level of education, even though quite understandably, children of lower and middle-income families have had to utilise the facilities only within their reach, as a substitute for face-to-face teaching. The usage of social media like WhatsApp to deliver education material had been successful to a certain extent. Two major examinations like GCE O/L and GCE A/L were held, albeit following a delay in proportion to the challenging circumstances.

As the country was about to see some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of COVID-19, and with the schools reopening and adapting to the new normal, a new challenge emerged for our country with the worst economic crisis ever to be faced in the post-independence era. With the scarcity of fuel, transport has become the worst affected, with both the teachers and children facing difficulties in attending school. Further to this, the schools were closed on several occasions due to a lack of modes to commute for school attendees, adding to the unfortunate woes that were seen as sequelae of the pandemic.

Online education, the silver lining of the gloomy cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic, has the potential to be the solution until the country overcomes this challenging series of adversities. Undoubtedly, online education has its disadvantages, but given the limited number and modes of the substitutes available to provide uninterrupted education, online education may serve the purpose. Proper guidance and supervision with organisational support will avoid unwanted missed days of school.

Strategic planning to continue education uninterruptedly will be the best investment the country can make for centuries. Most of the teachers including those even in the most rural sectors are quite conversant with the online learning platforms and hence supporting this good cause would be a less tedious course. The policymakers would appreciate the pros and cons of each type of education at different institutions, as more transport issues are likely to prevail in urban communities, where technology is likely to be at its best when compared to rural communities. Hence, tailor-made methods for each should provide sustainable delivery of education to our children, the future jewels of our nation.

We, at the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, are willing to join hands with the Ministry of Education and the government in this tedious task to overcome the challenges likely to be faced in delivering this educational service which will affect several generations to come. As the premier professional academic organisation concerned with child healthcare, representing academics and clinicians responsible for the health of the future generations, we believe that we truly need to initiate and support the uninterrupted delivery of education to the children of our land. While appreciating the hard work done by the teachers in attending to this tremendously challenging task, we would like to reemphasise the importance of their role in this endeavour. We do pledge to support very strongly, all efforts that would be made by the relevant authorities in the required initiatives.

We should all join hands and stand together to mitigate this worst social dilemma that has engulfed us as the material scarcities may only cause wounds that heal, but the adversities faced by our children are most likely to leave scars for a lifetime to come.”

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Progress reviewed on the implementation of the circular issued to curb the Dengue Epidemic threat

Published

2 mins ago

2026/07/4

Priyan

A progress review meeting on the implementation of the circular issued to address the prevailing dengue epidemic threat was held this afternoon (03) at the Presidential Secretariat under the chairmanship of Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The discussion examined the progress of programmes implemented by all State institutions in accordance with the circular issued on 23 June 2026 on dengue prevention, as well as measures taken thus far to control the current dengue situation and the plans and strategies to be pursued in the future.

Attention was also focused on sustainable solutions that could be adopted through greater coordination among all State institutions to prevent the spread of dengue in high-risk areas, while discussions were held on further intensifying fumigation activities in such locations.

The meeting further reviewed the action taken in response to information received by the Dengue Control Operations Centre.

Pointing out that high-risk areas could only be freed from dengue through innovative approaches that move beyond conventional methods, the President’s Secretary stressed that controlling the disease could not be achieved by the Government alone and that the public also bore a significant responsibility in this regard.

The importance of strengthening the contribution of Public Health Inspectors, continuing household cleaning initiatives on a sustained basis, and implementing programmes based on accurate data to eliminate high-risk zones was also emphasised.

Those present at the meeting included Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr Anil Jasinghe; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu; Additional Secretary to the President (Clean Sri Lanka) Engineer S. P. C. Sugeeshwara; Additional Secretary (Provincial Councils and Local Government) M. Kodippiliarachchi; Director of the National Dengue Control Unit Dr Kapila Kannangara; Additional Director General (Information Technology and Media) P. G. I. Gamage; Director (Social Affairs) Kapila Senarath; Director (Volunteer Services) H. P. S. Shantha; officials of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat; heads of the health sector; public officials; senior representatives of the security forces; and several others.

President’s Media Division (PMD)

News

UNEP support pledged to strengthen Sri Lanka’s Environmental Priorities

Published

17 hours ago

2026/07/3

Priyan

A special bilateral discussion was held on Thursday (02) morning at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand, between the Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody, and regional representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The discussion began with an appreciation of the long-standing relationship between Sri Lanka and UNEP, particularly highlighting Sri Lanka’s role as a UNEA 8 Bureau member and a key partner in Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects. The meeting focused extensively on securing UNEP’s technical
and financial support to advance several of Sri Lanka’s national environmental priorities.

During the meeting, the Deputy Minister expressed Sri Lanka’s gratitude for the guidance provided by UNEP throughout the adoption process of the UNEA Youth Resolution. He outlined the national program currently being designed in Sri Lanka in alignment with the resolution. Under this initiative, attention was drawn to securing UNEP’s technical assistance, capacity-building support, and access to global funding mechanisms.

These resources will be utilized to formulate a “National
Environmental Literacy Index” to assess the environmental awareness of youth, establish “Youth Environmental Committees” spanning from the national to grassroots levels, set up university youth forums, and implement environmental promotion programs driven through sports

In addition, Sri Lanka requested UNEP’s assistance in upgrading its national air quality monitoring systems, enhancing data analysis, and developing policy guidelines.

The Deputy Minister also sought policy advisory services on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), technical expertise in plastic waste lifecycle management, and support for pilot projects aimed at minimizing single-use plastics and transitioning toward a circular economy.

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister noted that measures have been taken in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport to expedite sustainable e-mobility projects. He added that Sri Lanka anticipates UNEP’s support for the “Sustainable Cities Integrated Programme” under the country’s GEF 9 national
strategies. Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s active commitment to regional initiatives that foster environmental knowledge sharing among South Asian nations, it is expected that UNEP’s technical intervention during the upcoming GEF 9 financial cycle will continue to support Sri Lanka’s journey toward environmental resilience.

News

CIABOC to question Harak Kata on Rs. 200 mn bribery allegation

Published

23 hours ago

2026/07/3

Thilina Walpola

Nadun Chintaka (Harak Kata)

He is the only detainee at old Tangalle prison

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) probing bribery allegations pertaining to the recent arrest of attorney-at-law Rakitha Rajapakshe, former SJB Horana organiser Charitha Abeysinghe and another person is expected to question drug dealer Nadun Chintaka Wickremaratne alias Harak Kata being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The CIABOC arrested Rakitha and Charitha Kumara Wasantha Abeysinghe and former Director of Airport and Aviation Services Warushahanndige Aruna Sri Chathuranga on 25 June over the Rs 200 mn bribery allegation. Produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate court on the same day, they were remanded until 3 July.

Sources familiar with the case told The Island that Wickremaratne arrested in Madagascar on 1 March 2023 was brought to Sri Lanka on 14 March 2023, and after preliminary investigations he was detained at the old Tangalle prison. Wickremeratne has been accused of running a major narcotics smuggling operation.

Wickremaratne’s lawyer Udul Premaratne, having visited Wickremeratne, sought the intervention of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to ensure the latter’s safety.

As many as 90 police (terrorist Investigation Department) and the Special Task Force (STF) have been assigned to the Tangalle old prison where Wickremaratne remains the sole detainee.

The CIABOC, in a statement posted in Sinhala on its website on 25 June said that arrested persons received the money after having initially asked for Rs 500 mn and then reduced it to Rs 200 mn. The Rs 120 mn allegedly received has been described as an advance.

Sources said investigators would question Wickremaratne over his wife’s claim that she had paid Rs. 120 million.

In terms of the PTA, the detention orders can be issued only by the Defence Minister. At the time Wickremaratne was brought to Colombo, Ranil Wickremesinghe held the defence portfolio. According to legal sources, when the President also held the defence portfolio, the responsibility for issuing the detention orders was relegated to the Defence Secretary.

Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratne who served as the Defence Secretary during that period.

Sources said that Wickremaratne’s wife was yet to come back and his parents and a brother were believed to be the only visitors except for lawyers. One of the crucial issues was how Wickremaratne had communicated with his wife living abroad, sources said.

By Shamindra Ferdinando