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Free EducationUSA University Fair 2025: Helping Lankan students begin their US education journey
The US.Embassy in Sri Lanka, in partnership with the US-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission announced that EducationUSA, the US government’s official source of information on US higher education, will host a US university fair in Colombo, Galle, and Matara from 20-22 March, 2025. Students seeking admission in undergraduate, post-graduate, and doctorate programmes will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from nine accredited universities and colleges from across the United States.
Students, parents, and school administrators are all encouraged to attend. There is no participation fee, but registration is required. For more details and for registration, please visit:
bit.ly/EducationUSARoadshow2025.
US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said: “American universities are unmatched – leading the world in technology, innovation and groundbreaking research. Our campuses are homes to the brightest minds and cutting-edge labs that shape the future. To the students in Sri Lanka: come study in the United States where top talent and innovators are cultivated, and our universities drive discovery. We were thrilled to see a 10 percent increase in the number of Sri Lankan students enrolled in US colleges and universities for the 2023-2024 academic year, and we look forward to seeing even more growth in the future. EducationUSA’s upcoming fair helps Sri Lankan students start this journey toward studying in the US, paving the way for connections that will contribute to a stronger, safer, and more prosperous future for both America and Sri Lanka.”
The discussions with US universities and the EducationUSA adviser will provide valuable resources, covering academic programmes, admission procedures, scholarships, and financial aid. These sessions aim to help students make informed decisions about US higher education and offer a deeper understanding of studying and living in the United States. Staff from the US-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission will explain scholarship opportunities available to Sri Lankan citizens.
Schedule of EducationUSA 2025 Fairs: March 20 at the Winchester Room, Kingsbury Hotel, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, March 21 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galle, from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM and March 22 at the University of Ruhuna, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Dr. Patrick McNamara, Executive Director of the US-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, highlighted the importance of strengthening the educational ties between Sri Lanka and the United States: “We are delighted to welcome these top US universities to Sri Lanka. Their representatives will connect directly with students and encourage them to explore further study opportunities in the USA which strengthens our binational collaboration and shared commitment to higher education.”
EducationUSA provides free counselling services to prospective students in Sri Lanka who wish to pursue higher education in the United States and is an integral part of the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, an autonomous, bi-national organization established in 1952. Over the past seven decades, the Fulbright Commission has facilitated educational exchanges for more than 2,000 Sri Lankans and Americans, fostering mutual understanding between the two countries. EducationUSA is a global network operated by the US Department of State, consisting of over 430 international student advising centres across more than 175 countries. In Sri Lanka, EducationUSA, operating under the US-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, offers guidance through the EducationUSA Adviser, who helps individuals navigate the application process for over 4,000 accredited American institutions and plan their educational journey. It is the sole official source of information on US higher education in Sri Lanka.
by Saman Indrajith
TheBatalanda Presidential Co-mission report was tabled in Parliament yesterday (14) by the Leader of the House and Transport Minister, Bimal Ratnayake.
Minister Ratnayake announced that the government has decided to forward the report to the Attorney General for legal advice. Additionally, a Presidential Committee will be appointed to provide guidance and recommendations on how to proceed with the findings of the report.
Ratnayake said that the Cabinet-of-Ministers, along with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has made a policy decision to take necessary action in response to the report. He reassured the public that steps are being taken to ensure that such a dark chapter in the country’s history is never repeated.
Minister Ratnayake said that a two-day debate on the Batalanda Commission report will be scheduled in Parliament at an appropriate time, allowing for a detailed discussion on the report’s findings and recommendations.
The report, which will be printed in all three official languages—Sinhala, Tamil, and English—will be made available to the public in the near future. Ratnayake confirmed that printed copies would be provided to Members of Parliament, as well as the general public, for review.
The Leader of the House revealed that there are 28 evidence volumes associated with the Commission’s work, which will be submitted to Parliament at a later date for further scrutiny.
Ratnayake said that as the entire country is concerned about the findings of the Batalanda Commission, the government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised, and preventing future atrocities, stands clear. The next steps, including legal action and policy recommendations, will be shaped by expert advice and informed parliamentary discussions, he said.
The Parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has found that there were fake documents regarding the importing of medicines under the emergency procurement system in 2022 and 2023.
This was revealed during a COPE meeting held at Parliament probing the transactions of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
NMRA CEO Saveen Semage told the Committee that several fake documents have been found due to the lack of registration of medicines.
Stating that six such fake documents were found last year alone, Saveen Semage said he had recorded statements regarding each of the documents with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division.
He revealed that, however, no investigations have been conducted yet into the incidents.
“We have documents with confessions from a woman accepting that fake documents had been made. However, a statement has not even been recorded from that woman yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, COPE member MP Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana also revealed that the highest number of waive-off registrations (WOR) for medicines had been obtained in 2022 and 2023.
He said 656 waive-off registrations (WOR) had been obtained in 2022 and 261 in 2023, adding that this proves that discrepancies have taken place during the emergency procurement of medicines during these periods.
Furthermore, Deputy Director General of the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry, Dr. G. Wijesuriya, said discussions are underway on allowing the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) to directly import essential medicines.He pointed out that it was essential to take a policy decision in this regard as a solution to mitigate such discrepancies.
by Norman Palihawadane
Department of Prisons’ Media Spokesperson, Gamini Dissanayake said yesterday that retired Superintendent of the high security Boossa Prison, Siridath Dhammika, who was tragically gunned down at Thalagaha, in Akmeemana, on Thursday (13), had been provided with a firearm for his protection during his tenure, considering the potential threat to his life.
Dissanayake said that during his service period, he had received threats from certain individuals.
Furthermore, the Prison Department stated that during his service, there were no significant issues or shortcomings found in his personal records.
Dissanayake said that the majority of detainees at the Boossa Prison are individuals linked to organized crimes.
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