News
IChemC showcases chemistry, biotech programmes at 2025 Open Day
The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon (IChemC) recently organised an open day for its 2025 intake as part of its enrollment campaign for this year.
The event was attended by President of IChemC, Prof. Janitha Liyanage, Acting Dean, Prof. Sriyanthi Deraniyagala, former Vice Chancellor of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, the senior academic, and administrative staff members of IChemC.
President, Prof. Liyanage welcomed the parents and students who attended the event with great enthusiasm, and Prof. Deraniyagala introduced the IChemC and briefed about its history and the role it has played in the development of Sri Lanka. Dr. Kushan Weerasiri, the coordinator of the enrollment campaign introduced the different degree & diploma programs that IChemC offers.
Addressing the audience, Prof. Sudantha Liyanage explained about the Sri Lanka Quality Frameworks (SLQF) and the importance of selecting an accredited degree programme in a well-recognized institute when pursuing higher education. Dr. Keerthi Attanayake, a senior lecturer of IChemC, further elaborated the value of the programmes that IChemC offers in chemistry and related fields, along with the opportunities available for chemists in Sri Lanka and overseas.
IChemC offers the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) honours in Chemical Science degree programme as an academic qualification with the recognition of University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka, and the Graduateship in Chemistry (4 year) programme as a professional qualification with the recognition of Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), UK, which is also equivalent to a degree. IChemC also conducts B.Sc. honors in Biotechnology and B.Sc. honors in Chemical Technology degrees, which are awarded by the Kursk State Medical University of Russia.
In addition, the two year Diploma in Laboratory Technology (DLT) programme is offered through the Department of Applied Sciences at IChemC focusing on three avenues; the Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), Clinical Laboratory Technology (CLT) and, Food and Materials Technology (FMT). All these diploma programmes offer the NVQ 6 qualifications to all diplomates at completion. IChemC also plans to offer a new B.Sc. honors degree program in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) with a world-class medical laboratory training, starting from the year 2026. The registrants of this year’s (2025) diploma programme will get an opportunity for a lateral entry into this new B.Sc. honors degree in MLS.
The event also included a chemistry magic show conducted by the students of IChemC, and concluded with a Q & A session regarding the enrollment. The open day was successful in providing vital knowledge about choosing the right career path, in addition to the information about different degree and diploma programs offered by IChemC. The registration for all the degree and diploma programs has now begun, and the programs are scheduled to begin in April, 2025.
The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ concluded a logistics replenishment visit to Sri Lanka and departed the Port of Colombo on 24 Jan 26.
In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship.
The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% in 2025.
It comes as tensions between the US and NATO over Greenland have added to growing concerns about financial and geopolitical uncertainty.
US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have also worried markets. On Saturday he threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it strikes a trade deal with China.
Gold and other precious metals are seen as a so-called safe-haven assets that investors buy in times of uncertainty.
Demand for gold has also been driven by a range of other factors including higher-than-usual inflation, the weak US dollar, buying by central banks around the world and as the US Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates again this year.
Wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Washington seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have also helped push up the price of gold.
On Friday, silver topped $100 an ounce for the first time, building on its almost 150% rise last year.
[BBC]
SJB Working Committee member and ex-SLPP lawmaker Charitha Herath says that all eyes are on the newly constituted Constitutional Council (CC) as to how it will handle the dispute between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the previous CC, over the appointment of Auditor General (AG).
The former parliamentarian said so in response to The Island query yesterday (25). In terms of the Constitution, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa last week agreed on the appointment of former civil servant Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne as non-MP members of the CC.
They replaced former Ministry Secretary Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, former Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne of the University of Colombo. Pointing out that they rejected the President’s nominees for the AG’s post on several occasions, Herath emphasised the pivotal importance of the appointment of a person with impeccable credentials.
The other CC members are the Prime Minister, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne (Chairman), the Opposition Leader, the President’s nominee Bimal Rathnayake and five persons appointed by the President, upon being nominated as follows: one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the MPs representing the Government (Aboobucker Athambawa, MP), one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the Members of Parliament of the political party, or independent group, to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs (Ajith P. Perera, MP), and one MP nominated by agreement of the Members of Parliament other than those representing the Government and those belonging to the political party or independent group to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and appointed by the President ( Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP.)
The present CC was established on October 31, 2022 in terms of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The Attorney General heads the National Audit Office (NAO). One-time COPE Chief said that it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure the integrity of the NAO.
Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.
Herath said that the government was in a bind over the Auditor General’s appointment and the disgraceful campaign launched against Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Jr, PC.
The ex-lawmaker said that JVP/NPP loyalists masquerading as journalists and civil activists had launched the protest against the Attorney General. Herath said that the decision to send Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, on compulsory leave, too, was a matter of serious concern.
Herath said: “This is the same government that campaigned strongly on non-interference, institutional independence, and respect for the rule of law—principles they used to criticise every previous administration. Now, they appear to be doing exactly what they once opposed, only more openly. If this pattern continues, these undemocratic actions will eventually lead to their own downfall.”
BASL in late December, 2025 urged President Dissanayake and others, including the Opposition Leader, to consult civil society and professional bodies, including them, before the appointment of civil society representatives.
Herath said that the newly constituted CC would face its first acid test when it addressed the Auditor General issue.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
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