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India announces awarding of Gold Medal in name of Tagore to top academic performer at Sri Palee Campus of Colombo University each year

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/25

Acting Indian High Commissioner Vinod K. Jacob has announced that New Delhi recently institutionalised a Gold Medal in the name of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore to recognise the highest academic record holder in the Sri Palee Campus of University of Colombo.

Jacob said so when he attended the Annual Research Symposium 2021 of the University of Colombo on 23 November 2021 on the theme: ‘Impactful Research through an Interdisciplinary Approach’ which was also joined by Prof. G. L. Pieris, Minister of Foreign Relations, Sr. Prof. Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne, Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo, Distinguished Alumni, Scientists, Faculty Members and Students.

Speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion, the Acting High Commissioner recalled the historic academic linkages between the two countries, including the visits of Nobel Laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore to Sri Lanka.

Highlighting the education reforms undertaken by the Government of India in the last few years, including New National Education Policy 2020, the Acting High Commissioner said that the contemporary challenges require innovative solutions which could be achieved through interdisciplinary approach. In 2015, the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST) under its Cognitive Science Research Initiative has developed a new research programme – Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM) which provides interface with Neuroscience, Medicine, Psychology, Philosophy, so on as an interdisciplinary approach.

He mentioned that owing to its immense knowledge capital, strong interdisciplinary approach, vibrant start-up ecosystem and public-private partnerships, India has moved to rank 46 in the Global Innovation Index in 2021, a significant jump from rank 81 in 2015. He also spoke about India’s ambition and commitment for combating climate change through concrete actions as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26. These future steps called “Panchamrit” or the five nector elements was a highlight at Glasgow in particular the target of net zero by 2070 and emphasis of renewable energy in the overall energy mix.

The Acting High Commissioner said that with the establishment of Centre for Contemporary Indian Studies (CCIS) at the University of Colombo, a multidisciplinary research centre, both the countries have successfully conducted several programmes through an institutionalised network between the two countries. Recalling the robust bilateral cooperation in the areas of renewable energy, climate change, disaster management and sustainable development, he invited all the scholars and academics to fully avail the opportunities put forward by both the countries for the advancement of research, innovation and betterment of society.

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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

Published

4 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]

Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.

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Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area

Published

9 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

Deep depression Track. [Source: RSMC]

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026

The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].

Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).

For the Land area:

DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.

Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas

Published

15 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.

Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.