News
Pathfinder Foundation signs MOU with Maritime Research Centre, India
The Pathfinder Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Maritime Research Centre (MRC) based in Pune, India, aimed at collaborating and engaging in research in Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA). The signing took place at the Pathfinder Foundation premises in Peliyagoda, with Dr. (Cdr.) Arnab Das, Founder and Director of the Maritime Research Centre and Dr Dayaratna Silva, Executive Director of the Pathfinder Foundation, signed on behalf of the two institutions.The MRC is a nodal research centre on acoustic capacity and capability building. It contributes as a technology-driven think tank to progress the Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) framework in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Following the signing, Dr. (Cdr.) Das held discussions with several Sri Lankan institutions, including Prof. Wasantha Rathnayake, Vice Chancellor of the Ocean University of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Dharshani Lahadapura, Chairperson of Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEEPA) and Colonel Pradeep Rathnayake and Dr Sanath de Silva, Dean and Senior Lecturer of the Faculty of Defence & Strategic Studies of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, respectively. During these discussions, Dr. Das presented MRC’s Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) Framework with Nir Dhwani Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd. (NDT), which encourages safe, secure, sustainable growth for all in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond. Pathfinder Foundation will take steps for MRC to establish links with other related Sri Lankan institutions such as the National Aquatic Research Agency (NARA), Sri Lanka Navy, etc.
The MRC and NDT efforts focus on three pillars: policy and technology intervention, acoustic capacity, and capability building. In this regard, multiple activities have been envisaged, and numerous stakeholders and decision-makers will be involved in taking forward the UDA framework. They include collaboration in maritime research and studies, academic exchanges and interaction to further scholarship, knowledge and information in underwater domain awareness.Maritime domain awareness has been a field that received the attention of the Pathfinder Foundation since 2018 when it held the second round of Trincomalee Consultations on the theme ‘Secure and Safe Bay of Bengal for Common Development and Prosperity’. That conference, jointly organised by the Centre for Indo-Lanka Initiatives of the Pathfinder Foundation in cooperation with Carnegie India and Vivekananda International Foundation of India, devoted one session to discuss the establishment of a Centre for Maritime Domain Awareness and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief in Trincomalee for the Bay of Bengal Area.
The maritime domain awareness was revisited when the Pathfinder Foundation’s flagship event ‘Indian Ocean Security Conference’ was held for the second time in March 2022. That biennial regional conference participated by the littoral and hinterland states of the Indian Ocean, major maritime powers, and international institutions such as IORA also devoted an entire session on Maritime Domain Awareness in the Indian Ocean Region. Pathfinder Foundation’s collaboration with the Maritime Research Centre based in Pune, India, is the first time the Foundation is extending its scope to cover underwater domain awareness, an integral part of maritime domain awareness.
During the three-year collaboration, the Pathfinder Foundation and the Maritime Research Centre will cooperatively conduct research on areas including Maritime Security, Blue Economy and International Relations, facilitating academic exchanges and interaction to further scholarship, knowledge and information in the field of underwater domain awareness.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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