News
PUCSL upgrade plumbers with NVQ-3 qualification at no cost to them
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the regulator of the electricity industry and the designated regulator for water services industry, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), Vocational Training Authority (VTA) and National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) recently to provide free National Vocational Qualification level three and four for plumbers in Sri Lanka.
“Regulation of the Water Service Industry of Sri Lanka assigned to PUCSL by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Act No.35 of 2002 or PUCSL Act. Although we have drafted the framework to regulate the Water Services Industry and the Industry Act, we are yet to be empowered with amendments to the acts. But as the designated regulator and with the ambition to uplift the industry, we always seek opportunities on how our contribution can be made to protect the interest of consumers of the Water Services Industry and to promote safety, reduce waste, promote conservation, and service quality in Water Services Industry,” Janaka Ratnayake, Chairman of Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said.
He notes that Sri Lanka has approximately 10,000 plumbers and most of them do not hold any qualification. “So, empowering plumbing technicians engaged in the water service industry to achieve the NVQ3 under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system, will promote safety, reduce waste, promote conservation, increase service quality, and value for money for the pipe-borne water consumers,”
“This programme is fully sponsored by PUCSL and the plumber technician does not need to pay for the exam fees, the course fee, materials and other requirements of gaining the qualification,” Ratnayake added.
Under the RPL programme, the PUCSL will access the knowledge of the plumbers, fill the knowledge gap and hold the exams within four days and award the certification at no cost to the plumbers. The PUCSL launched the first programme of awarding the NVQ3 qualification to plumbers in the Kalutara District with the participation of 100 plumbers.
Earlier this year, PUCSL introduced a similar programme for electricians in Sri Lanka and more than 5000 electricians have obtained the qualification. NVQ3 is the minimum qualification for obtaining an electrician license. Also, PUCSL launched a programme to upgrade the knowledge of Solar Technicians in Sri Lanka and more than 1000 solar technicians have obtained the qualification so far.
News
Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07) are Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon.
By Norman Palihawadane
The CID recently found that former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, better known as ‘Choka Malli’, had left for Thailand when the Supreme Court imposed an overseas travel ban on him last Friday.
The CID discovered that Jayasekara had left Sri Lanka on August 31, while authorities were taking steps to enforce the travel restriction imposed by the Supreme Court. The Department has subsequently informed the Attorney General’s Department of the development.
The Supreme Court last Friday ordered Jayasekara, and two other men, to appear before court on October 21, and imposed a ban on their overseas travel.
The orders were made as the Supreme Court considered an appeal challenging the acquittal of the three men in connection with the 2015 murder of Shantha Dodangoda, also known as D.G. Sunil Perera.
The appeal was filed by Dodangoda’s wife against a decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and release Jayasekara and the two other accused, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court.
Dodangoda was killed in a shooting in Kahawatta town, in the early hours of January 5, 2015, while a group of people were putting up decorations for an election rally in support of then common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
Two others, Karunadasa Weerasinghe and Mohamed Ilfan, were seriously injured in the shooting.
Following the incident, the Ratnapura High Court convicted Jayasekara, former Chairman of the Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Wajira Darshana de Silva, and former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilanta Jayakody, sentencing all three to death.
The Court of Appeal subsequently acquitted the three men and ordered their release.
The victim’s wife later challenged the acquittal before the Supreme Court.
The appeal was taken up before a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga.
During the proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara requested that the court impose overseas travel restrictions on Jayasekara and the other respondents.
The Supreme Court subsequently ordered all three to appear before the court on October 21 and imposed travel bans on them.
President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva and President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the respondents. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris represented the aggrieved party.
Police sources said that the discovery that Jayasekara had already left for Thailand, on August 31, has raised concerns over the timing and enforcement of the travel ban.
Sources said that the CID had notified the Attorney General’s Department and was taking further action in relation to the development.
By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The number of deaths from dengue fever in Sri Lanka has risen to 73 this year, with 96,228 cases reported across the country so far, according to the Dengue Control Unit.
The latest figures indicate that dengue continues to pose a significant public health concern, with 737 new cases recorded during the first four days of September alone.
Dengue infections peaked in July, when 29,964 cases were reported, according to the latest data. June recorded the second-highest monthly total, with 21,533 cases, while 10,155 cases were reported in August.
Earlier in the year, 8,590 cases were recorded in May and 7,866 cases in January.The Western Province remains the worst-affected area, accounting for more than half of all dengue cases reported nationwide. A total of 50,851 cases have been recorded in the province, representing 52.84% of the country’s total.
The Southern Province has recorded 13,950 cases, followed by the Central Province with 8,818 cases and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,925 cases.
Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)
Showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in the Uva and Eastern provinces.
Harshitha’s composed knock seals Sri Lanka’s semi-final berth
‘Choka Malli’ slips out of country before travel ban
Dengue death toll rises to 73
Ranil accuses govt. of undermining democracy
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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