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Top academics’ annual awards presentation held at BMICH

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The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Directors (CVCD) annual awards presentation was held recently at BMICH. Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Chairman of the National Science Foundation was the chief guest while the Guests of Honour were Nihal Ranasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Education and Prof Sampath Amaratunge, Chairman of the University Grants Commission.

A press release issued by the Kelaniya University said: The CVCD Excellence Awards operative since 2006 was to recognize, appreciate, and honour the outstanding contributions, accomplishments and impact made by academic staff in the Sri Lankan state University system. The work of many outstanding researchers in our universities have been recognized through these awards, which are made every other year.

The awards were made in the categories of Most Outstanding Senior Researcher, Most Outstanding Young Researcher, and Most Outstanding Inventor. The Most Outstanding Senior Researcher and the Most Outstanding Young Researcher awards were offered in six separate fields of study. Recipients of the awards were determined through an open and transparent process initiated by a call for applications circulated to all universities. The 76 applications received in response to the last call were evaluated by independent panels of 3 – 5 eminent academics in each of the relevant field of study, drawn from all state universities, and who scored the applications without prejudice or bias.

Award winners in the Most Outstanding Senior Researcher category included Prof. Nadira Karunaweera, Senior Professor of Parasitology in the University of Colombo (in the field of Health Sciences); Prof. Jagath Manatunge, Professor in Environmental Engineering at the University of Moratuwa (Technology & related sciences); Prof. M. Pathmalal, Senior Professor of Zoology and Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Biological Sciences); Prof. Meththika Vithanage, Professor in Natural Resources at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Physical Sciences); Prof. Lasantha Manawadu, Senior Professor of Geography at the University of Colombo (Humanities, Aesthetics and Social Sciences); and Prof. Vathsala Wickramasinghe, Senior Professor in Management of Tehcnology at the University of Moratuwa (Management and Law).

Award winners in the Most Outstanding Young Researcher category included Prof. Anjana Silva, Professor in Medical Parasitology, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (Health Sciences); Prof. Jeevani Jayasinghe, Professor in Electrotechnology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and Ms. B.H. Mallawaarachchi, Senior Lecturer in Building Economics, University of Moratuwa (Technology & related sciences); Prof. Nayana Gunathilake, Professor in Parasitology, University of Kelaniya (Biological Sciences); Dr. Anushka Rajapakse, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Physical Sciences); and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo (Management and Law).

Dr. Pradeep Samarasekera, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Computing and Technology, University of Kelaniya won the CVCD Excellence Award for the Most Outstanding Inventor.

The CVCD was established in 1979 under the Universities Act No 16 of 1978. It serves as a forum for direct interaction between Sri Lankan universities, and as an advisor to the UGC, highlighting the difficulties faced by universities, and recommending policies and specific actions that could resolve such difficulties. Currently the CVCD consists of the Vice-Chancellors of 22 state Universities (including all 17 universities under the UGC) and the Rectors of two Campuses.



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Timely and accurate data essential for effective decision making – PM

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A meeting was held to discuss post-disaster planning and the reconstruction process, with special focus on flood-prone areas on Monday [8 th of December]  at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of the Prime Minister, and attended by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the critical importance of timely and systematic information and data collection to support timely and effective decision-making on a daily basis following the post disaster situations. The Prime noted that accurate data flows are essential for guiding recovery efforts in the short and long term.

The Representatives outlined the need assessment process using RAPIDA and Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE), the UNDP’s post-crisis assessment initiated by integrating GIS technology, satellite imagery, and ground-level data, to deliver real-time, actionable insights after a crisis to helps identify affected locations, communities, infrastructure damage, debris estimates, and land use changes-providing crucial data.

The representatives of UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government and they expressed their readiness to collaborate closely and to strengthen ongoing partnerships to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of post-disaster response and reconstruction activities.

The discussion was attended by the Country Manager for World Bank Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Resident Representatives for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ms. Azusa Kubota, South Asia Director for United Nations Office for Project Services ((UNOPS), and Secretary to the Prime Minister  Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary (Development) Ms Sagarika Bogahawaththa and officials from the Department of National Planning.

[Prime minister’s media division]

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Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation

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The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation has donated Rs. 250 million to the Government to support the rebuild of the country following the emergency situation caused by the Ditva cyclone.

Chairperson of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, together with the Board of Directors, handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 08 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Subsequently, a cordial discussion was held between the Foundation’s Chairperson, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The occasion was attended by the secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and representatives of the Board of Directors of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended

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The Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600hrs tomorrow [10th December 2025].

Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Panvila, Udapalatha, Minipe, Poojapitiya, Gangawata Korale, Thumpane, Doluwa, Pathadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Harispattuwa, Akurana, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Deltota, Medadumbara, Udunuwara, Kundasale and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Aranayaka, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Mawanella and Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Ukuwela, Pallepola, Rattota, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa  in the Matale district have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings  issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Kegalle and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district and Nuwara Eliya, Nildandahinna, Thalawakele, Kothmale West, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha, Walapane, Kothmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Kolonna and Godakawela  in the Ratnapura district have also been extended.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Balangoda, Kuruwita, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Pelmadulla, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Ayagama, Imbulpe and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

 

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