News
Two members of Colombo University Council resign, more in the pipeline
Protest against unprincipled VC appointment
Two members of the Council of the University of Colombo, Mr. Tilak Karunaratne and Mr. Ajit Gunawardene have resigned from the Council with immediate effect protesting against the unprincipled manner in which a new Vice Chancellor of the University has been appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
A third resignation from the 27-member Council, it is reliably understood, have been tendered and two more resignations are in the pipeline.
Of three names submitted to the president, Prof. Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne, who was ending her first term and had been strongly recommended for reappointment overwhelmingly scored the highest marks in the selection process (89.6) against those scored by the other two candidates, Prof. H.D. Karunaratne (66 marks), who was chosen, and Prof. Prathiba Mahanamahewa (64 marks).
The new appointee, a Viyath Maga activist, was backed by that organization.
Business leader Ajit Gunawardene, previously number two at JKH behind Ken Balendra, has said in his resignation letter to the UGC Chairman that he is quitting “on a matter of principle over the appointment of the VC that did not follow the principle of good governance of which I’m a firm believer.”
He has described Prof. Wijeyaratne, the former VC, as a “very effective leader and a further term, in his view, would have been highly beneficial to the university.”
Tilak Karunaratne, an alumnus of the University, industrialist, former MP and head of the SEC, who had served on the Council continuously for nearly 15 years, has said that he worked with five VCs and a Competent Authority since he was first appointed in 2007. Two of these were “political stooges of the Rajapaksas.”
The last two Vcs, Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake and Prof. Chandrika Wijeyaratne, were “totally apolitical” and in his considered view, Prof. Wijeyaratne was “the better of the two.”
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 04 May 2025, valid for 05 May 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 Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala districts.
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 in the above table and it 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.
“Power failures on election day could occur due to natural causes or sabotage”
Funds allocated for hiring power generators for the counting centres were inadequate, and the Grama Niladaris (GNs) would not be able to ensure a back-up power supply to those places, President of the Sri Lanka United Grama Niladhari Association, Nandana Ranasinghe warned yesterday.
Addressing a press conference, Ranasinghe said: “Under these circumstances, it will not be possible to provide the counting centres with generators. Funds must also be allocated for hiring electric bulbs, cables and transporting generators as well.
“Unless funds are made available immediately, the GNs must not be held responsible if something goes wrong in the event of a power failure, either due to natural causes or sabotage. The GNs must not be asked to bear the cost of supplying back-up power to counting centres.
“In some areas, the District Returning Officers are pressuring the GNs to bear the cost of hiring power generators. The GNs must not be forced to spend their personal funds to provide facilities to counting centres.
“If a power outage occurs, it will definitely cause issues at counting centres. In the event of disruptions to the vote counting process, the results in the polling divisions under the centres may have to be annulled.”
More than 65,000 police officers would be deployed for the 06 May local government (LG) elections from today (05), Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga told The Island, yesterday. The police personnel will include members of the Police Special Task Force, intelligence units, security divisions, and mobile patrol teams.
Army Media Spokesman Brigadier Varuna Gamage told The Island that 8,500 military personnel would be deployed on the roads across the country in view of the LG elections.
He said the Army would coordinate with the police, and that troops in all military camps had been placed on standby to face any situation.
By Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala districts.
Showers expected in most provinces during the afternoon or night today
Fund issues may leave counting centres without back-up power tomorrow: GNs’ trade union
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