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University of Colombo leads regional drive for environmental cooperation

Published

6 months ago

2025/10/15

University of Colombo Vice Chancellor Professor Indika Karunathilake briefing journalists. Also in the picture are Professor (Dr.) N.S. Punchihewa, Dean of the Faculty of Law; Professor Kokila Konasinghe, Director of the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy, Faculty of Law; and Senior Lecturer Susarithan Segar.

The University of Colombo is taking a bold step towards advancing regional collaboration on sustainability through the Indo-Lanka Environmental Law Week, scheduled to begin today (Oct. 15). Spearheaded by Vice Chancellor Professor Indika Karunathilake, the week-long initiative underscores the University’s growing leadership in environmental governance, education, and policy innovation across South Asia.

The event will bring together 35 Indian law students from Amity Law School and 15 Sri Lankan students from the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. Over seven days, participants will engage in lectures, field visits, and policy workshops focusing on critical legal doctrines — including the Polluter Pays Principle, Public Trust Doctrine, and Intergenerational Equity — as well as practical sessions on environmental governance.

The programme, organised in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy, Amity Law School, and the Commonwealth Legal Education Association, will conclude with the Indo-Lanka Policy Dialogue on Regional Environmental Cooperation, on October 22, at the University’s Senate Hall.

Vice Chancellor Professor Karunathilake said the University’s vision goes far beyond academic dialogue.

“As a university, we want to turn knowledge into action,” he told The Island. “Environmental protection is not just a classroom subject — it’s a moral responsibility. We must convert best practices and academic insights into real-world interventions that make a measurable difference.”

He said the initiative reflects the University’s commitment to bridging policy and practice, particularly in areas such as bioplastics, waste management, and marine pollution.

“Our goal is to create impact — not just discussion. We need to promote innovations that lead to a cleaner, greener Sri Lanka,” the Vice Chancellor said. “Environmental sustainability must become part of our national culture.”

Professor Karunathilake added that the initiative represents the University’s growing global engagement, linking regional collaboration with the larger sustainability agenda.

Director of the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy, Professor Kokila Konasinghe, described the Environmental Law Week as a pioneering move for the region.

“For the first time, we are working beyond national borders on environmental law,” she said. “Environmental problems, such as global warming, marine pollution, and biodiversity loss, don’t stop at boundaries. Collaboration is the only way forward.”

Professor Konasinghe said the programme will end with a policy framework that captures regional solutions to shared environmental challenges.

“This is a need of our time,” she emphasised. “We are bringing policymakers, the judiciary, and youth together — because intergenerational equity must guide all decisions. Today’s students will become tomorrow’s judges and lawmakers in India and Sri Lanka.”

Marine protection, she said, will be a central focus, with special attention to post-disaster recovery and sustainable coastal management.

“The X-Press Pearl disaster is a painful reminder that marine pollution has long-lasting consequences. The Law of the Sea will be a key topic, with experts discussing how to strengthen legal and policy frameworks for ocean governance,” she noted.

Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor N.S. Punchihewa, highlighted the significance of the upcoming policy dialogue on October 22, which will bring together key representatives from the Indian Embassy, BIMSTEC Secretariat, legal institutions, and environmental experts.

“This dialogue will strengthen environmental protection within the BIMSTEC framework,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to build partnerships and promote cross-fertilisation of ideas between Sri Lanka and India.”

He said the Faculty’s first-ever summer school on environmental law will serve as an important platform for innovation.

“Our students will discuss legal and policy solutions that can shape the future of environmental governance in the region. The Indian Ocean connects us — it also connects our challenges,” Professor Punchihewa explained. “Through cooperation, we can turn shared vulnerabilities into shared strengths.”

The Indo-Lanka Environmental Law Week represents a new chapter in South Asia’s legal and environmental collaboration — one that transforms theory into action and education into impact.

By combining academic excellence, youth engagement, and policy dialogue, the University of Colombo is positioning itself as a regional hub for environmental leadership, setting the tone for how the next generation of lawyers and policymakers will respond to the defining challenge of our time: protecting the planet we share.

By Ifham Nizam

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura effective from 16:00 hrs on 23.04.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 24.04.2026

Accordingly,

Level 1 landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Rideegama in the Kurunegala district and Kuruwita, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Nivithigala, Pelmadulla and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Ampara and Batticaloa districts

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 12.00 noon 23 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 23 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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Compensation payments and reconstruction activities related to the Ditwah relief measures must be expedited with special attention at the district level – PM

Published

17 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that compensation payments and reconstruction activities related to the Ditwah relief measures must be expedited with special attention at the district level. She further stated that all necessary allocations have already been made to Provincial Councils and instructed that the progress of disaster damage assessments and reconstruction efforts be closely monitored at the provincial level.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at a discussion held on Tuesday (21) at Temple Trees under her patronage, aimed at informing Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees and public representatives from disaster-affected districts, in order to accelerate the implementation of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme. The discussion focused on expediting disaster relief and compensation payments, as well as the swift restoration of infrastructure damaged by the disaster.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Rs. 500 billion has been allocated for damages caused by the Ditwah cyclone, and that all relevant development activities must be completed before the end of 2026. The Prime Minister also instructed officials to pay special attention to resolving issues at the local level that are causing delays in compensation payments.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, G.M.R.D. Aponsu, stated that the estimated cost for reconstruction following the Ditwah cyclone is approximately USD 3.4 billion. Accordingly, funds have been allocated for compensation across several sectors including housing and social infrastructure, agriculture and livestock, fisheries, industry and livelihoods, and irrigation. He further noted that 99% of the Rs. 25,000 allowance has already been disbursed, while 95% of the Rs. 50,000 resettlement allowance has been paid. Compensation for fully and partially damaged houses is still ongoing, and 99% of temporary relief centres have been closed.

Additionally, attention was drawn to several other measures, including providing Rs. 25,000 to affected schoolchildren, paying Rs. 1 million as compensation for each deceased individual, compensation for children who lost one or both parents, support for persons with disabilities affected by the disaster, compensation for agricultural losses, and expediting resettlement of displaced families. Measures such as allocating land for new housing construction and accelerating the issuance of reports from the National Building Research Organization were also discussed.

Focus was also placed on the reconstruction of affected schools, hospitals, and daycare centres, improving the accuracy and speed of data collection at the local level, and accelerating infrastructure development.

The event was attended by Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyarathna, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. Chandana Abayarathna, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperatives R.M. Jayawardena, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, Members of Parliament, Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees, Chief of Staff to the President and Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Additional Secretary to the President Jayantha Bandara; and officials of the Prime Minister’s Office.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]