News
19th Convocation of College of Chemical Sciences

The 19th Convocation of the College of Chemical Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, was held on the 22nd of November 2023 at the BMICH. Prof. Gamini Rajapaksha, a senior professor in chemistry and an eminent researcher at the University of Peradeniya, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
This event marked the graduation of the second batch of B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemical Sciences which consisted of 59 graduates, 114 B.Sc. graduates from the Graduateship in Chemistry (GIC) programme, 50 Diplomates from the Diploma in Laboratory Technology (DLT) and 14 diplomates from Diploma in Chemistry.
Overall and subject prizes were also awarded to graduates who excelled in different theory and practical aspects of chemistry during their academic years in the institute. The Council Members of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Emeritus and Senior Professors, Senior Lecturers, Administrative staff of the Institute of Chemistry, Teaching Assistants, Parents and well-wishers were among the attendees.
Chief-guest, Prof. Gamini Rajapaksha delivered the convocation address, based on the mineral resources of Sri Lanka and their utilization in scientific research. The event concluded with the valedictory speeches delivered by M.A.N.U. Malaweera Archchi, G. K. Kumara and Ms. K.S.T.C. Rangadari who won the overall best performance awards for B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemical Science, GIC and DLT programmes, respectively.
News
SLAF training aircraft crashes in Wariyapola

A K-8 training aircraft of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has crashed in the Wariyapola area, according to the SLAF Spokesman.
No casualties have been reported following the incident and both pilots had ejected from the aircraft and landed safely
News
‘Deshabandu is on SLC payroll’; Hesha tables documents

Ratnapura District SJB MP Hesha Withanage yesterday tabled several documents in Parliament to substantiate his allegations against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). He presented an Executive Committee meeting minute, claiming that according to it, payments to IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon had been approved.
The MP said that the SLC Executive Committee had appointed Tennakoon, the then Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Western Province, as an Advisor to the Security Consultant of Sri Lanka Cricket.
The contract, effective from August 16, 2021, included a monthly allowance of Rs. 150,000, 200 litres of fuel per month, a Rs. 5,000 mobile phone allowance, a laptop, a mobile phone, and medical insurance, MP Withanage told Parliament.
The MP tabled the document in the House in response to SLC’s recent denial of his claims. The SLC had previously dismissed allegations that Tennakoon had been paid or provided with perks, calling them baseless and false.
The SLC denial came after Withanage, commencing the Committee Stage budget debate under the Head of Expenditure of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, claimed on Tuesday (18) that IGP Tennakoon had been on the payroll of SLC.
MP Withanage criticised the government, stating it had no intention of preventing the accused group from contesting the upcoming SLC election on 31 March. He also accused the current Sports Minister of supporting a corrupt faction within SLC and announced plans to take legal action over the matter.
“This denial by SLC is irrelevant,” Withanage said. “We have a copy of the report approved by the Executive Committee.”
By Saman Indrajith
News
LG polls on 06 May

Election Commission (EC) Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake yesterday announced that the Local Government (LG) elections would be held on 6 May 2025.The date was revealed during a special media briefing following the conclusion of the submission of nominations for LG polls.
Nominations for 336 LG institutions, which began on 17 March, were officially closed at 12:00 noon yesterday. Additionally, the deadline for placing deposits ended at midnight on 19 March.The EC said 17,296,330 persopns were eligible to vote in this year’s LG elections.
by Ranil Dharmasena
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