News

Australian video competition for Sri Lankan students launched

Published

5 years ago

2020/10/8

Develop a short three minute video in English on a theme nominated by the partner university in Australia

Sri Lankan School students in Grades 9 – 12 with outstanding English language, analytical and video production skills are invited to participate in the Study Australia Video Competition.

Organised by The Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Australian Government, the competition is open to students in grades 9 to 12 from schools across India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Study Australia Video Competition will be held sfrom 21 September 2020 to 23 November 2020.

The Study Australia Video Competition involves production of short videos by students around the themes of:

· Future of Work – What is your dream future job?

· Where the Wild Things are: How COVID-19 has impacted the ecology of wildlife

· Building circular cities

· Lockdown Blues – Design an innovative solution that improves mental health for people facing increased stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

· Responsible young innovators and entrepreneurs – how can the community benefit from your great ideas?

Background information about the themes developed by the participating Australian universities is available on the competition website.

Students can access the competition website – www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/India for more details about the competition.

Schools can nominate maximum of 20 teams. Each team can select only one theme with a team composition of two students and one member of the teaching staff.

Each winning team will receive a prize of three Mini Apple iPads (Wi-Fi + Cellular, 64GB) awarded by the partner Australian university.

The competition is sponsored by Macquarie University, The University of Queensland Australia, The University of Sydney, The University of Western Australia and University of Wollongong Australia, Allianz, NIB Health Funds and Synapse Medical Services.

Registration for the competition commenced on Monday, 21 September 2020 and the last date for the submission of competition video entries will be Monday, 23 November 2020.

Trade Commissioner – South Asia, Australian Trade and Investment Commission Stuart Rees said, “Australia offers a safe, inclusive, supportive environment for international students and is one of the most inspiring places in the world to study. Our education system is ranked among the best, recognised globally for its high quality and for giving international students the opportunity to achieve their ambitions. I invite more students from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to study in Australia and be a part of our world class education system”.

For more information about the participation at the competition, please visit www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/India or e-mail Mr Kanishka Padidilian at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission at Kanishka.Padidilian@austrade.gov.au

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News

French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ sets sail from Colombo

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/14

Priyan

The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).

The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.

During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.

News

“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital

Published

5 hours ago

2025/05/14

Priyan

Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.

Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.

A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.

News

Battle for control of CMC rages; SJB draws fire for alleged bid to appoint defeated candidates

Published

7 hours ago

2025/05/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Flaws in law blamed for chaos

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is in turmoil over naming of members to the Colombo Municipal (CMC) where it won 29 slots – 14 elected and 15 on the list at the recently concluded Local Government elections.

Political sources said that resistance was growing within the party over moves to accommodate defeated candidates as well as those listed at the expense of successful candidates. Among the defeated is SJB’s mayoral candidate Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa.

Sources said that in terms of the Local Government Election Act there was no restriction in the number of defeated candidates that could be accommodated at the expense of those who were elected. As 25% of the members of a particular council has to be women, more successful members had to be dropped, sources said, pointing out that none of the female candidates were among the 14 SJBers elected at ward level.

The National People’s Party (NPP) won the CMC by securing 48 seats, including six from the list. Political sources said that in spite of both NPP and SJB declaring that they could a secure majority in the 117-member CMC. NPP polled 81,814 votes (48 seats), SJB polled 58,375 votes (29 seats), UNP polled 26,297 votes (13 seats), SLPP polled 9,341 votes (05 seats), SLMC polled 8,630 votes (04 seats) Independent Group 03 polled 5,934 votes (03 seats), Independent Group 05 polled 4,659 votes (02 seats)

United Peace Alliance polled 4,473 votes (02 seats), Sarvajana Balaya polled 3,911 votes (02 seats), Independent Group polled 3,640 votes (02 seats), People’s Alliance polled 2,754 votes (01 seat), National Freedom Front polled 2,398 votes (01 seat), United Republican Front polled 2,157 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 01 polled 1,909 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 02 polled 1,791 votes (01 seat), Democratic National Alliance polled 1,370 votes (01 seat) and National People’s Party polled 950 votes (01 seat).

Political sources said that the Local Government Election Act had caused much turmoil with many of those who had been elected by the people deprived of an opportunity to serve their respective local government body. Sources alleged that the system in place at Local Government was far worse than appointing defeated candidates to Parliament through the National List. In terms of the Parliamentary Election Act, an elected member could be replaced only by the candidate who polled the next highest number of votes at the election from the same district, sources said, pointing out Local Government winners at ward level were axed to accommodate both defeated as well as those on respective lists of political parties.

Sources said that once the appointment of all CMC members was finalised the number of elected people axed by political parties could be known. Sources said that perhaps political parties and election monitoring groups should inquire into the shortcomings in the Local Government Election Act.

by Shamindra Ferdinando