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Cabinet nod for Sri Lankan Universities to sign MOUs between Foreign Universities
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposals presented by the Prime Minister who is the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, to sign the following Memoranda of Understanding between Sri Lankan universities and foreign universities with the objective of raising Sri Lankan universities to the top of the world rankings and internationalizing higher education collaborations with foreign universities.
• Memorandum of understanding between University of Sri Jayawardenapura and the University of Wuhan in People’s Republic of China with the objective of conducting education programs in the fields of mutual interest, including taking necessary steps for promotion, development, and establishment of education and research training
programs, organization of combined workshops, conferences
• Memorandum of understanding between University of Sri Jayawardenapura and University of Isu in Japan with the objective of promotion of mutual understanding and cooperation between two parties in respect of higher education and science and technology, and transferring the information related to higher education, scientific
research, and related activities and education staff, researchers, and students, and promotion of combined research activities.
• Memorandum of understanding between University of Sri Jayawardenapura and University of Agder in Norway with the objective of development and promotion of combined research, education, and training programs, as well as conducting student and education staff transferring programs, combined workshops and training sessions, and
transferring the publications.
• Memorandum of understanding between the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and the University of Deakin in Australia with the objective of identification of short-term training courses and projects.
• Memorandum of understanding between the University of Moratuwa and the University of Linyi in the People’s Republic of China for participation in the conferences and academic meetings with the objective of promoting cooperation of the postgraduate programs based on the mutual requirements and benefits and transferring educational
information and other information.
• Memorandum of understanding between the University of Peradeniya and the Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences & Technology, in India with the objective of transferring the relevant research and education programs and learning materials and other relevant literature information, and conducting programs such as organization of combined conferences or workshops, short term continuing education programs in the field of mutual interest.
• Memorandum of understanding between the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka and Shandong University of Science and Technology in China with the objective of facilitation for transferring students, educational staff and researchers for limited time period in the collaborative fields such as supervision of combined research, learning,
training, research and innovations including the first graduations, postgraduates and doctorates and conducting in-service training programs for probationary lecturers.
• Memorandum of understanding between the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka and State University of New York Cortland in the United States of America with the objective of promotion of research collaborative programs, transferring faculty educational staff and students’ programs, educational opportunities in foreign countries, clinical experiences, and consultation and cultural programs.
• Memorandum of understanding between the Open University of Sri Lanka and The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia with the objective of performing activities collaboratively in respect of graduate and postgraduate courses.
• Memorandum of understanding between the University of Kelaniya and National Korean Maritime and Ocean University in the Republic of Korea with the objective of promotion of education and combined research programs and organization of combined workshops and conferences.
Latest News
Financial contribution from Gift Sri Lanka Foundation and the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, USA, for disaster relief
In support of relief efforts for communities affected by the Ditwah cyclone, Gift Sri Lanka Foundation and the Georgia Buddhist Vihara (GBV), USA, have made a financial contribution of USD 16,000 to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund.
The relevant cheque was formally handed over on Thursday (18) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Chief Incumbent of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, Most Venerable Panamwela Vajirabuddha Nayaka Thero, to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Oussama Tannane’s wonder goal from inside his own half set Morocco on their way to their second FIFA Arab Cup title with a 3-2 win after extra time in the final against Jordan at the Qatar-hosted event.
A full house at Lusail Stadium in Doha on Thursday was quickly on their feet in the fourth minute when Qatar-based footballer Tannane drilled an effort from well over the halfway line – estimated at 59 metres – to catch out goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila.
The Jordan keeper desperately scrambled back to his line in an attempt to stop the shot and collided with the post, resulting in a lengthy four-minute stoppage before he was cleared to continue and play resumed.
It was only the start of a turbulent final that saw Jordan come back to claim the lead, for the match to be sent to extra time, with Jordanian hearts broken seconds away from their first FIFA Arab Cup title in normal time.
Jordan, who were defeated finalists at the 2025 AFC Asian Cup, pulled level on the night three minutes into the second period when Ali Oliwan pulled away from his marker to head home from close range after a well-worked corner.
Jordan then took the lead for the first time after Mahmoud Almardi’s shot hit the raised hand of Achraf El Mahdioui inside the box, allowing Oliwan to convert from the penalty spot for his second in the 68th minute.
The drama was far from over, however, as second-half substitute Abderrazak Hamdallah levelled in the 88th minute – tapping in on the goal line after a scramble from a corner.
It was Oliwan, though, who had the chance of glory with virtually the final kick of normal time when – put clean through on goal – he was unable to beat the keeper to seal the final for Jordan with what would also have been his hat-trick.
Where many may not have taken their seats for Tannane’s opener, the same may have been the case for the start of extra time as Mohannad Abutaha volleyed a spectacular left-footed effort into the top right corner from the left edge of the box.
Like Tannane’s, it was a strike worthy of winning any final, but VAR ruled out the goal for a controversial handball as the Jordanian controlled the ball before unleashing the effort.
Worse was to follow when Hamdallah tapped in his second time – and the winning goal – after Marwane Saadane’s bicycle kick from a set piece fell kindly into his path from close range.
Morocco previously lifted the Arab Cup in 2012, defeating Libya in the final staged in Saudi Arabia. The Atlas Lions succeed Algeria, who defeated their North African neighbours Tunisia in the final four years ago.
Earlier, Morocco dominated the first period and Tannane, who plays his club football for Umm Salal in the Qatar league, had a glorious opportunity to double the lead on the stroke of half time when Abulaila spilled a cross into his path, but the forward failed to make a clean connection with his left-footed follow up and Issam Smeir slid to clear off the line.
The Jordanian stopper had to be on his feet throughout the first period and produced his best save in the 17th minute when Karim El Berkaoui, after exchanging a one-two with Tannane, drove across the face of goal from the edge of the box, but Abulaila was equal to it, low to his right, to push the effort wide.
Morocco, the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal when they achieved the feat at Qatar 2022, will now turn their attention to hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the squad will be further boosted by a number of their European-based stars who had to prioritise club over country during the Arab Cup.
The FIFA Arab Cup sold more than a million tickets for the 2025 event, doubling what was sold at the previous competition four years ago.
The Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Department of Irrigation has issued flood warnings for the Mahaweli River Basin at 6:00PM today (18)
Due to rainfall received since Wednesday night in certain catchment areas of the Mahaweli River, there is a possibility of flood conditions during the next 48 hours in the low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River within the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions: Kinniya, Muttur, Kantale, Seruvila, Welikanda, Lankapura, Thamankaduwa, and Dimbulagala.
Furthermore, there is a risk of inundation of the Batticaloa–
Polonnaruwa Road (Gallella area), the access road to Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara, and the surrounding areas of the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara.
Therefore, devotees travelling to the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara are kindly requested to avoid travel to the area until further notice.
In addition, the general public residing in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in the above-mentioned areas are requested to remain highly vigilant and to take necessary measures to protect themselves from possible flood conditions.
Relevant Disaster Management authorities are hereby requested to take necessary actions in this regard.
Financial contribution from Gift Sri Lanka Foundation and the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, USA, for disaster relief
European Union provides over Euro 2.35 million Humanitarian Assistance to Sri Lanka
Tannane goal from own half sets Morocco on way to FIFA Arab Cup 2025 title
Showers about 75 mm are likely at times in the Eastern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts
Sajith: Met Dept. officials under virtual house arrest
Army engineers set up new Nayaru emergency bridge
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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