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Colombo University moves to check students taking any grievances to social media raises fears

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The University of Colombo has introduced a set of social media guidelines that students now say are stifling and infringing on their freedom of expression. A spokesman for the students said they would take up the issue with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka shortly.

University officials were not immediately available for comment.

The guidelines issued on 28 March 2021 states that students must not openly criticise issues that arise due to the “services, rules/regulations of the university, or staff members”, on social media.

“As a registered student of the University of Colombo, you are kindly requested to protect and safeguard the reputation of our University. If you are not satisfied with some services, rules/regulations of the university, or staff members, you should not criticise openly in social media. You can communicate your concerns to your counsellors, academic coordinators/tutors, or other officials of the university and seek a feasible solution. Problems cannot be solved by criticizing on social media,” the guidelines say.

The University also warns students that legal action can be taken against them if they “have participated in false propaganda intentionally or unintentionally,” and warn students to be weary in taking part in protests organized by social media because that might “bring disrespect to the reputation of your University.”

 

Given below are the rest of the University’s social media guidelines:

“Every citizen has freedom of speech and expression. However, it should not be used to attack organizations, groups, or individuals by posting hate speech, sharing others’ critical or sensitive messages, expressing opinions that will create suspicion or social unrest within the wider society using social media. If you have contributed to or assisted in such activities using social media, you would face disciplinary action.

*It is very important not to disturb academic activities through social media by posting answers for questions or requesting unauthorized assistance from others when engaging in academic activities. For example, sharing answers to assignments/exam paper questions through social media is unacceptable. Disciplinary action will be taken against individuals who disturb academic activities.

* Some may assume that it is ‘safe’ to engage in wrongful activities using a bogus identity/account and this method will protect the actual person. Technology and tools are available to trace the real identity of such persons. Authorities could identify the person, the actual device, and physical location if and when necessary. Therefore, we strongly advise you not to engage in unauthorized or illegal activities using a bogus identity.

* If you publish digital contents as the University of Colombo on social media using the University name, logo, or any other university intellectual property such as scanned books, past papers, etc., prior permission from the Registrar’s office is required. If you use the University of Colombo Logo, you must follow the Logo guidelines.

* Your communications in social media must not include offensive or derogatory posts, blogs, images, videos, or comments relating to gender, ethnicity, race, nationality, disability, reassignment, sexual orientation, religious base or national security.

* You must not post someone else’s images, videos, or any other digital contents without the proper permission of the original content publisher. You should also not share any copyrighted material without proper approval from the respective publisher(s).

* It is important to recognize that online conduct is governed by the same laws, policies, and rules of conduct that apply to all day-to-day activities. The University of Colombo urges students to be aware of the potential risks when making personal information public, to think about future implications and possible consequences of all posts, and to ensure safety through responsible and conscious decisions when using social media.

* It is your responsibility, to protect your social media accounts and for being aware of third-party applications that share your personal information to the public. If you need technical advice that protects your social media accounts, the university IT experts are available to help you”



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Sagala Ratnayaka leads Sri Lanka delegation to 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue

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Chief of Staff to the President and National Security Advisor (NSA) Sagala Ratnayaka led the Sri Lanka delegation to the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier Security Summit held in Singapore from 2 – 4 June 2023.

The highly anticipated summit commenced on 2 June with a powerful Keynote address delivered by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Throughout the event, a series of plenary sessions delved into various crucial geo-political issues, encompassing the establishment of a stable and balanced Asia Pacific, the resolution of regional tensions, the evolution of maritime security in Asia, US leadership in the Indo-Pacific, and China’s latest security initiatives, among other topics.

During the Special Session focusing on ‘Defence Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region,’ Ratnayaka delivered an impactful statement, participating alongside representatives from India, Oman, France, and the United States. He emphasized the significance of keeping big power rivalries and external conflicts out of the Indian Ocean, highlighting Sri Lanka’s efforts in the United Nations to declare the region as a zone of peace. Furthermore, he underscored the country’s contributions to preserving freedom of navigation and over flight, stressing the crucial need for constructive dialogue among all stakeholders in the Indian Ocean region to pursue shared interests.

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Prices of sixty essential drugs to be reduced from 15th June

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The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal raised by the Minister of Health to reduce the maximum retail price of 60 medicines by 16% with effect from 15.06.2023 and review the price of medicines every three months

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Cabinet approval to publish draft bill on contempt of a court, a tribunal or an institution

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The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms for publishing the draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman which includes the clear and precise provisions and situational circumstances regarding the offense of ‘contempt of court’ , defense and easing the penalty as well as the procedure to follow when easing the penalty,  in the government gazette and subsequently to be tabled in the Parliament for its concurrence.

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