The BASL will commence an Online Certificate Course in Intellectual Property Law on 29 January 2026.

The BASL press release is as follows: “The course will be conducted every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. over a period of 10 weeks and is open to BASL members, non-members, legal apprentices, and law students.

Sharing his views on the commencement of the programme, the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Mr. Rajeev Amarasuriya, stated that the certificate course is designed to strengthen understanding of intellectual property law with a practical focus, addressing key legal, commercial, and technological aspects relevant to contemporary practice. The sessions will cover core areas of intellectual property law as well as emerging issues arising from innovation, technology, trade, and sustainability.

The implementation of transfers of Principals in National and Provincial Schools and related matters, together with the existing human resource shortages in schools, were discussed recently at the meeting of the House Sub-Committee according to a press release issued by parliament.

These matters were discussed when the said Sub-Committee under the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, met under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister Dr. (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne. A group of officials including Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Education Kamal Ariyasinghe also participated in this meeting.

At this meeting, discussions were held on the proposals submitted by the Committee, including the preparation of a new digital data repository that reflects the placement structure of all five Education-related professional services according to qualifications and positions, and which would make it possible to forecast the vacancies that will arise over the next five years. Attention was also drawn to several proposals such as requiring all officers holding the post of Principal in the First Grade to hold only the post of Principal, and subjecting all officers in every service to transfers after six years of service.

Accordingly, officials were informed to submit the Ministry’s proposals and observations regarding these recommendations to the Committee within two months. It was further stated by the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee that, thereafter, the final recommendations pertaining to this matter are scheduled to be prepared.

Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe and Members of Parliament Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran and Sugath Wasantha de Silva, who are members of the Sub-Committee, were also present at the meeting.

The ceremonial commencement of construction work on a new Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory building took place at the Hambantota District General Hospital on 15 Jan 26.

Navy headquarters statement: “Marking a significant milestone in its social service and community health initiatives, the Sri Lanka Navy enables its industrial expertise for this project. Further, the generous financial contribution of a philanthropic Sri Lankan couple residing in the United States supports this vital initiative.

The Deputy Area Commander (South), Commodore Aruna Weerasinghe, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, staff of Hambantota District General Hospital and a group of naval personnel were present on this occasion.”