News
GL gives comprehensive account of new VC selection process

By Saman Indrajith
Education Minister Prof G.L. Peiris told Parliament yesterday that the government had introduced a transparent and fair method to select university Vice Chancellors.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Prof Peiris said that the government had set up a five-member committee to select eligible applicants. The committee comprises experts from the administrative service.
Prof Peiris said that under the previous system, the names from the applicants for the post of Vice Chancellor had been selected by a vote at University Councils. There had been room for irregularities under that system, he said, adding that there had been instances where university Council Members were under pressure to vote for certain candidates.
Three applicants who got the highest votes would be sent to the President to select a person of his choice, Prof. Peris said.
The Minister said that under the new system candidates would face evaluations at two phases. Those who had rendered an outstanding service to the university system would get priority under the new system. The candidates would, according to the marks in evaluations conducted by the five-member committees would be selected. The government had no intention of changing the newly introduced mechanism, the Minister said.
Prof. Peiris disagreed with Opposition leader Premadasa’s observation that the new mechanism of selecting Vice Chancellors would amount to a contravention of Section 34 (1) –A of the Universities Act No 16 of 1978 and Universities (Amendment) Act No 7 of 1985.
The government had not given the Vice Chancellor or Acting Vice Chancellor posts to its friends and supporters, the Minister said.
Opposition Leader Premadasa asked whether the Minister could table the marking schemes and the number marks obtained by those who had applied for the post of Vice Chancellor at the universities of Jaffna, Uva, Kelaniya, Sabaragamuwa, Wayamba and Aesthetic University, and the Minister said that he would do so.
Opposition Leader Premadasa said that recently a Vice Chancellor had been selected to the Aesthetic University under the new mechanism and he was an expert in agriculture sciences and not aesthetic subjects. Prof Peiris said that selection had been made on consideration of the candidate’s administrative skills and there was no mandatory provision that the Vice Chancellors should be selected from a particular discipline.
News
Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.
The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.
The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.
Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.
The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.
News
Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

By Saman Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.
“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”
Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.
“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”
Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.
News
SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.
The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.
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