News

Govt. urged to stop foreign scholarships awarded on basis of ethnicity

Published

5 years ago

2021/09/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Need for scrutiny stressed

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Civil Society group Mahajana Yuthukam Kendraya has urged the government to inquire into the continuing selection of foreign scholarship recipients on the basis of ethnicity by some Colombo-based diplomatic missions.

The group’s spokesperson Wasantha Alwis told The Island that in addition to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Education Ministry, Foreign Ministry and the University Grants Commission (UGC) was informed of the biased procedures followed by some missions.

Alwis said that the government should intervene to ensure selection process should not be based on students’ ethnicity under any circumstances. “We recently raised this issue in the wake of Pakistan High Commission intervention in organising an examination at Aligar School in Eravur to select a group of students for scholarships offered by the Allama Iqbal Foundation, Pakistan”.

About 200 Muslin students from Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee who had sat the Advanced Level examination were invited to face the examination, Alwis said, adding that an SLMC lawmaker Zeinul Abdeen Nazeer Ahamed made required arrangements in that regard.

Responding to another query, Alwis said that their inquiries revealed Pakistan and Bangladesh had picked students for scholarships without securing prior consent from foreign and education ministries as well as the UGC. Alwis said that recently the media reported Pakistan High Commission of assuring President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa of 1,000 scholarships to Sri Lanka. However, the selection process couldn’t be solely in the hands of the Pakistan HC.

Noting that Pakistan always stood by Sri Lanka during the war against the LTTE and defended the country at international forums, Alwis underscored the urgent need to address this issue. In their letter to the President copied to Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris as well as the UGC, the Mahajana Yuthukam Kendraya revealed that they discussed the issue with Pakistan HC some time ago.

Alwis said that they received an assurance from Pakistan HC that shortcomings pointed out by them would be rectified and in the future the selection process would be conducted in a transparent manner. Unfortunately, the examination conducted at Eravur on August 17 bared the continuing practice of granting scholarships on ethnic grounds.

Alwis pointed out that Sri Lanka couldn’t turn a blind eye to such controversial practices particularly in the backdrop of Turkey officially alerting Sri Lanka regarding FETO terror group funding the education sector as well as a section of the media. Failure to take appropriate action swiftly and decisively could expose Sri Lanka to further violence, Alwis said, urging the government to be mindful of what was happening in the world.

Alwis said that selection for scholarships should be based on proper qualifications. Entirely basing selection process on a selected ethnic group couldn’t be acceptable under any circumstances, Alwis said, pointing out that the government and those in the Opposition seemed either unaware or uninterested in the issue at hand.

Alwis said that the government whichever party in power should be wary of high profile operations undertaken by foreign powers. Foreign scholarships, foreign funding and various other projects needed to be under constant scrutiny, he said.

He said the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (P CoI) that inquired into 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, in its final report observed how the then Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe allowed extremists a free hand thereby created an environment for the NTJ (National Thowheed Jamaat) to strike at will.

The developing scene in Afghanistan was an example to all countries, including Sri Lanka as to how situations were exploited by interested parties, Alwis added.

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Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

Published

3 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

3 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 April 2026, valid for 05 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.