News
Grodno State Medical University, Belarus launches Belarusian Center of Education in Lanka
Signifying a pivotal moment in the country’s medical education landscape, the Grodno State Medical University, Belarus established the Belarusian Center of Education (BCE) as its official country office in Sri Lanka recently.
Powered by IMC Education, BCE has been created to transform the future of medical education in Sri Lanka and facilitate a seamless bridge to excellence in healthcare at Grodno State Medical University, Belarus.
The BCE was established at No 61/1, Lorensz Road, Colombo 5 with the presence of the esteemed delegation of the Grodno State Medical University, Belarus, Rector Prof. Zhuk Ihar Georgievich, Vice-Rector for International Relations and Extrabudgetary Activities Assoc. Prof. Varabyeu Vitali Uladzimiravich, Vice-Dean of the Medical Faculty for International Students, Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign Languages Assoc. Prof. Gushchyna Liudmila Nikolaevna.
Chairman of BCE, Dr. Priyanjan Undugoda, Consultant in Child and Adolescents Mental Health Service and Examiner in the Royal College of Psychiatrists, IMC Education officials Dr. Dharangan Bakthaseelan (Executive director | Director of Finance), Dr. Gishan Sumanasiri (Executive director), Dr. Amila B Kulatunga (Deputy CEO), Inthikab Zufer (COO), Surath Edurapola (CAAO) joined the inauguration of the BCE.
Grodno State Medical University, a renowned Belarusian institution founded in 1958, is highly acclaimed for its exceptional medical programs, producing skilled healthcare professionals globally. With over 500 Sri Lankan students enrolled, many alumni have excelled in healthcare worldwide.
BCE, accessible at www.bcedu.lk, serves as a comprehensive platform offering tailored academic counseling, assistance in application processes, and guidance for foreign medical licensing examinations. By simplifying the process of studying at Grodno State Medical University, BCE supports students in securing scholarships, accommodations, and global placements.
BCE’s services encompass personalized academic counseling, ensuring students make well-informed decisions about their medical education journey, smooth application process, and guidance for foreign medical licensing examinations through BCE’s global partners to secure placements in the UK (UKMLA Exam), USA (USMLE exam through Kaplan Medical) and Australia (AMC Exam through Alan Roberts Foundation) where total solution is provided under one roof. From the initial application process to securing scholarships and accommodations, BCE provides end-to-end support, simplifying the complex process of studying at Grodno State Medical University, Belarus, said a press release.
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 01 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 11 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan of Kareinagar, Jaffna.
The Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the Northern Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Kovilan.
Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of one Indian fishing boat and apprehension of 11 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (11) were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
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Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounts to LKR. 372,776,918.28.
The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over on Wednesday (31 December) at the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The donations comprised LKR. 250 million from the Commander of the Army, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo; LKR. 73,963,879.71 from the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and LKR. 48,813,038.97 from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present on the occasion.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) seeking an 11.57 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the first quarter of 2026, citing an estimated revenue shortfall and additional financial pressures, including cyclone-related damages.
According to documents issued by the PUCSL, the proposed tariff revision would apply to electricity consumption from January to March 2026 and includes changes to both energy charges and fixed monthly charges across all consumer categories, including domestic, religious, industrial, commercial and other users.
Under the proposal, domestic electricity consumers would face increases in unit rates as well as fixed monthly charges across all consumption blocks.
The CEB has estimated a deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for the first quarter of 2026, which it says necessitates the proposed 11.57 per cent tariff hike. The utility has noted that any deviation from this estimate whether a surplus or a shortfall will be adjusted through the Bulk Supply Tariff Adjustment (BSTA) mechanism and taken into account in the next tariff revision.
In its submission, the CEB said the proposed revision is aimed at ensuring the financial and operational stability of the power sector and mitigating potential risks to the reliability of electricity supply. The board-approved tariff structure for the first quarter of 2026 has been submitted to the PUCSL for approval and subsequent implementation, as outlined in Annex II of the proposal.
The CEB has also highlighted the financial impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which it said caused extensive damage to electricity infrastructure, with total losses estimated at around Rs. 20 billion. Of this amount, Rs. 7,016.52 million has been attributed to the first quarter of 2026, which the utility said has a direct bearing on electricity tariffs.
The CEB warned that if external funding is not secured to cover the cyclone-related expenditure, the costs incurred would need to be recovered through electricity tariffs in the second-quarter revision of 2026.
Meanwhile, the PUCSL has said that a decision on whether to approve the proposed tariff increase will be made only after following due regulatory procedures and holding discussions on the matter.
By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️
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