News
Prof. Ratnasekera: 33% increase in annual intake a daunting challenge

World Bank assistance sought to sustain significant University expansion
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Directors, Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera says accommodating approximately 43,000 students––a staggering 33 per cent increase in the annual university intake–– would be a daunting task.
Prof. Ratnasekera, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Uva Wellassa University, discussed ways and means of providing the basic facilities required by new entrants, especially at a time the State University system experienced severe difficulties caused by the continuing Covid-19 epidemic. The academic was appearing on Sirasa ‘Pethikada’ hosted by Asoka Dias recently.
Prof. Ratnasekera said that as they wouldn’t be able to upgrade the required facilities to 100 per cent, the undergraduates would have to bear the difficulties. Prof. Ratnasekera, who had graduated from the People’s Friendship University, Moscow, Russia with an honours degree in Chemistry in 1988 and subsequently obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the same university in 1993, explained efforts made by the authorities to accommodate an additional 11,000 students.
Explaining the difficulty in addressing the inevitable limitations especially at a time the country was struggling to cope up with the devastating pandemic; Prof. Ratnasekera said that the University Grants Commission (UGC) was engaged in discussions with the Treasury to secure the necessary funding. Prof. Ratnasekera said that the Treasury would provide funding though it was unlikely to meet their entire requirement.
Prof. Ratnasekera declared that the latest increase in the number of new entrants was the largest single surge ever in the State University system.
Pointing out that the annual intake had been raised to 43,000 from 32,000; the academic said that Uva Wellassa University recorded almost a 100 per cent increase. Providing required facilities sufficiently would be a huge task, the outspoken don said underscoring the need for adequate library and laboratory facilities in addition to a range of other necessities such as canteen and accommodation.
Responding to another question, Prof. Ratnasekera emphasized the responsibility on their part to provide the basic necessities. The academic explained how as part of their overall response to the significant expansion of the student intake, the UGC was going ahead with plans to increase what he called the teaching cadre by 500. Prof. Ratnasekera said his University would get 43 additional lecturers. The proposed staffing would be in addition to the filling of existing vacancies, he said, explaining the need for substantial external assistance to bring the project meant to accommodate an additional 11,000 undergraduates to a successful conclusion.
Referring to the World Bank funded ongoing Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) project, Prof. Ratnasekera said that the UGC was in discussion with the WB in a bid to secure much needed financial assistance in support of the University expansion. Prof. Ratnasekera was of the opinion that the WB assistance might not be available immediately.
He explained the role played by the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Directors in overall UGC strategy and how it could assist the ongoing University expansion project. Reference was made to the moves to set up three new Universities, in addition to the 16 in operation now as the higher education sector underwent much needed reforms. The increase in the student intake should be examined against the backdrop of other relevant factors , such as the expansion of the University system, Prof. Ratnasekera said.
The senior academic however cautioned against expecting immediate results from investments made in research and related fields.
For want of proper understanding of what was offered by Universities, the undergraduates sometimes missed excellent opportunities to enhance their standing, Prof. Ratnasekera said, urging the student community to be aware of developments. The academic explained some exceptionally useful courses available at his Uva Wellassa University.
Prof. Ratnasekera called for a survey to find out the status of unemployed graduates. Assuring that he had absolutely no intention to undermine external degrees/external degree holders, he emphasized the need to examine the case of unemployed graduates. According to the vast majority of unemployed graduates they were those who obtained external degrees. Therefore a thorough examination of that issue and remedial measures were required.
Prof. Ratnasekera dismissed accusations pertaining to the alleged deterioration of the public sector University system. Contrary to those unsubstantiated allegations, the Universities, in spite of challenges faced were quite satisfied with the current status, the academic said, adding that other countries appreciated the Sri Lankan talent.
At the onset of the interview with Asoka Dias, Prof. Ratnasekera discussed how the Universities struggled to cope up with the Covid-19 rampage. The academic explained the difficulties associated with online classes and some of those chosen for Universities from 2018 Advance Level were yet to see the Universities due to the epidemic. Prof. Ratnasekera acknowledged the extreme difficulty in including the entire 160,000 University community in the ongoing vaccination programme. The Professor appreciated the inclusion of those in medical faculties et al in the vaccination programme.
Prof. Ratnasekera said that the entire University education couldn’t under any circumstances be conducted through online classes. Therefore, the need to resume classes at least on a staggered basis had to be recognised and tangible measures had to be taken in that regard, he said.
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President invites exporters to rise again from the economic setback

President Anura Kumar Disanayake invited Sri Lankan exporters to rebuild and thrive on a robust economic foundation.
The President emphasized that our country faces the challenge of capturing market share from a position of relative weakness. He pointed out that, to overcome this, external support had to be sought. In this regard, he highlighted that the government is prepared to provide assistance for recovery based on the current economic stability.
President Anura Kumar Disanayake made these remarks at the 26th Presidential Export Awards Ceremony.
The 26th Presidential Export Awards, organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), was held on Friday (07) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of President Anura Kumar Disanayake.
The main objective of the awards ceremony is to recognize exporters who have made significant contributions to the economic development of Sri Lanka.
The Presidential Export Award, presented by the President, is the highest honour for Sri Lankan exporters who have made significant contributions to the export sector and economic development.
The Presidential Export Awards program, initiated by the EDB in 1981, has been held annually to recognize Sri Lanka’s top exporters. The awards ceremony for the 2023/24 financial year took place this year.
A total of 14 major awards and 51 awards in the categories of production and services were presented, with recipients gaining the opportunity to use the Presidential Export Award logo as a marketing tool for three years.
President Anura Kumar Disanayake further emphasized the critical importance of the trust placed in Sri Lanka by international economic stakeholders to stabilize the country’s economy. He noted that the global market economy is interconnected, not entirely independent.
He further pointed out that the primary challenge facing Sri Lanka is securing a substantial share of the market amidst the current global division of markets and the ongoing competition to reclaim market shares.
President Anura Kumar Disanayake noted that the global market has become an interconnected network. He emphasized that in order for the country to become a key participant in this market, it must engage in trade agreements that are beneficial to Sri Lanka. He cautioned that aggressive, reckless approaches to market penetration would not be successful, stressing the need for strategic, thoughtful engagement.
The President further stated that the government is already taking steps to provide the necessary technical support for Sri Lankan exporters to enter the market with high-quality products. He highlighted the government’s focus on supplying new goods and services in response to global changes, in line with international market trends.
Regarding the reduction of electricity bills, the President mentioned that the government is prioritizing renewable energy sources to maintain long-term stability in energy costs. He added that efforts are underway to lower costs and ensure stable pricing over the next few years.
President Disanayake also emphasized that the government is committed to playing a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s economy to new heights. He noted that even small or misguided decisions can have significant negative impacts on the economy, and therefore, decisions regarding the economy must be made with great caution and foresight.
In his remarks, the President assured that the government is fully committed to fulfilling exporters’ requests, which are vital to strengthening the nation’s economy and maintaining a strong economic foundation.
Finally, the President invited Sri Lankan exporters to unite in strengthening the economy, stressing the importance of collaboration and mutual understanding to navigate the challenges of economic recovery and growth effectively.
The ceremony was attended by several distinguished individuals, including Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Duminda Hulangamuwa, along with various Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Parliamentarians, foreign diplomats, Secretaries to the Ministries, and members of the EDB.
[PMD]
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