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Project to distribute smart boards for 1,000 schools with the goal of enhancing education has completely failed to meet its objectives and the investment of LKR 1.7 billion has been underutilized -PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the project to distribute smart boards for 1,000 schools with the goal of enhancing education has completely failed to meet its objectives and the investment of LKR 1.7 billion has been underutilized.
The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks in the Parliament complex on Saturday [March 15, 2025] while discussing the project to establish networked classrooms by facilitating smart boards to the school system.
The Cabinet Memorandum No. AMP/24/0385/601/027 and the Cabinet decision dated March 4, 2024 has been presented for the approval of the provision of digital smart boards and other related equipment to 1,000 selected schools, with the objective of enhancing education through the establishment of a systematic network of smart classrooms within the school system funded by the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL).
Subsequently, an additional Cabinet Memorandum, No. AMP/24/0978/630/009, dated May 14, 2024, was presented, proposing the implementation of this project in alignment with the project proposed by Chinese government for digitalizing Schools. Under this Chinese-funded project, plans were made to establish a centralized control center and a studio facility, along with the provision of an additional 500 smart boards. Accordingly, the integration of both projects was proposed to create a network of smart classrooms across 1,500 schools.
The cabinet decision has been presented requiring Sri Lankan Government to purchase smart boards with specifications identical to the smart boards which were proposed to be distributed by the Chinese Government.
In line with the Cabinet decision of May 14, 2024, the procurement for the 1,000 smart boards began in July 2024. However, at the time of purchase, the project proposed by the Chinese Government was still at the discussion stage, and no official agreement had been reached regarding the technical specifications of the smart boards.
However, the procurement was carried out through the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation without a competitive bidding process, relying on price quotations obtained from a single supplier based on unclear sources that were not officially verified by the Chinese government. The Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission incurred the full cost of LKR 1.7 billion, with an additional LKR 430 million allocated for services and installation.
The aforementioned procurement appears to have been conducted at an unusually accelerated pace when compared to the standard procedure typically followed for high-value procurements. Specifically, price quotations were requested on July 5, 2024, opened on July 15, 2024, and by July 16, 2024, the Technical Evaluation Committee had completed and submitted the report. Subsequently, the report was reviewed by the Standing Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet on July 17 and 18, 2024, with recommendations being provided on the same day. These recommendations were then submitted to the Cabinet on July 23, 2024, and approval was granted on July 30, 2024. Followed by this, the purchase requisition was issued to the supplier on August 5, 2024. Accordingly, the entire procurement process was completed within a span of one month.
As part of this procurement, a Letter of Credit was opened to facilitate the payment of USD 3,135,392.50 for 1,000 smart boards to Intelligent Express Limited Hong Kong, which has been identified as a representative of Huawei. While the relevant Cabinet paper indicated Huawei as the designated manufacturer supplying the smart boards under the Chinese funding project, the Chinese government has not yet confirmed the selection of such a supplier for this project.
According to aforementioned purchase requisition, the purchased smart boards and related equipment were delivered to the Ministry of Education in October 2024 and are currently stored at Pattala Gedara Teacher’s Training College. Although the procurement of the aforementioned Smart boards by the Sri Lankan Government has been finalized, the relevant project, which was intended to be implemented under the funding of Chinese government, has not yet commenced and a final agreement regarding its implementation has not been reached.
Prior to reaching a final agreement on the network integration facilities and centralized system proposed by the Chinese government, the procurement of these smart boards has resulted in the inability to utilize the equipment for the intended purpose. It is expected that the Chinese aid project is at the discussion stage, and the implementation may extend until the end of this year. Further, no official decision has been made regarding the selection of a supplier for the project.
Given this situation, if the 1,000 smart boards and other equipment currently stored in warehouses are to be distributed to schools, school principals must be provided with clear instructions on their proper use. However, due to the delay in implementing the project under the funding of the Chinese government, specific guidelines on the installation and utilization of the equipment cannot yet be issued.
Since network integration cannot be carried out at this stage, these smart boards can only be used as standalone classroom units. As a result, the objectives of the project will not be met, and the investment of LKR 1.7 billion made might be considered to be underutilized.
A formal investigation has been initiated to determine whether financial and procedural irregularities have occurred in this procurement. Additionally, discussions are currently continued with the Chinese government, and efforts are being made to secure the proposed facilities from China at the earliest convenience.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Having been under covers for long periods, the surface showed some stickiness in the previous Super Eights game here, making run-scoring far from straightforward. However, with no rain around now, the pitch has had time to settle, which could aid better batting compared to the England-Sri Lanka game. That said, spin is still expected to play a major role. On the weather front, there is no rain forecast for Tuesday.
Even though Shaheen Afridi spent a fair amount of time bowling in the practice session on the eve of the game, it appears unlikely that the left-armer will return to the XI, with Salman Mirza set to retain his place. Pakistan brought back Fakhar Zaman into the mix against New Zealand in place of Khawaja Nafay. With the game getting washed out, they would want to stick to their call and give the experienced Zaman a go.
In that scenario, Babar’s role could be limited to that of a stabiliser at No. 4 in case of early wickets.
[Cricbuzz]
A blistering 93 not out from Sune Luus, and an all-round bowling display from the South Africa bowlers overpowered Pakistan in a rain affected first ODI in Bloemfontein. A weather delay meant the contest had been reduced to 41 overs-a-side at the Manguang Oval. Put in to bat first, South Africa lost two early wickets but were steadied by skipper Laura Wolvaardt. She had reached 43 when she fell to Nashra Sandhu, leaving South Africa at 84 for 3 after 17 overs.
Luus then staged a recovery through the middle overs in the company of Annerie Dercksen: for the fourth wicket, they stitched together a partnership of 80 in just 12.2 overs. However, the acceleration was halted when Dercksen fell for a 37-ball 31 to Syeda Aroob Shah. It was the first of three wickets to fall in a clump: South Africa lost 3 for 6 at one point.
Luus ensured that no further wickets were lost in the remaining nine overs of the innings. She laced eight fours and one six on her way to an unbeaten 76-ball 93. But the finishing kick came from the keeper-batter Sinalo Jafta, who made a career-best 57 not out off 38 deliveries. Her strike rate of 150 would end up being the best from either side, and launched South Africa to a total of 260 for 6.
Requiring more than a run-a-ball from the get go, Pakistan struggled in their chase. They were reduced to 5 for 2 within their first four overs, with strikes from Ayanda Hlubi (1 for 22) and Nadine de Klerk (2 for 36). Sidra Amin (68) and Ayesha Zafar (81) stitched together a 116-run partnership for the third wicket to keep Pakistan in the contest, though they went just below six an over during these 20.3 overs.
By the time Amin had been ripped out by Luus – who finished with 2 for 31 from six overs – the required rate had risen above seven. Pakistan huffed and puffed, with Aliya Riaz’s quickfire 26-ball 31 keeping them interested. But when she was stumped off Nonkululeko Mlaba’s left-arm spin, Pakistan had been held down to 217 for 8.
Three overs remained, and they needed an improbable 44 runs off them.Tumi Sekhukhune was at the front of the mop-up job with a lower order that did not come close to threatening this equation. She picked up the remaining two wickets to finish on figures of 3 for 50, and Pakistan were bowled out for 223 to hand South Africa a 1-0 lead.
Brief scores:
South Africa Women 260 for 6 in 41 overs (Sune Luus 93*, Laira Wolvaardt 43, Sinalo Jaffa 57*; Nashra Sandhu 2-45) beat Pakistan Women 223 in 38.5 overs (Ayesha Zafar 81, Sidra Amin 68; Nadine de Klerk 2-36, Tumi Sekhukhune 3-50, Sune Luus 2-31) by 37 runs
[Cricinfo]
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has begun pretrial hearings for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing three counts of crimes against humanity for deadly anti-drugs crackdowns he oversaw while in office.
Duterte, 80, was not in The Hague courtroom on Monday, having waived his right to appear as prosecutors began presenting evidence to support their charges of his alleged involvement in dozens of killings as part of his so-called war on drugs.
The four-day confirmation-of-charges hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence against Duterte to proceed to a formal trial.
After the hearing, the judges will have 60 days to issue a written decision.
The case marks a reversal of fortune for Duterte, who has repeatedly cursed the ICC, and offers families of victims and survivors of his six-year war on drugs a chance at justice.
The United States-based watchdog Human Rights Watch said the hearing on Monday was “a critical step in ensuring justice for victims of the Philippines’ ‘war on drugs’” while families of victims called it a “moment of truth”.
Llore Pasco, the mother of two men killed by unknown attackers in 2017, told Al Jazeera it was urgent that all those involved in the so-called war on drugs, including the former president, “are held accountable”.
“I feel a little bit nervous, but this is the moment of truth. We are all hoping that the ICC and the judges will hear the cry of the victims.”
Luzviminda Siapo, whose 19-year-old son was killed in 2017, said she was encouraged that there is progress in the case against Duterte, whom she described as the “brains” behind the killings.
“I hope other perpetrators will also be brought to justice,” she told Al Jazeera.
ICC prosecutors have charged Duterte with crimes against humanity, alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders from 2013 to 2018.
The true number of killings during his campaign in the Philippines is thought to be as high as 30,000 and lawyers for the victims have argued that a full trial could encourage many more families to come forward.
The first of the three counts against Duterte concerns his alleged involvement as a coperpetrator in 19 murders carried out from 2013 to 2016 while he was mayor of Davao City.
The second relates to 14 murders of so-called “high-value targets” in 2016 and 2017 when he was president.
The third charge covers 43 murders committed during “clearance” operations of lower-level accused drug users or pushers across the Philippines from 2016 to 2018.
Duterte denies the charges, his lawyer Nicholas Kaufman told journalists in advance of the hearing.
Duterte, who was president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested in Manila in March, flown to the Netherlands and has since been held at the ICC’s detention unit at Scheveningen Prison.
He followed his initial hearing three days later via videolink, appearing dazed and frail and barely speaking.
In a letter sent to the court on Tuesday, Duterte remained defiant, saying he does “not recognise” the jurisdiction of the court and he is “proud” of his legacy.
Duterte also accused the court of carrying out his “kidnapping” in cooperation with incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, a former ally and the 2022 running mate of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Philippines left the ICC in 2019 on Duterte’s instructions, but the court has ruled that it still has jurisdiction over offences committed there from 2011 to 2019.
The defence has appealed the ruling, and a decision on its filing is still pending.
Duterte, the first Asian former head of state to appear before the ICC, remains hugely popular in the Philippines, where many favoured his tough approach to crime.
Two demonstrations have been registered for Monday in The Hague – one in support of Duterte and another in support of the victims of the “war on drugs”.
[Aljazeera]
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ICC opens hearings into ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
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Dottin out obstructing the field as Sri Lanka clinch series
Prime Minister Attends the 40th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Nippon Educational and Cultural Centre
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