News
Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva new VC of Kelaniya University
Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva has been appointed Vice- Chancellor of University of Kelaniya with effect from last Friday. She assumed duties as the first female Vice Chancellor of the Kelaniya University.
Present at the occasion were Senior Prof. P. S. Wijesinghe, former acting Vice- Chancellor & Dean- Faculty of Medicine, Senior Prof. Ariyarathna Jayamaha, Dean- Faculty of Graduate Studies, Senior Prof. S. R. D. Kalingamudali, Dean- Faculty of Science, Prof. M. M. Gunathilaka, Dean- Faculty of Social Science, Senior Lecturer Dr. P.N.D. Fernando, Dean- Faculty of Commerce & Management Studies, Senior Lecturer Sudath Senarath, Dean- Faculty of Humanities, Senior Lecturer Dr. Gamini Wijayarathna, Dean- Faculty of Computing & Technology, Directors & Chairmen of Centers & Units, Heads of Departments, other academic staff members, W.M. Karunaratne, Registrar and non-academic staff members.
Prof Nilanthi Renuka de Silva graduated with an MBBS from the University of Colombo in 1986 and went on to obtain a Masters in Medical Parasitology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK and MD and Board Certification in Medical Parasitology, from Colombo University’s Postgraduate Institute of Medicine. She was a Commonwealth Fellow at the University of Oxford, UK in 1995/96, and a FAIMER Fellow at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington DC, USA, in 2004/05.After a brief stint as a lecturer in Parasitology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya in 1991-93, Prof de Silva moved to the newly established Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kelaniya in Ragama in 1993.
The main focus of her research has been on soil-transmitted helminth infections and other neglected tropical diseases. She has published extensively in this field, in peer-reviewed scientific journals including the Lancet, Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, Tropical Medicine & International Health and the Ceylon Medical Journal. She has over 5,000 citations of her work on Google Scholar and an h-index of 27. She is an expert advisor on Neglected Tropical Diseases to the World Health Organization, serving both WHO Headquarters and the South East Asia Regional Office in many different capacities since 2000.
She has served in a similar advisory capacity to other international entities: Children Without Worms at the Task Force for Global Health in Atlanta, USA; the Partnership for Child Development at Imperial College London; and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative in Geneva, Switzerland. Prof. de Silva has also pursued a long-standing interest in the education of health professionals and quality assurance in Higher Education. She has served as a member of the Internal Quality Assurance Unit of the University of Kelaniya since its inception in 2005. She was appointed Chairman of the committee managing the IQAU in 2010, and subsequently, Director, Quality Assurance Centre of the University of Kelaniya, during the period 2015 – 2018.
She has served as a member of the Sri Lanka Medical Council, and as its Vice-President. She has worked with the SLMC to develop Standards for Accreditation of Medical Schools in Sri Lanka, as well as with the Quality Assurance & Accreditation Council of the UGC to develop the Subject Benchmark Statement in Medicine for use in Sri Lankan universities. She was a member of the UGC’s Standing Committee on Medical & Dental Sciences from 2009 to 2018 and a member of the Standing Committee on Quality Assurance from 2015 onwards. She has supported the PGIM of the University of Colombo as a member of the Board of Study in Microbiology, the Specialty Board in Medical Education, the Board of Management and its Academic Affairs, Accreditation and Examinations Committee. Prof. de Silva was the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya from 2012 to 2018 and worked as Director of the Quality Assurance Council of the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka from December 2018 to August 2020. (IN)
The newly appointed Cabinet Committee tasked with ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of Sri Lanka’s public service held its inaugural meeting on Thursday (19) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya.
The Committee convened to discuss strategies to maintain seamless government operations in the face of potential disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict situation in the Middle East, with particular focus on energy resource management.
According to officials, the discussions emphasised sustaining essential government services, ensuring continued service delivery to the public, and addressing the operational challenges faced by public sector employees during the current circumstances. The Committee also examined measures to mitigate any disruptions that could affect day-to-day administrative and service functions across ministries and departments.
Key attendees at the meeting included the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government A. H. M. M. H. Abayaratne; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the
Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi; and senior secretaries from key ministries including Health and Mass Media, Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Energy, and Digital Economy.
Representatives from state institutions such as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation were also present, highlighting the government’s focus on energy security as a central priority. The Committee’s deliberations underscored a coordinated approach to balancing uninterrupted public service delivery with effective management of limited energy resources amid the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
Observers note that the formation of this Cabinet Committee reflects the government’s proactive stance in safeguarding national administrative functions and ensuring that critical public services remain resilient during times of external pressures.The Committee is expected to meet regularly to monitor developments, evaluate emerging risks, and implement practical measures to maintain operational continuity across the public sector.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Friday lashed out at President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament, accusing him of failing to uphold international law during wartime.
Premadasa said the President’s claim of neutrality ignored breaches of the UN Charter—including Articles 2.4 and 2.7—and other global conventions. “A neutral stance requires openly acknowledging violations,” he argued, criticizing the absence of ethical mechanisms to safeguard international law.
He also questioned the President’s handling of maritime issues, particularly whether Sri Lanka had been informed of the alleged attack on the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena, stressing that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) permits only peaceful activity.
On the economic front, Premadasa condemned the government for missing a chance to buy Russian oil during a 30-day U.S. sanctions suspension.
He said attempts to advise the Foreign Ministry, including a meeting with the Russian Ambassador, yielded no progress.
Premadasa further ridiculed the government’s earlier dismissal of the QR code fuel system, noting that officials are now adapting to it.
Turning to broader economic concerns, he called for immediate negotiations with the IMF to secure a new agreement, warning that the current primary balance of 2.3 is unsustainable. He stressed the urgent need for a poverty-reduction program, highlighting that one-third of Sri Lankans live in poverty.
He also demanded that surplus Treasury funds be used to support relief packages, arguing billions in reserves could aid households struggling with income shortfalls.Concluding his address, Premadasa criticized the government for failing to prepare for foreseeable crises, leaving the country vulnerable.
Former Minister Johnston Fernando, his two sons, and three others were remanded by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday (20) until April 2, the court confirmed.
The suspects, including Fernando’s elder son Johan, younger son Jerome, and a former transport manager of Lanka Sathosa, are under investigation by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).
Authorities allege the Lanka Sathosa lorry was misused for operations linked to an ethanol company reportedly owned by Fernando, causing an estimated Rs. 2.5 million loss to the state.
Trump says US will ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants if Strait of Hormuz not open before 48-hour deadline
Showers may occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya district after 1.00 pm.
PM Harini leads panel to protect public services
Sajith slams President over war conduct and economic missteps
Johnston Fernando, sons held in Lanka Sathosa lorry misuse case
Gura: The unsung hero
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Business7 days agoBrowns EV launches fast-charging BAW E7 Pro at Rs. 5.8 million
-
News5 days agoCIABOC questions Ex-President GR on house for CJ’s maid
-
News6 days agoSri Lankan marine scientist Asha de Vos honoured at UNGA opening
-
Features7 days agoAchievements of the Hunduwa!
-
News6 days agoAustralian HC debunks misleading travel risk claims for Sri Lanka
-
News4 days agoBailey Bridge inaugurated at Chilaw
-
Latest News6 days agoWednesdays declared a government holiday with effect from 18th March
-
News4 days agoPay hike demand: CEB workers climb down from 40 % to 15–20%