News
SL scientists clueless about mission of Chinese research ship, says expert
There should be bilateral discussions and agreements on itineraries when foreign research vessels sail to foreign countries, says Prof. Emeritus Ruchira Kumaratunga, who established the country’s first university Oceanography Department at the University of Ruhuna. She said so commenting on the Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6, which has sought permission to dock and resupply in Sri Lanka.
“There must be a discussion between the Chinese and Sri Lankan scientists and researchers involved. For example, what will be done, what kind of information will be gathered and where the collected information will be stored. This is not the first time that a research ship has arrived in Sri Lanka. I have even been involved in discussions when Norwegian marine research vessel, Fridtjof Nansen arrived,” she said.
Prof. Kumaratunga said that Ruhuna University had engaged with Chinese research vessels in the past. Prior to her retirement from the university, she was involved with the discussions with Chinese scientists, she said.
“However, the manner in which the collected data is stored is problematic. There is no report on the previous Chinese engagement with the university on the university website. On the other hand, Fridtjof Nansen data can be accessed by anyone,” she said.
Kumaratunga said she had written to the Minister of Justice before the approval for the ship was granted, asking him a few questions on the Chinese research vessel.
“The VC who held the discussions with the Chinese is now sick. The main geologist involved in the discussion is now a resident of the US. The university itself is not sure who will engage with the Chinese. The current VC also has no idea. I wasn’t involved in the discussions. I think academics of the Oceanography Department must be informed when such discussions are taking place,” she said.
The emeritus professor said that the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) said the Chinese vessel would work with the University of Ruhuna. However, given that the academics at the university seem to be clueless about the research vessel, Kumaratunga said she was apprehensive about the Chinese vessel.
“Not a single permanent academic at the university is aware of who will be involved in the research. Who will take part in the research, and where will the data repository be? Sri Lanka needs to have access to the data,” she said.
Prof. Kumaratunga said Shi Yan 6 would study the ocean floor owned by Sri Lanka and information on the ocean floor must be closely guarded. There can be many resources that Sri Lanka can extract, she said.
“Are there Sri Lankans who know what equipment that the Chinese will bring? First of all, we need to train our scientists. They need to know what equipment the foreign scientists will use. The data must be shared with us,” she said.
The Royal Navy of Oman Vessel “SADH” arrived at the Port of Colombo on a logistics replenishment visit on Tuesday (10 Feb 26). The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in
compliance with naval traditions.
The 75m – long ship is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Shaheen Saud Abdul Rahman AI Balushi.
The port call will facilitate professional interaction and goodwill exchanges between the two navies.
During the stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city of Colombo.
* New Auditor General should not have been sworn in before Speaker – Opp.
* Suspended House Dy. Sec. Gen. Chaminda Kularatne takes his case to CA today
General Secretary of the National People’s Power (NPP) Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe yesterday said that there was no need for Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne to step down in view of the complaint lodged against him with the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption).
NPP General Secretary said so in response to The Island query whether the parliamentary group of the ruling party discussed the growing Opposition calls for the Speaker, who is also the Chairman of the Constitutional Council, to step down to facilitate the investigation.
The NPP parliamentary group consists of 159 MPs, including 18 National List (NL) members.
NL member Dr. Abeysinghe asked whether any other person, who had been investigated by the CIABOC, stepped down from his or her position to facilitate the inquiry.
The top official emphasised that the CIABOC could go ahead with its investigation without any hindrance.
Chamindra and Dr. Jagath
Opposition sources said that there hadn’t been a similar situation before and the CIABOC investigation into Speaker Dr. Wickramaratne is unprecedented as he heads the 10-member CC responsible and directly involved in all key appointments, including that of members to the CIABOC.
Sources pointed out that the newly appointed Auditor General, Ms. Samudrika Jayaratne, took the oath of secrecy before the Speaker on 5 February in Parliament after suspended Deputy General Secretary of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne complained to CIABOC.
In accordance with Section 9 of the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018, Jayaratne took the oath of secrecy in her capacity as the Auditor General of the National Audit Office and Chairperson of the Audit Service Commission.
Sources said that Kularatne would move the Court of Appeal today (10) against his removal at the behest of the Staff Advisory Committee, headed by the Speaker.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court yesterday (09) further remanded 10 persons, including four Buddhist monks, arrested on 19 January, 2026, for allegedly placing a Buddha statue in the coastal reservation, on 16 January.
The Buddhist monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, and six other individuals, were further remanded until 11 February.
They have been accused of violating the Coast Conservation Act by placing a Buddha statue on a block of land belonging to the Trincomalee Bodhiraja Temple.
Of the four monks, Ven Balangoda Kassapa Thera and Ven Trincomalee Kalyanawansa Tissa Thera moved the Court of Appeal against the Magistrate’s Court decision. The case was heard on 22 January before a Bench comprising the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, and Justice K. Priyantha Fernando.
Manohara de Silva, PC, and President’s Counsel Uditha Igalahewa, PC, appearing for the petitioners, urged the Court to take up the matter urgently, describing it as a case of exceptional importance.
However, the Court of Appeal on 3 February dismissed the petitions against the remanding of Ven Balangoda Kassapa Thera and Ven Trincomalee Kalyanawansa Tissa Thera.
The order was issued by the Court of Appeal bench consisting of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abesuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.
Royal Navy of Oman Vessel “SADH” arrives at Port of Colombo
Spirited USA seek Pakistan scalp after opening day heartbreak
New Zealand brace for unfamiliar opponents UAE
Namibia begin campaign in crucial game against Netherlands
Markram, Ngidi help South Africa ease past dogged Canada
Pakistan withdraw boycott of India match at T20 World Cup
‘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
-
Features3 days agoMy experience in turning around the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka (MBSL) – Episode 3
-
Business4 days agoZone24x7 enters 2026 with strong momentum, reinforcing its role as an enterprise AI and automation partner
-
Business3 days agoRemotely conducted Business Forum in Paris attracts reputed French companies
-
Business3 days agoFour runs, a thousand dreams: How a small-town school bowled its way into the record books
-
Business3 days agoComBank and Hayleys Mobility redefine sustainable mobility with flexible leasing solutions
-
Business4 days agoHNB recognized among Top 10 Best Employers of 2025 at the EFC National Best Employer Awards
-
Business4 days agoGREAT 2025–2030: Sri Lanka’s Green ambition meets a grid reality check
-
Editorial6 days agoAll’s not well that ends well?