Connect with us

Business

SLT-MOBITEL pushes boundaries in ICT & Telecom Education

Published

on

SLT-MOBITEL has always been the pioneer held in high esteem when it comes to offering the nation with ICT and telecom solutions. Having achieved for itself a name within the telecom industry, SLT-MOBITEL identified the significance of elevating the nation’s young minds and empowering the growth of the industry by tapping into the education sector. This is when SLT Training Centre (SLTTC) came into being, and today can be hailed as an educational institute that is widely recognised for specialized education in the country.

SLTTC was initiated with the aim of developing the competency of the company’s staff members and the steps that were taken by the telecommunications service provider eventually paved the way to expand their educational services even further; working to uplift youth who were enthusiastic about entering the telecom industry in Sri Lanka. The educational arm of SLT-MOBITEL, SLTTC first began operations by offering engineering courses which extended up to degree level courses. Now, the training centre is looking forward to diversify on their course offerings and provide a range of courses for members of the public who seek to achieve a career pathway in the telecom sector.

Commenting on the role that the SLTTC plays in the country’s tertiary education landscape, Janaka Silva, General Manager of Talent Development Division, Sri Lanka Telecom stated, “Sri Lanka Telecom Training Centres have, over the years, maintained and continued to make a name as a premier provider of education services in the ICT and telecommunications disciplines. Being the training arm of SLT-MOBITEL, it also places the training centre on a higher standing where our students are guaranteed to receive the best in terms of higher education and training, during their time here with us. With our abundance of facilities, range of short and degree-level courses and the knowhow gained through easy access to industry-expertise, our students will be able to find their footing in the real world out there and confidently penetrate into the ICT and telecom industry, both locally and internationally.”

Amongst the many advantages that SLTTC has to offer, is their affiliation with world-recognized universities such as the University of Hertfordshire, UK, which offers Bachelor of Engineering Honours Degrees in a variety of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electronics & Computer Engineering streams and also is amongst the highest-ranking universities in the world. Another awarding body is the Pearson BTEC (UK), which offers Higher National Diploma courses in Computing and Electrical & Electronic Engineering.

Prospective students can choose from an array of short courses such as Certificate in Applied Information Technology (CAIT), Advanced Certificate in Contact Centre Profession (CCP), Data Communication (CCNA), Transmission and Telecommunication Technician (NVQ Levels 3/4), and some that cover areas including Optical Fibre, Power & AC,. Sri Lankan students can therefore, easily gain a world-class education from the comfort of their own country and that too, at a fraction of the cost it would take to seek education abroad.

Upon successful completion of their studies, students can also obtain IET membership. Students who graduate after completing their B.Eng. degree can also move forward with their study path and enrol in an MSc or MBA program that is being offered by universities in the UK, USA and Australia, to name a few. Students who complete a UK degree program may also be entitled to a two-year post work permit in the UK.

A major highlight from the training centre’s achievements is the recognition it received when 10 first-class honours holders graduated from two batches, in two consecutive years (2019 and 2020). This type of output is rarely witnessed and yet, the SLTTC has been successful in easily achieving this feat. This accomplishment is down to the dedication and industry-expertise displayed by the lecture panel. What sets their lecturing approach apart is that students receive the utmost attention from their lecturers and many of the lecturers are also employed at SLT-MOBITEL. Therefore, they come equipped with a plethora of industry experience and knowhow which benefits their students and provides them with the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge and experience.

Students being able to asily access their lecturers who are available to freely support their students at any time also helps in this process. Alternatively, students are also considered for internships at SLT-MOBITEL, thus providing them with an edge in terms of the fields they pursue and making the edification and career process ever more fulfilling. Many graduates have gone on to forge successful careers in their respective fields of study with their world-class qualifications being an extra stepping stone.

SLTTC has locations in Welisara, Moratuwa and Kandy. Amongst the many facilities made available to students, are lab facilities, sophisticated interactive classrooms, auditorium, recreation facilities, hostel facilities, library and canteen facilities. Extra-curricular activities are also a major part of the training centre’s learning experience and students are encouraged to take part in those proceedings.



Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Budget 2025: A spectrum of reactions and perspectives

Published

on

By Sanath Nanayakkare

The 2025 Government Budget has begun to attract multiple comments from the corporate sector, academics, the government ranks and the Opposition. Reproduced below are a few of them.

First Capital Research’s analysts pointed out that the budget heavily leant towards social welfare and infrastructure development significantly increasing government expenditure.

“The already announced tax revenue measures and the digitalization drive are expected to boost Government Revenue allowing the Budget Deficit to be contained at 6.7% of GDP. A significant portion of increased government spending has been directed towards social spending with increased public sector salaries and pensions, coupled with higher allocation for assistance programs such as Aswesuma and other additional social benefits. While this ensures financial relief for many households, it also influences overall economic behavior in ways that will be felt across society. Efforts have also been made to support the lagging economy via public investments with spending targeted towards road construction, water projects, housing and city developments,” First Capital said.

“Despite the extravagant spending increases, a substantial increase in revenue is also planned with bulk of the revenue increase expected from taxes on vehicles while VAT on digital services, the imposition of corporate income tax on the export of services, and an increase in the corporate tax on cigarettes/liquor, and gaming is expected support to achieve the target. Further support is anticipated via digitalization and the expansion in the economy where the Government expects to provide a boost through spending on infrastructure, with the aim to balance spending with fiscal discipline while fostering long-term economic stability,” First Capital noted.

Government

“The Opposition was helpless when the President presented a progressive budget that brings good times for the people of this country. It was the most successful budget when looking back at the budgets presented in the past few decades,” Deputy Minister of Fisheries Ratna Gamage said.

“The government has delivered the best salary increments for state employees. The basic salaries of all state employees have increased across the board in significant amounts. Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe said.

Academics

“Sri Lanka needs new technology-driven production economy. For that the contribution of the private sector is needed. The budget has not focused on that aspect,” Economist Professor Wasantha Athukorale said.

“There is some risk emanating from the increase of state employee salaries which will cost Rs. 300 billion within the next three years. This is more than what is collected from PAYEE tax. Dhananath Fernando of Advocata said.

Opposition

“The Budget represented the voice of the IMF, the sovereign bondholders and the scam-laden super-rich,” Peratugami Activist Pubudu Jayagoda said.

“The Budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was the mother of all deceptions”, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.

“When state employees get their salary in April, they will realize that they have been taken for a ride by the government, SJB MP Marikkar said.

Janasetha Peramuna leader Ven. Baththaramulle Seelarathan said the government which came to power through the massive support of Buddhist monks., has not made an allocation in the budget for enhancing the quality of education at Pirivenas although other areas of education had allocations.”

Udaya Gammanpila , Leader, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya said that they have identified 12 projects that no allocations were set apart for, through the budget.

Referring to a popular verse about wearing someone else’s pants and strutting about, Gammanpila said,” “The essence of the Budget reveals that the President is confidently adopting Ranil Wickremesinghe’s policies as if they were his own.

Continue Reading

Business

‘Dependence on solar panels hindering national power grid stability’

Published

on

By Ifham Nizam

As Sri Lanka accelerates its transition to renewable energy, particularly through the widespread adoption of rooftop solar installations, it is encountering significant hurdles in maintaining the stability of its national power grid.

While the country’s commitment to sustainability aligns with global trends, the increasing reliance on intermittent sources like solar energy has introduced complex challenges, especially during periods of low industrial demand such as weekends and holidays.

A senior electrical engineer, speaking to The Island Financial Review, raised alarm over the escalating frequency fluctuations and instability in the power system, particularly on sunny Sundays when energy demand plummets. The high penetration of non-despatchable renewable energy (NCRE), such as solar power, has reduced system inertia, putting the grid at a heightened risk of failure during these low-demand periods.

He said one critical example was on September 22, 2024, when the national grid registered its lowest demand of 670 MW at 10:53 AM. To keep the grid stable, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had to curtail 160 MW of solar power and other NCRE sources between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. This action was taken to elevate the grid demand to 820 MW, thus ensuring the dispatch of higher-inertia power plants that provide more stability.

Despite these efforts, the CEB has warned that continued low demand could lead to more frequent instances of under-frequency load shedding (UFLS). In extreme cases, the instability could even result in the tripping of large thermal power plants, such as the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai.

The CEB has identified a series of interventions aimed at mitigating these risks and ensuring the power grid remains stable:

New Tariff Structures for Industries: The CEB proposes incentivized electricity rates for industries during weekends and holidays to encourage higher electricity consumption, helping to balance demand fluctuations.

Hydropower as a Stability Solution: Large hydroelectric plants, including Victoria, Kothmale, and Samanalawewa, could be operated in synchronous condenser mode, which would allow them to provide reactive power support without generating electricity, bolstering grid stability.

Gas Turbine Generators for Inertia Support: The operation of the Kelanitissa Gas Turbine 7, with its high inertia, in synchronous condenser mode is being considered to provide further grid stability.

Fast Frequency Response and Energy Storage: Investments in energy storage technologies such as battery energy storage systems (BESS), flywheel storage, and fast-acting gas turbines are seen as critical for stabilizing frequency fluctuations quickly.

NCRE Control Desk Implementation: A dedicated monitoring and forecasting unit for renewable energy generation will help to manage the fluctuating supply of renewable energy more effectively.

Review of Spinning Reserve Requirements: The CEB is reassessing the adequacy of the current hot spinning reserve of 5%, considering the growing proportion of renewable energy on the grid.

Regulatory Framework for NCRE Curtailments: The establishment of a regulatory mechanism to control the dispatch of renewable energy, particularly from plants larger than 5 MW, will be essential in ensuring grid stability.

Optimization of Power Plant Operations: The CEB is exploring ways to optimize the operations of hydro and thermal power plants, particularly concerning their minimum operating power levels and ramp rates, to increase the overall inertia of the system.

Continue Reading

Business

Sri Lanka Bank’s Association welcomes budget as “Positive,” stresses importance of implementation

Published

on

Sri Lanka’s banks have welcomed the maiden budget of the new government, describing it as “positive” and one that seeks to maintain policy consistency, especially on the fiscal path.

In a statement, the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA), which represents all licensed banks in Sri Lanka, commended the budget proposals presented to Parliament by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

In particular, the SLBA commended the budget’s emphasis on digitization, the proposed establishment of Credit Guarantee Institute for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and the focus on export orientation, and said the key to achieving the envisaged outcomes would be effective and consistent implementation of the proposals in both “letter and spirit.”

Pointing out that the banking sector contributed about 10% of government revenues in 2024 and continues to play a significant role in the growth agenda of the country, the SLBA said the country’s banks remain committed to supporting the implementation of the proposals in the budget.

The Association noted that Point-of-Sale (POS) machines at every VAT registered business entity would lead to transparent business transactions in digitized form, reducing the use of physical cash, and that this would result in a greater percentage of cash-flows being captured in the banking channels.

“Increased digitalization of the financial economy would also increase investments from the financial institutions into digital infrastructure to drive online transactions, tighten anti-money laundering procedures, improve surveillance, and control cyber-crime,” the SLBA said.

It said the establishment of a credible Credit Guarantee Institute for the SMEs and establishing a development bank through the infrastructure of an existing state bank are positive steps that should enhance the segment’s capacity to secure credit and improve the quality of its relationship with the banking sector.

Continue Reading

Trending