News
The covd-19 pandemic: the way forward through impactful research

16th Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration
The 16th Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration will be delivered on Monday, 30th August by Professor Neelika Malavige on the topic “The Covid-19 Pandemic: The way forward through impactful research.”
Professor Malavige is an Alumnus of the University of Colombo and is presently the Head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. She is also presently the Director of the Centre for Dengue Research of the same university and also a Visiting Academic at the MRC Human Immunology Unit of the University of Oxford.
The Annual Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration, being a premier annual event of the University of Colombo is hosted for the 16th consecutive year by the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo, in memory of its illustrious Past President the late Mrs. Sujata Jayawardena who rendered immense service to the University of Colombo.
This will be the first time this Oration will be held virtually, both through the Learn Network and Portal through Zoom and as a Facebook Event.
Speaking on the Oration, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo Prof. Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne said “I convey my deepest appreciation to our respected alumni for recognizing home grown scientific researchers who can contribute to society, that is aptly personified by the experiences of the Covid-19 Pandemic.”
University of Colombo Alumni President Rajeev Amarasuriya speaking about the upcoming Oration said “We are in unprecedented times searching for light at the end of the tunnel. In circumstances like these it is good to take a step back and reflect before moving forward. I am confident this year’s Oration will provide that opportunity for everyone”.
Former President of the Alumni Association Thilak Karunaratne who conceived the idea of this Annual Oration during his Presidency in 2004 said “We could not have the SJM Oration for two years due to the Covid Pandemic. Therefore, it is great to have the Oration virtually this year. Further, we are extremely fortunate to have a person of the calibre of Prof. Neelika Malavige as the Orator with a timely topic”.
Past Orators have been Prof. Chandra Wickramasinghe, Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala, H.E. Robert O. Blake Jr., Judge C.G. Weeramantry, Vidyajothi Prof. Arjuna Aluwihare, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, Prof. Sudarshan Seneviratne, Emeritus Prof. Carlo Fonseka, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Chinese Ambassador H.E. Yi Xianliang, Indian High Commissioner H.E. Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Mr. Tony Weerasinghe.
All those interested in participating at this year’s Oration are requested to connect through the Alumni Association’s Facebook Page: “The Alumni Association of University of Colombo” or email alumni.colombo@gmail.com or call Ms. Suraji on 0717289014
Zoom to Register: https://lnkd.in/gkKjUaW4
Facebook Live : https://fb.me/e/134iuznxY
Event Notice : https://lnkd.in/gU695TQx
News
Voter apathy grows as never before: PAFFREL

Public’s interest in the upcoming Provincial Council elections remains low, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that there was an urgent need to encourage voter participation, noting that a higher voter turnout is essential for a functioning democracy.
Hettiarachchi said that the current level of political campaigning has been relatively subdued, with fewer aggressive or violent activities than seen in previous elections—a trend he described as a positive development.
He, however, stressed that local councils play a vital role in the lives of citizens, from birth- to death-related services, and also contribute to the legislative process. As such, voters must understand their importance and engage in the electoral process.
Despite the peaceful nature of the campaign so far, PAFFREL has received 20 complaints regarding the misuse of state resources and 15 complaints related to physical assaults. Hettiarachchi, however, added that no major incidents have been reported to date.
By Chaminda Silva
News
Many foreign diplomats witness sacred relic exposition on first day

A group of 44 diplomats, including those from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea, headed to Kandy, by train, yesterday morning, to witness the sacred relic exposition.
The group travelled to Kandy in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from the Colombo Fort Railway Station around 7:00 am.
The ‘Sri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commenced yesterday (18), and will continue till 27 April.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with the ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats, participated in the inaugural event.
“This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka,” the PMD said.
Yesterday (18), on the opening day, the public had the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm From today (19) onwards, it will open for public veneration, daily from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
News
Ahungalla shooting ordered from Dubai for failure to carry out contract killing

Police investigations have revealed that the shooting of a 27-year-old man in Ahungalla on Thursday night was a revenge attack. The motive is said to be his failure to carry out a contract killing assigned by a prominent underworld gang leader currently hiding in Dubai.
The 27-year-old victim, who was seriously injured in the attack, is currently receiving treatment at the Balapitiya Hospital. Investigations have further revealed that the attack was ordered by an underworld figure, known as “Abrew,” who is reportedly hiding in Dubai.
It has come to light that Abrew had given the young man a contract to kill a rival. However, since the contract was not carried out, the attack is believed to have been an act of retaliation.On the night of 17 April, around 9:48 pm, the young man received a phone call from an individual who instructed him to come and collect a packet of ice (a term commonly used to refer to crystal meth).
Accordingly, the 27-year-old arrived near the Revatha Primary School, in Balapitiya, Ahungalla in a three-wheeler. At that location, a hired gunman, who had arrived in another three-wheeler, fired three shots at him and fled the scene.
Despite being injured by one of the bullets hitting him, the young man managed to reach the Ahungalla Police Station in the same three-wheeler he had come in. Police officers then arranged for him to be admitted to Balapitiya Hospital for treatment.
By Hemantha Randunu
-
Business7 days ago
Members’ Night of the Sri Lanka – Russia Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
-
Features7 days ago
Liberation Day tariffs chaos could cause permanent damage to US economy, amid global tensions
-
Features7 days ago
Minds and Memories picturing 65 years of Sri Lankan Politics and Society
-
Business22 hours ago
DIMO pioneers major fleet expansion with Tata SIGNA Prime Movers for ILM
-
Sports7 days ago
Lankan legends, Modi and the Jaffna dream
-
Opinion7 days ago
End of an Era: Passing away of Raja Uncle (Mr. Rajapaksha)
-
Features7 days ago
Repentance Leads to Passion
-
Features7 days ago
Recollections of two past Aprils