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‘There’s an urgent need for reforms to bridge the gap between education and employment opportunities’ – Prof. G. L. Peiris
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University launched its two-day International Research Conference under the theme ‘Holistic Approach to National Growth and Security’ on October 15.
The inaugural session of the conference, held for the 13th consecutive time, was graced by Minister of Education, Professor G. L. Peiris as the chief guest and Professor Kapila Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, was the keynote speaker of the event.
The Vice Chancellor Major General Milinda Pieris in his welcome address stated the significance of the Conference taking place in a challenging environment, and he stressed the commitment of the university for continuity of events even under the most trying circumstances. Such efforts, he opined, would be necessary for enhancing the resilience of the nation during crisis situations.
Minister Peiris elucidated the significance of the conference theme that highlights the intimate relationship between national security and the development, explaining with empirical evidence from the experiences of the nation in the recent past, how development efforts undermining security could be detrimental to a country’s future.
Speaking about higher education in the country, he emphasized on the urgent need for reforms to bridge the gap between education and employment opportunities. He stressed on the need to revise what he called “obsolete and anachronistic curricula” in education and for introducing methods of teaching and learning that develop analytical and critical faculties of learners to enable them to apply volumes of knowledge to face challenges and solve problems.
The keynote speaker Prof. Kapila Perera explained the concept of security in a broader perspectives and elaborated how the absence of security would jeopardize our expectations of being developed.
He emphasized on the need to apply a holistic approach to education. KDU has proven to be an institution that adopts such an approach. With his closer affinity with KDU as one of its alumnus, he commented on the success of the experimentations of KDU with a new model in education where civil and military students engage in their higher educational pursuits.
The two-day conference attracted 650 plus paper submissions for the technical sessions, and the first day was successfully concluded with the completion of the nine Faculty plenary sessions that were adorned with presentations by national and international scholars of eminence in each discipline on various sub themes.
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Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 29 April 2025, valid for 30 April 2025
The general public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake a four-day state visit to Vietnam on 03 May, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Since the presidential election, President Dissanayake has so far visited India, China and the UAE.
The 5th annual Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue commenced on Monday (April 28) in Islamabad, Pakistan, marking a continued commitment to strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.
The MoD statement: “The Sri Lankan delegation is led by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha accompanied by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and Additional Secretary (Defence) of the Ministry of Defence Jayantha Edirisinghe. The Pakistani delegation is headed by Lieutenant General (retd.) Muhammad Ali, Secretary Defence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
In conjunction with the on-going defence dialogue, Defence Secretary Thuyacontha held a side-line meeting yesterday (April 29) with Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
These high-level engagements aim to enhance bilateral cooperation, foster mutual understanding on regional security dynamics and explore opportunities for defence collaboration. Both nations share a longstanding relationship rooted in mutual respect and strategic cooperation. The dialogue reflects the growing importance of partnerships in maintaining stability and promoting peace in the South Asian region.
The three-day dialogue, which concludes today (April 30), is expected to reinforce bilateral defence ties and contribute to broader regional security objectives.
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