News
University of Colombo leads regional drive for environmental cooperation
The University of Colombo is taking a bold step towards advancing regional collaboration on sustainability through the Indo-Lanka Environmental Law Week, scheduled to begin today (Oct. 15). Spearheaded by Vice Chancellor Professor Indika Karunathilake, the week-long initiative underscores the University’s growing leadership in environmental governance, education, and policy innovation across South Asia.
The event will bring together 35 Indian law students from Amity Law School and 15 Sri Lankan students from the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. Over seven days, participants will engage in lectures, field visits, and policy workshops focusing on critical legal doctrines — including the Polluter Pays Principle, Public Trust Doctrine, and Intergenerational Equity — as well as practical sessions on environmental governance.
The programme, organised in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy, Amity Law School, and the Commonwealth Legal Education Association, will conclude with the Indo-Lanka Policy Dialogue on Regional Environmental Cooperation, on October 22, at the University’s Senate Hall.
Vice Chancellor Professor Karunathilake said the University’s vision goes far beyond academic dialogue.
“As a university, we want to turn knowledge into action,” he told The Island. “Environmental protection is not just a classroom subject — it’s a moral responsibility. We must convert best practices and academic insights into real-world interventions that make a measurable difference.”
He said the initiative reflects the University’s commitment to bridging policy and practice, particularly in areas such as bioplastics, waste management, and marine pollution.
“Our goal is to create impact — not just discussion. We need to promote innovations that lead to a cleaner, greener Sri Lanka,” the Vice Chancellor said. “Environmental sustainability must become part of our national culture.”
Professor Karunathilake added that the initiative represents the University’s growing global engagement, linking regional collaboration with the larger sustainability agenda.
Director of the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy, Professor Kokila Konasinghe, described the Environmental Law Week as a pioneering move for the region.
“For the first time, we are working beyond national borders on environmental law,” she said. “Environmental problems, such as global warming, marine pollution, and biodiversity loss, don’t stop at boundaries. Collaboration is the only way forward.”
Professor Konasinghe said the programme will end with a policy framework that captures regional solutions to shared environmental challenges.
“This is a need of our time,” she emphasised. “We are bringing policymakers, the judiciary, and youth together — because intergenerational equity must guide all decisions. Today’s students will become tomorrow’s judges and lawmakers in India and Sri Lanka.”
Marine protection, she said, will be a central focus, with special attention to post-disaster recovery and sustainable coastal management.
“The X-Press Pearl disaster is a painful reminder that marine pollution has long-lasting consequences. The Law of the Sea will be a key topic, with experts discussing how to strengthen legal and policy frameworks for ocean governance,” she noted.
Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor N.S. Punchihewa, highlighted the significance of the upcoming policy dialogue on October 22, which will bring together key representatives from the Indian Embassy, BIMSTEC Secretariat, legal institutions, and environmental experts.
“This dialogue will strengthen environmental protection within the BIMSTEC framework,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to build partnerships and promote cross-fertilisation of ideas between Sri Lanka and India.”
He said the Faculty’s first-ever summer school on environmental law will serve as an important platform for innovation.
“Our students will discuss legal and policy solutions that can shape the future of environmental governance in the region. The Indian Ocean connects us — it also connects our challenges,” Professor Punchihewa explained. “Through cooperation, we can turn shared vulnerabilities into shared strengths.”
The Indo-Lanka Environmental Law Week represents a new chapter in South Asia’s legal and environmental collaboration — one that transforms theory into action and education into impact.
By combining academic excellence, youth engagement, and policy dialogue, the University of Colombo is positioning itself as a regional hub for environmental leadership, setting the tone for how the next generation of lawyers and policymakers will respond to the defining challenge of our time: protecting the planet we share.
By Ifham Nizam
Parliament:
… sexual harassment claims dismissed
Recommendations made by retired High Court Judge Ms. Sujatha Alahapperuma, following an inquiry into claims by a female employee of the Department of Information Systems and Management of Parliament, regarding sexual harassment, denial of due salary increments and other forms of harassment, were yet to be implemented, sources familiar with the investigation said.
The retired HC Judge handed over the report to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on 24 November, 2025. Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera was also present on that occasion.
The retired judge has recommended that administrative decisions be taken expeditiously to grant her salary increments due for 2024 and 2025, reevaluation of all employees attached to the Department of Information Systems and Management and keep them under close scrutiny and strengthening of the ‘Helpdesk’ to meet the requirements.
Sources said that none of the recommendations have been implemented and the concerned employee in spite of still being the Senior Helpdesk coordinator remained attached to the Supplies and Services Office. She had been ordered to report to the Supplies and Services Office in January 2025 following a continuing dispute with the top management of the Department of Information Systems and Management.
Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee on 25.07.2025 decided to conduct an external investigation into the issue after the employee refused to accept the outcome of the internal inquiry conducted in the wake of SJB lawmaker Mujibur Rahman raising the issue in Parliament.
The retired judge has emphasised the urgent need to take tangible measures to address administrative issues with a view to enhance discipline and human resources management among other issues.
However, the retired judge has declared that the complainant or any other female employee attached to the of Department of Information Systems and Management hadn’t been subjected to any form of sexual harassment as alleged.
The retired judge further asserted that the complainant had been prejudicially treated by two interview boards when she appeared before them seeking posts of Database Administrator and Parliament Officer.
The retired judge has also asserted that the Supplies and Services Office where the complaint continued to serve even now was not suitable and not in line with her qualifications. Some of those who had appeared before the retired judge during the inquiry claimed that was a temporary transfer. However, the report dismissed that claim declaring that transfer appeared to have been done outside acceptable procedure and her increments stopped without giving any justifiable reason.
The retired judge has stated that for want of proper procedures and systems, the administration seems to be in turmoil.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Motor Traffic Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe, taken into custody by the CID, was remanded until today (30) following his production before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court.
The investigation was launched after the Central Anti-Corruption Task Force received information regarding an illegally assembled taxi, which was later handed over to the CID for further inquiries.
Preliminary findings revealed that the vehicle’s registered chassis number had been altered and documents submitted to obtain a “weight certificate.” These documents were then used to assign a registration number to the taxi, while the chassis modification files were concealed. False declarations were allegedly made to facilitate the fraudulent assembly, with Commissioner General Amarasinghe accused of aiding and abetting the operation.
The suspect was taken into custody on the afternoon of Friday (27) by a CID team at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Road, Colombo 7.
In parallel, the Bribery and Corruption Commission has launched a separate probe into the matter.
The initial investigation was conducted under the direction of SSP Indika Weerasinghe, Head of the Central Anti-Corruption Task Force, along with DIG Rohan Olugala and Senior DIG of CID Kamal Ariyawansa.
BY Norman Palihawadane
A public petition demanding the resignation of Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Power and Energy, over alleged irregularities in coal imports was launched yesterday (29) in Maharagama.
The initiative was organised by the Electricity Consumers’ Association.
Addressing the gathering, the Association’s secretary, Sanjeewa Dhammika, said the Minister was facing allegations related to coal imports, while concerns have also been raised over the poor performance of both the Minister and the Ministry Secretary. He said the petition’s primary demand is the immediate removal of the Minister from office.
Dhammika added that signatures for the petition will also be collected in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station.
by Anuradha Hiripitiyage
Rickelton, Rohit, Shardul break Mumbai’s first-game jinx
Oil tops $116 a barrel as Iran accuses US of preparing invasion
Iranian attack damages Kuwait power and desalination plant, kills worker
Warm weather conditions prevailing over the island are expected to continue
Inquiry into female employee’s complaint: Retired HC Judge’s recommendations ignored
Motor Traffic CG remanded
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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