EDUCATION MALAYSIA GLOBAL SERVICES is an organization that takes Malaysian education to the world under the Malaysian Ministry of Education and currently 09 Malaysian higher education institutions have come to Sri Lanka and their main objective is to spread Malaysian education in Sri Lanka and provide higher education for Sri Lankan students in Malaysia.

Accordingly, today from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, a consultation workshop will be held by the officials of the 09 Malaysian higher education institutions approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Education at the Mandarina Hotel premises in Colombo.

Tomorrow (20) this educational workshop will be held at Queens Hotel premises in Kandy from 10 am to 05 pm.

Sri Lankan students who are interested in Malaysian higher education can get all the necessary information about Malaysian higher education by joining this workshop. Those who are close to Kandy and Colombo can also come and get the benefits here. Do not miss this great opportunity and open the valuable door to fulfill your dream of higher education abroad.

Photos: Ajith Seneviratne

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1. CB weekly data shows that “hot-money” forex investments in Govt Treasuries is continuing it’s rapid exodus in the face of the depreciating currency: foreign investment in Govt Treasuries reduces by over Rs.10.5 bn (USD 36.8 mn) during the week: currency depreciating pressure expected to escalate next week.
2. UNICEF says 85% of Grade 3 children in SL are not achieving minimum proficiency in literacy & numeracy: notes that the country ranks the lowest in South Asia in education spending.
3. Committee on Public Finance instructs Finance Ministry officials to declare the selling price of wheat flour per kg as Rs.198 in order to prevent 2 major companies from making excessive profits and to protect the consumers.
4. President of the Ceylon Teachers Union Priyantha Fernando says over 5,000
   teachers have left the country since Dec’22: also states the teachers who are leaving are mainly those who are teaching English, Science, Mathematics, Technology and IT: warns that if the situation is not arrested soon, it could lead to the education sector collapsing in the immediate future.
5. Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure
   Development Jeevan Thondaman predicts that the available water reserves would be enough for only the next 2 months: also says the distribution of pure pipe-borne drinking water to consumers has been impacted and only 10% of what was available prior to the sparking of the El Nino situation in the country, is available now.
6. State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says the import tax of Rs.75 on 1kg of maize has been reduced to Rs.25: also says the aim is to reduce the price of animal feed using maize.
7. Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Planning Mahindananda Aluthgamage says it is necessary to promptly amend the Inland Revenue ActIn in order to fortify SL’s fiscal stability and streamline revenue collection by enhancing the state tax mechanism, so that the IMF targets on tax could be achieved: also laments about the underperformance and corruption in the revenue collecting institutions.
8. The parents of the self-styled prophet, Pastor Jerome Fernando apologize for the controversial remarks made by their son:
   call on Ven Omaple Sobhitha Thera to do so: based on Pastor Jerome’s comments, the CID had initiated an investigation on the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court had issued an overseas travel ban on the Pastor, who had left the island on May 14.
9. Consultant Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Ruhul Haq, who has been embroiled in controversy for defying a suspension imposed by the Sri Lanka Medical Council, sent on compulsory leave.
10. Schools Rugby League two top teams St. Peter’s College (the only team to remain unbeaten so far), and defending champions Isipathana College battle it out for the League title today at the St. Peter’s ground in Bambalapitiya

Except for a few showers in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere over the Island.

Fairly strong winds about (40-45) kmph can be expected at times in western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces, and in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Monaragala districts.

Currently, various types of complaints are being reported regarding the Pick Me transport service, which is the most widely used transport service in Colombo and suburban areas.

It had become famous among the people in the past as an organization that formally provides transportation services.

Most of the people who own a motorcycle to a car have registered with this service.

But due to the irresponsibility of some drivers, there is a feeling of displeasure and rejection regarding the Pick Me service.

Especially some drivers who provide rental transport services by cars do not seem to take care of the maintenance of their vehicles as well as the customer’s attitude towards them or towards the positive side.

The behavior of the service provider is also very important to impress the service.

However, recently Udaya Sri Kariyawasam, who was the former chairman of the Bank of Ceylon and the State Mortgage and Investment Bank, had to have a very unpleasant experience regarding the Pick Me service.

Although he had noted it down and had complained to the Pick Me company, he was not informed about any action taken by the company in this regard.

Accordingly, he is of the position that if the customer service provided by charging money cannot be done properly, such institutions should no longer operate in the country.

This is how Kariyawasam shared his experience.

Since the Pick Me company did not give any good response, he contacted a manager of the company and asked strictly what would happen, but this company did not show such flexibility. The said manager has said that he has decided not to get the service from the driver by placing the responsibility on him, but he has never apologized to him.

However, Udaya Sri Kariyawasam has also filed a complaint with the Welikada Police in this regard. Violating consumer rights is not as trivial as it seems. Although many dismiss such incidents with displeasure, they do not fight to achieve justice by protesting against such injustices.

Not only the Pick Me company, there is another international company that provides rental transport services in this country and it is also a very famous service. But its quality is not second to Pick Me. There is no institution in Sri Lanka to complain about the above mentioned service.

However, complaints will be made about that company in the future and the customer service authority will also be complained about neglecting the customer service.

H we made an inquiry at the institution’s phone number 114507500, on how to intervene as an institution to correct such situations, and a spokesman said that they could not say anything about it and informed us to call 0114507518 to inquire about it, but no one from that institution could be contacted by that phone number.

It was disclosed that 35000 students have been recruited this year targeting the domestic and foreign job markets.
 Recommendations to start new courses to match the job market.
 Instructions to increase the salaries of consultants and take steps to attract qualified people for the same.

The Sri Lanka Vocational Training Authority was summoned to before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) on 09.08.2023 under the Chairmanship of the Hon. (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara, Member of Parliament, and the progress of implementing the COPE recommendations given on March 23 rd , 2023 and May 9 th , 2023 were reviewed.

 Mr. Nihal Ranasingha, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Ranasinghe, Chairman of the Vocational Training Authority and others were called for this meeting.

 At the beginning of the committee meeting, COPE Chair congratulated the progress made by the Vocational Training Authority in accordance with the recommendations given during the previous COPE meetings. Thereafter, attention was paid to the following matters.

Compact Plan of the Authority

The Chair of the authority stated that after holding a preliminary workshop to prepare the composite plan of the authority, a composite plan was prepared for the year 2023-2027 and the Board of Directors approved it.

Vacancies in other posts including Director General

It was disclosed that steps have been taken to fill the vacant post of Director General and the interview will be held in the future. Furthermore, since the authority to give approval for recruitments has been reassigned to the Management Services Department, he informed to take necessary steps to fill the remaining 6 main posts and other vacancies.

Recruiting students aiming at the job market

The Chairman of the Vocational Training Authority said that 35,000 students have been recruited this year targeting the domestic and foreign job markets. It was also recommended to prepare a formal program to improve it and issue an internationally recognized certificate to the already skilled workers.

The Chairman of the Authority stated that they will work according to the job demand from South Korea, Oman and other countries and will pay more attention to the areas where the job demand is high. It was disclosed that an agreement with the Foreign Employment Bureau is currently in place and the data of nearly 2000 skilled workers has been provided.

The COPE Chair emphasized the need to direct the youth who drop out of school to proper vocational training. It was disclosed that a new program has been started by the Ministry of Education and the pilot project was recently held at Dharmaraja College in Kandy. Accordingly, it was recommended to start new courses to suit the job market.

Issues including salaries of course instructors

The Committee emphasized the need for these institutions to become self-revenue generating instead of being maintained by the treasury. (Fee Levying system) Furthermore, since the payments made to the consultants are not sufficient, attention was paid to problems such as consultants leaving the service. Accordingly, the following recommendations were made.

 To increase the salaries of consultants and to attract qualified people for it
 Using the money collected through the courses by the Authority itself to increase the payment of instructors (Fee Levying system)
 Initiate a new program to train counselors and give them some professional qualifications.

The COPE Chair instructed to take necessary steps in consultation with the Management Services Department to increase the payment of consultants.

State Minister Hon. Shantha Bandara, Members of Parliament Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Hon. Eran Wickramaratne, Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi, Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya, Hon. (Mrs.) Rajika Wickramasinghe, Hon. Madhura Withanage, were present at the Committee meeting held.

Commends India for Dornier-228 surveillance Aircraft to SLAF for maritime surveillance  

 Appreciates India’s assistance to SL beyond the call of duty 

 Appreciates American & Australian Governments assistance to SL during  difficult times in the area of maritime security 

– President’s Senior Advisor on National Security Sagala Ratnayaka

 A successor Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft was handed over to Sri Lanka by India at a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake. 

During the bilateral security discussions that transpired between India and Sri Lanka on January 9, 2018, in New Delhi, the potential acquisition of maritime surveillance aircraft akin to the Dornier type from India was brought to attention. The aim was to bolster Sri Lanka’s capabilities in maritime surveillance.

In response to Sri Lanka’s request, the Indian government took proactive measures during these deliberations. They decided to provide a Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft, which was part of the Indian Navy’s fleet, to Sri Lanka free of cost for a span of two years. The formal handover of this aircraft took place at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake, with Mr. Baglay officiating.

Upon its delivery, the Donier-228 aircraft was instrumental in performing specialized tasks within Sri Lanka over the past year. Subsequently, it underwent mandatory annual maintenance services in India. In lieu of the aircraft undergoing maintenance, a replacement Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft was assigned to the Sri Lanka Air Force at a ceremony held August (16) in Katunanayake.

Since its initial arrival in Sri Lanka, the Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft has significantly contributed to numerous operations. These encompass a spectrum of activities such as monitoring and safeguarding Sri Lanka’s airspace and exclusive economic zone through maritime and coastal surveillance operations, executing search and rescue missions, and monitoring and controlling maritime pollution.

The official handover of the successor aircraft to Sri Lanka was attended by a delegation representing the Sri Lankan Government. This delegation included Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Presidential Chief of Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, HE Gopal Baglay, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and other officials.

Following is the speech delivered by Mr Sagala Ratnayaka during this event;

It was just one year ago that we were here at a similar ceremony when the President accepted the first of the Dornier aircraft into the Sri Lanka Air Force fleet. Our friends, our neighbouring friends, were gracious enough to assist us. It is not only with this aircraft that we have received India’s assistance. It’s been a longstanding relationship, but in more recent times, when we were going through the economic crisis, India stepped up beyond the call of duty to lend us a hand.

 We were having difficulty in providing the basics to our people, leaving alone our responsibilities in the region, such as the maritime reconnaissance or the maritime domain awareness work that is expected of Sri Lanka, considering its location in this important location in the Indian Ocean. I remember when President Wickremesinghe was here at that function, he made very special mention of this. And we, in our recent visit to India, have developed a closer bond and a vision for how we will work together in the future as well. 

Connectivity is the key word. It’s a big word, actually. It has a wide area of meaning. It can be road connectivity, it can be people to people connectivity, economic connectivity, logistical connectivity, security connectivity, you know, it’s a large sphere. And we as neighbours cannot change the fact that we are neighbours. We will have to work together to ensure the safety of each other. 

We will have to also make mention that at difficult times the American Government and the government of Australia also stepped up in the area of maritime security to assist the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Sri Lanka Navy with much needed fuel. It sounds very primitive when I talk of fuel but that is the time we went through. Much needed fuel, and not stopping at that have also pledged further assistance to help us expand our fleet. Our fleet suffered during the economic crisis. It wasn’t only the people, but many other things suffered, and along with that came the difficulties of fleeting the Sri Lanka Air Force. Our aircraft were in want of overhaul. We had to re-fleet to keep up with technology and the modern requirements. And this entire program has suffered. So again, I must say we are very grateful to India for supporting us through this. You were the first to step up and as always, we are very grateful to you for that. 

There was in the previous speeches the value of maritime reconnaissance and our responsibility in the maritime domain. It is actually a little beyond that. Okay, in one way you have to ensure the security. And security means preventing drug smuggling, preventing the transport of or smuggling of weapons, and people smuggling or even pirating. But it doesn’t stop at that. It also goes into humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. All of these are required of us as a country that is located in a prime location as we are in this Indian Ocean. But we have to think beyond. Now, when the Sri Lanka Air Force started, these were not our threats. The threats have evolved over the time. Then came the war. During the war it was a different role that we played. Our role is different now and it keeps changing. And within the role, the demands will only keep increasing because everybody’s technology will keep improving. 

It is important that we as a country strategize our requirements for the future, the three forces, the defence requirements of the three forces of Sri Lanka. We need to start thinking of that. We need to start thinking of how we modernize our armies, what our strategies would be and we will be starting on that work or we have started on that work as we speak. His Excellency the President will announce the way forward on Friday when he speaks at the naval pass out in Boossa. 

But we have to think beyond we were speaking on the tarmac, that deforestation is happening rapidly. Sand mining is happening. All of this takes away from the future of our country. So we need to work together to safeguard our environment. We can be in this prime location, we can have the best potential for solar energy, we can have the best potential for wind energy, we can be a strong force in the climate economy. But if our environment is going to keep deteriorating due to the bad deeds of our own people, then we need to make more steps towards stopping that. 

So the Air Force, the Navy, the Army, along with the other agencies that are tasked with these will have to work together, coordinate together to ensure that we safeguard the environment for the future of our country and for the future generations. I know His Excellency the High Commissioner has a meeting today with our Foreign Minister very shortly, so I don’t want to keep speaking very much longer. I just want to say thank you again and thank you very much to the Sri Lanka Air Force for the efforts you have taken since the war to safeguard this country.

Shashendra Rajapaksa, the State Minister of Irrigation, announced the recent completion and opening of the Diaraba Reservoir as part of the Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project. This achievement brings an additional 120 megawatts of electricity to the national power grid and facilitates the cultivation of 15,000 acres of paddy fields in the Yala basin.

Highlighting the Ministry of Irrigation’s pivotal role, the State Minister emphasized its significant contributions to President Ranil Wickramasinghe’s initiative for bolstering national food production. This concerted effort underscores the nation’s commitment to ensuring food security within the country.

He expressed these views  Agust (16) during a press conference themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC). 

State Minister Shashendra Rajapaksa further said;

The Ministry of Irrigation plays a substantial role in supporting the national food production initiative led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, ensuring the country’s food security. The management of cultivated land and irrigation water follows a systematic approach.

The Ministry of Irrigation functions as a proactive entity, addressing challenges arising from current weather conditions with effective management. Collaborative efforts are in place, working closely with the Ministries of Agriculture, Plantation Industry, Electricity, and Water Supply, alongside the Department of Wildlife and Forest Conservation. This coordinated approach safeguards water sources, prioritizes agriculture while preserving ecosystems, and caters to drinking water, hydropower, industry, and wildlife needs.

This year’s budget allocations have been strategically utilized for key projects, including the multi-phase climate mitigation program, integrated water resources management project (Dhahara), and Wav Gam Pubuduwa projects.

District-level irrigation plans have been recently devised, prompting the commencement of a repair project for approximately 3,000 identified irrigation structures across 25 districts. Dilapidated culverts and tank embankments are being revitalized through this endeavour.

Significantly, the filling of the Diaraba Reservoir within the Uma Oya Project began on the 13th, marking a notable hydroelectric venture. 

This project is set to contribute 120 megawatts of power to the national grid and facilitate the cultivation of 15,000 acres of paddy fields in the Yala and Maha seasons. These outcomes will soon bolster the National Food Security Program.

Moreover, discussions are underway to address drinking water challenges in Monaragala and Badulla districts. To enhance water management decision-making, a mechanism empowered by the legal authority is being established, bringing together various institutions such as the Meteorological Department, Irrigation Department, Mahaweli Authority, and Electricity Board.

In essence, the Ministry of Irrigation is dedicated to ensuring the irrigation water needs for agriculture and enhancing the populace’s nutritional well-being, thus solidifying the country’s national food security.

It should be a masterpiece of modern digital technology- Succeed in the goal of taking Sri Lankan tea internationally as pure tea

– The President says at the Annual General Conference of the CTTA 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the necessity for a novel program to drive forward the plantation industry in Sri Lanka, encompassing the tea sector. He stressed that this program should be accurately crafted, integrating contemporary digital techniques.

These remarks were delivered during his address at the 129th Annual General Conference of the Colombo Tea Traders Association (CTTA), which took place Agust (15) afternoon at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo.

The President highlighted that the tea industry possesses substantial potential to significantly contribute to the country’s economy. He underscored the importance of identifying the challenges within the sector and embracing innovative solutions to facilitate its transformation.

Continuing his statement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe further elaborated that the Government’s efforts have been focused on implementing programs aimed at rescuing the nation from economic distress and ensuring stability. However, it’s crucial to recognize that sustaining this economic stability for an extended period beyond a decade will be challenging if we continue to experience a trade imbalance in our economy.

In addressing this, President Wickremesinghe noted that the nation often finds itself compelled to secure foreign loans. He further highlighted that due to budget deficits, there emerges a necessity to print additional currency to cover these deficits.

The President emphasized that the nation stands at a critical juncture where a pivotal decision must be made – whether to revert to old systems or to embrace a more structured economic approach that propels the country forward into a new era. President Wickremesinghe asserted, “Remarkably, even amidst times of conflict, our nation’s economy demonstrated resilience. For instance, garment factories were established during wartime, showcasing our ability to navigate challenges.”

He continued, “Presently, sustaining an economy predominantly influenced by government control in aspects of ownership and regulation has become challenging. It’s essential that we consider alternatives, such as deregulation and privatization, to steer us towards a promising path.”

“The tea industry stands as a testament to private enterprise, not reliant on government backing. It’s a sector driven by individuals who utilized private capital, leading to both successes and failures. The historical backdrop also includes instances where land ownership and cultivation became contentious,” President Wickremesinghe emphasized.

“As we look towards the future, it’s crucial that we strategize. The tea industry holds immense potential to significantly contribute to our nation’s economy. Looking ahead over the next 20-30 years, we must analyse and address the challenges that have emerged within the sector,” he added.

“The looming challenge of global climate change poses significant threats to our future. Safeguarding the tea industry necessitates shielding our tropical climate from the impacts of climate change. We’ve actively put forth proposals on this front in international forums.

The implications of this situation can be viewed as a repercussion of extensive industrialization in the northern hemisphere. It’s imperative that we address this matter collectively. Our adaptation to climate change is paramount. It’s essential to acknowledge the precariousness of our water resources, a matter of grave concern.

A recent report highlighted the alarming degradation of usable water sources in Sri Lanka due to the changing climate. Given that a significant portion of our water sources is concentrated in the central hills, the implications directly affect the tea industry. It’s prudent for us to project where our market will stand in the next 50 to 60 years.

Considering the forecasts for global population growth by 2050, it’s projected that India’s population will rise by an additional 400 million. Similarly, the populations of Kenya, Malawi, and the Middle East are also on the upswing. Correspondingly, their per capita incomes are ascending.

However, Sri Lanka’s population is not experiencing the same growth trajectory. Therefore, our focus should be on how to enhance our product. China has been adopting systematic population control measures. Hence, engaging with China becomes essential.

In the times ahead, we can anticipate an influx of Chinese tea into the market, presenting favourable prospects. India, too, is poised to make its presence felt in the tea market. Therefore, meaningful discussions with China and India are pivotal.

Collaboration is key; we don’t journey alone. It’s crucial to meticulously study the market patterns of both Eastern and Western countries. Tea consumption in these regions often involves the addition of milk or biscuits. However, merely producing tea for these preferences isn’t enough. In today’s world, green tea has gained immense popularity. It’s imperative that we explore novel innovations and tea-related products.

Reflecting on my childhood, our homes used to feature expansive kitchens. However, modern homes are equipped with compact kitchens. In the next 20 to 30 years, residences without kitchens may feature one or two food processing machines. It’s imperative to acknowledge these forthcoming challenges and formulate suitable strategies.

We must face these challenges head-on and progress with appropriate solutions. Gunnar Myrdal, a renowned Swedish economic expert, analyzed Sri Lanka in his book ‘Asian Drama’ from the 1960s. He pointed out that ‘the British brought their managerial and financial expertise gained from the Industrial Revolution to India and Sri Lanka, subsequently introducing it to the plantation sector.’ This underscores that we have a contemporary plantation management system.

Now is the opportune moment to contemplate fresh management practices in comparison to those employed by small and medium-scale growers. The forthcoming program should be a masterpiece, seamlessly integrating the latest digital technologies.

“We should delve into the possibility of utilizing subjects such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology. This innovative endeavour should be spearheaded by the private sector. After all, the ultimate authority resides within your market.

Had it not been for Mr. Lipton’s arrival in Ceylon, our current state would not exist. Hence, we must urgently explore avenues to introduce new products to the market through system enhancements. You can rest assured of our full support in this endeavour. This is our contribution towards the tea industry’s future growth. We’re actively engaged in resolving the issues that arise alongside it.

I extend an invitation to all of you to persist in devising the finest solutions, ultimately achieving the objective of establishing Sri Lankan tea as a globally recognized, pure tea,” President Wickremesinghe concluded.

Minister of Industries and Plantations Ramesh Pathirana, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Plantations Janaka Dharmakirthi, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board Niraj De Mel, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Board of Investment and Port City & President’s Adviser Dinesh Weerakkody, Colombo Tea Traders Association President Sanjaya Herath, Vice President Lushantha De Silva, former Presidents Jayantha Karunaratne and Anslem Fernando were present on this occasion.