By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s public university system is to undergo a strategic modernisation process overhauling the entire system which is on the verge of collapsing due to brain drain.

The National Strategic Plan prepared by University of Sri Jayewardenepura to modernise the entire public university system gas been unveiled with far reaching suggestions to improve the system.

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) informed the Secretary to the Ministry of Education to appoint a task force within two weeks and give a report in this regard, in the background where the university system in this country is at risk of collapsing.

Senior Professor Disa Bandara pointed out that since each university has its own unique circumstances, it is possible to work according to this draft by paying attention to all those university issues.

 The COPE Chairman Prof Ranjith Bandara pointed out that small groups of students should not be allowed to bring down the entire universal system.

Moreover, the COPE Chairman said that the University Grants Commission also has a responsibility to maintain the quality of the universities.

He noted that about 50% of the universities in this country should become research universities.

Several new universities including in Kurunegala and Batticaloa will be opened soon and private institutions such as NIBM and SLIIT to be given national status to speed up the country’s higher education system.

The Faculty of Engineering of the University of Colombo will be made into a separate campus and the National School of Business Management (NSBM) and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) will be given the status of national universities.

University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Sampath Amaratunga told parliamentary watchdog committee – COPE that although there should be 12,992 university lecturers, currently there are only 6,548.

He said that there was a drastic brain drain and the university teachers were leaving the country en masse following the economic crisis in the country. He added that the same situation applies to non-academic staff.

Professor Amaratunga, disclosed that 65% of the country’s schools do not teach science for higher education, and as a result, 25% of the children who come to the universities are pursuing an arts degree, and 70% of them are unemployed

With the economic crisis in the country, it has become a problem for professors to leave the country and at least 1000 professors should be recruited Chairman of the University Grants Commission further said.

A case of meningococcal meningitis, the bacterial disease responsible for recent inmate deaths at Galle Prison, has surfaced in the Colombo District. The patient, a 49-year-old man residing in Ja-Ela, works at an institution within the Ratmalana Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Division.

Currently admitted to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University (KDU) Hospital due to illness, he has been referred to the Colombo National Hospital for further tests and treatment, stated Dr. J.M. Gunathilake, the Medical Officer of Health in Ratmalana. Dr. Gunathilake highlighted that around 30 close contacts of the patient at his workplace have undergone testing, and precautionary measures including antibiotic treatment have been initiated.

The recent case has spurred concerns, as Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, the Media Spokesman of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), pointed out. He emphasized the need for prompt measures to control the potential spread of the disease, especially with schools scheduled to reopen in the coming days. Dr. Wijesinghe also stressed the importance of raising public awareness to prevent undue panic among parents and the general population.

However, the Epidemiology Unit highlighted that while meningococcal meningitis cases do occur annually in Sri Lanka, the general public should not become overly anxious about the disease. The unit reassured that the occurrence of these cases is not uncommon.

In a related context, the Galle Prison witnessed a tragic outbreak earlier in August, where two inmates lost their lives and several others were hospitalized due to an initially unidentified ailment. Subsequently, the cause was traced back to meningococcal meningitis, underscoring the need for effective prevention and management measures.

In a significant move aimed at streamlining trade processes, the government has eliminated the permit requirement for the import of wheat flour, as announced by State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, today (August 30). The decision, already published in a Gazette Extraordinary, officially took effect from midnight on Tuesday, August 29.

As part of this policy change, Siyambalapitiya further elaborated that the import tax on wheat flour has been revised, increasing it from Rs. 16 to Rs. 27 per kilogram.

This decision follows a prior development in June, where wheat flour was categorized as a ‘specified good’ in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Act. The recent changes are indicative of the government’s commitment to adapting regulations to facilitate smoother trade practices while simultaneously ensuring financial considerations are balanced.

Anticipation is reaching its zenith as the eagerly awaited final Randoli Perahera of the Esala Perahera prepares to grace the historic Temple of the Tooth in Kandy on the evening of Wednesday, the 30th. This mesmerizing extravaganza promises to showcase a mesmerizing display of culture, featuring the vibrant participation of accomplished dancers and magnificently adorned elephants hailing from the Sabaragamuwa and Udarata regions.

The ongoing Esala Perahera, which commenced its enchanting journey on August 21, 2023, has garnered unwavering attention as a central cultural spectacle in the nation, captivating hearts and minds alike.

As the grand culmination approaches, local authorities have diligently undertaken extensive measures to ensure both safety and order. The local police have announced the implementation of a meticulously designed traffic and security blueprint that will envelop the entire expanse of Kandy city throughout the day, orchestrating a smooth flow of proceedings for the final Randoli procession. Complementing these efforts, special bus and train services continue to be operational, serving as dedicated conduits for enthusiastic devotees eager to partake in witnessing this resplendent event.

With each passing moment, the excitement swells, promising an unforgettable night that will etch itself into the annals of cultural celebrations and heritage.

A successful operation led by the Police Special Task Force (STF) has resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old individual in possession of a substantial quantity of crystal methamphetamine, popularly referred to as ‘Ice’. The arrest took place in Mannar, where the suspect was apprehended with a significant consignment of illicit drugs weighing 3 kilograms and 396 grams during a targeted raid in the Uyilankulam area.

Hailing from Mannar, the 28-year-old individual was taken into custody as part of the operation. The seizure of such a substantial quantity of ‘Ice’ underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the illegal drug trade and its associated activities. The STF’s successful intervention in this case is a testament to their dedication in ensuring the safety and security of the community by curbing the spread of harmful substances.

1. This week’s Treasury Bill auction fails miserably: out of a total of Rs.150 bn on offer, only Rs.108 bn accepted: weighted average yields increase from 26 to 51 basis points: cut-off rate for 3 month T-Bills jump to 19.2%: nevertheless, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe orders Banks to reduce their lending rates.
2. Catholic Bishops Conference appeal to the Govt to grant relief to the poor: Conference President Right Reverend Dr Harold Anthony Perera says many people are on the brink of starvation while there seems to be no clear vision to resolve the immediate basic needs of the people.
3. Dr Janaki Vidanapathirana, Director of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme says a total of 346 HIV cases have been reported this year, marking a noticeable increase compared to the previous year: attributes the increase to the expansion of testing capacity, a lack of knowledge about sex education among the public, risky sexual behaviors, and a failure to take necessary precautions.
4. Influential US Senator Chris Van Hollen arrives in SL as a part of a 3-nation (SL, Nepal and Maldives) tour: expected to “focus on ways the US can further assist efforts to overcome SL’s economic crisis and discuss the way forward on human rights and reconciliation”.
5. Exports record a massive fall of 11.9% in July 2023 from a year ago to USD 1,027.2 mn with double digit falls to key export destinations: in the 7 months to July 2023, exports down 10.2% to USD 6,898 mn: exports to the US down 15.6%: exports to the UK down 22.8%, to Germany down 24.2%: to Italy down 7.6%: and to Netherlands down 10.7%.
6. Minister Bandula Gunawardena says the Cabinet has given approval to import 92.1 mn eggs from India during the next 3 months: accordingly, Govt calls quotations from 3 Indian companies recommended by the Dept of Animal Production & Health.
7. Cabinet clears amendment to the Value Added Tax law to abolish SVAT, a scheme given to exporters to avoid delays in VAT refunds.
8. Professor Chandana Jayaratne says the full moon today is going to be an extraordinary combination of a supermoon and a blue moon: also says it will occur due to the the moon being at its closest to the Earth in its orbit: also says that consequently, the moon will be 14% bigger and 30% brighter than some of the other full moons in the past.
9. Public Security Minister Tiran Alles says the CID has launched a fresh probe into the violence that erupted on 9th May 2022.
10. The SL Cricket team has been delivered several blows leading to the Asia Cup that will get underway later this week, due to a series of injuries: as a result, Coach Chris Silverwood forced to field a second string bowling attack after 4 leading bowlers went down with injuries.

In a move aimed at alleviating the financial burden on senior citizens, the government has made the decision to refund the five percent withholding tax that has been imposed on the interest and taxable income of senior citizens. This refund will come into effect after September 10, provided that the interest income remains below Rs. 100,000 per month. Finance State Minister, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, announced this significant decision, which was made in collaboration with Finance Minister President Ranil Wickremesinghe, taking into account the circumstances faced by senior citizens.

During his role as the chief guest at the tenth Annual General Meeting of the Inland Revenue Assessors’ Union (IRAU) in Colombo on August 29th, the State Minister shared these details. The withholding tax, amounting to five percent, had been instituted starting from January 1, 2023, impacting not only senior citizens but also individuals with an annual interest income exceeding Rs. 1.2 million.

Recognizing the concerns and appeals from senior citizens whose monthly interest income falls below Rs. 100,000, the government has approached the matter empathetically. Negotiations were held with the Inland Revenue Department to address this issue. Consequently, a decision was reached to refund the five percent that had been deducted as withholding tax from the interest income of senior citizens who earn less than Rs. 100,000 per month. This corrective measure is set to take effect from September 10 onward, providing some relief to the affected seniors.

Tragedy struck on the Colombo-Kandy main road last night, August 29th, as a head-on collision between two buses in the Kajugama area claimed one life and left nine others injured.

According to initial reports, the incident involved a privately-operated bus carrying a group of employees and a bus operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). The collision occurred when the private bus attempted to overtake another vehicle and crashed head-on into the SLTB bus, which was en route from Kattankudy to Colombo.

Regrettably, the 44-year-old driver of the private bus lost his life in the collision. Among the casualties, four women and five others sustained injuries from the impact. The deceased driver’s body has been transported to Wathupitiwala and Warakapola hospitals.

As the investigation unfolds, the driver of the SLTB bus has been apprehended and is currently in police custody. The Nittambuwa Police are diligently conducting further inquiries into the incident to ascertain the full scope of the tragedy. This unfortunate event serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of road safety and vigilance while traveling.

In a remarkable celestial event, the sun’s apparent southward journey will position it directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka, gracing the island nation with its overhead brilliance from August 28th to September 7th this year.

As of today, August 30th, several towns in Sri Lanka will experience the sun directly overhead around 12.11 noon.

These towns include Talaimannar in the Mannar district, Iramiyankulam in the Vavuniya district, Karappukutti in the Trincomalee district, and Palampasi in the Mulathivu District.