By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka HE Archbishop Brian Udaigwe urged more needs to be done to serve justice over the Easter Sunday Genocide that took away more than 270 lives in 2019.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka made this remark during his visit to Kandy to meet with the Chief Prelates of the Asgiri and Malwathu Chapters and to visit the Temple of the Scared Tooth Relic.

HE Archbishop Brian Udaigwe also raised their concerns on the government’s proposed “Anti-Terrorism Act” saying that it is something that needs be “well-studied” prior to being presented.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates hosted an ‘Iftar’ for the community on 08 April 2023 at the Embassy premises marking the holy month of Ramadan. As the first time, the initiative was taken by the Embassy to host Iftar for the community every weekend at the Embassy premises and will continue the same practice in the future to enhance the cultural harmonization among all ethnic groups. 

The event commenced with the Muslim Religious observances conducted by Maulavi Sarfaraz Mahroof Deen, a young Sri Lankan scholar residing in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Following the religious observances, delivering a special Ramadan message, he explained the importance of conducting Iftar events in the holy month of Ramadan and quoting  passages from the Holy Book of Islam, “the Quran”, he also accentuated the need of performing benevolent acts of charity and good-will towards others during this holy period. On behalf of the Sri Lankan Muslim community in UAE, he extended appreciation to the Ambassador and staff of the Embassy for taking the initiative to host consecutive Iftar events every weekend throughout the holy month of Ramadan.

Delivering the welcome speech, Ambassador Udaya Indrarathna, extended best wishes to all Muslims living across the world, and reiterated the Mission’s commitment to enhance diversity and inclusivity among all Sri Lankans in the UAE. Further he emphasized the importance of cultivating love among humanity as well as enhancing the bond of friendship among all ethnic groups, which would help to derive the country’s prosperity.

The programme concluded with the breaking of fast and all participants were served dinner which included Sri Lankan and Arabic cuisine.

The event was attended by around two hundred community members including representatives from Buddhists, Hindu and Catholic faiths demonstrating the harmony among all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Abu Dhabi

11 April 2023

Colombo (LNW): The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) has decided in a special Board of Representatives meeting to temporarily suspend the continuous strike from April 17, 2023, and resume work. The decision was made after the Minister of Education promised to address FUTA’s concerns. FUTA also emphasises that the government’s progress will be continuously monitored and the strike will resume if the promises are not fulfilled within a reasonable time frame.

At the meeting, the BOR discussed recent correspondence with the chairman of the University Grants Commission and the Minister of Education and decided that according to these documents, sufficient action has not been taken to address FUTA’s primary concerns. It was determined that until a satisfactory conclusion is reached, the decision on the participation of university academics in the GCE Advanced Level evaluation will be deferred. FUTA recognizes the Minister of Education’s initial dedication but believes that the support of other government officials is needed to successfully implement the proposed changes. 

Without a concrete plan outlining when the government intends to fulfill its promises, FUTA is hesitant to place its faith in the words of the government. The failure of the government to meet the demands of FUTA has had far-reaching effects on the quality of education, and FUTA holds the government solely responsible. The government’s response to the demands of FUTA and PTUA, as well as the government’s treatment of unions, are both undemocratic. To find a better solution, FUTA wants the government to speak to both FUTA and PTUA. Workers should be allowed to organise into unions and bargain collectively, and the government should honour these rights. The government should address the concerns of FUTA and PTUA and find a solution that benefits society as a whole. 

As FUTA, we have informed the government that we will no longer tolerate the government’s failure to address the legitimate demands of the university’s academics, which has led to concerns including life threats for the  FUTA leaders. We, at FUTA, strongly disapprove of such conduct and pledge to take any and all measures necessary to stop it in the future. We condemn the threatening behaviour. We advocate for a space where all people can feel comfortable sharing their ideas without fear of retaliation. We call on every Sri Lankan to stand with us in defending these ideals and fostering an atmosphere of mutual regard and tolerance.

Colombo (LNW): The Parliament Select Committee (PSC) to make suitable recommendations for the expansion of higher education opportunities in Sri Lanka chaired by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe emphasised that it is important to expand higher education to match the labour market.

Many Members of Parliament expressed their views regarding the expansion of higher education opportunities in the country at the Committee meeting held. The chairman of the committee, Rajapakshe said that appropriate methods should be prepared to increase higher education opportunities for the students who drop out of education after the Advanced Level examination.

Many MPs pointed out that Sri Lanka lose a large amount of foreign exchange due to Sri Lankan students going abroad for higher education, and to prevent this, higher education opportunities should be expanded in Sri Lanka together with international universities. They further pointed out that this will attract foreign students and thus there is an opportunity to make Sri Lanka a center of higher education.

It was also discussed that there is a great demand for nursing professionals of Sri Lanka in foreign countries and the possibility of taking advantage of this opportunity to send more nurses from Sri Lanka to foreign countries.

The Members of Parliament also emphasised that the basic structure of providing proper education and training to nurses in accordance with international standards should be established. For this, they also pointed out the need to provide English language knowledge to the nursing professionals during their training.

Committee Members State Minister Dr. Seetha Arambepola, MPs Rauff Hakeem, Eran Wickramaratne and (Prof.) Charitha Herath and Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, State Minister Diana Gamage, MPs Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, Weerasumana Weerasinghe and Gamini Waleboda were present at the Committee meeting held.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Health officials have urged the public to be cautious against the spread of Influenza during the festive season.

In the contagious nature of Influenza, people display symptoms such as cough, fever and cold, and pregnant women, people suffering from chronic medical conditions and infants are advised to take necessary precautions as an infection could lead to the loss of life, officials instructed.

The public is urged to take adequate health measures if they are visiting crowded places during the festive seasons. The doctors also advised those sustaining the symptoms of Influenza to refrain from visiting crowded places during this period.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): There is a significant improvement of fuel sales and sales through the National Fuel Pass QR system, said Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara.

In a tweet, the Minister noted that overall percentages which was below 60 per cent last week has improved to above 80 per cent with the temporary suspension of 66 fuel stations which failed to adhere to the NFP QR guidelines.

Arrangements have also been made to increase the quantity of fuel distributed during the festive season to 4,650 metric tonnes of Petrol 92 and 5,500 metric tonnes of Auto Diesel per day, he added.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The Anti-Terrorism Act will be tabled in Parliament on April 25, 2023, announced Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa, following weeks of speculation on the controversial bill on and off the media.

The tabling of the bill was delayed due to multiple requests amidst its controversial nature, whilst meeting a severe backlash both locally and internationally.

Rajapaksa added that a request was made that the tabling of the bill be included in the Parliament agenda for April 25, 2023.

The Anti-Corruption Bill will be tabled in Parliament during the first week of May, he noted.

The controversial Anti-Terrorism Act will be a direct blow in the head against the country’s democracy and will be vesting in an unimaginable power, according to many critics.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Police have arrested a pastor accused of sexually abusing four minors in an orphanage in Irupalai, Kopai area.

The suspect, 82, is reportedly the pastor in charge of the orphanage and is a resident of Mount Lavinia.

Three runaways from the orphanage was taken into Police custody recently, and a probe into the children’s home in question via the girls’ testimonies revealed the pastors actions.

The Mount Lavinia Police seized the suspect in Mount Lavinia area after obtaining a court order to make an arrest, and the pastor was produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate Court, later to be released on two sureties of Rs. 01 million each, with an overseas travel ban.