Higher Education and Education Deputy Minister Dr. Madura Seneviratne told Parliament yesterday that the government is taking major steps to centralize the registration of all degree-granting institutions, including state, private, and non-governmental institutions, in order to regulate the use of academic titles such as “Professor” and “Doctor” and prevent misuse.

He stated that a new regulatory mechanism is being developed to bring all such institutions under a centralized monitoring system overseen by the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC).

According to the Deputy Minister, the UGC has mandated that the title “Professor” may only be used by individuals currently serving at a university. Retired or resigned academics would not be permitted to use the title unless officially recognized as Emeritus Professors.

He further noted that honorary titles may still be awarded and that academic titles can continue to be used if formally approved by university governing bodies.

Dr. Seneviratne said the UGC is also developing legal frameworks to address the misuse of doctoral and professorial titles, with the aim of ensuring that such designations are used only by properly qualified and actively serving individuals.

The proposed measures include mechanisms to investigate unearned or improperly used titles and potentially prohibit their use in public or official contexts, treating misrepresentation as a form of fraud.

He warned that if these standards cannot be effectively implemented, stricter restrictions may be introduced to prevent the misuse of academic titles.

The Deputy Minister made these remarks in response to a private member’s motion presented by SJB MP Rohana Bandara, who called on the government to formulate a course of action to prevent the misuse of the titles “Professor” and “Doctor” in society.

Dr. Seneviratne stated that the government is committed to working through the UGC to establish a proper framework to address the issue.

An affidavit submitted by former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, alleging that his earlier statement to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) was obtained under intimidation, has been released to the media by his lawyers.

The development follows submissions made by CIABOC before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, where the commission stated that Chandrasena had claimed Rs. 60 million from funds linked to the Airbus deal had been paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

According to court submissions, Chandrasena had reportedly stated that the amount was paid on three separate occasions. He had also allegedly claimed that an additional Rs. 20 million was paid to former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne.

Meanwhile, Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa alleged that Chandrasena had been subjected to pressure and intimidation by investigative authorities prior to his alleged suicide death.

Speaking at a media briefing, Rajapaksa claimed that investigators pressured Chandrasena to make statements implicating former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and members of the Rajapaksa family.

He further alleged that Chandrasena had been threatened with imprisonment and mentally harassed in an attempt to obtain statements aligned with what investigators allegedly wanted.

Namal Rajapaksa also accused the government of misusing state institutions, including the Police and investigative agencies, for political purposes.

He stated that while those accused of wrongdoing should face fair investigations, authorities should not resort to intimidation, threats, or coercion during the investigative process.

Marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka–Vietnam relations, the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum was successfully held today (May 8) at the Hilton Colombo.

The forum was jointly organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in parallel with the State Visit of Vietnamese President Tô Lâm, who also serves as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

President Tô Lâm and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attended the event, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

The forum highlighted the longstanding bilateral relationship between the two countries and reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening economic cooperation.

According to the PMD, the primary objective of the event was to expand bilateral economic ties through enhanced trade, investment promotion, and tourism cooperation.

The forum also served as a platform for exploring new areas of collaboration, strengthening business-to-business engagement, and improving market access by bringing together senior government officials, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from both nations.

During the event, direct air connectivity between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City was officially launched. The new services, operated by Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air, are expected to further strengthen ties between the two countries and their peoples.

Six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering several key areas of cooperation were also signed during the forum.

A notable development at the event was the establishment of the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council under the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Alongside the forum, the Export Development Board organised a business networking session, enabling Sri Lankan and Vietnamese entrepreneurs to engage directly and explore trade opportunities.

The PMD noted that the event received strong participation from the private sectors of both countries, with businesses expressing keen interest in expanding trade and building resilient supply chains.

Representing Sri Lanka at the forum were Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Environment Dr. Dhammika Patabendi, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe, and several senior government officials and business leaders.

The Vietnamese delegation included senior Politburo members and ministers, among them Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Phan Van Giang, Luong Tam Quang, and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung.

Due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the prevailing showery condition over the island is expected to continue during the next few days

Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.

Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-western and North-central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Mannar districts.

Showers are likely in the Western, Southern and Northern provinces during the morning too.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Kurunegala district during the early hours of the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena was found dead at a residence in Colpetty on Friday (08), in a shocking development linked to the ongoing investigations surrounding one of Sri Lanka’s largest aviation corruption scandals.

Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler stated that Chandrasena is suspected to have died by suicide. Police have launched further investigations into the incident.

The death comes just days after new legal developments in the long-running Airbus bribery case, including efforts by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to revoke Chandrasena’s bail.

A dramatic corporate alliance between billionaire investor Dhammika Perera and W.K.H. Wegapitiya has triggered intense debate over market concentration, political influence, and energy security in Sri Lanka. The acquisition of a 50 percent stake in LAUGFS Holdings through Vallibel Three (Pvt) Ltd has effectively created one of the country’s most influential private-sector partnerships.

The deal, finalized between late 2025 and early 2026, emerged at a time when LAUGFS Holdings was struggling under mounting financial pressure. The company had accumulated heavy bank borrowings, soaring finance costs, and increasing operational strain following years of expansion across energy, retail, and manufacturing sectors. Industry analysts believe the partnership was less an ordinary investment and more a strategic corporate rescue operation designed to stabilize one of Sri Lanka’s most sensitive energy suppliers.

The restructuring also marked a significant leadership transition. Co-founder Thilak de Silva exited the company by transferring nearly 40 percent of his stake, clearing the way for the new alliance. Soon after, Mithila Wegapitiya was appointed Vice Chairman with responsibility for financial restructuring and overseas expansion.

However, critics argue that the new partnership raises deeper concerns about economic concentration. LAUGFS already commands a dominant position in Sri Lanka’s LP gas market and controls critical infrastructure including the Hambantota LPG Terminal, considered one of South Asia’s largest LPG transshipment facilities. With Dhammika Perera’s extensive financial network and political influence now tied directly to the company, concerns are growing over whether market competition could weaken further.

Perera has long maintained close connections with political power centers in Sri Lanka and has previously held ministerial responsibilities. Opposition voices and economic observers warn that the combination of political influence, banking leverage, and strategic energy assets could create an imbalance in regulatory oversight. Some analysts fear smaller competitors may struggle to survive against a conglomerate with access to major financing channels and state-level influence.

The timing of the merger has also intensified public scrutiny because consumers are already facing rising living costs. On May 7, 2026, LAUGFS Gas announced steep LP gas price increases citing global market pressures. The price of a 12.5 kilogram cylinder rose by Rs. 545 to Rs. 6,245, while a 5 kilogram cylinder increased by Rs. 220 to Rs. 2,500. For many households already burdened by inflation, the increases renewed concerns about dependence on a limited number of gas suppliers.

Supporters of the deal insist the partnership could strengthen Sri Lanka’s long-term energy security by improving operational efficiency and ensuring uninterrupted supply chains. Yet critics maintain that the emergence of this new corporate giant represents more than financial recovery. They argue it reflects the growing concentration of strategic national industries into the hands of politically connected billionaires with expanding influence over both the economy and public life.

Sri Lanka is intensifying efforts to deepen economic cooperation with India through a new wave of investments in technology, manufacturing, logistics and digital finance, following recent discussions between Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi and representatives of the Indian CEO Forum.

The discussions come at a crucial moment for Sri Lanka’s fragile post-crisis economy. After the island’s unprecedented economic collapse in 2022, Colombo has increasingly turned to regional partners for investment, with India emerging as one of the country’s most influential economic stakeholders. Officials believe closer ties with Indian businesses could accelerate industrial recovery, create employment and modernise Sri Lanka’s ageing infrastructure.

Among the proposals discussed were five priority investment projects intended to fast-track industrial development, alongside plans for joint ventures in pharmaceuticals, apparel, electronics and fintech. One of the most ambitious ideas was the proposed Bengaluru–Colombo technology entrepreneurship corridor, aimed at connecting Sri Lanka’s growing startup ecosystem with India’s globally recognised innovation hub in Bengaluru.

The move reflects a broader trend of rising Indian investment in Sri Lanka. The largest ongoing Indian-backed project remains the Colombo West International Terminal, developed by India’s Adani Ports in partnership with John Keells Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The $800 million deep-water terminal began operations in 2025 and is expected to handle 3.2 million containers annually, significantly expanding Colombo’s role as a South Asian transshipment hub.

According to Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment, the Colombo terminal project became the country’s single largest foreign direct investment contributor during the first nine months of 2025, injecting approximately $229 million into the economy.

India’s influence is also expanding in the digital payments sector. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), operated through collaborations with LankaPay, is rapidly gaining acceptance across Sri Lanka’s tourism and retail sectors. Analysts say the system could simplify transactions for Indian tourists, who now represent one of the island’s largest visitor groups, while also accelerating Sri Lanka’s transition towards a cashless economy.

Supporters argue these initiatives could provide Sri Lanka with badly needed foreign exchange, technology transfer and employment opportunities. Improved port infrastructure could strengthen Colombo’s strategic role in Indian Ocean trade, while manufacturing partnerships may reduce import dependence and boost exports.

However, critics warn of growing economic dependence on India. Concerns have also emerged over transparency, sovereignty and geopolitical balancing, especially as Sri Lanka attempts to maintain strategic relations with both India and China. The controversy surrounding Adani Group’s suspended renewable energy ventures and international corruption allegations has further fuelled public debate over governance and accountability.

Economists note that the long-term success of Indian investments will ultimately depend on transparent agreements, environmental safeguards and whether ordinary Sri Lankans genuinely benefit through jobs, technology access and sustainable economic growth.