SLIIT and global partners combine to strengthen NetZero Skills in Sri Lanka View(s):The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), together with a consortium of leading Sri Lankan and international partners, have officially launched the Empowering Net Zero Skills for Sri Lanka’s Sustainable and Resilient Future (ENSURE) project. The Sri Lankan consortium partners include the University of Jaffna, University of Peradeniya, University of Ruhuna, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association (SLEMA), and the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC). Positioned as a strategic education and skills development response to Sri Lanka’s accelerating sustainability priorities, ENSURE focuses on strengthening the national talent pipeline required for a credible and inclusive transition to a low-carbon economy. ENSURE is designed to strengthen Sri Lanka’s higher education and vocational training systems by expanding access to industry-relevant learning pathways and modernising how sustainability-linked skills are developed and delivered. Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Kumara Jayawickrama, Project Coordinator, said: “Sri Lanka’s Net Zero ambition requires an equally strong investment in skills and capability.

Need to restructure university education in Sri Lanka By Prof. J.A. Karunaratne FEATURE View(s): View(s):The university education system in Sri Lanka has traditionally played a central role in producing batches of civil servants and other professionals, including clusters of lawyers and medical professionals. The need to restructure university education in Sri Lanka arises primarily from issues of access, relevance, quality, governance, and alignment with national development goals. ConclusionsThe need to restructure university education in Sri Lanka is both urgent and unavoidable. This should also help Sri Lanka maintain structural harmony with other nations of the global community.

Geotechnical body wants building activity in high-risk areas halted View(s):By Nidarshani WickramasingheThe National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has recommended that all construction projects be cleared from high-risk areas demarcated through boundary demarcation maps developed using satellite images following the landslides triggered by cyclone Ditwah in November. Sentinel-2 satellite images were used. The demarcation maps created from these satellite images have now been provided to national universities, the Disaster Management Centre, NBRO and relevant institutions. Once risk areas and high-risk areas are identified, corresponding actions are taken, Dr Senadeera said. The institute said that the number of landslides and natural disasters viewed through satellite data exceeds the numbers reported in the media.

IQBAL ATHAS – Standing tall through it all View(s):As the Sunday Times bids goodbye to our stalwart Consultant Editor/Defence Correspondent/Political Editor, we look back on an exceptional career of investigative reporting, war reporting, astute political commentary and mentoring a generation of journalists. Iqbal Athas, who dominated these Op-Ed pages for 30 years, first as a Defence Correspondent and later as Political Editor of the Sunday Times, is no more. These incidents were symptomatic of the widespread criminal impunity in Sri Lanka at the time. At home, he was the first recipient of the coveted Journalist of the Year Award presented by The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was handing over the Movement’s chair to Cuba.

Legal dispute over Sheraton Colombo property, premises By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):The Sheraton Colombo hotel premises and its properties are to be sold by public auction following a default in making payments on loans obtained from two commercial banks. Lanka Hotels and Residencies Chairman Gamini Gunaratne speaking with the Sunday Times Business said that currently “we are negotiating with the banks”. He noted that the public announcement is part of the legal procedures that the banks have to adhere to. The management of the Sheraton Colombo is given under a contract to the global Sheraton Hotels franchise. The total due to the NDB as stated in the notification is the sum of Rs.2.2 billion and US$23 million.

No problem in forex debt repayments by 2028-Governor View(s):Central Bank Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe this week allayed fears in Sri Lanka, which he blamed on the media, about the foreign debt repayment schedule being affected. “There is no repayment problem as projected in the media. In his annual interaction with senior editors, Dr. Weerasinghe said the authorities plan to renegotiate the targets set in the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, in the context of the cyclone and set new targets. “The problem is that because its cheap credit, businesses borrow for unnecessary purchases like vehicles and then default in payment. We have seen this happening in the past when small tourist businesses collapsed.

SLIC hosts General Insurance Pinnacle Achiever Awards in Indonesia View(s):Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd. (SLICGL), recently hosted the 2nd Annual General Insurance Pinnacle Achiever (GIPA) Awards Ceremony in Indonesia, honouring the Top 33 Sri Lankan and 10 Indonesian General Insurance sales professionals. GIPA is the world’s first dedicated recognition platform exclusively for General Insurance sales professionals. Life Insurance has established aspirational international benchmarks such as the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) and the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA). MDRT is a global association recognizing the highest-performing life insurance and financial services professionals for their excellence, ethics, and client service. Recognition levels include GIPA Achiever, GIPA Star, and GIPA Legend.

Parliament committee discusses recruitments in Sri Lanka Principal Service View(s):The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital discussed the Universities (Amendment) Bill and matters pertaining to the recruitments of the Sri Lanka Principal Service. This was taken into discussion when the committee met recently (6) at parliament under the chairmanship of Hesha Withanage. The committee discussed matters pertaining to the recruitments of the Sri Lanka Principal Service at length. It was stated that principals are recruited for the Sri Lanka Principal Service through a competitive exam held for teachers in service, which was held in 2019 for 1918 vacancies. Moreover, it was observed that a few remaining from the 2019 batch are yet to be absorbed into the Principal Service.

China provides expert help and grant to digitalise Sri Lanka education View(s):The National Education Digitalisation Grant Initiative launched this week with support from China is a major milestone in the country’s journey to modernise education and build a digitally empowered nation, Deputy Minister of Education Madhura Senevirathna said. The design also reflects lessons learned from China’s own education digitalisation journey, where digital platforms and artificial intelligence are used in general education. Under this government-to-government grant framework, world-leading education technologies from China are being deployed, with leading technology giants serving as the technology provider. Officials noted that the focus remains firmly on the grant, national ownership, and long-term public benefit. Dr Senevirathna said that the initiative represents Phase 1 of a broader national education digitalisation programme.

Muhurath for ‘Mala Magulai’ View(s):The cameras are set to roll on a laughter-filled journey as the new comedy ‘Mala Magulai’ marked the start of production with its Muhurath ceremony, held last week at the Water’s Edge Hotel, attended by the film’s cast, crew and well-wishers from the industry. Directed by Chris Anthony, best known for his earlier films ‘Ape Principal’ and ‘Passport’, ‘Mala Magulai’ marks his fourth cinematic venture. Makeup is by Priyantha Dissanayake, with art direction by Manjula Ayagama, while costume design is handled by Jeewanthi Perera. The filming of ‘Mala Magulai’ is to be completed within January 2026 and the film is to be ready for screening soon. (SRF)Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS

SriLankan flies Nawam Perahera to the world View(s):SriLankan Airlines has launched an international branding initiative to promote the Nawam Maha Perahera 2026. Accordingly, an Airbus A320neo was redesigned promoting the Nawam Perahera to be held on January 31 and February 1. “SriLankan Airlines now carries the prestige spirituality, and cultural identity of the Nawam Maha Perahera across its international route network,” the airline said in a statement. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS

Jaswar welcomes IOC order for Sri Lanka NOC elections View(s):A group of national sports associations that viewed the delay in holding elections for the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC) as a serious breach of ‘Olympism principles’ has welcomed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) directive for Sri Lanka to complete the election process by April 30. The official tenure of the NOC Executive Committee ended on December 27, 2025. The absence of an election process had agitated several affiliated associations, reportedly more than 20 of the 30-plus members. With the NOC elections now scheduled to take place on or before April 30, Umar and his colleagues are satisfied that a clear roadmap has been established. A Special General Meeting will be convened to appoint an election committee to initiate the process, ensuring the overdue elections are conducted properly and transparently.

Rodney honoured in Karnataka, India View(s):By Susitha R. FernandoFilmmaker, writer and senior journalist Rodney Widanapathirana was recently honoured for his outstanding contribution to cinema, arts and journalism at the ‘Chinnaswamy Hindustan Gagan Festival’, organised by the ‘Open University of Karnataka State’. The honorary award was presented at the Mysore Open University in recognition of Widanapathirana’s long-standing and multifaceted contribution to Sri Lanka’s arts landscape, spanning cinema, teledrama, documentary filmmaking, travel literature and media reportage. A respected name in Sri Lankan teledrama, Rodney Widanapathirana began his directorial journey with ‘Udawediya Mal’ and has since directed six teledramas, including ‘Sapa Nokaraw Dharuwane’, ‘Wanapasa Mal’, ‘Hathe Wasama’, ‘Hemanthaye Wasanthayak’, ‘Ridi Tharaka’ and ‘Hima Piyali’. His early exposure to cinema saw him working as an assistant director on Sena Samarasinghe’s ‘Chanchala Rekha’ and Shirley P. Wijeratne’s ‘Welle Thenu Maliga’. Rodney Widanapathirana is currently working on his latest film project, ‘Hemantha Sihinayak’, continuing a creative journey that has left an indelible mark on Sri Lanka’s cultural and artistic narrative.

Asia Siyaka Warehouse first ZeroCarbon® certified tea logistics company View(s):Asia Siyaka Warehousing (Pvt) Ltd, the largest auction logistics provider in Sri Lanka’s tea sector, has secured a global benchmark in sustainability, becoming the world’s first and only ZeroCarbon® certified company in tea auction logistics. The achievement was awarded by the Sustainable Future Group (SFG), Sri Lanka’s premier sustainability certification body. It highlights the company’s leadership in environmental stewardship and positions Sri Lanka’s tea industry at the forefront of sustainable value chains worldwide, the company said in a media release. Anil Cooke, Managing Director, Asia Siyaka Warehousing (Pvt) Ltd., said, “Tea is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic exports, and Sri Lankan tea is already recognised as the world’s first and only Ozone Friendly Tea. Achieving ZeroCarbon® certification is a promise to our clients, growers, shareholders, and future generations that we will continue to operate responsibly and sustainably.

CB ramps up fight against money laundering and terrorism financing View(s):By Damith WickremasekaraThe Central Bank will strengthen inter-agency frameworks for cooperation and coordination to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in line with the international standards recommended by the international intergovernmental body, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a senior government official said. There are no formal arrangements to coordinate activities related to money laundering. “There will be closer scrutiny of entities that are suspected to be engaged in money laundering, even in instances where they pay taxes. The FATF sets standards and promotes effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of proliferation, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. The FATF recommendations set out a comprehensive and consistent framework of measures which countries should implement to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.