News

Applications called for 200 fully funded scholarships in India

Published

2 years ago

February 9, 2023

editor

The Indian High Commission in Colombo is inviting applications for around 200 fully-funded scholarships for Sri Lankan nationals, across various levels.

These scholarships are being offered for studies in prestigious Indian Institutes and Universities across subject domains but not including Medical/Paramedical, Fashion Design and Law courses. The scholarships offered exclusively for Sri Lankan nationals are for 2023-2024 academic session.

The schemes under which these scholarships have been offered are:
• Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme: This scheme covers Undergraduate/Post Graduate & PhD courses in various domains such as Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, Commerce, Humanities and Arts, among others.
• Maulana Azad Scholarship Scheme: Masters Degree courses with preference to Engineering, Science and Agriculture courses.
• Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship Scheme: Undergraduate courses specifically in the field of Information Technology, leading to a Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Technology.
Each of the above schemes covers full tuition fees for the entire duration of the course, monthly sustenance allowance, and annual grant for books and stationary. In addition, air fare to the nearest destination in India and an annual grant for educational tours to various parts of the country, apart from several other auxiliary benefits are also offered. Selected candidates would also be provided hostel facilities inside the respective campus.

The Government of India selects meritorious Sri Lankan nationals for award of these coveted scholarships. Selection of candidates is done in consultation with the Ministry of Education, Government of Sri Lanka. Necessary details are available on the website of the Ministry of Education at www.mohe.gov.lk. Interested applicants and their parents are advised to approach the High Commission of India, Colombo or Ministry of Education, Government of Sri Lanka to learn more about eligibility criteria and selection procedure.

News

Sri Lanka grants clearance for FAO ship

Published

48 minutes ago

June 23, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka has officially granted clearance for a research vessel operated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to conduct scientific research in Sri Lankan territorial waters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said.

The vessel is scheduled to carry out its mission from August 15 – August 20, 2025.

Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is a research vessel that conducts surveys, collecting vital data on fish stocks, biodiversity, and oceanographic conditions. It sought to carry out research activities in Sri Lankan waters, but the government had earlier denied access for it in the absence of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for foreign research vessels.

This posed the possibility of a cancellation, which could have deprived Sri Lanka of over USD 01 million worth of support while affecting future Green Climate Fund initiatives. It was also reported that the next possible deployment would not occur until after 2030.

A year-long moratorium on foreign research vessels expired in December 2024 followed by a cabinet decision in late January to appoint a special committee to amend the SOP for granting diplomatic clearance to foreign research vessels in Sri Lanka.

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News

Anuradhapura Prison chief granted bail

Published

1 hour ago

June 23, 2025

editor

The Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison – Mohan Karunaratne who was in remand custody, has been granted bail.

The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court granted bail under two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each and imposed an overseas travel ban on him.

Karunaratne was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on June 08 over the alleged unauthorized release of an inmate convicted of multiple counts of fraud and corruption under a presidential amnesty.The case is to be taken up again on Aug. 04.

News

SL calls to de-escalate situation in Middle East

Published

3 hours ago

June 23, 2025

editor

The Government of Sri Lanka has expressed grave concern about the latest developments in the Middle East.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism states, “We continue to call upon all parties to take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation.”

“All concerned parties should return to dialogue and engage in intense diplomatic efforts to establish and maintain peace with a view to ensuring stability in the Middle East region,” the statement adds.