Connect with us

News

Applications called for “Asidisi” Media Scholarship

Published

on

The applications have been called for the “Asidisi Media Scholarship Programme-2023” which is aimed at improving professionalism of Sri Lankan journalists.

Accordingly, the applications will be accepted until October 11.

Journalists can benefit from this scheme of scholarships twice. After the first Scholarship is awarded, they can reapply in five years after successful completion of the course.

Under this Scholarship Programme, Rs.200,000 would be offered for a graduate or undergraduate programme and Rs.100,000 would be offered for long term or short term certificate courses conducted by recognized institutions.

The journalists who are eligible for this Scholarship Programme will receive 50% of the total course fee at the beginning of the course as the 1st installments, the next 25% as the 2nd installment, and the balance when submitting the certificate after the successful completion of the course.

The journalists between the age of 18-55 who are employed in recognized Media institutions having completed three years of service on a permanent or part-time basis, freelance journalists, provincial journalists, web journalists, and media technicians are eligible for applying to this Scholarship programme.

The intended course should directly be related to the field of mass media and the applicants should possess the media identity card issued by the Department of Information.

The beneficiaries will be selected after an interview conducted by a committee nominated by the secretary, Ministry of Mass Media.

All the applications should be sent via registered post to Director (Media), Ministry of Mass Media, No. 163, Kirulapone Mawatha, Polhengoda, Colombo 05 on or before 11 October 2023.

Further details of “Asidisi Media Scholarship Programme 2021” can be obtained by contacting 011-2513645/ 011-2514632 and the application can be downloaded from https://www.media.gov.lk.

News

Vesak week commences tomorrow

Published

on

By

The National Vesak Week will commence tomorrow (May 09), under this year’s theme of “Let’s associate with noble people with good qualities.”

According to the secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, W.P. Senadheera said that it will continue until May 16.

The official inauguration ceremony will take place tomorrow at the Nuwara Eliya Buddhist Center, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Sri Lanka Railways has announced special train services during the Vesak week and the long weekend.

Meanhwile, the Ministry of Public Administration has ordered the closure of slaughterhouses, meat vendors, casinos, and clubs nationwide from May 12 – 14 May for the state Vesak Festival. 

A circular issued on April 29 instructs all relevant businesses to comply during the period.

Continue Reading

News

79 shooting incidents in last 7 months

Published

on

By

79 shooting incidents have been taken place in Sri Lanka over the past 07 months, resulting in 52 deaths and 260 arrests, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today (May 09).

The shootings had occurred in the 07 months from September 21, 2024 until May 08, 2025. 

According to the minister, the shootings had left 35 injured as well.

62 of the incidents were linked to organized criminal gangs, while 17 were classified as other types of shootings, he added.

Of the 260 arrested, 229 were connected directly to organized crime, the minister further noted.

Minister Wijepala said the government has taken high-level decisions in this regard, and that it is unacceptable to claim that there has been a serious increase in shootings since the NPP government came to power.

“When we study these shootings, we will not see a significant increase from 2022, 2023, or 2024. But we do not trivialise any shooting. We treat every human life with value. Therefore, we have taken the highest decisions we can take as a government to suppress the underworld,” he emphasised.

Continue Reading

News

Teacher accused of molesting Kotahena schoolgirl sent on compulsory leave

Published

on

By

The Ministry of Education says that the teacher allegedly involved in the incident of molesting the schoolgirl from Kotahena has been sent on compulsory leave after receiving a police ‘B report’. 

The Secretary to the Education Ministry, Nalaka Kaluwewa, states that steps have also been taken to hold an internal inquiry into the incident.

Accordingly, the teacher involved in the incident will be placed on compulsory leave in accordance with Section 27:9 of Chapter XLVIII, Part II of the Establishments Code.

The Ministry also states that a preliminary investigation into the incident is currently underway, and that formal disciplinary action will be taken as soon as the report is received.

Furthermore, the Ministry has launched an internal investigation to determine whether any parties neglected their duties and responsibilities in connection with the entire incident.

On May 08, a group of parents and students staged a protest opposite the school in Bambalapitiya alleging that a teacher had sexually assaulted the student, which led to the girl’s death by suicide.

In this regard, the Ministry of Education had called for an explanation from the school’s principal.

In a previous statement, the Ministry had said that the teacher in question was transferred, and disciplinary action will be taken based on the investigations conducted by the police.

On the same day, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, stated that she had requested the parents of the Grade 10 student—who reportedly died by suicide following the alleged sexual assault by a teacher—to file a formal complaint with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). However, she noted that the complaint had not been filed as of yet.

The Minister’s comments came in response to allegations made by MP Mano Ganesan, who questioned whether government action had been delayed because the owner of the tuition center—where the student was allegedly verbally abused again after the incident—is affiliated with the National People’s Power (NPP).

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved