News

COPA expresses dissatisfaction over NEMIS performance

Published

2 weeks ago

May 8, 2024

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The Committee on Public Accounts focused on the current performance of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).

The officials who were present pointed out that although this data system was initiated in 2012, it has not yet reached the expected level of performance. The Committee expressing displeasure, mentioned that although this Committee has been discussing this data system for 4 years, it has not reached the desired level.

The members of the Committee who were present also pointed out that the necessary data pertaining to the school system is not available in this data system and not up to expectation. Moreover, the need for accurate national data regarding education was discussed at length.

This was discussed when the Committee on Public Accounts met recently to discuss the 2022 Auditor General’s report of the Ministry of Education and the current performance of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) under the Chairmanship of State Minister – Lasantha Alagiyawanna.

Furthermore, contrary to circular 2008/37, though the number of classes in schools should not be changed without the approval of the Structure Committee under the Ministry of Education, it was brought to attention that the principals of 29 schools had started new classes for intermediate classes at their own discretion without the approval of the Ministry. Accordingly, the Chair of the Committee recommended to submit a full report on this before May 17th.

Attention was also paid to whether there is a lack of enrollment of children in the first year and it was recommended to give a report to the Committee within two weeks containing the information of the last 20 years.

Furthermore, in a letter by the Director of National Schools bearing No. ED/1/6/1/10/2022 dated June 06, 2022, arrangements were made to temporarily admit students to schools close to their residence due to economic difficulties and transportation difficulties in the difficult situation in the country. However, the Committee pointed out that problematic situations have arisen in this regard and recommended the officials to take a decision in this regard after discussing with the minister in charge.The current status of the Education Administration Service and Teacher Advisors’ Service was also discussed at this Committee meeting held.

News

Fire breaks out in workers’ living quarters near Colombo Port

Published

10 hours ago

May 19, 2024

editor

A fire has reportedly broken out in the living quarters of highway access road workers near the Colombo Port.

The Colombo Fire Brigade said it has dispatched four fire trucks to assist in extinguishing the flames.

News

President Wickremesinghe meets Elon Musk to discuss starlink implementation in Sri Lanka

Published

10 hours ago

May 19, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has met with billionaire and investor Elon Musk on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting being held in Indonesia.

During the meeting, Wickremesinghe and Musk discussed the implementation of ‘Starlink’ in Sri Lanka.

It was emphasized that Sri Lanka is committed to expediting the application process to connect the country to the global Starlink network, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

Minister Jeevan Thondaman, accompanying the President on his two-day visit to Indonesia, tweeted: “President and Elon discussed Sri Lanka’s recovery, economic potential, and new opportunities for investment. Great to have two visionary leaders come together for Sri Lanka.”

Elon Musk arrived in Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on Sunday to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world’s largest archipelago nation.

The billionaire head of Tesla and SpaceX, and owner of social platform X, arrived by private jet on the idyllic “island of the gods,” renowned for its tropical beaches, terraced rice paddies, mystical temples, and colorful spiritual offerings.

Musk is slated to launch the service alongside Indonesian President Joko Widodo in a ceremony later Sunday at a public health clinic in Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali.

Musk will also sign an agreement to enhance connectivity in the country’s health and education sectors.

During his first in-person visit to Bali, Musk is also scheduled to participate in the 10th World Water Forum, which seeks to address global water and sanitation challenges.

–With agencies inputs

News

Senior diplomat to oversee Sri Lankan embassy in Russia

Published

21 hours ago

May 19, 2024

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It is reported that the government has planned to send a senior officer of the foreign service to the Sri Lankan embassy in Russia until a new ambassador is appointed due to the lack of an ambassador.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Taraka Balasuriya has told the media that the absence of an ambassador is just a gap in the work procedure, and based on the current situation in Russia, a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be directed to supervise its affairs.

He emphasized that a retired foreign service senior is being sent and the lack of an ambassador is not a major problem.

The Minister further stated that there is already a senior Foreign Service officer there, and given the urgent need, a very senior Foreign Service officer is being sent not because the officer currently in Russia is inadequate.

Mr. Balasuriya has stressed that this is being done to strengthen the operation and that the work will be done according to the normal protocol.

However, even though an ambassador has been appointed to Russia, Mr. Balasuriya has made arrangements not to reveal who it is to the media.

The former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage, was given three extensions, and she ended her service at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow on April 29.

At present, Counsellor Ruvini K. Munidasa serves as the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy.