News

Finance Ministry curtails privileges of university lecturers!

Published

2 years ago

January 24, 2023

editor

The Finance Ministry has made arrangements to stop providing funds for air tickets and other facilities to university lecturers who travel abroad for postgraduate studies and training.

The ministry has informed this to the University Grants Commission in writing. The letter also said that measures taken in relation to all government institutions will also apply to universities and higher educational institutions due to the current economic crisis.

The appointment letter of lecturers who have been working continuously for seven years says that they are entitled to a one-year leave for their post-graduate studies or training activities, and the lecturers who go abroad will be given facilities such as air tickets.

However, the lecturers said doing away with these facilities is a violation of human rights and the university lecturers are of the opinion that since they are entitled to the seven-year leave facility for the work they have already done, there is no possibility to violate the rights related to that period.

Meanwhile, University Grants Commission Chairman Professor Sampath Amaratunga said they could have arrived at a compromise had the Finance Ministry discussed the issue with them before taking this decision.

The chairman pointed out that measures such as creating a ration system for universities, preparing a waiting list for lecturers going abroad and providing financial facilities accordingly, and providing these financial facilities from the income earned by the universities could have been discussed prior to taking the decision.

The professor warned that universities could become ‘deserts’ due to this new decision.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

4 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

4 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.