News

Send-off reception held for 17 JDS fellows

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2023

editor

Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka – Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki yesterday (08) held the reception to send-off JDS (the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship) scholarship fellows and extended his heartfelt congratulations on new 17 JDS fellows, who are heading to Japan as scholarship students this month.

In a media release the Japanese embassy in Sri Lanka states :

The JDS program is one of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs to promote high-quality growth of a country through human resource development. One of its main purposes is to accept young promising administrative officers, who are expected to be in leadership positions in the future, as international students in Japanese graduate schools so that they can utilize the expertise they gain in Japan in formulating and implementing social and economic policies after they return to their home country.

JDS fellows are also expected to solidify foundations for further bilateral relations with Japan and succeed as a bridge between both countries by utilizing their human network developed through academic and social activities while in Japan.

Under the project, 17 public sector officials will be sent to pursue a 2 – 3 year Master or PhD degree from this year. Areas of their degrees cover Public Policy, Macroeconomics, Public Finance and Investment Management, Industry Development Policy and Investment Promotion, and Urban and Regional Development.

Since its inception in 2009, JDS project has supported 205 public sector officials in Sri Lanka. The project will contribute not only to enhancing individual capacities but also to improving institutional capacity of the public sector in Sri Lanka, which helps Sri Lanka to overcome various difficulties related to the current economic hardships and to achieve prosperity further in the future.

The reception was held as a pre-alumni reunion as well, with the enthusiastic participation of 22 returned JDS fellows who are willing to establish the JDS alumni association. Stressing the essentiality for relevant ministries to cooperate so that they could overcome current complex and difficult problems, Ambassador Mizukoshi expressed his sincere beliefs that arranging alumni gatherings by JDS fellows themselves and sharing the knowledge gained in Japan would be highly conducive to accelerating Sri Lanka’s development.

In line with the IMF program, various endeavors such as reforms on revenue and expenditure, state-owned enterprises as well as the eradication of corruption are being carried out. Also, on the occasion of our Foreign Minister Hayashi’s courtesy call to Prime Minister Gunawardena, the signing ceremony of Exchange of Notes for next year’s JDS program was conducted in the esteemed presence of the Prime Minister and our Foreign Minister at the Temple Trees on 29th July, which highlights the importance of the JDS program. In this regard, the year 2023 would mark a milestone in kicking off the rebirth of Sri Lankan economy along with the JDS program.

News

Post-mortem must for all deaths of children under 5

Published

21 hours ago

April 27, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Justice and National Integration has informed coroners that deaths of all children under the age of five will be subject to a mandatory post-mortem examination.

In a circular shared with coroners, the ministry highlighted that this was an essential element of child death analysis in Sri Lanka.

Senior officials from the ministry claimed that this practice was being imposed to identify common causes of mortality rates in children under the age of 5 and take precautionary measures to avoid such deaths. “The post-mortem findings will be used to study and analyse the causes behind these deaths to reduce these death rates.”

Another source said the move is an attempt by the authorities to improve Sri Lanka’s health indicators following its recent triumph with low maternal mortality rates.

Currently, post-mortems are conducted only when a child’s death involves suspected harm, suspicious circumstances, or accidents. However, the new law would require internal examinations for all children under the age of five, even in cases where medical professionals have already determined the cause of death.

Experts have criticised the policy as unnecessarily invasive, noting that a post-mortem is not always needed when the death is not suspicious. They also pointed out that each post-mortem costs about Rs. 15,000, making routine examinations a significant waste of resources.

“They need to consult stakeholders involved in every step of this process before calling for drastic actions like this—not just dish out orders via circulars with no technical input,” the source said.

(sundaytimes.lk)

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

Entertainment

Veteran singer Saman De Silva passes away

Published

21 hours ago

April 27, 2025

editor

Veteran singer Saman De Silva, a renowned and popular Baila artist, has passed away, family sources confirmed.

Saman De Silva was widely celebrated for his contribution to Baila music.

Among his popular songs are ‘Niyare Piya Nagala’, ‘Punchi Kurulu Kuduwe’, ‘Suroopi Viroopi’ (Epa Epa Rewatenu), ‘Santhosa Wenna Preethi Wenna’, ‘Thana Nilla Dige’, and ‘Pura Handa Neguna’, all of which remain favorites among audiences.

Throughout his musical career, Saman De Silva travelled extensively, performing in many countries around the world.

He was an alumnus of Nalanda College, Colombo.

News

24 schools closed due to “Siri Dalada Vandanawa” to reopen on Monday

Published

1 day ago

April 26, 2025

editor

A total of 24 schools in and around Kandy that were closed due to “Siri Dalada Vandanawa,” the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, will reopen on Monday (April 28), said the Chief Secretary of the Central Province.

Meanwhile, another 37 schools that are accommodating Police and security forces personnel will reopen on 29 April.

Over 50 schools in the Kandy town and surrounding areas were closed from April 21 in view of the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

The special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy got underway on April 18 and will conclude tomorrow.

Schools that will reopen on Monday are as follows;
1. Dambawela Primary School
2. Gothami Balika Vidyalaya
3. St. Anthony’s College
4. Sri Chandananda Buddhist College
5. Chandananda Buddhist Girls’ College
6. Pushpadana Girls’ College, Kandy
7. Good Shepherd’s Convent, Kandy
8. Hindu Senior College, Kandy
9. Madduma Bandara Vidyalaya, Kandy
10. Viharamahadevi Girls’ College, Kandy
11. Girls’ High School, Kandy
12. Siddhi Lebbe College, Kandy
13. Dharmawickrema Girls’ College, Kandy
14. Kingswood College, Kandy
15. Peradeniya Central College, Kandy
16. Senkadagala Weerodhara Vidyalaya, Kandy
17. Dharmasoka College, Kandy
18. Sanghamittha College, Kandy
19. Eriyagama Pushpadana Vidyalaya, Denuwara
20. Gannoruwa Junior School, Denuwara
21. St. Mary’s Vidyalaya, Ampitiya
22. Uduwela Buddhist College
23. Uduwela Maha Vidyalaya
24. Wathuliyadda Primary School

Schools to be reopened on Tuesday are as follows:
1. Berrewaerts College
2. Berrewaerts Primary School
3. Siddhartha College, Ampitiya
4. St. Anthony’s Girls’ College
5. Vidyartha College
6. Thakshila College
7. Keppetipola College
8. Mahinda (Special) Model School Kandy
9. Special Education Resource Centre, Ampitiya
10. Asoka Vidyalaya Kandy
11. Gurudeniya Maha Vidyalaya
12. Vidyaloka Maha Vidyalaya, Thennekumbura
13. Dharmaraja College
14. D.S. Senanayake Maha Vidyalaya
15. Mahamaya Girls’ College
16. Sri Rahula National School
17. St. Sylvester’s College
18. Swarnamali Girls’ College, Kandy
19. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College, Kandy
20. Seethadevi Girls’ School, Kandy
21. Sarasawi Uyana Maha Vidyalaya, Kandy
22. Peradeniya Junior Secondary School, Kandy
23. Peradeniya Hindu College
24. Lumbini Royal College, Kandy
25. Sri Vimalabuddhi Junior School, Kandy
26. Rasindev Vidyalaya, Kandy
27. Risikala Aesthetic College
28. Thalathuoya Junior School
29. Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud Girls’ College, Kandy
30. Mahaweli Navodya Maha Vidyalaya
31. Kandy Model School, Wattegama
32. Samudradewi Girls’ College, Wattegama
33. Bandaranayake National College – Kundasale
34. Hemamali Girls’ College
35. Ranabima Royal College, Kandy
36. Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Kandy
37. Mahanama College, Kandy