Diyansa, Lihini reach U18 girls final
CDB and HNB ‘A’ clash in final today
Maris Stella and Nimala Maria Convent emerge overall champions
Sandaru cracks double century as Devapathiraja commence season on a strong footing
The College of Contract Management (UniCCM), a UK-based professional college, offers Level 3 to Level 7 (Diploma to Postgraduate) programmes to students in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. The College has now launched a pioneering social responsibility initiative by offering free Foundation Diplomas in IT, a fantastic opportunity for Sri Lankan students to gain a British qualification entirely free of charge, delivered directly without any franchised partners.
This qualification stands apart from conventional academic programmes, which often fail to equip students with the practical skills required for real-world employment.
Most students at the College of Contract Management already hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees from top universities worldwide. They have chosen to study further with the College because of its tailored professional diplomas, designed specifically to develop the competencies and skills of working professionals to the highest level.
The College contributes significantly to the construction, engineering, IT, and business sectors by producing highly skilled professionals capable of excelling in their roles. While headquartered in Surrey, UK, the College also operates back offices in several countries. One of its most successful offices has been in Colombo 03, Sri Lanka, where it has operated for several years.
The College has consistently found Sri Lankan professionals to be smart, hardworking, and highly dedicated. This positive experience has encouraged them to hire more tech professionals from Sri Lanka. Despite conducting weekly interviews over several years, they noted a shortage of suitable candidates due to insufficient practical skills in the local job market.
Elise de Carteret, who based in the headquarters and leads recruitment, stated that although they meet over 50 job seekers each week in Colombo and see many job postings in the market, the academic qualifications held by most candidates do not align with industry requirements.
Drunk monk held for causing accident
Sentenced to death for possession and trafficking 2.77gms of heroin
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
The government has extended the deadline for submitting appeals and objections, in respect of the cancellation of Aswesuma welfare benefits, till 15 Nov. The time allocated to make submissions was originally scheduled to end on Wednesday (11).
Government sources said that taking into consideration requests received from the general public, through Divisional Secretariat offices, the government has decided to extend the deadline by four days.
Sources said that originally appeals and objections could be submitted through the relevant Divisional Secretariat offices until (11), while submissions from November 12 to November 15 would be accepted exclusively through the online system.
Accordingly, a total of 105,233 appeals have so far been submitted by Aswesuma applicants.
Meanwhile, 1,220 objections have been lodged by applicants against other applicants.
Sources said that 173 objections had been submitted by Divisional Secretaries against applicants, while 5,426 public objections had also been recorded.
In addition, 2,981 applications have been entered into the system by Divisional Secretariat offices.
Sources advised the public who require further information or assistance regarding the process to contact the 1924 hotline.
The Navy has intercepted a local multi-day fishing trawler suspected of transporting a consignment of narcotics during a special operation conducted in the deep sea off the island’s southern coast.
The Navy said yesterday that the vessel was intercepted while allegedly transporting several sacks suspected to contain narcotics, and that a number of suspects were taken into custody.
The trawler and the suspects are currently being brought ashore for further investigations and legal proceedings, according to the Navy.
The Navy said comprehensive investigations would be conducted upon their arrival, while further details regarding the suspected narcotics consignment would be released in due course.
Meanwhile, intelligence information has reportedly linked the suspected consignment to two major drug traffickers identified as Sri Lankan drug trafficker Pallewatte Gamage Chaminda Dilruk, alias ‘Parevi Suda’, and Pothupitiya Kankanamge Prashith Dinuka, alias ‘Dippitigoda Lahiru’.
According to the intelligence information, the two men are allegedly among the leading traffickers involved in bringing narcotics into Sri Lanka and are suspected of having brought several large consignments into the country in recent months.
‘Dippitigoda Lahiru’, 31, is reportedly residing in Japan and is alleged to be directing a local drug trafficking network from there.
A Red Notice has reportedly been issued against him through Interpol, although reports indicate that steps to bring him back to Sri Lanka have yet to be taken.
‘Parevi Suda’, who is reportedly in Dubai, has also been accused of continuing his alleged drug trafficking activities with the assistance of certain corrupt officials.
The Navy has intensified operations against drug trafficking in recent days, with further details of the latest seizure expected to be announced following the completion of the initial investigations.
The Government of Sri Lanka, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced a new initiative to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster risk management systems, supporting a shift towards more proactive, coordinated and risk-informed preparedness and anticipatory action.
The 24-month ‘Strengthening Sri Lanka’s Disaster Risk Management Framework’ project is funded by the European Union through its Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and implemented by UNDP in Sri Lanka together with the Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Defence, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), and Save the Children International.
The project was announced at its inception workshop recently, bringing together representatives of key Government institutions, the European Union, UNDP and national stakeholders and development partners to review the initiative’s objectives, planned activities and implementation arrangements, and ensure alignment with national and institutional priorities.
Sri Lanka remains highly exposed to recurrent climate-induced hazards, including floods, landslides, cyclones, extreme rainfall, droughts and coastal hazards. Recent disasters have reinforced the importance of strengthening coordination and preparedness, translating early-warning information into timely action, and ensuring effective systems are in place from the national level through to communities.
The new initiative will address these challenges through a dual approach, strengthening the policy, institutional and operational foundations of disaster risk management at the national level while developing and testing a government-led model for preparedness and anticipatory action at the sub-national level, complementing other ongoing projects.
At the national level, UNDP will work with the Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Defence, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the National Disaster Relief Services Centre and other relevant institutions to strengthen coordination and operational preparedness. The initiative will support a review of Sri Lanka’s disaster risk management legal, institutional and coordination arrangements; strengthen standard operating procedures and warning-to-action mechanisms; and integrate anticipatory action more systematically into disaster risk management systems.
Highlighting the leadership of the Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Defence, Mahinda Gunaratne, Director General-Planning stated “while emergency response and relief remain essential, experience has shown that we must also place greater emphasis on anticipating risks, preparing in advance and ensuring that early warnings lead to appropriate and timely action. Effective disaster risk management requires more than the efforts of any single institution. It depends on clear institutional responsibilities, strong coordination mechanisms, effective operational procedures and the active participation of communities at the local level.”
Adding to this, from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Pradeep Kodippili, Director-Training and Awareness stated, “This project presents an important opportunity for Sri Lanka to further strengthen its disaster preparedness systems. Through technical support provided under the initiative, we will review existing disaster risk management arrangements, strengthen coordination mechanisms, and enhance preparedness capacities at both national and local levels. The project will also support practical interventions in selected communities, enabling us to identify lessons and good practices that can contribute to strengthening preparedness efforts across the country.”
At the sub-national level, the project will develop and pilot a consolidated, government-led disaster risk management model designed for wider use across Sri Lanka. Working in the Badulla and Matara districts, with local government, schools and communities, the initiative will strengthen preparedness planning, early-warning dissemination, coordination mechanisms, simulation exercises and early action, while generating lessons that can inform wider application across Sri Lanka.
The project is expected to directly benefit approximately 3,260 community members in the two pilot locations and engage approximately 3,200 government officials and technical personnel nationwide. Particular attention will be placed on making disaster preparedness gender-responsive, age-sensitive and disability-inclusive, including through accessible risk communication and more inclusive preparedness planning.
Commenting on the EU’s support to Sri Lanka, Seuwandi Yapa, Program Manager-Cooperation Section, Delegation of the European Union in Sri Lanka noted, “For the European Union, disaster preparedness is a critical investment in protecting lives, livelihoods and development gains.”
Adding to this, Marina Ten, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka highlighted, “Recovery from Cyclone Ditwah offers an opportunity not only to rebuild, but to strengthen the systems that protect communities from future disasters. With the European Union’s support, UNDP is working alongside government partners and Save the Children International to translate lessons from recovery into practical reforms clarifying institutional responsibilities, strengthening coordination and improving local preparedness and early warning systems. Our focus is on lasting, nationally owned solutions that reach the most vulnerable communities and embed resilience in Sri Lanka’s development.”
By connecting institutional reform with practical preparedness at the community level, the initiative aims to contribute to a more proactive, inclusive and resilient disaster risk management system, helping Sri Lanka better anticipate future shocks, reduce disaster risks and protect vulnerable communities.
Continue Reading Latest Trending Business 11 mins ago Control Union Sri Lanka Lab meets the global standard for pesticide residue testing Editorial 11 mins ago Judicial Sanction vs. Public Acceptance Business 11 mins ago CIC Holdings reports strong 1HFY27 performance with PAT up 16.7% to Rs. 3.79 bn News 11 mins ago Govt. extends deadline for submitting appeals over cancellation of Aswesuma welfare benefits till Nov. 15 News 11 mins ago Navy intercepts drug trawler linked to Parevi Suda, Dippitigoda Lahiru News 11 mins ago Lanka strengthens disaster preparedness through new EU-supported UNDP initiative News 5 years ago ‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’ News 6 years ago Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines News 6 years ago #SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines News 6 years ago Sunday Island – 28th March News 6 years ago Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March News 6 years ago Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines Trending Features 5 days ago Sarojini Kadirgamar –a lady for all seasons
Why the Jaffna Man Eats So Much Murunga
Sri Lankan Airlines loss amplified to Rs35Bn by monetary debasement
GMOA seeks restoration of duty-free vehicle permits
Iran allows ship carrying fertilizer for SL to pass Strait of Hormuz
Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
Bogollagama returned to prison after failing to meet bail conditions
Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Copyright © 2020 Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. Solution by LankaCom Privacy Policy
Loading comments…