SLRC’s new web radio suspended immediately
Chairman of the state owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) – Dr. Prasad Samarasinghe has pledged to suspend the channel’s new web radio, internal sources say.
He has pledged this as a response to a group of SLRC employees protesting at the SLRC main lobby earlier this morning (Feb. 14).
The new web radio named as ‘Ru Radio’ was set to be launched today, coinciding with the 42th anniversary of the SLRC.
Although the SLRC chairman has denied knowledge of the launch, a test broadcast had commenced via the link https://rupavahini.lk/ru-radio and video advertisements had even been publicized.Meanwhile, it is also reported that the Ceylon Electricity Board had disconnected power to the SLRC yesterday over the non-payment of bills but the supply was temporarily reconnected after a portion of it was settled.
It is also said that the power supply to SLRC has been disconnected around 10 times in the recent past due to inability to settle electricity bills and the Finance Manager is said to be evading producers of teledramas that are demanding arrears payments.According to Trade Unions of the SLRC, the state owned TV is deeply in debt, with the figure exceeding Rs. 3,000 million.
It is reported that the SLRC has not paid the VAT due to the state for several years and has not paid EPF and ETF of its employees for several months as well.
Although around 65 employees have left the SLRC under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme, the institute has been unable to pay their retirement gratuity, EPF and ETF, reports add.
Leveling serious accusations against the Minister of Media – Bandula Gunawardena and against the SLRC chairman over this situation, SLRC employees also allege that the transaction of handing over Channel Eye to Subhashkaran Alirajah is a corrupt one.They charge that the transaction is a fraudulent one where Alirajah was given the TV frequency of Nethra TV instead, after converting it to Channel Eye. The frequency of Nethra TV had an island wide coverage, something that the Channel Eye frequency did not.
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State Minister of Higher Education Dr. Suren Raghavan has said that steps have been initiated to establish three international universities within Sri Lanka.
Dr. Raghavan outlined that two of these universities are currently in the establishment phase, with the third scheduled to commence operations by May of this year.
Notably, the Indian Institute of Technology is to be opened in Kandy, while the other two universities will have branches affiliated with the United States and the United Kingdom, with anticipated memorandum of understanding signings.
In a press briefing held at the Presidential Media Center today (14) under the theme of “Collective Path to a Stable Country”, Dr. Raghavan also announced the plans to enhance the educational landscape in Sri Lanka. Drawing from insights of international education experts, the focus is now on offering multiple degrees through state universities, he said.
Additionally, discussions are underway to establish the new Higher Education Development Commission, integrating findings from the Wijedasa Rajapaksa Committee and the Committee Report of the University Grants Commission. Former Chief Justice K. Sri Pawan has been appointed to chair this committee, with a focus on deliberating the relevant legal framework and presenting the draft to Parliament.
Also, discussions have started to provide multiple degrees in the state universities. The Australian Higher Education Minister has been invited to Sri Lanka through the Australian Embassy. With him, the chancellors of Melbourne, Sydney University and 10 other universities are going to come to Sri Lanka. They are expected to discuss the next steps to be taken after observing our educational situation.
Lastly, while emphasizing the need to regulate the private higher education sector, Dr. Raghavan assured that there are no preparations for commercializing education.
State Minister of Higher Education Dr. Suren Raghavan said that after the observation of experts with international experience in education, they have focused on providing multiple degrees through state universities. Regulation of the private higher education sector is deemed necessary. However, it’s important to clarify that there are no intentions to commercialize education.
(Excerpts : PMD)
Sri Lanka won the 3rd and final ODI against Afghanistan held in Pallekele today (Feb. 14) by 07 wickets, sweeping the ODI series 3 – 0.
The verdict of a case filed against former Minister and SLPP Parliamentarian Mahindananda Aluthgamage by the Attorney General, is to be delivered in April this year.
Taking up the case today (Feb. 14), Colombo High Court Judge Nawarathne Marasinghe ordered that the verdict will be issued on April 25, 2024.
Mahindananda Aluthgamage has been charged with failure to declare the source of funds used to purchase a luxury house worth Rs. 27.4 million at Kynsey Road in Borella, during his tenure as a minister.
When the case was taken up today, Senior Deputy Solicitor General Shanil Kularatne who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General and Attorney-at-Law Kanchana Ratwatte who appeared on behalf of the defendant made oral submissions related to the case.
The written submissions are expected to be handed over to the court in the future.