Education

Sri Lanka new govt instructs officials to expedite key educational projects

Published

1 year ago

October 23, 2024

Sri Lanka’s new government has instructed state officials to expedite key educational projects including modernizing school education, improving teacher training, advancing secondary education,enhancing technical education, and developing information technology education,the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

All the projects discussed were initiated and implemented under previous governments in the past.

“Both the President and Prime Minister instructed officials to expedite the implementation of these projects,” the PMD said in a statement.

“Attention was also drawn to reorganizing the current school system to ensure that educational reforms are more accessible and effective for all children.”

The government’s instruction came at a progress review meeting of the Ministries of Education, Science, and Technology. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the meeting emphasized the need to rebuild Sri Lanka’s education system in alignment with global demands to achieve the country’s educational goals.

Dissanayake pointed out that that children must be equipped with knowledge to improve the nation’s human capital for Sri Lanka’s future progress and the responsibility of creating the workforce needed by the world over the next decade falls on education officials, stressing the importance of aligning educational projects with this vision, the PMD said.

Government officials in the past have said most educational reforms were either slowed or stopped by trade unions affiliated to Dissanayake’s Marxists Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna (JVP) in the past. – ECONOMYNEXT

Education

University of Colombo discovers plant-based Cancer Drug

Published

1 month ago

October 3, 2025

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After nearly 17 years of continuous research since 2008, the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the University of Colombo has successfully developed a nutrient-based drug capable of destroying cancer cells.

The breakthrough was led by Professor Sameera R. Samarakoon and his research team, who discovered that a combination of five medicinal plants — Vernonia zeylanica, Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus, Leucas zeylanica, and Smilax glabra — has the potential to kill cancer cells.

This discovery marks a significant step forward in cancer research, highlighting the value of traditional medicinal plants in modern scientific innovation.

Education

First Sri Lankan earns U.S. Navy SEAL pin

Published

3 months ago

July 26, 2025

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Lieutenant Koyan Chamitha of the Sri Lanka Navy’s Special Boat Squadron (SBS) has made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan to complete the U.S. Navy SEAL training program and earn the prestigious SEAL Trident pin.

The rigorous training, which lasted 14 months, is widely considered one of the most challenging military programs in the world, with a dropout rate exceeding 75%.

Education

MasterChef Franchise makes landmark debut in Sri Lanka with star-studded launch

Published

4 months ago

July 8, 2025

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History was made at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, as the internationally acclaimed MasterChef franchise officially launched its first-ever Sri Lankan edition.

Owned by Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, the show is set to ignite the nation’s culinary scene and offer homegrown talent the opportunity to shine on a global stage.

The grand reveal of MasterChef Sri Lanka, produced by Reality TV Productions in association with Nilendra Deshapriya Productions, introduced the show’s powerhouse judging panel led by celebrated chef, restaurateur and TV personality Peter Kuruvita. Joining him are Australian MasterChef alumnus Savindri (Sav) Perera, Sri Lanka’s fine dining maestro Rohan Fernandopulle, and seasoned culinary craftsman Kapila Jayasinghe.