In Brief

Student-centered education system for universities

A student-centered education system would be introduced in universities from this year, the Ministry of Higher Education said recently.

According the Ministry Secretary, Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne, with the introduction of the student-centered education, the present method of lecturing would change.

The new system would be initially introduced in the Arts, Social Sciences and Management Faculties of universities.

It would also see subject-oriented textbooks being introduced for university students.

The system of student-centered education intends to build a creative generation of students, Dr. Navaratne said.

FR cases to be filed via email

The Supreme Court is developing a system to enable Fundamental Rights petitions to be filed via email. According to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Maheshi Jayasekara, the new system will be active from March. The new system would enable Fundamental Rights petitions to be filed in the Supreme Court even at midnight. At present, all cases must be filed in the Supreme Court before 4.00pm. The move is being introduced with the objective of enhancing the efforts of the Supreme Court to inspire public trust and confidence.

Grade 1 admissions on January 16

by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Cor.

The Ministry of Education has declared January 16 as the National Day of admitting students to Grade one classes of Government schools islandwide.

The ceremony will be held at Niyandagala Junior school in Homagama under the patronage of Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena. Accordingly, all heads of the Govt. schools islandwide have been instructed to organise ceremonial programs at school level to admit students to grade one classes of their schools.

New students should be accompanied to the classes in processions of primary students and newcomers should be treated with kiribath, sweetmeats and gifts to be attracted to new classroom environments, the circular issued to school principals has emphasized.

Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera from Jan 12

The annual Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera will be held from January 12 -14.

The annual pageant begins with the Udamaluwa Perahera on January 12 and will conclude with the Maha Perahera on January 14. There will be more than 50 elephants on parade.

The perahera will commence with the presentation of the Relics casket to the Chief Basnayake Nilame, Dhammika Attygalle by the Viharadhipathi, Ven. Professor Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangharakkita Nayaka Thera.

Awareness in lifesaving techniques for fishermen

An awareness program in lifesaving and survival techniques was conducted for fishermen by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

The program was carried out last Tuesday by Coast Guard personnel attached to the Southern Region ‘Rohana’ at Mirissa for fishermen in Kottegoda Lunukalapuwa area.

The program, which was attended by over 50 fishermen, has the objective of minimising the number of drowning accidents in sea.

The program enlightened the fishermen on safety conditions of fishing boats, proper use of safety gear, lifesaving techniques and survival at sea.

Drowning in the sea and inland bodies of water causes over 1,200 deaths annually in Sri Lanka due to the lack of awareness in safety matters and negligence, according to the Coast Guard.

The fishermen were also educated on the repercussions of engaging in human smuggling, drug trafficking and taking sea passage to Australia.

President at ‘Back to School’ on Jan 11

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a distinguished Old Thurstanite, will be the chief guest at ‘Back to School’, a gathering of past pupils, staffers and principals of yesteryear of Thurstan College, to reminisce the good old days on Saturday, January 11 from 7.30 a.m. at the school premises.

The event, an initiative of Principal Daya Bandara, is coordinated by Pubudu Hettiarachchi (0773976797) and Kanchana Perera (0777895614).