Schools going, police stations coming in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Minister of Higher Education S.B. Disanayaka recently argued that the closure of schools is a sign of development. Then what about opening police stations or prisons?

Sri Lanka Police Department sources say that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the Inspector General of Police N.K. Illangakoon to submit a report regarding the need of establishing new police stations and police posts in the country.

Accordingly, the Police Department has planned to conduct a survey on the matter. Facts such as population density, mobility and crime ration etc. will be considered in recommending establishment of police stations and police posts, police sources say.

The report of the police Department is to be studied by the Ministry of Defense before its implementation.

The President's office says that he  has directed officials to look into the need of establishment of the new police stations and police posts due to the demands from various sections.

Are there no demands to establish new schools?

Share this article

read more...

Minister S.B. Disanayaka argues closure of rural schools in Sri Lanka is a characteristic of development

Sri Lanka Minister of Higher Education S.B. Disanayaka argued that the closure of the rural schools is a characteristic of development.

The Minister addressing a meeting held in Udunuwara to mark distribution of school equipment to the children of low income group people, the Minister said that around 2300 schools country wide had not received a single application for Grade 01 admission last year.

However, the Minister pointed out that the number of students admitted to Grade 01 in 2012 has slightly increased to 321,000 in the same year.

The Minister said that the country is gathering momentum to take a leap in development.
Share this article

read more...

'International' schools of Sri Lanka to be registered under Ministry of Education

Parliamentary Advisory Committee chaired by Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardane has planned to has proposed to include measures to register 'international' schools  of Sri Lanka under the Ministry of Education.

Accordingly, these schools that are often accused of employing under qualified, under paid, untrained  teachers  will have to streamline teaching service in them.

The committee has also proposed to make mother tongue of the pupils the medium of the primary students.

Most of these 'international' schools are registered under Company Act and foreign syllabuses are taught there. 

Share this article

read more...

Sri Lanka Minister of Education draws a new poverty line

Sri Lanka Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardana reiterated that a Sri Lankan person can live with less than Rs. 2500 per month.

The Minister made this remark last week also and many persons laughed off his statement while some expressed anger. However, the Minister addressing a meeting held in Ananda College, Colombo yesterday, reiterated his idea, as reported by Sinhala daily The Lakbima.

According to him, over 41% of the income of Sri Lankans is spent for food pertaining to the data of the Colombo Consumers' Cost of Living Index. Therefore, Sri Lankans do not die due to food shortage, the Minister argues.

Minister Gunawardana said last week that Rs. 83 per day was sufficient for a Sri Lankan person for subsistence. According to him, a thre member family could live with Rs. 7500, if they spend their money wisely.

The amount he mentions is far less than the UN defined poverty line of US $ 1.25 per day.

Read his original statement that he made at a function in Homagama. 

Share this article

read more...