The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is set to present a revised electricity tariff proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) on December 6. This follows a previous submission proposing reductions between 6% and 11%, which the PUCSL rejected, requesting further revisions.
CEB spokesperson, Engineer A.D.K. Parakrama Singha, confirmed that the revised proposal has reached its final stages of preparation. The PUCSL had earlier requested that the CEB incorporate a detailed analysis of projected costs for the first half of 2025 into its plans.
With the clock ticking, the CEB aims to balance public expectations of reduced tariffs while aligning with regulatory requirements. Whether the PUCSL will accept the new proposal remains to be seen.
Dr. Niroshan J. Peiris, Group CEO of Laugfs Gas, has stated that no decision has been made regarding a price revision for Laugfs Gas.
He also revealed that a shipment of 22,000 metric tons of gas has recently arrived in Sri Lanka. The distribution of this stock across the country has already commenced.
Dr. Peiris further mentioned that approximately 100,000 cylinders of gas are being distributed daily to meet demand.
At the beginning of this week, global crude oil prices saw an increase.
The price of a barrel of WTI crude oil has risen to $68.24, reflecting a 0.35% increase. Similarly, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil climbed to $72.50, marking a 0.32% increase.
These shifts indicate a notable upward trend in the oil market.
A British national on a flight from Sydney, Australia, to Colombo was arrested early yesterday morning by the Katunayake Airport Police for attempting to open the aircraft’s emergency exit door mid-flight in a disruptive manner.
The suspect, identified as 34-year-old B.K. Scott, was taken into custody following the incident.
After being presented to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, the individual has been remanded until the 02nd of December.
The revamped Sri Lanka Police website, www.police.lk, was officially launched yesterday (27) under the patronage of the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala.
According to Police Headquarters, the public can now access the upgraded website, which features various resources, including police-related news, special events, photos, videos, and other updates curated by the Police Media Division. The website is designed and managed by the Police Information Technology Division and will be regularly updated to meet public needs.
The website allows for convenient online services such as applying for police clearance reports and filing complaints. Additionally, the Police Information Technology Division plans to introduce more advanced features to the platform soon, further enhancing public accessibility and convenience.
The launch event was attended by notable figures, including Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Wataga; Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Senewiratne; Acting Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya; Police Media Spokesman and Deputy Inspector General of Crimes, Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa; Senior Superintendent of Police and Director of the Police Information Technology Division, Ashoka Dharmasena; and Acting Director of the Police Media Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police Minura Senarath, among others.
This new initiative underscores the Sri Lanka Police’s commitment to utilizing technology to improve public service and engagement.
Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, expressed confidence that the country’s economy will achieve a stable and prosperous state by 2025.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to discuss the ongoing program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the country’s economic strategies, Dr. Weerasinghe highlighted significant progress in financial reforms.
The Governor noted that the third review of the ongoing IMF program has reached a staff-level agreement, and following the government’s presentation of the budget, the IMF is expected to formally approve the disbursement of funds to Sri Lanka without delay.
Dr. Weerasinghe also stated that policy-level agreements with the IMF have already been finalized. Furthermore, the two-year process of restructuring the country’s public debt is now in its final stages, with preliminary agreements already reached with creditors.
The Governor emphasized that these developments are critical to driving the country toward economic stability and sustainability, marking a significant step forward in Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts.
Deputy Inspector General of Police and Police Media Spokesman, Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa, stated that drones have been deployed in addition to police officers to ensure the safety of homes in areas submerged by floodwaters caused by adverse weather conditions.
He further urged parents and guardians to take immediate action to prevent children from playing in rainwater, as such activities could lead to accidents.
To assist or report incidents related to the ongoing adverse weather, a special hotline, 107, has been introduced specifically for the Tamil-speaking community. This initiative aims to provide effective communication and support during this challenging time.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to go beyond relying solely on technical information and visit disaster-affected areas to gather firsthand insights and provide immediate relief services to those in need. The President made these remarks during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat with state officials regarding disaster relief efforts.
He emphasized the need to establish a robust grassroots mechanism to deliver effective relief. President Dissanayake instructed officials to ensure that displaced individuals are provided with safe shelters, adequate food, and sanitary facilities. Furthermore, he directed the allocation of sufficient funds to support these relief efforts.
Special attention was given to the Northern and Eastern Provinces, which are currently at high risk due to adverse weather conditions. Officials were urged to focus on these regions and address the challenges faced by affected communities.
The President also highlighted the importance of considering the mental well-being and difficulties of students sitting for the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination and instructed education officials to take appropriate measures to support them.
Additionally, the President called for immediate action to ensure the safety of fishermen currently at sea. He directed authorities to locate them and provide the necessary assistance to bring them safely ashore.
Lastly, the President emphasized the importance of conducting post-disaster assessments to gather accurate information while maintaining a high standard of service to those affected. This, he stated, would ensure a more effective and informed response to future disasters.
The Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara, has announced that the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination has been postponed by three days. Accordingly, the examination will now commence on December 4.
As per the revised schedule, the subjects originally planned from December 4 onward will take place as scheduled, while the examinations that were missed will be conducted from December 21.
The Commissioner General stated that a new timetable for the rescheduled exams will be released soon. He made these remarks during a special press briefing currently being held.
In response to adverse weather conditions across the country, the Sri Lanka Army, under the guidance of Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army deployed troops to facilitate the transportation of students sitting for the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination. Special transport arrangements have been made to ensure students can reach their examination centers in the affected areas. Army personnel, equipped with trucks and Uni-Buffel vehicles, have been deployed to locations such as Thihagoda, Malimbada, Athuraliya, Akurassa, and Kamburupitiya Godawa Temple to assist students facing access issues due to weather-related disruptions.
Furthermore, Army troops, along with trucks and Uni-Buffel vehicles, have been placed on standby in Matara, Yatiyana, and Wariyapola to address any potential emergency situations arising from the inclement weather.
The Army Chief has instructed the Commander of 1 Corps and all Security Force Commanders to remain on standby and extend relief operations to other affected areas if necessary.
In response to the ongoing adverse weather conditions across the country, authorities have introduced four 24/7 hotline numbers to facilitate disaster reporting and coordination. This initiative aims to provide immediate assistance and streamline responses to emergency situations. The activated hotline numbers are 0112 027 148, 0112 472 757, 0112 430 912, and 0112 013 051. In addition to the hotlines, citizens can connect with the special operations center via email at [email protected] for further assistance or to report emergencies.
The special disaster coordination center has been established at the Police Headquarters, ensuring rapid response through collaboration with relevant agencies, including the Disaster Management Center, health services, and local authorities. This 24/7 operation center will coordinate rescue and relief efforts, provide updated weather forecasts and safety alerts, and guide precautionary measures to minimize disaster risks.
The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal was located to 190 km southeast of Trincomalee at around 11:30 p.m. of 26th November 2024.It is likely to movenorth-northwestwards closer to the east coast of Sri Lanka and intensify further into a cyclonic storm today (27th November).
Under influence of the system cloudy skies will prevailed over most parts of the island, very heavy showers and strong gusty winds can be expected in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western and Central provinces.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Central, western and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Kegalle districts. Very heavy showers above 150 mm are likely at some places.
Showers will occur at times elsewhere of the island too. Fairly heavy above 75 mm are likely at some places.
Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central, Central, Western, North-western, Southern and Eastern provinces.
The Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, announced that the draft Appropriation Bill for the upcoming year 2025 will be presented to Parliament on January 9.
He made this statement today (26) during the Cabinet decision press briefing.
Further, he stated that the second reading of the bill is scheduled to take place on February 17.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed two new ministry secretaries.
The letters of appointment were handed over by Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (25).
Accordingly, President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinaseena has been appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration. Mrs. Malarmathi Gangadaran has been appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Empowerment.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) states that vehicle imports could serve as a “very good revenue source” for the government to achieve its financial targets for the coming year.
Peter Breuer, the head of the IMF senior delegation, mentioned that the removal of restrictions on vehicle imports has been discussed during this review as well as in previous discussions.
“We understand that lifting restrictions on vehicle imports could be an excellent revenue stream for the government in the coming year. It is one of the rare opportunities to increase state revenue,” he said.
However, the IMF emphasized that this should be managed prudently to avoid unnecessary pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Sri Lanka aims to raise its state revenue to 15.1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025.
Newly appointed Deputy Ministers of the National People’s Power (NPP) government was sworn in today (21) before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.
The list of Deputy Ministers is as follows:
Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando : Deputy Minister of Economic Development
Mr. Namal Karunarathne : Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock
Mr. Wasantha Piyathissa : Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment
Mr. Nalin Hewage : Deputy Minister of Vocational Education
Mr. R.M. Jayawardena : Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security
Mr. Gamagedara Dissanayake : Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
Mr. T.B. Sarath : Deputy Minister of Housing
Mr. Rathna Gamage : Deputy Minister of Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe : Deputy Minister of Labour
Mr. Aruna Jayasekara : Deputy Minister of Defence
Mr. Arun Kemachandra : Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment
Mr. Anton Jayakody : Deputy Minister of Environment
Mr. Mohommed Muneer : Deputy Minister of National Integrity
Eng. Eranga Weerarathne : Deputy Minister of Digital Economy
Mr. Eranga Gunasekara :Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs
Mr. Chathuranga Abeysinghe : Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development
Eng. Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku : Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation
Dr. Namal Sudarshana : Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs
Mr. Ruwan Senarath : Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Governance
Dr. Prasanna Kumara Gunasena : Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways
Dr. Hansaka wijemuni : Deputy Minister of Health and Media
Mr. Upali Samarasinghe : Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development
Mr. Ruwan Chaminda Ranasinghe : Deputy Minister of Tourism
Mr. Sugath Thilakarathne : Deputy Minister of sports
Mr. Sundaralingam Pradeep : Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure
Attorney Sunil Watagala : Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs
Dr. Madhura Senevirathne : Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education
Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma : Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
Dr. Susil Ranasinghe : Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the event.
The Department of Census and Statistics has reported that Sri Lanka’s inflation rate, which stood at -0.2% in September 2024, has decreased further to -0.7% in October. This marks a continuing trend of deflation in the country, indicating a reduction in the general price levels.
However, food inflation, which was recorded at 0.5% in September, saw an increase to 1.3% in October. This rise in food prices suggests that households are continuing to experience upward pressure in the cost of essential food items.
In contrast, non-food inflation, which was at -0.7% in September, dropped further to -2.3% in October. This suggests a decline in the cost of non-food goods and services, reflecting a reduction in expenses in sectors such as transport, utilities, and healthcare.
The principal of Mahinda College, F.G. Pearce, who laid the foundation for Sanghamitta and Rahula.
F.G Pearce
F.G. Pearce, who served as the principal of Mahinda College in Galle, was a trailblazer who laid the foundation for Sanghamitta Girls’ College in Galle and Rahula College in Matara. A renowned English educator, he was also instrumental in establishing several notable schools in India.
Pearce introduced the Boy Scouts movement to Galle, inspired by Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell. Under the guidance of Annie Besant, the then-president of the Theosophical Society, he became a pioneer in promoting the Boy Scouts movement in India. Additionally, he was a founder of the public school movement in India.
From March 1945 to May 1950, F.G. Pearce served as an Assistant Secretary in Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education, where he made significant contributions to broadening educational opportunities for children.
In commemoration of F.G. Pearce’s legacy, his son, Vikram Pearce, who currently serves as the chairman of the F.G. Pearce Trust, will arrive in Sri Lanka on November 19, 2024.
To honor the memory of F.G. Pearce, Vikram Pearce will visit Sanghamitta College in Galle, Rahula College in Matara, and Mahinda College in Galle over three days starting November 20, walking in the footsteps of his father’s remarkable journey. This brief note is dedicated to this occasion.
Frederick Gordon Pearce, widely known as F.G. Pearce, was an outstanding English educator born on March 24, 1892, in England. Intriguingly, his birth occurred just 24 days after the founding of Mahinda College in Galle.
A master of the English language from a young age, F.G. Pearce earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors from the University of London. During his university years, he was both a cricketer and a Boy Scout leader, showcasing his multifaceted talents and leadership abilities.
When it came to higher education, F.G. Pearce was a staunch theosophist. As a young man, he was well-versed in the principles and activities of the Theosophical Society and also deeply admired Buddhist philosophy.
This inclination inspired his desire to travel to the South Asia, and he soon received an ideal opportunity: an invitation to assume the role of Vice Principal at Mahinda College in Galle.
At the time, Mahinda College was under the leadership of another distinguished English educator, F.L. Woodward, who served as Principal from 1903 to 1919. Woodward remains a legendary figure in the history of Mahinda College.
Mahinda College, Galle
It was Mr. Woodward who relocated Mahinda College from Peddler Street within the Galle Fort to a picturesque hill in Elliot Road (now Woodward Mawatha) known as Dhawatagahawatta. He laid a strong foundation for the school and established the enduring “Woodward tradition,” which continues to nourish Mahinda College to this day.
During his tenure as principal, F.L. Woodward introduced the position of Vice Principal at Mahinda College for the first time, specifically inviting F.G. Pearce to take on the role. This decision was part of Woodward’s vision for the revival and progress of Mahinda College.
Accordingly, F.G. Pearce traveled from London to Galle and assumed duties as Vice Principal of Mahinda College on October 25, 1913. From that point onward, Pearce, honoring the Woodward tradition, dedicated himself to the advancement of Mahinda College.
Though the Boy Scouts movement had been introduced to Sri Lanka under the leadership of Francis George Stevens, it was F.G. Pearce who, two years later, brought it to Galle. Despite having been at Mahinda College for only eight months, Pearce established the first Galle Mahinda Boy Scouts troop in June 1914.
In the book F. L. Woodward: Out of His Life and Thought by D.H. Pandita Gunewardene, the following is mentioned about Mr. Pearce:
The motto of the Scout movement worldwide is “Be Prepared”, which, among other things, signifies that Scouts must train themselves to always be ready and able to help others in times of sudden or unexpected need. Pearce introduced an additional motto for the Mahinda college Scout corps in Sinhala: “Loweda Pinisa Samagi Weemu”, which translates to “We have joined together for the service of the community.” Pearce stated that Scouting aimed at achieving three objectives:1. Discipline,2. Observation,3. Usefulness
Under Pearce’s leadership, by 1916, the Mahinda Scout troop produced its first King’s Scout, S. Tennyson De Silva, and in the same year, S. Ginege also earned the same title.
Having initiated the first Boy Scouts troop at Mahinda College, Pearce did not stop there. He actively led efforts to introduce the Scouts movement to other schools in the Southern Province, becoming a pioneer in spreading this important initiative.
Pearce family in 1944
F.G. Pearce played an outstanding role as the Secretary of the Southern Province Boy Scouts Association and later as the first Boy Scouts Commissioner for both the Galle District and the Southern Province.
Under Pearce’s leadership, the first Mahinda Boy Scouts troop in Galle was established. Regarding its progress, Mahinda College Principal F.L. Woodward sent a report published in Mahinda Magazine to Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Scout Movement.
Impressed by these developments, Baden-Powell expressed his delight in a reply letter to Woodward on October 10, 1916, wishing to visit Sri Lanka for a scouting tour if invited.
The Theosophical Society of that era also recognized Pearce’s ability to expand the Boy Scouts movement. Following Henry Steele Olcott, Indian National Congress leader Annie Besant, who had become the first female president of the Theosophical Society, invited F.G. Pearce to assist in establishing the Boy Scouts movement in India.
Accepting this invitation, Pearce, in 1916, sent G.P. Ariyaratne (later known as Galappaththi Ariyaratne), the Patrol leader of the first Galle Mahinda Scouts troop, to Madanapalle in Madras. In June 1916, a scouting group inspired by Mahinda’s troop activities was established at Madanapalle College. However, official recognition from the central organization for this troop was delayed.
According to the Woodward tradition, the Mahinda Hostel was opened on October 1, 1917, for long-term service to Mahinda students, through the intervention of F.G. Pearce.
In December 1916, F.G. Pearce, who had gone on vacation to Madurai, had the opportunity to deliver a lecture at the Madurai Gokale Hall, where he met with young leaders, including G.P. Ariyaratne and others from Madanapalle. During this visit, he provided necessary guidance for organizing the scouts group and also participated in training the scout leaders.
While engaged in this significant work for Mahinda, F.G. Pearce resigned from the position of vice-principal of Mahinda College and traveled to Madurai, India, in May 1918. His aim was to establish the Indian scout movement and ensure its proper organization.
Later, many distinguished individuals, including Dr. S.A. Wikramasinghe, the founder of the Sri Lanka Communist Party, and senior journalist D.B. Dhanapala, who is considered a pioneer in modern journalism, demonstrated exceptional skills while representing the first Galle Mahinda Scout group under F.G. Pearce’s leadership at that time.
F.G. Pearce, who went to India, expressed his views on the founding of the Indian Scout Association at the Gokale Hall in October 1918, where he served as the Chief Commissioner of the Indian Scout Association. His speech was also included in the 1918 report of the Madurai National Education Promotion Society.
Although not in the form of a directory, many Mahinda Scouts, under Pearce’s guidance, contributed to the establishment of the Scout movement in India.
F.A Wickramasinghe
Jinadasa Vijayatunga, a media professional who worked for newspapers such as the London Times, New York Times, Manchester Guardian, The Spectator, and New Statesman, and who authored Grass for My Feet, was also a Mahinda Scout who went to Bombay (Mumbai) in 1918. He became the first London correspondent for the Lakehouse organization, appointed by D.R. Wijewardena. At that time, S.W. de Silva, a Mahinda scout, was in charge of the first group of scouts in the city of Adyar, India.
By this time, a close relationship had developed between F.G. Pearce and Muhandirum F.A. Wikramasinghe, and on June 27, 1915, Muhandirum F.A. Wikramasinghe laid the foundation for the first science laboratory at Mahinda College.
During this period, F.G. Pearce, the Vice Principal of Mahinda College, and Mrs. Pearce, proposed to Muhandirum F.A. Wikramasinghe to establish a school in the South suitable for Buddhist girls to learn English.
Accordingly, on March 19, 1919, the renowned philanthropist and social worker, Muhandirum F.A. Wikramasinghe (Manager of Mahinda College in 1920), started the Sanghamitta Vidyalaya in Galle with his charitable donations. At its inception, the primary section of Sanghamitta School operated alongside the primary section of Mahinda College.
Sangamitta Girls College, Galle
After going to India in 1918, F.G. Pearce returned to Sri Lanka and took over as the Principal of Mahinda College on February 22, 1921. At that time, 446 students were enrolled at Mahinda College, and 21 teachers were serving. Additionally, 28 students were receiving education as boarders.
The Pearce era is also an immortal period in the history of Mahinda College. The Woodward Memorial Library, the Weaving Department, the Infant Department, the fellowship of teachers, the second hostel, and the College Parliament (student parliament) were established and maintained by him in 1921. By 1922, the number of students at the school had increased to 650.
F.L. Woodward (1903-1919) returned to Mahinda College on June 9, 1922, at the invitation of the then-principal F.G. Pearce. During his visit, Mr. Woodward laid the foundation stone for the Hendrick de Silva Hostel Shrine Room.
Due to his association with India and his significance in the Theosophical Society, Mahinda College, during F.G. Pearce’s tenure, became a place touched by renowned Theosophists and prominent Indians.
Among the distinguished figures who visited Mahinda College in 1922 were Annie Besant, the president of the Theosophical Society; Sarojini Naidu, a well-known Indian political activist and poetess; Dr. Rabindranath Tagore, a pioneer in modern Indian literature and arts; Charles Freer Andrews, an activist for Indian independence; and C. Jinarajadasa, who served as the Vice President of the Theosophical Society since 1921.
During his tenure as principal of Mahinda College, Galle (1921-23), F.G. Pearce initiated another significant endeavor: the establishment of Rahula College in Matara.
Rahula College, Matara
In collaboration with D.T.W. Rajapaksha Ralahamy and the esteemed R.A.D. Gunawardena Maha kulathunga, F.G. Pearce founded the Matara Buddhist Society in 1921 while serving as principal of Mahinda College.
On May 1, 1923, this society established Parakramabahu College on Matara Main Street, which later became Rahula College. According to the history of Rahula College, F.G. Pearce is credited with delivering the first lesson to its students.
After returning to India, F.G. Pearce was appointed the founding principal of the Scindia School in the Gwalior Fort region of central India. Serving as principal for nearly 15 years, from 1929 to 1943, he elevated the school to become a leading institution that harmonized with Indian culture.
The Scindia School
Drawing on the inspiration he gained during his tenure as principal of Mahinda College, F.G. Pearce went on to establish Scindia School, which is now one of India’s leading schools. The section about Pearce in the school’s history unveils an intriguing hidden story.
It notes that Pearce was renowned as “Mahatteya” among the schools he served and his contemporaries.
Upon his return to Sri Lanka from India, F.G. Pearce began serving as an Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Education.
During this period, Rahula College in Matara celebrated its silver jubilee. Coinciding with this, in 1949, F.G. Pearce and his wife attended the opening of Rahula College’s Jubilee Hall, which was also the first science laboratory in the Matara district. This event underscored the strong bond between Pearce and Rahula College, where he made significant contributions as one of its founders and worked tirelessly for its future development.
Through his contributions to Mahinda, Sanghamitta, and Rahula Colleges, F.G. Pearce played a vital role in advancing education in southern Sri Lanka. Following his appointment as Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Education, he made another remarkable contribution by initiating the establishment of the Educational Research Council, leaving a lasting impact on Sri Lanka’s education sector.
In 1949, F.G. Pearce returned to India to begin his role as the principal of Rishi Valley School in South India. During his tenure, he implemented numerous innovations, including involving students in agriculture, creating individualized curricula for students, and abolishing the system of annual examinations.
After serving as the principal of Rishi Valley School for nearly a decade, he played a key role in establishing the Netarhat Residential School in Jharkhand, North India.
The history of the school states:
“F. G. Pearce’s scheme finally received the general approval of the Bihar Govt. in 1952, and the Residential School was opened on 15th November, 1954, at Netarhat with Sri Charles Napier as its First Principal.”
Additionally, in 1961, he founded the Blue Mountains School in Ooty, Tamil Nadu.
For his contributions to Indian education, F.G. Pearce was recognized and appreciated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.
F.G. Pearce also contributed numerous articles to Theosophical magazines. He was a poet and author as well. His published works include:
The Struggle of Modern Man
A Round of Rajput Tales (co-authored with G.P. Ariyaratna, Prabhat Nyogi, and R.P. Bhargava)
The Coconut Lands of Southern India
Kerala (India) (co-authored with Meena Johnson)
Sonnets of a Schoolmaster and Other Verse
The Dawn of Freedom: An Outline History of Civilization from A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1900.
F.G. Pearce, who dedicated his life to a great mission, concluded his selfless journey in 1962.
Vikram Pearce
Following in his footsteps, his son, Vikram Pearce, worked towards the noble goal of providing education for all by establishing schools. Later, through the F.G. Pearce Foundation, Vikram became deeply involved in remarkable social service initiatives.
F.G. Pearce, a distinguished educator who played a significant role in shaping the future of three renowned educational institutions in Sri Lanka—known for producing globally recognized scholars and intellectuals—left a lasting legacy. In 2024, his son, Vikram Pearce, will honor his father’s memory by retracing his life and achievements.
This journey, which began recently at Scindia School in India, will continue with visits to Sanghamitta Girls College and Rahula Colleges, concluding at Mahinda College on the 22nd of this month. At Mahinda College, he will be on hand to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the First Galle Scout Troop and the 25th Anniversary of the Mahinda College Old Scouts’ Association.
This initiative is expected to serve as an inspiring milestone for the current and past students of Mahinda, Sanghamitta, and Rahula Colleges, as well as for the entire community.
The Ministry of Education has announced that there is no possibility of postponing the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination at this stage, as all preparatory work has been completed.
The dates for the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination have been set from November 25, 2024, to December 20, 2024.
Requests have been made from various parties to postpone the examination, and these requests have been taken into consideration by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training.
The Department of Examinations of Sri Lanka announced the dates for the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination through a media release dated March 1, 2024. Preparatory activities, including the printing of question papers, setting up regional collection centers, coordination centers, and examination centers, have all been completed.
Furthermore, according to the schedule of this examination, dates have also been decided for several other upcoming examinations, including the 2024 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination. If this examination is postponed, it would disrupt the entire upcoming examination schedule.
Considering the above practical circumstances, the Ministry of Education has announced that there is no possibility of postponing the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, as all preparatory work has already been completed.
Live below is how the Ninth Executive President Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who was elected by popular vote, conducting the inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament.
Sajith Premadasa, the leader of Samagi Jana Balawega, has been appointed as the leader of the opposition in the 10th parliament.
It is based on being the leader of the political party with the largest number of MPs representing the opposition.
President Anura Dissanayake had also informed the Parliament through an announcement that he would accept Mr. Sajith Premadasa as the leader of the opposition.
Mr. Sajith Premadasa also held the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Ninth Parliament.
The New Democratic Front has decided to conduct an independent inquiry regarding the incident of sending the name of Mr. Ravi Karunanayake to the Election Commission for one of the two National List MP positions belonging to the party.
During a discussion held today (20), it was stated that the coalition members’ trust has been broken regarding the illegal appointment of Mr. Ravi Karunanayake to the National List.
During the discussion, it was decided to conduct an independent inquiry into this incident.
The committee members are as follows:
Lawyer Kumar Dunusinghe
Lawyer Indika Weragoda
Dr. Vithanage
Committee Secretary: Lawyer Yasas De Silva
It was decided that the report of this inquiry would be handed over to the leader of the United National Party, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, within three weeks.
Subsequently, the report is to be submitted to the Executive Committee of the United National Party.
According to the survey conducted this year for 2023, it has been revealed that 96 government schools have closed over the past five years, and the number of students has decreased by 178,965.
In addition, the number of teachers has also decreased by 8,803 during this five-year period.
According to the survey conducted for 2023, the total number of government schools in the country is 10,096, consisting of 396 national schools and 9,700 provincial council schools. The total number of students in the school system this year is 3,882,688, with 830,021 students in national schools and 3,052,667 in provincial schools. In the overall school system for 2023, there are 1,923,591 male students and 1,959,097 female students.
According to the survey conducted by the Ministry of Education, there are 237,789 teachers employed in the total government school system for 2023. Of these, 56,570 are male teachers and 181,217 are female teachers.
According to data from the 2019 survey, there were 10,165 active government schools. In these schools, there were 2,019,005 male students and 2,042,648 female students, totaling 4,061,653 students.
In 2019, there were 246,592 teachers employed. Among them, 184,125 were female teachers.
According to the 2022 survey report, there were 10,126 active schools in the country’s school system. These included 396 national schools and 9,730 provincial council schools. Accordingly, it is seen that out of the 96 schools that closed in the past five years, 20 closed during 2022, all of which were provincial schools.
In 2022, a total of 3,969,597 students received education in government schools, with the majority of 3,135,011 students studying in provincial schools. During this period, 236,731 teachers were employed in government schools, among which 179,921 were female teachers and 56,817 were male teachers.
According to the 2023 school census report, among the active government schools in that year, 1,506 schools had fewer than 50 students. The number of schools with between 51 and 100 students was 1,638, while the number of schools with between 101 and 200 students was 2,128. There were also 2,638 schools with between 201 and 500 students.
Accordingly, out of the 10,096 active schools in the country for 2023, 7,910 schools have fewer than 500 students.
In addition, according to the 2023 survey, 33 schools with fewer than 4,000 students were identified, while there were 67 schools with between 3,001 and 4,000 students.
The survey also revealed that there are 1,309 schools with 501 to 1,000 students, 379 schools with 1,001 to 1,500 students, 200 schools with 1,501 to 2,000 students, and 198 schools with 2,001 to 3,000 students.
The name of the party’s general secretary Mr. Ranjith Maddumabandara has been forwarded to the Election Commission for a position as a member of the Samagi Jana Balawega National List.
Accordingly, the Election Commission has taken steps to publish his name through the Gazette today.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya won 5 seats in the national list, of which only one seat has been filled so far. A spokesperson of the party said that steps will be taken to appoint the rest of the MPs in the future.
The Supreme Court has today granted permission to hear a petition filed seeking to annul a Court of Appeal decision that nullified a private complaint filed against Deshabandu Tennakoon, who served as the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province.
The complaint alleged that Mr. Tennakoon supported and abetted the breach of public trust by instructing the funds exceeding Rs. 17.85 million, found by a group of protesters who stormed the President’s House in Colombo Fort in 2022, to be handed over to the then Minister of Public Security.
The petition was filed by Mahinda Jayasinghe, a teacher union leader who was elected to Parliament from the Gampaha District with the highest number of votes in the last general election, representing the National People’s Power. After considering preliminary submissions related to this appeal petition, the Supreme Court granted permission for the hearing.
The relevant petition is scheduled to be heard on June 12 next year.
The government states that Rs. 1,292 million has already been disbursed under the program to provide fertilizer subsidies to rice farmers.
The Director General of Agrarian Services, U.B. Rohana Rajapaksha, stated that 109,000 rice farmers from 22 districts have already received these funds.
He also mentioned that today an additional Rs. 540 million was requested from the Treasury for the fertilizer subsidy program, and this amount is planned to be allocated for 47,553 farmers across 22 districts.
He further emphasized that farmers should not have any concerns about the fertilizer subsidy.
