Eight new members for the presidential task force on education
View(s):The presidential task force on Sri Lanka’s education affairs has appointed eight new members as directed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Skills Development, Vocational Education and Research and Innovation State Ministry Secretary Deepa Liyanage, University of Peradeniya Vice Chancellor M.D. Lamawansa, Open University Vice Chancellor P.M.C. Thilakaratne, South Eastern University Vice Chancellor A. Rameez, Uva Wellassa University Vice Chancellor J. L. Ratnasekare, University of Visual and Performing Arts Vice Chancellor R.P. Mahaliyanaarachchi and Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) Chairman Oshada Senanayake have been appointed as new members of the task force.
An extraordinary gazette appointing the eight members was issued this week by President Secretary to P.B. Jayasundara.
The new members will replace seven members appointed by the presidential task force on March 31 last year.
President Rajapaksa said the appointing of a new member, Mr. Senanayake from ICTA, was made considering the facts that Information Technology occupies a pride of place in the context of the current academic trends.
Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation State Ministry Additional Secretary Ravindra Pathmapriya has been appointed as the secretary to the task force.
The new members will replace former Skills Development and Vocational Education Ministry Secretary N.H.M. Chithrananda, former University of Peradeniya Vice Chancellor U.B. Dissanayake, Open University Vice Chancellor S.A. Ariadurai, South Eastern University Vice Chancellor M.M. Najim, Sabaragamuwa University acting Vice Chancellor Athula Gunapala, Uva Wellassa University acting Vice Chancellor J.L. Ratnasekera and University of the Visual and Performing Arts Competent Authority W.M. Abeyrathne Bandara.
The gazette issued said new vice chancellors have been appointed to the Peradeniya, South Eastern, Sabaragamuwa universities and the Visual and Performing Arts and Open University of Sri Lanka, hence the appointment of new representatives to the task force.
Moreover, Deepa Liyanage, who served as the secretary of this presidential task force, has been appointed as Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation State Ministry Secretary.
The presidential task force of education affairs consists of 32 members representing the Education Ministry, the Education Reforms State Ministry, the National Institute of Education, the University Grants Commission, the Examination Department, state universities, private universities, dhamma schools, national, private and international schools, ministries in charge of vocational training and child development and institutions in charge of Information Technology.
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