The International Centre for Foreign Studies (ICFS) is set to host a special spot admissions program for students, especially in the North and East provinces, who aspire to pursue higher education opportunities in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany for the upcoming September 2024 intake.

Chathurika Dissanayake, the CEO of ICFS Education Center said they plan to host a special two-day program called 'Project Education Yalpanan' on March 30 and 31 at the Jetwing Hotel in Jaffna, free of charge.

"There have been many overseas university representatives coming to Colombo, and there are numerous education events and exhibitions happening in and around Colombo. However, these types of events often do not reach Jaffna. We understand that there are many talented, qualified students in Jaffna who are capable of seeking these overseas opportunities," she said.

The Spot Admissions program allows students to participate in a specialized event where they can secure their offer letters within 30 to 40 minutes.

"We have joined hands with York St John University in the UK, and we will be accompanied by the country manager, Mrs. Bhagya Perera on both days. Students seeking study opportunities in the UK can visit us on March 30 and 31 in Jaffna and leave with an offer letter in hand," Dissanayake said.

"Getting an offer letter from a university is usually a lengthy process, taking weeks or even months. However, during the program, we have arranged for students to receive an offer letter from York St. John University within a few minutes. All students need to do is bring their documents, including passport, academic records and service letters, to ensure they leave with an offer letter for the upcoming intake," she explained.

She said Canada is also a preferred destination for many students in the North and East due to family ties. "ICFS is delighted to introduce a loan opportunity for postgraduate students in Jaffna for the first time," she said.

"We are introducing a loan facility that covers the full cost of studies in Canada. This makes studying in Canada achievable without making it just a dream. The assessment for the loan will be based purely on academic criteria and employability after graduation. No guarantors or properties are required for security; it is purely based on academic achievements," the CEO said.

ICFS has also identified Germany as a preferred destination for students. "Germany offers scholarships for students with higher academic achievements. Even for university courses in Germany, students can make a minimum payment of 3000 euros and pay the balance in installments. We will have an information session dedicated to Germany as well," added Dissanayake.

"All students interested in studying in Germany, whether undergraduate or postgraduate, can meet us at Jetwing Jaffna on March 30 and 31 from 9 a.m. onwards," she said.

She said that ICFS is committed to bringing more opportunities to the North and East under the education initiative 'Yalpanam.'

The Election Commission formally announced that the 2024 Presidential election will be held on a day between September 17 and October 16.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued an order preventing State Minister Diana Gamage from leaving the country. Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage made this order in connection with a magisterial inquiry filed against her for allegedly committing offences under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act.

A total of 37 new liquor permits (FL4) were issued by the Excise Department during the first four months of this year, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today. He told Parliament that 16 out of the 37 were issued to super markets.

Claiming that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa must take full responsibility over the issues faced by the country, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that if Premadasa had taken up the premiership on April 10, there would have been no issues.

There is no legal barrier for the non-citizens to register a political party, Former Chairman of Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday.

It has been reported that a group in the government ranks is attempting to file a case with the Supreme Court over the legitimacy of the main opposition party – Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Leg-spinner Viyaskanth Vijayakanth was handed his Indian Premier League debut today after he was named in the Sunrisers Hyderabad playing XI against the Lucknow Super Giants. Vijayakanth was drafted into the Sunrisers squad after Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

The Supreme Court in another landmark judgment today held that State Minister Diana Gamage is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament and is thus not entitled to hold office as a Member of Parliament, as she was not a citizen of Sri Lanka.

Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security along with Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration have been summoned before the Committee on Public Finance tomorrow, CoPF Chairman Dr. Harsha De Silva said today.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will hold a discussion shortly to decide on who will fill the national list slot that has fallen vacant as a result of the Supreme Court decision that Diana Gamage cannot function as an MP as she is not a citizen of Sri Lanka, party General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa reasserted yesterday that his party still believes the general election should precede the presidential elections but President Ranil Wickremesinghe has a contrasting stand, according to an informed source of the party.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed that the enhancement of the rural economy pivots on agricultural advancement. He highlighted the pivotal role of dedicated government officials at the grassroots level in ensuring the success of various government initiatives aimed at rural development, notably the agricultural modernization program.

A deal struck by Sri Lanka with IVS-GBS-VFS Global, a private contractor, is worth 840 million dollars over its 12-year lifetime, opposition legislator S M Marikkar said in parliament. The firm was charging 18.5 dollars per visa and a 5 to 7 dollar ‘convenience fee’ on top of the government visa fee from tourists trying to enter Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said he has objected to fees charged from foreign tourists by VFS Global, a private company, though he has not resigned from cabinet.

Sri Lanka’s Public Security Minister Tiran Alles who is also in charge of visa issuance under the Department of Immigration and Emigration defended the newly appointed visa facilitating agency VFS-led consortium, new visa system, and accused sabotage attempts by a few handful immigration officials for a recent controversy that has gone viral in social media.

A revision application filed by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe challenging the legality of the enjoining order issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the acting chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was today dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

Indo-Pacific Regional Director of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ben Mellor met NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP Head Office this afternoon.

Chief Opposition Whip MP Lakshman Kiriella raised concerns in Parliament today over the newly introduced visa issuance system at the Katunayake Airport, claiming that the Parliament was not informed of the decision on the charges of global visa processing service, VFS Global.

Sri Lanka tourism witnessed a drop in momentum in April with the number of international visitors falling below the 200,000 mark for the first time this year.

Uncertainty looms over the relaunch of the Japan -financed light rail project (LRT) even after the country’s debt restructuring process is concluded since Japan has decided not to discuss it , according to an official of the Japanese government.