Graduate education
I must congratulate new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for commencing the establishment of new graduate colleges in Sri Lanka. During 1942 – 1972, there was only one university, University of Sri Lanka in the country. It has increased to only 15 universities today.
America has 4,298 universities in 2017-2018. Of these, 1,626 were public colleges, 1,687 priority nonprofit graduate schools and 985 private profit-making institutes. The number of profit making colleges in the USA is shrinking.
Sri Lankan has 197 institutes that offer diplomas and graduate degrees. Most of them are private institutes. Most of these are profit-making institutes. However, there are a few non-profit making government institutes offering training and diploma programs, such as programs done by the National Youth Council, banks, restaurants, airlines and machinery repairs facilities.
I am happy that a program is to be commenced to provide higher education to all those who complete school education. Once these programs are commenced, qualified Sri Lankans living abroad would possibly contribute free lectures and training facilities. My congratulations and best wishes!
Dr A S Abeyratne,
Florida, USA.
Best warm weather destination for tourists
Sri Lanka is ranked the best warm-weather destination by the USA.
Lonely Planet, the International Tourist Magazine, says that Sri Lanka is the best destination for tourists. We must take advantage of the situation, make our country more attractive to tourists and provide them with standard services at a reasonable price.
The security situation of the country should be excellent and Police should always help tourists.
D. Weeratunga,
Nugegoda.