TOP NEWS
Australia Student Visa Appeal Rules Will Change Completely!
2026-06-14 20:00:00Several important changes have been implemented from June 1, 2026 regarding appeals for people who have been denied a student visa in Australia. In order to expedite the resolution of more than 31,000 appeal files by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), the majority of regular student visa appeals have now decided to be reviewed on the basis of written documents only. Accordingly, not all cases will be automatically granted the in-person or telephonic hearings that many expect. However, not all appeals fall under this new system. In cases where visas have been denied on public safety, fraud, misrepresentation or other complex legal grounds, the ART Board will conduct further Oral Hearings. This special procedure continues to be in place for cases such as matters under Public Interest Criteria (PIC), identity issues and submission of fraudulent information. Under the new system, the deadlines for submission of written documents have also been tightened. Upon receipt of a request from ART, only 28 days are given to submit relevant evidence and written material, and only 14 days to respond to adverse information. If these deadlines are missed, there is a risk that the appeal will be rejected outright. Immigration experts point out that under the new system it is more important than ever to submit all documents including Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) accurately and completely.
A special meeting between Prime Minister Harini and UNICEF representatives
2026-06-14 07:45:19A special meeting was held between Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and a UNICEF delegation at Temple Trees on 12 June 2026 to discuss the recovery efforts in the education sector affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Special attention was paid to the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report "Cyclone Ditwah Education Emergency Response Plan: Phase 1 Progress Updates (January–April 2026)". The meeting also reviewed the progress of the first phase of the emergency response program implemented for children and schools affected by the disaster and discussed at length the way forward. The need to further strengthen cooperation between the government and UNICEF to continue the education of affected children, ensure their mental and social well-being and restore the school system was emphasized. The two sides also agreed to build a system that can withstand disaster risks in the education sector and implement joint programs to prepare for future emergencies. UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka Emma Brigham, Deputy Representative Begona Arellano, UNICEF officials and relevant party representatives were present at the event.
Massive shark attack at Coogee Beach, Sydney
2026-06-14 00:10:42A 30-year-old woman was seriously injured and hospitalized in a critical condition after a shark attack at Sydney's popular Coogee Beach at around 11am on Saturday. Authorities say she was swimming about 20 to 30 metres offshore when she was attacked by a large shark. She suffered serious injuries to her arms and legs and was taken to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney after receiving first aid. Witnesses said blood could be seen in the water and the shark's fin and tail were clearly visible. Bystanders and lifeguards rushed to the scene and brought the woman to shore and provided first aid. The shark was believed to be 3 to 4 metres long, and experts have said it could have been a great white shark. Several nearby beaches, including Coogee Beach, have been closed for at least 24 hours following the attack, and shark monitoring in the area has been stepped up. The incident is the latest in a string of shark attacks reported on Australia's east coast in recent months, and authorities have urged people to follow beach safety advice and heed warnings.