Colombo (LNW): Following a significant increase in fever cases within Matara Prison, an additional eight inmates have been admitted to Matara Hospital for medical care.
The total number of inmates currently undergoing treatment at the hospital has reached 16, Prisons spokesman Gamini Dissanayake disclosed.
Unfortunately, one inmate receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Matara Hospital succumbed to the fever on Friday night.
The surge in fever cases has raised concerns about the health and well-being of inmates within the prison. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to provide medical attention to affected individuals.
The spokesperson noted that two of the 16 inmates receiving treatment at the hospital are currently in the ICU, indicating the severity of the health issues faced by some of the prisoners.
The incident underscores the importance of implementing preventive measures within prison facilities to mitigate the risk of contagious diseases and ensure the health and safety of inmates.
Authorities are likely to conduct thorough investigations to identify the cause of the fever outbreak and take appropriate steps to contain and manage the situation.
The well-being of inmates, along with public health considerations, will remain a top priority for prison authorities and healthcare professionals working to address the health challenges faced by the incarcerated population.
Colombo (LNW): The ongoing special operation, Operation ‘Yukthiya’, aimed at combating narcotics distribution and organised crimes, will undergo a temporary suspension during the upcoming holidays.
Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa announced that the island-wide operation will be briefly halted on December 24, 25, and 26.
This decision is driven by the need to deploy police officers to specific duties on Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and Poya Day (Dec. 26).
Thalduwa clarified that the temporary suspension is not an end to the special operation and assured that it will resume after the holiday period.
Wind power project to be initiated by India’s Adani Group misses initial deadline of end-Dec’23 for the anticipated launch: delays have reportedly arisen due to the inability of Sri Lanka & India to finalise crucial agreements on the project’s initial steps.
Private Bus Owners’ Assn Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne demands an increase in bus fares in the face of the impending VAT rise; says VAT is applicable to spare parts, lubricants & fuel.
Bangladesh gifts a stock of 24 essential drugs valued at USD 1 mn, covering 3 months SL’s requirements of such drugs: B’desh High Commissioner in SL Tareq Islam hands over the gift to Minister of Health Ramesh Pathirana.
Bar Assn President Kaushalya Nawaratne raises concerns regarding the manner in which the “Yukthiya” (Justice) programme is carried out: says the manner in which the programme is currently operating would result in immediate seizures of property, and suspects being taken into custody: however, people support for the much-needed crackdown on narcotics & organized crime, reportedly increasing.
Police SSP Nihal Thalduwa says the island-wide operation “Yukthiya” to crack down on narcotics distribution & organized crime, would be temporarily halted on Dec 24, 25 & 26, as Police officers have to be deployed to other specific duties on Christmas Day (25) and Poya Day (26).
Former NPP MP Dr Nalinda Jayatissa claims a few officials of the Health Ministry could not have struck a deal of USD 2.5mn when importing substandard Immunoglobulin injections without any involvement of the subject Minister: reiterates former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella must be interrogated regarding the incident.
Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says he was the first Complainant regarding the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections and that there was no need to record another statement from him: asserts his initial statement included all details.
With a 3% increase in VAT for coal starting from 1st Jan’23, Electricity Board is due to pay an additional Rs.70mn per shipment of coal as VAT to the Govt, according to statistics of the Lanka Coal Company.
War-torn Israel to urgently fill 30,000 vacancies in its construction industry, after deporting thousands of Palestinian workers following the war that commenced on 7th Oct’23: Israel Builders’ Assn representatives due in SL next week to screen applicants for plastering, ceramic tiling, building work & iron bending jobs.
Lanka Hotels & Residencies Chairman Gamini Gunaratne announces that the much-anticipated Sheraton Colombo Hotel will be opened on 30th Dec’23: says LHR invested nearly USD 100mn in the 320-room Hotel located in Colombo 3, complete with a Presidential Suite & other luxury suites, along with 4 restaurants: also says LHR has a 30-year management contract with Marriott International, to manage the property.
Colombo (LNW): MP Patali Champika Karanawaka during a discussion with representatives of the ‘Nidahasa Janatha Sabha’ recently asserted that he is President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s “preferred choice” for the upcoming presidential election, sources said.
Born in 1965, Acchige Patali Champika Ranawaka is an electrical engineer and a graduate of the University of Moratuwa. He entered Parliament in 2007 through the national list and subsequently held ministerial positions, including Minister of Power and Energy, Technology and Research, and Minister of Environment and Natural Resources during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s regime in 2010.
In 2015, Ranawaka served as the Minister of Power and Energy in the Good Governance Government and later as the Minister of Metropolitan and Western Provincial Development.
Known for his efficiency, Ranawaka earned high approval from Wickremesinghe, who was the Prime Minister at the time.
Having led various parties and organisations, including the ‘Jathika Hela Urumaya,’ Ranawaka currently serves as the leader of the United Republic Front (Eksath Janaraja Peramuna).
There is a noticeable social media campaign by Ranawaka’s followers on Facebook, suggesting that Wickremesinghe will not run for the presidential election, and Ranawaka emerges as a strong candidate from the right-wing camp against the left-wing camp led by the National Peoples Power (NPP).
Colombo (LNW): During a recent event, Irrigation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi emphasised the crucial role of officials in preventing environmental and wildlife damage.
She highlighted the threat of floods in Galle, Matara, and Ratnapura, adversely affecting the lives of residents during the rainy season.
To address the flood issue in Galle and Matara, Wanniarachchi recommended a focused approach to the Ging-Nilwala flood control project.
Instructing officials to prioritise these projects, she emphasised their swift implementation in 2024.
Additionally, the Minister directed officials to concentrate on the Kitulwela Irrigation Project for resolving water issues in Batticaloa and the Kumbukkan Oya Reservoir Project for addressing water concerns in Moneragala in the coming year.
With an allocated budget of Rs.30 billion to the Irrigation Department, she urged officials to promptly prepare plans, identifying project priorities for implementation in the upcoming year.
Colombo (LNW): The State Ministry of Power and Energy has issued a directive to Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO), Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC), and Sinopec, emphasising the importance of ensuring an uninterrupted fuel supply during the upcoming festive season.
The directive outlines the requirement for these fuel providers to maintain a minimum of 50 per cent fuel stocks at all their stations at all times.
This strategic instruction aims to prevent fuel shortages, ensuring that consumers have consistent access to fuel during the festive period and minimising disruptions in transportation and daily activities.
Colombo (LNW): In commemoration of the festive occasion of Christmas and Poya Day, it has been announced that all liquor sales outlets and wine shops located throughout the island will be temporarily closed on December 25th and 26th, encompassing the days of Monday and Tuesday.
Freedom Network, a partner of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in Pakistan, has launched the “Advocacy Hub for Afghan Journalists” initiative to support Afghan journalists in exile in that country.
“The “Advocacy Hub for Afghan journalists” project aims to support Afghan journalists who had to flee to Pakistan to save their lives after the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in 2021. They have had to put an abrupt end to their journalistic careers and are now faced with a very difficult daily life. It is essential to support them and find lasting solutions to give them new prospects, particularly in their professional lives. We would like to thank RSF and the EU-funded ProtectDefenders mechanism for providing the resources and technical support needed to undertake this project.”
Iqbal Khattak, Executive Director of Freedom Network. RSF representative in Pakistan
Freedom Network, RSF’s partner in Pakistan, launched on 6 December in the capital Islamabad a pilot initiative lasting several months, entitled “Advocacy Hub for Afghan Journalists”, which will benefit nearly 100 Afghan journalists in exile. Led by Iqbal Khattak, Executive Director of Freedom Network, the project is supported by RSF through the ProtectDefenders programme funded by the European Union. The programme includes lobbying Pakistani policy and decision-makers to ensure the safety of journalists in exile and to enable them to work in their host country, capacity-building workshops for Pakistani media and colleagues, and legal assistance.
Some sixty Afghan journalists in exile participated in the project presentation meeting, attended by an RSF team, at the National Press Club in Islamabad on 6 December. Several professional organisations also took part in this founding event: the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), the Women Journalists Association of Pakistan (WJAP), civil society activists and Pakistani journalists also took part in the launch.
“We live in a climate of tension and anxiety,” said Freshta Azizi, a former journalist with the Afghan state broadcaster RTA TV. “We need help to live without this anxiety, which has a very negative impact on the health of each and every one of us.” She and her colleagues shared their administrative and financial difficulties. The media professionals also spoke of the slow registration process with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The agency’s spokesman, who was present at the meeting, was able to clarify the mechanics of the process.
Around 200 Afghan journalists are currently refugees in Pakistan. Faced with an uncertain future and administrative problems, they have to deal with a lack of resources and police harassment in Pakistan. Since 1 November, they have also been threatened with deportation by the Pakistani authorities, although the statement by interim Prime Minister Anwar Kakar on 17 December suggests that the high risks run by journalists if they are sent back to Afghanistan will be taken into account.
Colombo (LNW): Several spells of showers will occur in Northern and Eastern provinces and a few showers will occur in North-central province, with showers or thundershowers being expected at a few places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Kalutara and Galle districts after 2.00 p.m, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (24).
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in eastern slopes of the central hills, the statement added.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.
The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (40-50) kmph in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar can be fairly rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
The annual conference, PEOPLE’S ECONOMIC FORUM, organized by SANASA International (PVT) Ltd, unfolded successfully on November 23rd at the SANASA Campus in Kegalle. The event drew a notable assembly, comprising representatives from the public, private, and the cooperative sector. The theme of this year was “Building resilience towards sustainable growth”.
Dr. P A Kiriwandeniya, the founder of the Sanasa Movement, delivered the inaugural address on the title “What the risks as a community? What is sustainable growth? And What can communities do to ensure they are moving towards a sustainable future?”. Elaborating on the practical experiences he had gathered over a 5 decade long journey with people, having notable achievements resulting from the active participation of individuals, he delivered a very strong message that the people should be proactive and take leadership to build the tomorrow they aspire. Professor Ven. Vijithapura Wimalarathna Thero, the Vice Chancellor of SANASA Higher Education Institute highlighted the importance of cooperative enterprises when carving our path for sustainable growth. He stated that in a capitalist reading, the society consists of rational individuals who strive to get maximum happiness for him/herself. The focus is on individuals. For marxists it’s the class, not an individual. For cooperatives the unit of analysis is the collective. Also in a market economy there are state enterprises, private enterprises and cooperative enterprises. Over the years Sri Lanka has witnessed the state acquiring all the profitable private and cooperative enterprises and making them loss making enterprises. He said state should delink themselves from profit making and enable the private and cooperative sector to do that. The state should create an enabling environment for these sectors to do their business while ensuring that those who get left behind are taken care of.
Professor M T M Mahees, from Colombo University, shared his thoughts on “ What kind of a society can ensure that we move forward sustainably as a community, what are the risks, what can we do to minimize that?. He emphasized the importance of analyzing and fostering the social patterns that bind a society. For a society to progress it is important to respect ecological democracy and experiential learning as opposed to pure class room or theoretical learning. Professor M T M Mahees stressed on the importance of having a collective social consciousness for the nation, where the uncertainties and aspirations of youth, women, small income holders are equally understood and empathized with. He concluded that women should get involved in governance more and women should be recognized and provided with support as it will strengthen the society at large.
Speaking on “Nature and resilience, what is at risk? What should be our path for Growth?” Mr. Mahendra Jagath, Deputy Director – Disaster Management Centre appreciated the space created by SANASA to have a cross sectoral dialogue on resilience. Discussing on the numerous challenges faced by the country he said that Sri Lanka is prone to disaster and with the fragile economy and able human resource migrating and indigenous coping knowledge is depleting while new technologies are also not adopted well we as a nation are positioned in a very vulnerable situation . He proposed that we adopt nature based solutions and humanitarian development approach if we plan for a long term sustainable growth.
Speaking on the Role of the State to build more inclusive resilient and sustainable nation Mr. Mr. Rohana Hettiarachchi (Convener – March 12 Movement) asked the audience to think if we have a state? Weather we we differentiate state and governance? He stated that people often see state through the government. People have been changing government again and again but these governments have not been able to create a state that has a economic policy for the country. That is why we have to organize this kind of forums and talk about a peoples economy. Every succeeding government has failed to bring stability to economy. That is because neither the peoples representatives who are elected to the parliament, nor people understand the role of the state and the legislature. So if we want to build an economy and a country that is sustainable, both the political leadership and citizens who elect them need to understand the role of the government in building a resilient state. Mr hettiarachhci stated that there is a great responsibility by the people to ensure that we send to the parliament capable people who represent public interest and to make policies and laws and take decisions on the public funds.
The 2023 conference was attended by a significant number of young scholars who are studying rural development, poverty alleviation and regional planning and the event generated a discussion on future actions and way forward. In concluding the event, Dr. P.A.Kiriwandeniya invited participants to be more involved, and engaged to disseminate the ideas deliberated. The future of the nation is in the hands of its people and we must ensure that we engage to build it, without letting the nation delivered to us by the politicians and the market.
All in all the 3rd PEOPLES ECONOMIC FORUM 2023 ended with a hope for more positive tomorrow.
