Dr. Kapila Banduthilake, the President of the Consultant Eye Surgeon’s Association, revealed on the 13th that the National Eye Hospital in Sri Lanka incurs a monthly expenditure of Rs.30 million to provide medical care, including surgical interventions, to individuals afflicted by eye diseases stemming from diabetes.

Dr. Banduthilake emphasized that a significant 25 percent of diabetic patients in Sri Lanka currently grapple with diabetic retinopathy, a condition that could be detected early and effectively managed through annual eye examinations conducted by qualified ophthalmologists.

He explained that diabetic retinopathy occurs as a consequence of diabetes-induced damage to the blood vessels, primarily affecting the retina—the back layer of the eye responsible for converting light into visual images.

Furthermore, individuals suffering from diabetes over an extended period, poor diabetes management, elevated cholesterol levels, hypertension, kidney disease, and smoking are at heightened risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

Ophthalmologists have strongly recommended that individuals above the age of 40 should undergo comprehensive eye examinations conducted by qualified professionals at least once a year. Additionally, those aged 60 and above should be routinely screened for glaucoma, a common eye condition, to ensure timely diagnosis and management.

In the midst of escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel has confirmed that two Sri Lankans have gone missing. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara, issued a special statement detailing the situation and announcing measures to protect Sri Lankan citizens in the region.

Ambassador Bandara revealed that approximately 20 Sri Lankans working near the Gaza Strip are being relocated from their current residences to safer accommodations. To support affected Sri Lankans in Israel, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has allocated USD 20,000 for relief efforts. Furthermore, the Foreign Employment Bureau has approved an additional USD 10,000 to ensure access to food and medical care in case of emergencies.

Unofficial sources indicate that one Sri Lankan has tragically lost their life, while two others remain missing during the recent clashes in Israel. International Red Cross representatives are actively collecting information from the families of the missing Sri Lankans.

Nimal Bandara disclosed that the Sri Lankan Embassy has obtained crucial information, including photographs and physical descriptions, to aid in the identification of the two missing individuals. This data will be forwarded to the International Red Cross in Israel to facilitate their identification.

Israel is currently home to more than 8,000 Sri Lankan nationals, and recent developments have prompted discussions within the Cabinet regarding plans for the potential evacuation of Sri Lankan workers in the event of further emergencies arising from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena proposed setting up of a Joint Economic Council with United Arab Emirates to promote trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. This proposal was made when UAE Minister of State of Economic & Trade Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Ahmed bin Ali Sayegh called on him at the Temple Trees in Colombo on October 11.

The UAE Minister agreed that official negotiations should be commenced soon for finalizing Cooperation of Economic Partnership Agreement for enhancing economic ties as there is immense potential in trade, energy, hospitality and tourism spheres as well as for increasing investments in renewable energy projects in Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister said UAE has the opportunities now to invest in new sectors such as agriculture as new economic zones have been set up for growth of food crops for exports.

He thanked UAE for the support and assistance provided to Sri Lanka for the development work as well as for providing employment to nearly 300,000 Sri Lankan workers and the UAE Minister said the expatriate Sri Lankan workers are an asset for the economies of both the countries.

The UAE delegation included Ambassador Khalid Naser Al-Ameri, Director of the Office of the Minister of State, Sultan Al Mansoori and Deputy Director of the
Department of Economic and Commercial Affairs, Ghada Al Nabulsi. MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration Ranjith Ashoka and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Harsha Wijewardene were also present during the meeting.

State Minister of Indigenous Medicine, Sisira Jayakody, has revealed plans to introduce cannabis cultivation as a significant component of the export industry once the proposal gains approval from the Cabinet.

The proposal in question has already been submitted to the Cabinet, and it has received the Speaker’s endorsement. State Minister Jayakody underlined that the emphasis would be on utilizing cannabis as a medical resource rather than for recreational purposes.

Moreover, he noted that the Department of Ayurveda has given its consent to employ cannabis as a medical drug, signifying a potential shift towards harnessing the therapeutic properties of cannabis within the realm of indigenous medicine. This move, if executed, could contribute to the development of the export sector and the enhancement of healthcare practices in Sri Lanka.

President Wickremesinghe held a meeting with members of the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday, October 13, to discuss critical matters related to Sri Lanka’s university system and faculty research allowances.

The primary agenda of the meeting, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD), was to address the urgent need to increase research allowances for university lecturers and to seek an exemption from taxation on these allowances. The discussion also delved into broader issues concerning the future of Sri Lanka’s higher education system.

Acknowledging the challenging economic conditions facing the nation, President Wickremesinghe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promptly addressing these concerns, ultimately aiming to provide relief to the public. He stressed the importance of revising the current allowances for teaching staff to adequately support their research efforts and enhance the quality of research within Sri Lanka’s higher education institutions.

In light of this, the President encouraged officials to explore the possibility of issuing a new circular that would exempt these allowances from existing tax policies if deemed necessary to rectify the situation. He urged FUTA members to collaborate with the Education Ministry and the Attorney General’s office to find practical solutions, requesting a comprehensive report within three weeks.

Additionally, President Wickremesinghe unveiled the government’s intention to conduct a comprehensive study on the potential abolition of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and a complete restructuring of the entire university system in Sri Lanka. This restructuring aims to align the local system with models employed by reputable international institutions such as Deakin University and the University of California systems, with the goal of enhancing the quality and competitiveness of higher education in Sri Lanka. The President’s willingness to explore various options was warmly received by FUTA representatives.

The meeting included key figures such as President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, President’s Senior Adviser on Economic Affairs R.H.S. Samaratunga, former Minister Ravi Karunanayake, President of the University Teachers’ Association Prof. Barana Jayawardana, Secretary of the Association Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon, and other prominent members. This concerted effort signifies a commitment to advancing the Sri Lankan higher education system and faculty welfare.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe to leave for China today to attend Conference to mark the 10th anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative: he is also scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for discussions.
2. Electricity Consumers’ Assn General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika says the proposed electricity tariff hike of a further 22% would take a heavy toll on the country: further says almost 20% of industries have taken a hit in one way or another due to sky-rocketing electricity costs.
3. Hambantota International Port COO Tissa Wickremasinghe says the Port has handled over half a million trans-shipment units by September’23, exceeding the Port’s previous year’s figures.
4. SL’s private creditors send proposal for the restructure of their USD 12 bn of forex debt to SL: meanwhile, sources close to the Chinese debt re-structuring process have reportedly stated that the China Exim Bank has insisted that there should be no “hair-cut” on capital or interest: sources have also reported that the Exim Bank has insisted that about two-thirds of their loans have to be serviced by SL after the 2-year moratorium which finishes in April’24.
5. Government Medical Officers Assn meets President Ranil Wickremesinghe: hands over an 8-step proposal on brain drain, health crisis & matters affecting the Doctors.
6. Police Spokesman says the present Police IGP C D Wickremaratne has been granted an extension of another 3 weeks as IGP.
7. Colombo Stock Market suffers another week of losses: ASPI loses 174 points (1.58%) during the week while the average daily turnover records a dismal Rs.972 mn: in the previous week too, the ASPI lost 3.1%.
8. Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando says he and Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles have submitted a Cabinet paper seeking approval of the Cabinet to issue visas free of charge to tourists from China, Russia, India, Thailand & Indonesia.
9. Engineers say the water capacity of the Castlereagh & Maussakele reservoirs had increased to 90% and would spill over in a couple of days if the prevailing heavy rain experienced in the catchment areas, persist: also say the Wimalasurendra, Laxapana, New Laxapana, Polpitiya & Canyon power complexes are also presently generating the maximum hydro-electricity power.
10. Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Captain Chamari Athapaththu becomes the ICC Women’s Player for the month of September’23.