January 23, Colombo (LNW): Parliament has taken a ten-minute adjournment this (23) morning to convene a Party Leaders’ meeting to address matters related to the proposed Online Safety Bill.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa requested that a Party Leaders’ meeting be held prior to a parliamentary debate on the proposed bill.

Accordingly, the Speaker adjourned Parliament for a period of ten minutes.

January 23, Colombo (LNW): Trade unionist representing Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees, Ranjan Jayalal, is set to be summoned before Parliament over allegations of disseminating false information, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara said.

Wijesekera has proposed the summoning of Ranjan Jayalal, accusing him of spreading inaccurate claims.

The Minister clarified that Jayalal falsely asserted that both Parliament and the President’s office had not settled their electricity bills for months.

He emphasised that both institutions have consistently paid their electricity bills, warranting parliamentary scrutiny of Jayalal’s statements.

January 23, Colombo (LNW): The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) has recorded three dengue-related fatalities with over 7,000 cases being registered within the initial 20 days of 2024.

Jaffna registered the highest number of cases at 1,602, followed by Colombo with 1,536 cases and Gampaha with 637 cases.

Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana expressed concern over the inadequate public support in controlling the dengue spread across the country.

January 23, Colombo (LNW): 955 more suspects have been apprehended under the ‘Yukthiya’ (Justice) Operation within the last 24 hours, ending at 12.30 am, the Ministry of Public Security disclosed.

Accordingly, 187 grams if heroin, 126 grams of crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) and 136 narcotic pills have been taken into custody, the Ministry added.

The Yukthiya Operation was launched in December last year to crackdown illicit activities across the island.

1. “Experts” of the UN express alarm at the security-driven approach of SL’s drug response: call on authorities to suspend & review “Operation Yukthiya” and focus on health & human rights policies: say “drug users have human rights & deserve to live lives with dignity”: lament the repression against suspected drug offenders is deeply worrying.
   
2. SJB National Organiser & MP Tissa Attanayake says the SJB would not legalise prostitution if they assume power: condemns NPP’s pledge to legalise prostitution under a future NPP administration: charge that such an inappropriate act would create cultural disputes & erode society.
   
3. Electricity Board Engineers’ Union says Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara is attempting to generate public anger towards the CEB staff: condemns the Minister’s statement that two-thirds of the loan interest paid by CEB employees is being reimbursed by the public through their electricity bills.
   
4. Dept of Census & Statistics says the overall rate of Inflation, as per the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) increased to 4.2% in December’23, compared to 2.8% in November’23: Food inflation increased to 1.6% in December’23 compared to -2.2% in November’23.
   
5. Death toll from the daring day-light shooting incident in Beliatta increases to 5: several Police teams deployed to investigate the shooting: Leader of the “Ape Janabala Party” (AJP) Saman Perera among the 5 persons shot dead: Ven Athureliye Rathana Thera is the MP nominated by the AJP.
   
6. SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara files petition against the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill which the party claims is being introduced in an election year to repress opposition parties.
   
7. SL welcomes 142,162 tourists in the first 21 days of January’24: the country received 1,682 tourists in Jan’21 while the number rose to 82,327 in Jan’22.
   
8. Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana admits more doctors are leaving the country despite the so-called “recovery in the economy with higher tax revenue”: data shows that many professionals in health & education sectors leave the country in search of better remuneration mainly after the tax hikes.
   
9. Secretary General of Parliament Ms Kushani Rohanadeera says reports that there is constant sexual harassment towards female staff members and female MPs in Parliament and that proper investigations and measures are not being taken, are completely false.
   
10. ICC names SL Women’s Cricket Team Captain Chamari Athapaththu as the Captain of the “ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year” for 2023.

January 23, Colombo (LNW): Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera refuted claims of constant sexual harassment towards women staff and Members of Parliament within Parliament.

In a statement, she emphasised that impartial investigations are conducted under the guidance of the Speaker in response to reported incidents of disciplinary violations.

Addressing a specific case of sexual harassment, she confirmed the suspension of the implicated chief officer and the submission of the investigation report.

Additional investigations have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for legal action, she noted.

Rohanadeera dismissed false reports regarding the Leader of the Opposition being notified of harassment without proper action, stating that no such letter was received by the Leader of the Opposition.

As a woman heading the Parliament Secretariat, she highlighted the conducive environment allowing women to work without undue influence or violence.

The Secretary General expressed disappointment at the publication of baseless information aimed at damaging the reputation of the Parliament and the Speaker, condemning such reports.

January 23, Colombo (LNW): Acting Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe announced a monthly welfare allowance of Rs. 2,000, starting from January 2024.

The disbursement will be facilitated through district secretaries and will benefit approximately 16,146 institutionalised individuals who have previously availed themselves of the ‘Samurdhi’ programme.

This initiative encompasses clergy in Piriven, residents of children’s homes, elderly care facilities, and individuals with disabilities residing in caregiving homes.

The move aims to provide ongoing support to vulnerable populations within institutional settings.

January 23, Colombo (LNW): Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana revealed a remarkable 91 per cent measles vaccination rate among children, showcasing the nation’s commitment to proactive healthcare amidst a recent resurgence of the disease post-eradication.

Addressing the media on Monday (22), Dr. Pathirana outlined key health priorities for 2024, with a central focus on disease prevention, strengthening primary healthcare services, and enhancing efficiency for patients’ prompt access to essential resources.

Despite this success, the Minister acknowledged the persistent challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Over 20 per cent of Sri Lankans grapple with diabetes, and the country holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest prevalence of high blood pressure among over-35s in South Asia.

Addressing these health concerns and their associated complications such as heart disease and stroke is vital for Sri Lanka’s long-term well-being, he emphasised.

In response to an aging population, Sri Lanka is proactively combating the rise of NCDs like memory impairment, eye diseases, and bone diseases through dedicated programmes.

Dengue fever, another pressing issue, is receiving special attention, with an urgent call for increased public collaboration alongside support from health and security departments.

Pathirana went on saying that combatting the rapid spread of dengue fever is a top priority, and asserted that the government is calling for all hands on deck.

While the government is working closely with health and security departments, public cooperation is crucial to curbing this outbreak, he added.

Acknowledging the existing drug shortage, the government is actively importing essential medicines, witnessing gradual reductions in shortages, he stressed.

The Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to develop an online platform, in collaboration with the IT Departments of Moratuwa and Colombo Universities, aiming to bring transparency and efficiency to the entire medical supply and procurement process.