All Ceylon Medical Officers Assn General Secretary Dr Jayantha Bandara says about 2000 doctors have left the country and about another 5000 are now planning to do so: also says doctors are troubled by high taxes and low pay.
National Institute of Mental Health Director Dr Dhammika Wijesinghe says a severe shortage of staff at their facility at Mulleriyawa has affected both patients and workers.
President’s Media announces that India has officially handed over a substitute Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft to Sagala Ratnayaka, President’s Senior Advisor on National Security to be used by the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Knowledgeable analysts point out that although the economic growth since April’22 has been severely negative, the average weekly amounts offered at Treasury Bill auctions have increased from Rs.56 bn in March’22 to Rs.90 bn in June’22, to Rs.113 bn in March’23 & to Rs.158 bn in July’23: also point out that the interest rates have also more than doubled: warn this trend is unsustainable and a crash of the local debt is imminent, unless urgent remedial steps are taken.
Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda announces that the Ministry of Fisheries aims to export 50,000 MT of shrimp by the end of this year: also warns that urgent measures are needed to address the proliferation of fungi and parasites if this target is to be achieved.
UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara says the doors of the UNP are open for anyone who is willing to support the unstoppable victory of President Wickremesinghe: also says if SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa wants to take the Premiership under President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Premadasa should first support Wickremasinghe to get elected as the President again.
A Fire breaks out on the 2nd floor of the Finance Ministry building in Colombo: fire engines douse the flames and completely extinguishe the fire.
An officer of Parliament who inspected the Committee rooms of Parliament, finds 2 pillows and a mattress in a Committee room at the complex: previously, a group of officers have been accused of sexually harassing some young female employees of the Housekeeping Dept of Parliament.
An official of the Airline Pilots’ Guild says a shift of almost 70 pilots to rival airlines underscores the gravity of the situation facing the airline: also says approximately 12 pilots have submitted resignations and opted to fulfill their obligatory 3-month notice periods: SriLankan Airlines spokesperson Deepal Perera says all flights are operated according to the guidelines provided by the Civil Aviation Authority, which are in line with global standards.
Kandy Esala Perahera festival starts today with the planting of Kapa at the auspicious time in the Sathara Maha Devalayas: after the planting of Kapa, 5 internal peraheras to be held in the Sathara Maha Devalas of Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini: Kumbal Perahera street tour to begin thereafter.
Colombo (LNW): The Vatican has lauded President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his recent statement on peace and reconciliation, the President’s Media Division said.
Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe, the Vatican Apostolic Nuncio of Sri Lanka commended President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s statement in Parliament regarding peace and reconciliation.
He said that the statement had received the blessings of the Vatican and the Catholic Church, the President’s Media Division said.
Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe emphasized that religious leaders have a crucial role in maintaining peace and harmony in the country. He also stressed that whether a religious figure divides or unites the country is determined by their own actions.
He had expressed these views at the annual festival of the shrine of Our Lady of Madu in Mannar today which was attended by President Wickremesinghe.
During the service the President announced plans to transform Mannar into an energy hub. He also revealed that an inter-city express train service between Thalaimannar and Colombo will commence on 15th September to enhancing connectivity and facilitate smoother travel between the two cities.
“This service is being launched in response to the request of MP Charles Nirmalanathan. Additionally, steps have been taken to establish a sugar factory in Vavuniya, as requested by MP Selvam Adekkalanathan. Cabinet approval has been obtained for this project,” the President said.
The year 2024 marks the completion of 100 years since the enshrinement of the revered statue of Lady Madu. The church management board has decided to hold services throughout the year to commemorate this occasion.
“Numerous devotees come here to seek solace through prayers to Lady Madhu. During last year’s economic crisis, a substantial number of devotees gathered here to pray for Lady Madhu’s assistance and protection. It can be said that Lady Madhu’s blessings provided us with strength during that challenging time,” the President said.
Subsequent to the main ceremony, a revered statue of Lady Madhu was respectfully carried in procession throughout the church grounds to pay homage to the devoted attendees.
A significant number of devotees from various parts of the island gathered for the annual feast.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka government has embarked on a major initiative of promoting indigenous medicine overseas as it has the potential to complement western medicine in achieving a responsive health care system and high-quality health care outcomes in the country.
To leverage its potential, the government is set to establish data collection and management on the availability, accessibility, and utilization of traditional medicine; strengthen its monitoring and regulation; and promote intensive research and training in this sector.
In Sri Lanka, the use of traditional medicine also increased significantly at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Likewise, the Department of Ayurveda and the Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation jointly introduced an immune-boosting drink and a powder for those infected with COVID-19. Ayurvedic hospitals were also allowed to treat COVID-19 patients with traditional medicine.
Data on service providers are also rare. The Ayurvedic Medical Council data indicate that there were about 24,000 registered practitioners in the country.
In order to promote Indigenous Medicine overseas, Sri Lanka will hold an international exhibition on indigenous medical education and trade in the capital Colombo on Sept. 8-10
State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Sisira Jayakody told the media that representatives from various countries will be participating in this exhibition to be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.
He noted that necessary steps have been taken to promote the indigenous medicine sector as an industry with commercial value that can generate foreign exchange.
The Ministry of Indigenous Medicine and the Department of Ayurveda have now started a program to develop the indigenous medicine sector as an industry that can generate foreign exchange with commercial value,” Jayakodi commented further.
The state minister, stating that necessary amendments would be made to the Ayurveda Act, subject to the Supreme Court’s orders, mentioned that the top court has approved the clauses regarding the cultivation of medicinal plants necessary for the promotion of the export sector in the county and the generation of foreign exchange.
With the aim of boosting the tourism sector, the state minister said a new program is in progress to provide the contribution of the indigenous medical system to tourist hotels as a treatment method that goes beyond traditional methods. The program has already started producing well-trained certified therapists, he added.
Jayakodi also spoke of the potential to promote the indigenous medicine as a sector that can generate incredible foreign exchange. “Today there is a very high demand for herbal products all over the world. Also, the cosmetics industry is a place where billions roam today. Also, indigenous medicine has a special place in the field of tourism.”
The state minister also pointed out that many new trends have been made in the indigenous medicine system and Ayurvedic system in order to build a healthy population in the country as well as to solve the problems that have arisen in the health sector.
Colombo (LNW): The welfare benefits paid by the government for differently-abled persons will be increased disclosed State Minister of Social Empowerment of Sri Lanka Anupa Pasqual, speaking at a briefing yesterday (16).
Accordingly, the revision on the welfare benefits entitled to differently-abled persons will take place as follows;
Education welfare will rise to Rs. 20,000 from Rs. 10,000
Self-employment welfare will rise to Rs. 40,000 from Rs. 25,000
Welfare for equipment (aid) will rise to Rs. 35,000 from Rs. 15,000
Welfare for housing will rise to Rs. 500,000 from Rs. 250,000
Welfare for house repairing will rise to Rs. 250,000 from Rs. 150,000
Welfare for lavatory facilities will rise to Rs. 100,000
Colombo (LNW): A sudden fire erupted at the Ministry of Finance due to an electrical short circuit earlier yesterday (16 Aug) has been completely doused, ministry sources confirmed.
A fire has reportedly broken out on the second floor of the Ministry of Finance.
Accordingly, a fire has broken at the second floor of the Ministry of Finance located in the Old Parliament building in Colombo.
However, the fire brigade has taken prompt action to extinguish the fire with the support of fire fighters and it has already deployed several fire engines at the location to douse the flames, several officials of the ministry said.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka allocates less than two per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on education, which falls well below the international benchmark of four-to-six per cent of GDP and is identified as one of the lowest in the South Asian region, revealed the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in a statement yesterday (16).
These remarks were made during the initiation of a national initiative to help 1.6 million primary school children impacted by prolonged school closures and sporadic disruptions to their education over the past three years, to catch up on their learning.
The initiative is being spearheaded in a joint effort by the Ministry of Education and UNICEF.
85 per cent of Grade 3 children are not achieving minimum proficiency in literacy and numeracy, which is essential in their transition to secondary school and beyond, both in life and work, a Ministry-led national assessment disclosed.
The event was held under the leadership of the Sri Lankan Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, along with the UNICEF Representative for Sri Lanka, Christian Skoog, and was attended by government and development partners.
Currently, Sri Lanka allocates less than 2 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on education, which falls well below the international benchmark of four-to-six per cent, making it one of the lowest in the region, UNICEF emphasised.
“There is an urgent need to increase the national budget allocation for education, especially for primary grades, where we need to boost foundational learning for children, while also ensuring the implementation of vital Education Reforms so that we can build the solid human resource skills needed to support the country’s development,” said Minister Premajayantha.
The learning crisis has affected vulnerable children the most, including younger children in primary grades and those in plantation estates in the country.
“The basics of literacy, numeracy, and social economic skills are the platform on which children build their own, their families, their communities, and their country’s future,” commented Christian Skoog, UNICEF Representative for Sri Lanka. “We commend the MOE for its commitment to undertake urgent efforts to reverse the widening disparities in learning achievement for children who are lagging further behind, including slow learners, and missing out due to the continued hardship the country faces.”
In July, the MOE and UNICEF held a special briefing on ‘Learning Recovery’ to leverage the support of development partners, while more technical-level workshops were held across nine provinces, to identify gaps and prioritise actions.
Colombo (LNW): In a move to ease the process of obtaining vehicle revenue licences, the issuance of revenue licences for all vehicles registered will be implemented in the Central Province from September 01, annouced Transport Commissioner for the Central Province Parami Tennakoon.
The decision in motion will allow drivers having vehicles with registrations in other provinces to obtain their revenue licences from all divisional secretariats in the Central Province.
Currently, revenue licences can only be obtained through the divisional secretariat of the province in which the vehicle has been initially registered.
Colombo (LNW): Power and Energy Minister yesterday (16) called in a special discussion with the Governor of the Eastern Province to develop a plan pertaining to the energy sector in the Eastern Province.
Plans related to renewable energy and the energy policies of the province were discussed between the Minister, the Governor and other officials from the province, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA).
Concerns were raised on a number of matters, including the progress of the ongoing projects, plans for future ones, the development of the transmission lines in the area, expediting the approval process for the affair, refinery and tank farm operations in the East, and investments on green-hydrogen and land identification.
PMD: A successor Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft was handed over to Sri Lanka by India at a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake.
During the bilateral security discussions that transpired between India and Sri Lanka on January 9, 2018, in New Delhi, the potential acquisition of maritime surveillance aircraft akin to the Dornier type from India was brought to attention. The aim was to bolster Sri Lanka’s capabilities in maritime surveillance.
In response to Sri Lanka’s request, the Indian government took proactive measures during these deliberations. They decided to provide a Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft, which was part of the Indian Navy’s fleet, to Sri Lanka free of cost for a span of two years. The formal handover of this aircraft took place at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake, with Mr. Baglay officiating.
Upon its delivery, the Donier-228 aircraft was instrumental in performing specialized tasks within Sri Lanka over the past year.
Subsequently, it underwent mandatory annual maintenance services in India. In lieu of the aircraft undergoing maintenance, a replacement Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft was assigned to the Sri Lanka Air Force at a ceremony held today (16) in Katunanayake.
Since its initial arrival in Sri Lanka, the Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft has significantly contributed to numerous operations.
These encompass a spectrum of activities such as monitoring and safeguarding Sri Lanka’s airspace and exclusive economic zone through maritime and coastal surveillance operations, executing search and rescue missions, and monitoring and controlling maritime pollution.
The official handover of the successor aircraft to Sri Lanka was attended by a delegation representing the Sri Lankan Government. This delegation included Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Presidential Chief of Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, HE Gopal Baglay, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and other officials.
PMD: Shashendra Rajapaksa, the State Minister of Irrigation, announced the recent completion and opening of the Diaraba Reservoir as part of the Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project. This achievement brings an additional 120 megawatts of electricity to the national power grid and facilitates the cultivation of 15,000 acres of paddy fields in the Yala basin.
Highlighting the Ministry of Irrigation’s pivotal role, the State Minister emphasized its significant contributions to President Ranil Wickramasinghe’s initiative for bolstering national food production. This concerted effort underscores the nation’s commitment to ensuring food security within the country.
He expressed these views yesterday (16) during a press conference themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC).
State Minister Shashendra Rajapaksa further said;
The Ministry of Irrigation plays a substantial role in supporting the national food production initiative led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, ensuring the country’s food security. The management of cultivated land and irrigation water follows a systematic approach.
The Ministry of Irrigation functions as a proactive entity, addressing challenges arising from current weather conditions with effective management. Collaborative efforts are in place, working closely with the Ministries of Agriculture, Plantation Industry, Electricity, and Water Supply, alongside the Department of Wildlife and Forest Conservation. This coordinated approach safeguards water sources, prioritizes agriculture while preserving ecosystems, and caters to drinking water, hydropower, industry, and wildlife needs.
This year’s budget allocations have been strategically utilized for key projects, including the multi-phase climate mitigation program, integrated water resources management project (Dhahara), and Wav Gam Pubuduwa projects.
District-level irrigation plans have been recently devised, prompting the commencement of a repair project for approximately 3,000 identified irrigation structures across 25 districts. Dilapidated culverts and tank embankments are being revitalized through this endeavour.
Significantly, the filling of the Diaraba Reservoir within the Uma Oya Project began on the 13th, marking a notable hydroelectric venture.
This project is set to contribute 120 megawatts of power to the national grid and facilitate the cultivation of 15,000 acres of paddy fields in the Yala and Maha seasons. These outcomes will soon bolster the National Food Security Program.
Moreover, discussions are underway to address drinking water challenges in Monaragala and Badulla districts. To enhance water management decision-making, a mechanism empowered by the legal authority is being established, bringing together various institutions such as the Meteorological Department, Irrigation Department, Mahaweli Authority, and Electricity Board.
In essence, the Ministry of Irrigation is dedicated to ensuring the irrigation water needs for agriculture and enhancing the populace’s nutritional well-being, thus solidifying the country’s national food security.
