July 24, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has reiterated the government’s strong intention to weave digital technologies into the fabric of Sri Lanka’s mental health system, placing this move within the wider national drive towards digital transformation.

Her remarks came during a roundtable dialogue held yesterday with members of the global digital mental health network affiliated with eMHIC, a platform known for advancing innovation in mental health care.

Addressing an audience of mental health professionals, digital health experts, and policymakers, Dr Amarasuriya emphasised the need for robust frameworks that encourage technological advancement while safeguarding ethical practice, data confidentiality, and patient safety.

noted that while innovation is essential, it must be underpinned by solid regulatory structures to ensure long-term trust and effectiveness.

The Prime Minister also advocated for a unified, multi-sectoral strategy to integrate digital mental health services, underlining that such an approach should draw on expertise across education, technology, health, and social services.

She highlighted the importance of equipping mental health professionals with digital skills and expanding support networks within communities to help embed these services meaningfully into people’s lives.

In a candid reflection on present-day challenges, Dr Amarasuriya drew attention to a growing divide between generations when it comes to digital literacy and emotional resilience. She pointed out that as the country moves towards tech-enabled education reform, the disparity in digital competence and mental well-being between parents and children must be addressed to avoid deepening existing gaps.

The discussion touched on opportunities for using digital platforms not only to provide direct mental health support but also to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and make care more accessible—particularly in underserved and rural regions. Participants echoed the Prime Minister’s call for collaborative efforts, stressing that digital solutions should complement, not replace, existing mental health services.

July 24, Colombo (LNW): Concerns are mounting over the welfare of Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population, as officials confirm that at least 20 injured elephants are currently undergoing treatment in wildlife zones across the country.

The majority of these animals have reportedly suffered injuries to their legs, primarily caused by gunshots or by becoming ensnared in traps—both believed to be the result of human activity.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation, which oversees the treatment and protection of the country’s wildlife, has disclosed that eight of the injured elephants are receiving care in the Anuradhapura region, with four in Polonnaruwa, three in the Northwestern zone, and five in the Uva province.

Veterinary teams are working under challenging conditions to stabilise and rehabilitate the animals, many of which have sustained serious trauma.

The scale and nature of the injuries have sparked concerns about the increasing frequency of human-elephant conflict and the potential involvement of illegal wildlife harm. In response, the Department’s Director General, Ranjan Marasinghe, has formally appealed to the Inspector General of Police, urging law enforcement to provide forensic and technical support to investigate three recent elephant deaths reported from the Digampathaha area.

Early indicators suggest that these deaths may not be isolated incidents. Speaking at a press conference held on 23 July, prominent animal rights advocate Venerable Pagoda Janithawansa Thera alleged that a coordinated network may be behind the targeted killing of elephants in certain regions. He called for immediate government intervention and tougher enforcement against those who harm wildlife for personal or commercial gain.

The situation has sparked a renewed dialogue among conservationists and policymakers about the urgency of reinforcing protective measures for Sri Lanka’s elephant population, a species considered both culturally significant and ecologically vital. Proposals on the table include expanding wildlife corridors, increasing patrolling in high-risk areas, and implementing harsher penalties for illegal hunting and trapping.

July 24, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (24).

Several spells of showers may occur in the North-western province.

Strong winds of about (55-60) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, North-western and Central provinces and Trincomalee and Hambanthota districts.

Fairly strong winds about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by strong winds.

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Showers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle.

Winds:
Winds will be westerly to south-westerly and wind speed will be (35-45) kmph.

Wind speed can increase up to (60-65) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Kankasanthurai via Mannar.

Wind speed can increase up to (45-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu.

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Kankasanthurai via Mannar will be rough or very rough at times. Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into these sea areas for next 24 hours.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu may be fairly rough to rough at times. The naval and fishing communities engaged in fishing and naval activities in these sea areas are requested to be vigilant in this regard.

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be attentive to future forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

Geopolitical tensions between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have put the future of Asian cricket under threat, with the upcoming Asia Cup hanging in the balance. ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who is also a Pakistani minister, has been accused of letting political motives influence his decisions and ignoring the need for consensus among member nations. His stance has led to friction with India and raised doubts about the tournament’s viability.

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have reportedly aligned with India, while participation from several other full and associate member countries including Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore and the UAE remains uncertain. Without the required quorum, ACC meetings and key decisions about the Asia Cup face serious challenges.

July 23 is shaping up to be a critical date for Asian cricket. Whether Naqvi prioritizes the integrity of the sport over political interests remains to be seen. For now, the game stands at a crossroads as the region’s political disputes threaten to overshadow its most celebrated tournament.

Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi told Parliament today (18) that the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has only 12 veterinarians to manage wildlife health across Sri Lanka, highlighting a critical shortfall in resources as the country grapples with escalating incidents of human-elephant conflict.

Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister revealed that these veterinarians work under difficult conditions, with no veterinary assistants, nurses, or technicians to support them.

“Unlike in other countries, our veterinarians work alone, under challenging conditions and with limited resources,” Patabendi said, emphasizing that the DWC vets are responsible for treating all wild animals, not just elephants.

Patabendi disclosed a worrying rise in elephant shootings, saying that:

• On July 10, the entire team of 12 vets had to respond to 9 elephants with gunshot injuries.
• By July 15, the number of injured elephants had increased to 13.

He also suggested the possibility of an organized campaign targeting elephants, pointing out that all of the animals had been shot in the same area—below the knee, indicating a pattern.

The Minister’s remarks underscore a deepening wildlife crisis, both in terms of conservation threats and manpower shortages. With mounting incidents of elephant injuries and human-elephant conflict affecting rural communities, the government faces increasing pressure to scale up veterinary resources, improve protective infrastructure, and investigate patterns of targeted violence against elephants.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks that foster innovation while upholding safety, efficacy, data privacy, security, and ethical standards in digital technologies.

Delivering the keynote address at a roundtable discussion on digital mental health hosted by the Global Digital Mental Health Network of eMHIC, held today (22) at Temple Trees, Dr. Amarasuriya outlined the government’s commitment to integrating digital health solutions into the national mental health system. The event was supported by the Prime Minister’s Media Division.

She noted that this move is part of the government’s broader digital transformation agenda, and stressed the importance of a coordinated, multi-sectoral, and multidisciplinary approach. This includes building a well-trained mental health workforce and enhancing community-level engagement to ensure equitable access and responsiveness.

Addressing Key Challenges

Dr. Amarasuriya also pointed to significant challenges in the digital mental health landscape, particularly the intergenerational gap in understanding psychological and digital well-being between parents and children. She stressed the importance of addressing these gaps in the context of educational reforms, which increasingly incorporate digital tools and platforms.

International Collaboration and Participation

The high-level discussion brought together a diverse range of international and local stakeholders, including:

• Senator Kathy Hay of Canada
• Professor Anil Thapliyal, Executive Director of eMHIC
• Representatives of the eMental Health International Collaborative
• Officials from government ministries, academia, and professional bodies

The event served as a platform to explore technology-driven innovations to tackle mental health issues in Sri Lanka and to strengthen cross-border cooperation in digital mental health strategies.

Dr. Amarasuriya concluded by reaffirming the government’s readiness to adopt forward-looking policies that ensure the responsible development and implementation of digital mental health technologies, in alignment with national priorities and ethical values.