President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, on Wednesday (10) for high-level discussions aimed at fostering strategic collaboration in agriculture, nutrition, digital public infrastructure, and rural technology integration.

Held at the Presidential Secretariat, the meeting centred on the Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation (IDAT) initiative, a programme that harnesses technology and data to support smallholder farmers in making informed decisions, enhancing rural livelihoods, and boosting climate resilience.

Welcoming the partnership, President Dissanayake said,

“We appreciate the continued support of the Gates Foundation as we work to build a healthier, more equitable, and digitally empowered Sri Lanka.”

He noted the Government’s broader goal of integrating rural communities with modern technology and expressed optimism that the Foundation’s global expertise would help Sri Lanka overcome economic challenges and implement national development priorities.

The Gates Foundation delegation reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s digital economy strategy, with special emphasis on modernising agriculture, improving livestock and dairy industries, and enhancing socio-economic development.

President Dissanayake also highlighted the importance of bridging the technological divide between urban and rural areas, stressing the need to ensure that all citizens benefit from digital transformation.

Dr. Elias responded positively, stating,

“Our continued discussions in agriculture, health and digital infrastructure reflect a shared interest in advancing impactful solutions. We thank the Government of Sri Lanka for its commitment to inclusive development.”

Gates Foundation representatives included Dr. Chris Elias, Jamal Khan, Archna Vyas, Thushan Wijesinghe, and Chandita Samaranayake.
The Sri Lankan delegation comprised Deputy Digital Economy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Chief Digital Economy Advisor Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, and Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President.

The Environment Ministry has launched the ‘Vanaspathi’ national programme with the goal of increasing Sri Lanka’s forest cover and strengthening environmental protection. As part of its first phase, 20 forests located on state lands in the Moneragala and Ampara districts will be declared as forest reserves.

Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody announced that the initiative involves identifying forest areas of five hectares or more in every district, with particular focus on mountain peak regions due to their ecological importance.

Sri Lanka’s forest cover, which ideally should be 32% of the total land area, has dropped to 28%, according to figures from the Forest Conservation Department. The Vanaspathi programme aims to restore and expand forest coverage to meet the recommended target through strategic conservation measures and the formal designation of reserves.

Gold prices edged higher on Thursday, fuelled by a weaker U.S. dollar and escalating global trade tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff measures.

Spot gold rose 0.2% to $3,320.58 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures advanced 0.3% in early morning trade (8:21 a.m. GMT). The U.S. dollar index slipped by 0.2%, making dollar-denominated assets like gold more appealing to investors using other currencies. Additionally, the 10-year Treasury yield declined by 0.074% to 4.341%, reflecting growing investor caution.

The rise in gold prices comes a day after Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, surprising markets, especially as the U.S. recorded a trade surplus with Brazil last year. The decision followed a public spat with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In addition to Brazil, the U.S. has issued letters to several other nations, including Sri Lanka, outlining reciprocal tariff measures, with an enforcement deadline of August 1. Trump also revealed a 50% tariff on copper, a metal critical to multiple industries, further stoking market fears.

Gold has gained 26% so far this year, driven by safe-haven demand amid mounting economic uncertainty and recession risks linked to aggressive trade actions.

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The government has decided to move forward with a comprehensive plan to establish a national network of daycare and therapy centres for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

As per the directive of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed officials to submit a detailed concept proposal within two weeks, following discussions held at the Presidential Secretariat, the PMD stated.

This initiative will be implemented under the supervision of the Presidential Secretariat and will involve a coordinated effort across multiple ministries and government departments. A sum of Rs. 250 million allocated in the 2025 budgetwill be utilised through the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, with funding directed to district-level administrators for effective rollout.

The programme focuses on developing specialised human resources, creating a scientifically validated care model, and setting up operational guidelines for the centres. Officials stressed the importance of an integrated, multi-sectoral approach involving healthcare professionals, education specialists, and social services to ensure comprehensive support for children and their families.

The initiative represents a significant step toward inclusive care and early intervention for children with neurodevelopmental challenges across Sri Lanka.

A discussion was held between Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody and representatives of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) trade unions regarding the draft legislation and process related to the restructuring of the CEB, the Ministry of Energy said in a statement.

The meeting took place at the Ministry premises, where union representatives raised concerns — particularly about the protection of employee rights and benefits during the restructuring process.

Addressing these concerns, Minister Jayakody assured participants that it is the Government’s firm policy to retain the electricity sector under state ownership, and that the restructuring process would not compromise the rights or benefits of employees.

Trade union representatives expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage directly with the Minister and welcomed the commitment to state ownership and employee protection. They also extended their support and pledged cooperation in efforts to develop the sector.

According to the Ministry, representatives from 42 trade unions affiliated with the CEB were invited to the discussion.

An individual was injured in a shooting incident reported earlier today (11th July) in Hirana, Panadura, according to Police.

The victim sustained injuries as a result of gunfire and has been admitted to hospital for treatment. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation, and further details, including the identity of the victim and motive, have yet to be released.

Police said that search operations are underway to apprehend the suspect or suspects involved.

The Department of Examinations has officially released the results of the 2024 G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination, which are now available online.

Candidates can access their results by visiting the official websites:
🔹 www.doenets.lk
🔹 www.results.exams.gov.lk

For inquiries related to the results, candidates may contact the following hotlines provided by the Department of Examinations:
📞 1911
📞 011 2 785 922
📞 011 2 786 616
📞 011 2 784 208
📞 011 2 784 537

The Department further announced that applications for the re-scrutiny of results will be accepted from July 14 to July 28.

This year, a total of 474,147 candidates sat for the G.C.E. O/L examination, comprising 398,182 school candidates and 75,965 private applicants. The examination was held from March 17 to 26 across 3,663 examination centers islandwide.

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.

A few showers may occur in the North-western province.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in North-western, North-central and Southern provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

By: Staff Writer

July 10, Colombo (LNW): The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has issued an urgent call for an investigation into what it describes as a dangerous trend of misinformation and unethical practices damaging Sri Lanka’s healthcare system and the credibility of its medical professionals.

In a formal letter addressed to Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the AMS expressed deep concern over non-expert commentary circulating in the media about complex surgical procedures, warning that such speculation is eroding public trust and sparking undue fear among patients.

Signed by AMS President Dr. T.G.Y. Rasika Gunapala and Secretary Dr. R. Gnanasekaram, the letter asserts that unverified claims—particularly those amplified on social media—are undermining the professional integrity of qualified specialists and causing anxiety among patients awaiting life-saving treatment.

 The association labeled this as an “unsafe trend” and called for a full technical review by the Ministry of Health, urging it to issue a clear, expert-backed statement to reassure the public.

The appeal comes against the backdrop of a major scandal at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, where a specialist neurosurgeon was arrested and remanded for allegedly selling surgical equipment at inflated prices outside standard procurement protocols.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is leading the inquiry, which has already identified 77 victims and 92 further complaints, with estimated financial losses to patients exceeding Rs. 300 million.

According to investigators, the neurosurgeon bypassed established hospital tender procedures, directing patients to acquire crucial neurosurgical devices—such as external ventricular drains and ventriculoperitoneal shunts—through unofficial channels at much higher costs.

In a disturbing twist, there are allegations that the doctor may have kept clinically dead or non-viable patients on artificial life support to justify the use and sale of these devices.

This has reignited serious ethical debates about the difference between coma and brain death—two conditions often misunderstood but medically and legally distinct.

A coma refers to a deep, unconscious state where some brain function remains, and recovery is sometimes possible. Brain death, on the other hand, is the total and irreversible cessation of all brain activity, including the brainstem, and is legally recognized as death in most jurisdictions.

Performing non-therapeutic surgeries on brain-dead patients—if proven—constitutes a severe violation of ethical and legal medical standards.

Experts emphasize the importance of strict medical protocols for diagnosing brain death and the necessity of obtaining informed consent from families for any procedures involving such patients.

The AMS has highlighted the urgent need for accurate communication and evidence-based assessment to protect both patients and healthcare professionals.

The association is pushing for the Health Ministry not only to clarify facts through expert medical panels but also to ensure the public is fully informed about the legal and ethical standards governing life-support decisions and complex surgeries.

A copy of the AMS’s letter has also been sent to the Health Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, reinforcing the association’s call for immediate and transparent action.

As investigations continue, the healthcare sector stands at a critical crossroads. While the alleged misconduct underscores the urgent need for procurement reform and ethical safeguards, the AMS warns that undermining public confidence through speculative commentary may result in lasting damage to patient care and medical morale.