July 22, Colombo (LNW): The United States is enhancing Sri Lanka’s readiness for climate-related emergencies. Through the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), the US government provided essential equipment to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) via the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

This donation, part of a larger $2.5 million USAID-funded WFP project, aims to support Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving disaster risk management.

The equipment includes submersible water pumps, kitchen sets, chainsaws, polysack bags, and tarpaulins. 

It was handed over by Dustin Shiau, USAID BHA’s Regional Humanitarian Advisor for South and Central Asia, to Major General (Retired) Udaya Herath, Director General of the DMC, with officials from the Sri Lankan government and WFP present.

“Saving lives, protecting property, and minimizing the impact of disasters is central to U.S. humanitarian efforts in Sri Lanka and globally.

The United States, through USAID, collaborates with Sri Lanka’s disaster management authorities to enhance their disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts,” said Shiau. 

“Our support reflects American values and the strong partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka, ensuring essential assistance reaches the most vulnerable during emergencies.”

Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, WFP Sri Lanka’s Representative and Country Director, emphasized the importance of preparedness in saving lives and livelihoods and preventing hazards from becoming disasters. 

“As climate change intensifies, our focus is on mitigating its impacts to protect people’s access to food and nutrition. We appreciate the ongoing support from the United States in strengthening Sri Lanka’s climate shock preparedness,” he said.

Recent flooding from the South-west monsoon affected 20 of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts. A joint rapid assessment led by WFP and the Government of Sri Lanka identified the needs of affected communities and highlighted government priorities for response efforts.

The prepositioning of emergency supplies is one of several U.S.-funded initiatives to help Sri Lanka quickly assist communities during climate-induced disasters.

The United States is one of WFP’s largest global donors. Through USAID, WFP has supported Sri Lanka in emergencies and helped rebuild fragile food systems and improve access to better nutrition.

July 22, Colombo (LNW): The Government has been urged to expedite Sri Lanka’s accession to Madrid Protocol to facilitate Sri Lanka exports a diverse array of goods under various trademarks, crucial for international trade and economic growth.

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) assists its members in exporting under their own brands, but the high cost of registering trademarks in multiple countries is a significant challenge.

Registering a trademark in ten countries incurs ten times the cost, making it prohibitively expensive for businesses. The Madrid Protocol offers a solution to this issue.

The Madrid System, managed by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), is an international treaty that facilitates a streamlined and cost-effective way for businesses to register trademarks in multiple countries. Joining this system would benefit Sri Lankan exporters significantly.

A major advantage of the Madrid System is the reduction in trademark registration costs. Instead of registering trademarks separately in each country, businesses can file a single application with a single fee, selecting multiple countries for trademark protection. This consolidation reduces administrative and legal expenses.

Furthermore, the Madrid System simplifies the trademark registration process. With one application in one language submitted to one office, businesses can protect their trademarks in up to 128 member countries. This streamlined process saves time and effort for Sri Lankan exporters and allows centralized management of trademarks.

Jayantha Karunaratne, NCE President and a leading tea exporter, highlights the importance of Sri Lankan brands gaining recognition in international markets.

He asserts that registering their own brands brings numerous benefits to exporters and the country, enhancing the visibility and reputation of individual businesses and elevating the overall image of Sri Lankan products globally.

 This recognition can lead to increased demand, better market access, and higher revenue for exporters, significantly contributing to the national economy.

Despite the clear advantages, Sri Lanka has yet to join the Madrid Protocol. The decision to accede to the Madrid Protocol has been debated for 3 to 4 years. Although Sri Lanka agreed to accede to the protocol in 2017, the process has faced delays.

As of February 2020, the Sri Lankan government had approved accession to the Madrid Protocol, but the process remains incomplete. Necessary legal provisions must be included in the National Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003 to finalize this accession. While the bill has been drafted, it has not yet been enacted.

In his 2023/2024 National Budget Speech, President Ranil Wickremasinghe acknowledged the hurdles exporters face in registering trademarks globally, citing time and financial constraints. During a November 2023 meeting, the Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security assured stakeholders that the accession process would accelerate, in line with the President’s commitment outlined in the budget speech. However, as of June 2024, the Director General of the Intellectual Property Office reported that the legal draftsman had forwarded the draft bill relating to accession to the Madrid Protocol to the Attorney General for a constitutional review, and feedback is still awaited.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe says he will announce a decision regarding his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election at the ‘appropriate time’, despite Minister Prasanna Ranatunga’s urgent call: emphasises the need for a national agenda and opposition cooperation to transform Sri Lanka into a developed nation: also mentions successful creditor agreements and urged the main opposition to support national revival efforts.
   
2. The Colombo High Court orders the release of former MP and SJB member Hirunika Premachandra on bail: The decision was issued by High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja today (22), following the consideration of an appeal filed by her legal representatives.
   
3. NPP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledges that he will disclose details of his foreign trip expenses upon returning from Japan: This statement followed accusations by ruling MP Premnath Dolawatta that Dissanayake spent over Rs. 70 million on political meetings abroad: Dissanayake insists no government funds were used and calls for transparency on expenses related to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, and Minister Manusha Nanayakkara’s foreign trips.
   
4. The People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) urges the government to avoid introducing amendments requiring a referendum, citing the current economic crisis: Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi highlights that a referendum would cost Rs. 10 bn, stressing that it’s imprudent while Local Government elections are postponed due to financial constraints: accuses the government of prioritising power retention over urgent national issues.
   
5. The Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry announces Poland plans to recruit Sri Lankan workers through a government-to-government agreement, with simplified visa procedures: The announcement, made after Sabry’s visit to Poland, follows a proposal from Polish counterpart Radosław Sikorski: Sabry’s visit, which also included Romania, aimed to strengthen bilateral relations.
   
6. UNICEF donates nine refrigerated trucks to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health to improve vaccine distribution for children, funded by the Japanese Government: Presented by Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki and UNICEF’s Ms. Begoña Arellano, the trucks are part of a USD 3 million aid package from Japan, including cold chain equipment: This support will enhance vaccine transport and storage nationwide.
   
7. The Medical Research Institute (MRI) faces criticism for allegedly neglecting 50% of its testing duties, with several specific tests not being performed: Trade unions raise concerns, but MRI Director Dr. Suranga Dolamulla counters that the figure is outdated and now stands at 20%: attributes improvements to better systems and efficient resource use, despite funding challenges.
   
8. The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council condemns successive governments for inconsistent policies and widespread corruption harming industries: Chairman Sean Van Dort criticises inadequate responses to corruption within Sri Lanka Customs and the Inland Revenue Department: highlights issues like unsanitary warehouses, outdated equipment, and private sector corruption: calls for improved governance and service, rejecting government handouts in favour of effective operational support.
   
9. The Acting Magistrate of Nuwara Eliya orders Police to arrest and bring Ceylon Workers’ Congress General Secretary, Minister Jeevan Thondaman, to court: Thondaman is accused of unlawfully intervening, threatening law enforcement, and exhibiting unruly conduct at a Nuwara Eliya tea estate: The police were instructed to apprehend Thondaman and others who failed to attend court.
   
10. The Jaffna Kings won their fourth LPL title by defeating the Galle Marvels by nine wickets with 26 balls to spare: Rilee Rossouw scored an unbeaten 106 and Kusal Mendis 72 in a record 185-run partnership: Galle Marvels, batting first, set a target of 185 with Bhanuka Rajapaksa scoring 82. Jaffna chased the target in 15.4 overs.

July 22, Colombo (LNW): The Acting Magistrate of Nuwara Eliya has directed local police to apprehend and bring Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) General Secretary, Minister Jeevan Thondaman, to court.

Thondaman faces allegations of unlawfully intervening, exhibiting unruly conduct, and threatening law enforcement and estate management at a tea estate in Nuwara Eliya on May 31.

The Nuwara Eliya Police had previously issued summonses for Thondaman and other individuals connected to the case to attend court on the 22nd.

As the suspects failed to appear, legal representatives for the estate company presented the case to the court.

In response, the Magistrate has instructed the police to arrest Thondaman and the other implicated parties and present them in court.

July 22, Colombo (LNW): The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated nine refrigerated trucks to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health, aiming to boost the vaccine delivery system for children nationwide.

These vehicles were acquired by UNICEF with financial support from the Japanese Government.

During a ceremony at the Ministry of Health, the trucks were presented by Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mizukoshi Hideaki, and Ms. Begoña Arellano, Acting UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka, and were received by Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana.

UNICEF stated that the trucks are part of a broader aid package valued at USD 3 million from Japan.

This contribution includes cold chain equipment such as large walk-in cold rooms for vaccine storage, portable carriers, and temperature monitors, which have been delivered to the Ministry of Health intermittently since 2021.

The new trucks will enhance the movement of vaccines from central to regional storage facilities and then to health centres.

Meanwhile, vaccine carriers and cold boxes have already been distributed to Medical Officers of Health and hospitals.

Japan’s ongoing support has been crucial in helping UNICEF and the Ministry of Health meet both immediate and long-term health needs of children in Sri Lanka.

July 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry PC, announced that Poland is planning to recruit Sri Lankan workers in specific sectors through a government-to-government (G2G) agreement.

He also mentioned that visa procedures for Sri Lankans entering Poland will be simplified.

In a post on ‘X’, Sabry expressed his gratitude to his Polish counterpart, Radosław Sikorski, for proposing this initiative at Sabry’s request.

This announcement followed the conclusion of Sabry’s successful visit to Poland, which was part of an official tour that also included Romania.

Full Statement by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Sabry:

During my recent visit to Poland, I had the profoundly moving experience of walking through the Auschwitz concentration camp and gas chambers. The sheer scale of the suffering that took place there is a stark reminder of humanity’s capacity for cruelty. As I moved through the silent corridors and stood in the spaces where countless lives were extinguished, I felt the weight of their memories pressing down on me.

The world must strive relentlessly to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated. It is essential to remember and honor the victims of the Holocaust, but it is even more crucial to learn from this dark chapter of history. We must commit ourselves to preventing any recurrence of such horror. The responsibility to do so lies with all nations, especially those that once empowered such actions, and with humanity as a whole.

If those who claim ownership of the suffering endured at Auschwitz cannot afford to justify bombing refugee camps, hospitals, UN offices, schools, and escaping refugees-collectively punishing hapless women and children for no fault of their own-then we must ask ourselves: have we truly learned anything? If such abuses and torture continue today, it is evident that our lessons remain unlearned.

As I, along with hundreds of others, walked through these haunting facilities, we collectively condemned the Nazis and their enablers. Unless we do everything in our power to stop the slaughter and destruction of the hapless population in #Gaza and other occupied territories of #Palestine, future generations will undoubtedly look at those responsible in the same way we now look at the perpetrators of past atrocities. We will have failed to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the 21st century, right in front of our own eyes.

Particularly, we must heed the voices of the descendants of those who suffered. If we allow similar injustices to occur today-whether in Gaza or anywhere else-based on the false superiority of races or misinterpretations of scriptures, we betray the memory of those who suffered and died at Auschwitz. It is unacceptable to stand by as new generations endure the same fate.

Peace can only be achieved when those in positions of influence commit to principles of equality, equity, and justice. Division and the pursuit of modern-day imperialism under the guise of superiority have no place in our world. Let us work towards a future where every human being is treated with dignity and respect.

As an individual who believes in the power of peace and equality, I share these reflections not just as a duty but as a heartfelt plea. Let us remember, learn, and act to ensure that peace prevails on earth.

July 22, Colombo (LNW): The Medical Research Institute (MRI), the leading entity for laboratory testing and diagnosis, is facing criticism for allegedly neglecting a substantial portion of its testing duties.

Trade unions representing the health sector claim that currently, 50 per cent of MRI investigations are not being conducted.

The unions specifically mentioned that tests such as Rabies, Candida Ab ELISA, Mannan Ag for Candida, ASOT (Anti-Streptolysin O Titer), Brucella PCR, HbA1C, ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), thyroid stimulating hormone, and Melioidosis Ab are among those not performed by the MRI.

Responding to these allegations, MRI Director Dr Suranga Dolamulla told Daily Mirror that the figure cited by the trade unions is outdated and incorrect.

“Previously, 50 per cent of MRI investigations were not conducted, but this figure has now significantly dropped to 20 per cent,” he said.

He also noted that some tests highlighted by the trade unions are deemed unnecessary by medical experts.

“This improvement reflects the implementation of more effective systems and the efficient use of diagnostic resources,” Dr Dolamulla added.

Additionally, sources indicated that the MRI is struggling with insufficient funding, which hampers their ability to perform more tests.

Despite this, the MRI director assured that they are prioritising the most crucial tests.