May 21, Colombo (LNW): In response to the onset of the rainy season, the government has directed relevant officials to take immediate measures to mitigate the risk of dengue in Colombo.
Sagala Ratnayaka, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, has recommended the development of a special awareness programme aimed at educating schoolchildren and parents.
This initiative will be implemented by the Ministry of Education during ‘Dengue Prevention Week,’ scheduled from May 26 to June 1.
Ratnayaka also instructed authorities to focus on reducing the risk of dengue around public institutions, religious sites, and new construction areas.
He emphasised the necessity for relevant departments to enforce regulations against those failing to comply with these preventive measures.
These directives were issued during a progress review meeting held on Monday (20), at the Presidential Secretariat.
The meeting, chaired by State Minister for Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, included Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayaka, and Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva.
The meeting aimed to review the implementation and progress of decisions taken in a previous session.
Discussions focused extensively on the measures previously implemented to control the spread of dengue and their effectiveness, particularly within the health medical officer divisions in the Western Province, where a rise in dengue cases has been noted.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala, Secretary to the Ministry of Health, commended Ratnayaka for his leadership and guidance in the dengue control efforts and assured the Ministry of Health’s full support for the programme.
May 20, Colombo (LNW): During the 10th World Water Summit, President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indonesian President Joko Widodo reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding relationship between Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
The discussions covered a wide range of regional and international issues, underscoring the importance of collaboration in addressing global challenges, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).
President Wickremesinghe opened the meeting by highlighting the historical ties between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, which date back to their joint participation in the 1956 Bandung Conference.
He expressed appreciation for President Widodo’s leadership in regional, international, and bilateral matters, noting the importance of such summits in fostering global cooperation.
A major topic of discussion was the critical issue of water management. President Wickremesinghe emphasised the importance of the World Water Summit and expressed Sri Lanka’s willingness to participate in the Global Blended Financial Alliance, an initiative aimed at addressing common financial challenges faced by countries in managing water resources.
He commended Indonesia for establishing a Secretariat for the Alliance, recognising its significance for Sri Lanka.
President Widodo, in his remarks, focused on economic cooperation between the two countries.
He stressed the need to finalise the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) by the first quarter of 2025 to enhance economic ties.
Additionally, he highlighted Indonesia’s interest in entering the Sri Lankan vaccine market through Indonesian pharmaceutical companies and called for the lifting of import restrictions on Indonesian palm oil and related products.
The Indonesian President also showcased Indonesia’s advancements in renewable energy, specifically the country’s largest floating solar power project.
He emphasised the importance of hydro diplomacy and political leadership in achieving sustainable water management and development goals.
Furthermore, he welcomed Sri Lanka’s leadership in the Indian Ocean Rim Association and its aspirations to become a sectoral dialogue partner.
President Wickremesinghe reiterated the importance of completing the PTA by early 2025, noting Sri Lanka’s existing free trade agreements with India and Singapore, and ongoing negotiations with Thailand, Bangladesh, and Malaysia.
He emphasised the potential benefits of joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), suggesting that Sri Lanka’s inclusion could encourage other South Asian countries to follow suit.
He also mentioned the ongoing removal of import restrictions and assured that Sri Lankan health authorities would address the entry of Indonesian pharmaceuticals into the market.
The discussion also touched upon regional security and economic cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
President Wickremesinghe supported ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific outlook and stressed the need for closer bilateral and regional cooperation regarding Indian Ocean affairs.
He proposed more frequent meetings between heads of government and a specific bilateral agreement with Indonesia to enhance commercial collaboration in the region.
President Widodo thanked Sri Lanka for co-sponsoring the Global Blended Financial Alliance, emphasising its role in achieving sustainable development goals.
He called for continued collaboration between relevant ministries from both countries to support this initiative.
Looking ahead, President Widodo mentioned the upcoming presidential transition in Indonesia and expressed hope that the new administration would continue to strengthen ties with Sri Lanka.
In conclusion, President Wickremesinghe expressed his eagerness to work with Indonesia’s new leadership and extended a personal invitation to President Widodo to visit Sri Lanka after his term ends in October.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and addressing shared global challenges through continued cooperation.
May 20, Colombo (LNW): Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, concluded a five-day visit to Sri Lanka on Monday (20), where she engaged with officials and various societal stakeholders to discuss pressing human rights issues.
Reflecting on her visit, Callamard stated:
“This visit has offered a deeper understanding of the numerous challenges Sri Lanka faces 15 years after the civil war that has deeply affected and divided the nation. I am immensely grateful to those who shared their pain, perspectives, and aspirations with us.
“Amnesty International is committed to supporting genuine efforts to tackle long-standing impunity, address past and present violations, and end discrimination and the suppression of fundamental freedoms.
“We extend our gratitude to President Wickremesinghe for facilitating a constructive dialogue on Sri Lanka’s human rights challenges. As the host of our South Asia Regional Office, Sri Lanka is crucial to our mission, and we value the government’s ongoing support.
“New legislation, such as the Online Security Act and proposed NGO law, raises serious concerns about threats to Sri Lanka’s active civil society. Additionally, the crackdown on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including arbitrary arrests under the ICCPR Act, is alarming.
These actions often occur without formal charges or evidence, leaving many in a state of uncertainty. This must be rectified.
“This year marks a significant milestone for Sri Lanka, 15 years since the end of the protracted internal conflict that resulted in countless injuries, deaths, displacements, and enforced disappearances.
The failure to address these issues extends beyond successive governments to all leaders, including elected officials, opposition leaders, the religious establishment, and the national media, who have not upheld the fight against impunity.
“The upcoming elections will have a profound impact on Sri Lanka’s future and its human rights landscape.
Political leaders must implement trust-building measures to bridge divisions, foster inter-ethnic solidarity, and promote meaningful healing.
Addressing past wrongs and creating an environment conducive to redress is essential, particularly as the government considers establishing a new Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“A lack of political will and complacency in delivering justice hinder reconciliation, fuel grievances, and contribute to instability. There should be no tolerance for complacency.
“We urge the international community to collaborate with national authorities to ensure truth and justice for all war victims and ongoing human rights violations, laying the groundwork for a freer and fairer Sri Lanka.”
Following a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 16 May, the Amnesty International delegation visited Mullaitivu to meet families of the forcibly disappeared during the war.
Callamard participated in the 18 May commemoration at Mullivaikkal, marking the 15th anniversary of the end of the war and the suffering endured by the Tamil community.
She then returned to Colombo to meet with representatives of the Malaiyaha Tamil community, human rights defenders, protestors, civil society organisations, members of the international community, and government officials.
Throughout the visit, the delegation addressed key issues including the lack of accountability for grave human rights violations by both sides during the conflict, repression of peaceful assembly, and discrimination against groups such as the Malaiyaha Tamil community, the Muslim community, and LGBTI individuals.
They also highlighted threats to civil society, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful protest, the use of anti-terror laws like the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to suppress dissent, harassment, intimidation, surveillance, and obstacles to press freedom, particularly in the northern regions.
May 20, Colombo (LNW): Low-lying regions within the Attanagalu Oya river basin and the Kuda Ganga sub-basin of the Kalu river are at risk of experiencing flooding, the Irrigation Department said in an ‘Amber’ warning.
These warnings will remain in effect until 9 pm tomorrow (22).
Recent heavy rainfall in the upstream catchment areas of the Kuda Ganga sub-basin of the Kalu River has prompted concerns.
Analysis of current rainfall and river water levels at hydrological stations along the Kalu Ganga indicates a potential for minor flooding in the low-lying areas of the Kuda Ganga and Maguru Ganga valleys.
This affects the Bulathsinhala, Madurawala, and Palinda Nuwara district secretariat divisions.
There is a significant risk that roads traversing the flood plains of Kuda Ganga and Magura Ganga may become inundated.
Additionally, substantial rainfall has been recorded across the catchment areas of the Attanagalu Oya river basin.
Based on the analysis of rainfall and river water levels at hydrological stations in Attanagalu Oya, flooding is anticipated in the low-lying areas of Attanagalu Oya and Uruwal Oya valleys.
This affects the Diwulapitiya, Mirigama, Attanagalla, Mahara, Gampaha, Minuwangoda, Ja-Ela, Katana, and Wattala district secretariat divisions over the next 48 hours.
Consequently, certain roads in these low-lying areas may also face inundation.
Residents and motorists in these regions are urged to exercise caution.
Disaster management authorities are advised to take necessary precautions to mitigate potential impacts.
May 21, Colombo (LNW): The Southwest monsoon conditions are gradually establishing over the island; hence, the prevailing showery and windy conditions will continue, the Department of Meteorology warned in its weather forecast today (21).
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Heavy showers above 100mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.
Several spells of showers will also occur in the Northern and North-central provinces.
Strong winds about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over the island.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas extending from Mannar to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle,heavy showers are likely at some places. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be westerly to south-westerly in the sea areas extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota and wind speed will be (40-50) kmp. Wind speed may increase up to (60-70) kmph at times these sea areas. Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (25-35) kmph and can be increased up to 50 kmph at times in the other sea areas around the island.
State of Sea:
The sea areas extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota will be very rough at times and other sea areas around the island will be fairly rough at times. The swell waves (about 2.5 m – 3.0 m) height (This is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota. Naval and fishing communities are also requested to be attentive in this regard.Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
May 20, Colombo (LNW): The infamous ‘contaminated blood’ scandal in the United Kingdom has reportedly reached a closure, following decades of silence knowingly exposing victims to unacceptable risks.
The probe went on for five years, accusing the National Health Service (NHS) of letting patients catch HIV and hepatitis, and after a three-decade silence, the long-awaited report confirmed the figures and the authorities’ attempts of covering up the scenario.
Over 30,000 people were infected from 1970 to 1991 by contaminated blood products and transfusions, with 3,000 confirmed deaths being followed.
“The Infected Blood Inquiry said victims had been failed “not once but repeatedly” by doctors, the NHS, government, and others responsible for their safety,” The Guardian reported.
The Infected Blood Inquiry criticised the failure to prioritise patient safety and highlighted “unacceptable risks,” including importing unsafe blood products and delayed heat-treatment of blood. Inquiry Chief Sir Brian Langstaff condemned the cover-up and institutional defensiveness, noting it destroyed lives and finances.
The British Government finally acknowledges the need for compensation, with interim payments already being made, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to publicly apologise.
But what does it mean for Sri Lanka? Should we consider a reader’s regular on the story and subsequently move on to the next page of our newspaper, or does it unearth a doorway into a more sinister realm in which we, as a whole, are unconsciously subjugated to live, regardless of the pleasures we enjoy along the way?
Sri Lanka remains acclaimed for eradicating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, maintaining the virus’ transmission below one per cent, having a clean record of successful blood transfusion and most recently, controlling Covid.
However, reaching beyond the point of health, there are quite a concerning number of unanswered questions regarding Sri Lanka which, without doubt, attracted the international community’s attention.
Scandal, as harsh as it sounds, has a deeper meaning to it than meets the eye. Whilst scandalous events take place all the time in all corners of the world, there are regimes in operation resorting to cover-up of state-sponsored scandals, and sometimes acknowledgement of their mistakes.
The recent example is set by the UK, finally acknowledging that the government let people die willingly.
But have we yet published a single report that acknowledges the mistakes of our past?
Sri Lanka faced enough bloodbaths throughout the course of time, and appointed commissions, committees and sub-committees on countless occasions to probe the soaring number of casualties in each scenario.
With the 71’ Riots, the 83’ Black July, the 88-89’ Terror, war-crime allegations, the assassination of journalists, the Easter Sunday Massacre, and the most recent Human Immunoglobulin Scandal, the list goes on and analysts and theorists on and off Social Media will probably tell you to ‘blame it on the system, not the leaders.’
Sri Lanka is currently at the plight of an economic crisis and desiring an election heat for a change. Notwithstanding the above, every political figure will pledge before you that they will build this country for future generations to enjoy.
The ‘76-Year Curse,’ as quoted by certain political streams in Sri Lanka, has not only been overlooked, but also constituted short getaways from scandalous events for the regimes that administrated the country throughout the seven-decade period. The so-called committees – rational, independent and apolitical as they claim – make recommendations, so astonishingly within a very short period of time, to establish closure for events that teared down the nation.
But do we have public opinion and a strong collective movement to fight for justice until it is met?
Recently, the Human Rights Office of the United Nations urged the Government of Sri Lanka to publicly apologise for the enforced disappearances that are perceived to have been committed by state security forces and para-military groups backed by the state. Sri Lanka, in its usual tune, denied the allegations, having zero flexibility to such terms and whitewashing the crisis by wooing the 15th commemoration of war victory.
Decades have passed by, and there are still unanswered questions lacking the backing of a strong peoples’ movement for answers to be found upon. Such movement should be executed in a democratic manner.
This, I believe, is the question we should ask from ourselves. Do we have a relentless peoples’ movement to create public opinion? Should we restrain ourselves to the state’s version of the story? A scandal involving the elimination of a human life should be battled against by a strong peoples’ movement, until the last moment, rather than waiting for some committee to administer quick recommendations.
This, I believe, is the lesson to be learned from the ‘contaminated blood’ scandal in the UK. Because contradictory to the theorists’ view of ‘blaming it on the system,’ they fought until the very last moment.
This raises the last question which also freezes the writing of this article, leaving it in a cliffhanger. Did ‘Aragalaya’ actually win?
May 20, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is to get a Starlink satellite network facility developed by the private spaceflight company SpaceX to provide low-cost internet to remote locations.
A Starlink satellite has a lifespan of approximately five years and island nation hopes to have this satellite in the orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.
Leveraging advanced satellites and user hardware coupled with the deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to users all over the world.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe met billionaire businessman Elon Musk and discussed launching the Starlink satellite internet service in Sri Lanka.
The President met Musk on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting in Indonesia.
The President’s media division said that the President expressed commitment to fast-track the application process to connect Sri Lanka with the global Starlink network.
According to foreign media, Musk was in Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on Sunday to launch the Starlink satellite internet service.
The billionaire head of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of social platform X arrived by private jet on the idyllic “island of the gods”, which is renowned for its tropical beaches, terraced rice paddies, mystical temples and colourful spiritual offerings.
Musk is also scheduled to participate in the 10th World Water Forum, which seeks to address global water and sanitation challenges.
Elon Musk traveled to Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on Sunday to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world’s largest archipelago nation.
Wearing a green Batik shirt, Musk was greeted with a garland of flower petals at a community health clinic in Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali, where he launched the Starlink service alongside Indonesian ministers.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 17,000 islands sprawled across three time zones with a population of more than 270 million, has been trying for years to secure deals with Musk’s Tesla on battery investment and for Musk’s SpaceX to provide fast internet for the country’s remote regions.
During the ceremony, Musk took a speed test of the Starlink internet service with several health workers in Indonesia’s remote regions, including in Aru, one of Indonesia’s unserved and outermost islands in Maluku province.
“This can make it really a lifesaver for remote medical clinics, and I think it could be a possibility for education as well,” Musk told reporters.
“If you can access the internet and then you can learn anything and you can also sell your business services worldwide. So, I think it’s going to be incredibly beneficial,” he said.
May 20, Colombo (LNW): United Kingdom and Sri Lanka joined hands to protect and enhance marine ecosystems to support biodiversity and good water quality, whilst also providing sustainable seafood for Sri Lankans.
The UK Government’s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of the Environment have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two nations, to protect and enhance the marine environment.
Prabath Chadrakeerthi, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Sara Rusling, Deputy Director for the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) signed the agreement that represents a united effort to work together to protect and enhance marine ecosystems to support biodiversity and good water quality, whilst also providing sustainable seafood for Sri Lankans.
Through the UK’s Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP), Sri Lanka and the UK will be collaborating to tackle the three key challenges of marine biodiversity, marine pollution and sustainable seafood.
The OCPP aims to support the marine environment and to make a positive impact on the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems.
The MoU recognises work that has been taking place over the last few years that includes joint research on plastic pollution, setting up new microplastics laboratories, knowledge exchange on scientific methods to support water quality monitoring and collaboration.
It is aimed at enhancing Sri Lanka’s Marine Protected Areas to meet the country’s conservation ambitions and biodiversity commitments.
The programme also focuses on marine pollution emergency response techniques, with a focus on the environmental aspects of prevention, preparedness and response.
Joint work has also taken place around enabling safe and sustainable seafood production, particularly with regards to aquaculture.
The OCPP programme also includes work with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), providing scholarships for Masters students hosted by the University of Kelaniya and University of Peradeniya.
The scholarships will enable scholars from Sri Lanka to harness their regional knowledge and conduct vital research that will contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources, and strengthen responses to marine environmental challenges.
The UK Marine Minister, Lord Benyon said the UK and Sri Lanka have a long history of collaboration, and through our joint work have already made important progress on tackling marine pollution and supporting the biodiversity of Sri Lanka’s waters.
Lord Benyo said the agreement formalises efforts to secure a healthy marine environment, and through the UK’s Ocean Country Partnership Programme, will help us tackle the pivotal challenges faced by marine life and coastal communities in the future.
May 20, Colombo (LNW): Indian Guru and Spiritual Leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar participated in the Kumbabhishekham Pooja at the Seetha Amman Kovil in Nuwara Eliya.He was joined by a large delegation of 154 people who also arrived for the ceremony.
“Sri Lanka is such a beautiful place, and this is a historic place and very emotionally connected for people from the Indian subcontinent,” he said upon arrival.
“There is a lot of interest in tourism and pilgrimage for Sri Lanka, and this will be one of the first steps we would like to bring here.”
Gurudev addressed a public meeting at an event titled ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation and Wisdom’ at Taj Samudra on 19th May.
At the event, 12 skill development centers of The Art of Living across the country have been inaugurated. These centers aim to empower over 5000 youth with skills to make them job-ready. At the same event, Gurudev also virtually inaugurated The Art of Living Center in Wattala.
Under the skills development project, skills training workshops will be organized at 12 technical colleges of Sri Lanka, where
The Art of Living has equipped the centers with learning labs based on the latest technology. In phase one of the project, The Art of Living is providing skills training to over 5000 youth to make them ready for jobs.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a globally revered spiritual master and humanitarian leader. His vision of a violence-free and stress-free society has broadened the sphere of responsibility for over 500 million people in 184 countries and counting, encouraging them to work for the betterment of the world, through a reawakening of human values, for the last four decades.
A procession of chariots carrying water and offerings from the Sarayu River in Ayodhya, India, considered the birthplace of Lord Rama, arrived at the Seetha Amman Kovil in Nuwara Eliya yesterday.
These offerings are for the Kumbabhishekham Pooja held on Sunday (19).The Seetha Amman Temple is a Hindu temple located in Seetha Eliya village in Nuwara Eliya.
This place is believed to be the site where Sita was held captive by the rakshasa king Ravana, and where she prayed daily for her husband Rama to come and rescue her in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.
A pooja was held testerday at the Seetha Amman Kovil, with a large number of devotees participating from home and abroad.A group recently brought holy water from the Sarayu River in Ayodhya, India, to Sri Lanka for the Kumbhabhishekam Pooja.
The procession carrying the water and offerings began its journey yesterday at the Mayurapathy Temple in Colombo.Today, following a pooja at the Hanuman Temple in Ramboda, it was brought to the Seetha Amman Kovil.
May 20, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka All Union Alliance of the Board of Investment (BOI) has issued a stark warning against the proposed Economic Transformation Bill, set to be submitted to Parliament on May 22.
The alliance cautions that the Bill will severely destabilize the investment sector, which is already grappling with economic challenges.
According to the coalition, the Bill caters to a select few individuals without consulting field experts or investors. This could prompt the departure of existing investors, further jeopardizing the sector.
The alliance calls for a transparent revision of the Bill, involving affected parties and economic experts.
While proponents claim the act will drive significant economic transformation, the alliance argues that its true aim is to secure financial gains by transferring 15 profitable investment zones under BOI control to private associates before upcoming elections.
A critical aspect of the bill is the immediate repeal of the Sri Lanka Board of Investment Act No. 4 of 1978, which would disrupt operations for both foreign and domestic companies currently under BOI governance.
The act proposes the creation of five new entities: the Sri Lanka Economic Commission, Sri Lanka Investment Zones, Office for International Trade, National Productivity Commission, and the Sri Lanka Institute of Economics and International Trade.
It includes the appointment of three separate boards of directors and 25 senior positions, likely filled by political affiliates, according to the alliance.
This restructuring will split the BOI into two entities—one managing investment zones and the other handling external investment projects—potentially undermining the integrated support system that currently facilitates over 2000 projects.
The alliance highlights that the BOI has been instrumental in maintaining investment zone operations during crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and questions the logic behind privatizing profitable zones.
They warn that privatization will increase operational costs for investors and jeopardize employee rights, as the BOI currently liaises with the Labor Department to safeguard occupational rights.
Furthermore, the bill grants the Minister of Investment, with Finance Minister Approval, the authority to approve projects rejected by other agencies, bypassing cabinet scrutiny. This could open avenues for corruption and environmentally or socially harmful projects.
The alliance argues that the primary barrier to attracting investment is the lack of a consistent policy, not the structure of the BOI. They call for strategic changes to improve the investment environment rather than resorting to privatization and restructuring.
