India has provided urgently needed medicines to Sri Lanka in response to an urgent request from Colombo, the Indian High Commission announced on Thursday.

As part of this assistance, India donated 50,000 ampoules of Furosemide injection (20mg/2ml) to address shortages in Sri Lankan hospitals. The consignment was handed over by Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha to Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa.

The Indian High Commission highlighted that India has consistently stood by Sri Lanka during crises, particularly in the health sector. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, India supplied:

• Over 25 tonnes of medicines via a special aircraft in May 2020
• 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccine in January 2021
• 100,000 Rapid Antigen Test kits in February 2022

Following Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, India extended a USD 1 billion credit facility in March 2022 to support essential imports, including medicines. The facility was subsequently extended until March 2024 at the request of the Sri Lankan government.

Additionally, in April-May 2022, India supplied over 26 tonnes of medical supplies to hospitals, including:

• Peradeniya University Hospital
• Jaffna Teaching Hospital
• Hambantota General Hospital

India has also played a key role in Sri Lanka’s health sector development through various initiatives, including:

• The island-wide 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service
• Construction of a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital in Dickoya
• Establishment of a new surgical unit at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital
• Infrastructure development and equipment upgrades at hospitals in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, and Mullaitivu

India continues to be a reliable partner in Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and providing humanitarian assistance.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara told Parliament yesterday that the primary reason for the collapse of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration was its oppression of farmers through an overnight ban on chemical fertilizers.

He stated that the effects of this decision continue to harm farmers, with paddy yields in the Maha Season still 37% lower and Yala Season yields down by 30%. This, he emphasized, is the key reason behind the current shortages of tea and coconut.

Bandara further noted that Sri Lanka’s farmer population has drastically declined. While there were 6.5 million farmers in the past, the number has now dropped to 2.3 million, as many have abandoned farming due to financial hardship. He stressed that farmers are now desperate for support and hope the current Government will provide them with relief.

Criticizing Government MPs, Bandara urged them to focus on accurately counting farmers instead of animals, calling for a comprehensive database that records the number of farmers and details of who cultivates each crop. He insisted that maintaining accurate records is crucial for agricultural planning and support.

A recent Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) session exposed serious irregularities in the importation of medicines, particularly regarding drugs brought into the country outside the standard procurement process.

Officials from the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) were summoned to clarify concerns about the Waiver of Registration (W.O.R.) list and its lack of transparency.

Key Issues Highlighted:

• Missing Technical Documents – COPE Chairman Nishantha Samaraweera questioned the removal of medicines from the W.O.R. list and emphasized the need for transparency. NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewikrama admitted that while some documents were available, purchase orders and technical evaluations were missing, raising concerns about medicine quality. NMRA CEO Dr. Savin Semage confirmed that no technical documents were reviewed.
• Lack of Transparency in Decision-Making – Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawarden stated he had concerns about board meetings’ transparency and refused to attend. He later received a file related to a special case, which he reviewed and recommended rejecting due to missing documents.
• Unusual Board Meeting at a Hotel – Dr. Pradeep Kumarasinghe de Silva revealed that a last-minute board meeting was arranged at a hotel during a staff dinner, where a large number of drugs were approved without proper discussion. He opposed the approvals, stating that an advance of Rs. 100,000/- was taken for the meeting but later returned, indicating no valid board meeting took place. The Auditor General questioned the legitimacy of the meeting and whether a proper quorum was met.
• Approval of Unverified Medicines – Prof. Priyadarshini Galappatti highlighted that around 300 medicines were presented for approval without going through the W.O.R. committee. Some of these medicines were sourced from blacklisted companies, raising serious concerns about the safety and credibility of imports.

The COPE investigation raises critical concerns about the NMRA’s oversight, transparency, and the influence of external parties in the medicine importation process. Further inquiries are expected to determine the extent of these irregularities and prevent potential risks to public health.

A meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and academics from the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) took place yesterday (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss current challenges in the education sector and explore potential solutions.

During the discussion, FUTA representatives outlined the difficulties faced by university academics, while the government’s approach to addressing these concerns within financial constraints was examined.

It was emphasized that Sri Lanka is currently engaged in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, requiring the government to adhere to specific fiscal guidelines. As a result, this year’s budget proposals have been formulated with a focus on revenue and expenditure limitations, with priority given to education and healthcare. Despite these financial constraints, it was noted that the government has implemented the largest-ever increase in the basic salary of public sector employees.

President Dissanayake assured the academics that the government is fully aware of the challenges faced by all professional groups and is committed to addressing their concerns while ensuring the rights and well-being of all citizens.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing Anura Karunatilake, FUTA President Dr. Anuruddha Karunaratne, FUTA Secretary Senior Lecturer Charudatta B. Ilangasinghe, and other association officials.

Ambassador Khalid bin Hamoud Alkahtani hosted a special reception to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.

The event, held in Colombo, was graced by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra as the Chief Guest.

Several Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and Senior Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with Heads of Diplomatic Missions accredited to Sri Lanka and media professionals, were present at the occasion.

The reception celebrated the strong and enduring ties between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka, highlighting the two nations’ long-standing cooperation in trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

The Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday strongly condemned fraudulent cryptocurrency advertisements currently being circulated on Facebook and Instagram, falsely featuring Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and other well-known Sri Lankan figures.

“These deceptive ads, operated by foreign entities, aim to mislead the public and exploit the trust associated with prominent personalities,” the statement said.

Investigations have revealed that the scam campaigns originate from fraudulent accounts based in Lithuania, specifically targeting Sri Lankan Facebook users. Similar misleading ads have recently featured Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Science and Technology Minister Chrishantha Abeysena, and journalists Amantha Perera and Sunanda Deshapriya, among others.

The Prime Minister’s Office has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when encountering online advertisements promoting cryptocurrency investments, particularly those falsely claiming endorsements from government officials and public figures.

“No government official or ministry has endorsed any cryptocurrency investment scheme,” the statement emphasized.

Despite repeated reports and removal requests, variations of these fraudulent advertisements continue to appear on social media, raising concerns over Facebook’s inability to effectively curb online scams. The Prime Minister’s Office has called upon Meta (Facebook’s parent company) to take immediate and stronger action to protect Sri Lankan users from financial fraud.

Public Advisory: How to Stay Safe

• Do not engage with or click on suspicious ads claiming endorsements from public figures.
• Report fraudulent advertisements directly on Facebook and Instagram.
• Verify financial opportunities through legitimate sources before investing.

The Prime Minister’s Office reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public from online fraud and will continue working with relevant authorities to combat this growing threat. It also urged media organizations and digital platforms to act responsibly in curbing the spread of misinformation and scams.

For official government updates, citizens are advised to follow the Prime Minister’s Office’s website and official social media channels.

A discussion on the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival 2025”, organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office, was held on March 12 under the patronage of Prime Minister’s Secretary, Pradeep Saputhanthri.

The festival is set to take place from May 12 onwards in and around the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Temple Trees, Perahera Mawatha, and the Beira Lake area.

The event will showcase Vesak decorations, pandals, and lantern exhibitions, with contributions from the Tri-Forces, school students, university undergraduates, government institutions, and even prison inmates.

Additionally, in line with the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival, special religious programs will be conducted in government schools and state institutions to promote the spirit of Vesak across the nation.