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.
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… pic.twitter.com/FJq3i6A3sJ
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): Sagala Ratnayaka, Chief of Presidential Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security, highlighted the necessity for bold and decisive actions to manage floods and dengue outbreaks, similar to the measures taken to rescue the country from its economic crisis.
He assured that the benefits of these measures would become evident in the coming years.
Ratnayaka stressed the importance of citizens fulfilling their responsibilities to significantly reduce the spread of dengue.
He made these remarks at the launch of the flood response and anti-dengue campaign organised by the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society’s Colombo branch, held recently at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo.
Ratnayaka elaborated, “During disasters, substantial funds are spent on relief efforts by the government, associations, and other countries. However, proactive flood mitigation measures can save more money than reactive flood responses. Similarly, controlling dengue costs far less than the healthcare expenses incurred during outbreaks. The loss of life and the impact on affected families are beyond monetary value.”
He emphasised the need for informed and necessary decisions, even if they are unpopular, drawing parallels to the economic crisis recovery efforts.
“Due to structural reforms, we have sustained businesses, industries, and investments. The current government has also implemented reforms to reduce fraud and corruption. These decisions were not popular, but they were necessary.”
Ratnayaka noted that during recent floods, the country’s mechanisms and public efforts were severely impacted. Issues such as improper construction, blocked drains, and unauthorised landfills have exacerbated flood conditions.
He called for immediate correction of these mistakes.
“Dengue has reached a critical situation. Proper citizen responsibility can prevent its spread. We need laws to control this situation for the country’s progress,” he added.
Ratnayaka emphasised that development must be sustainable to avoid flooding, urging the use of artificial intelligence and new technology to make informed decisions and reduce errors.
He called on the Disaster Management Centre and the Red Cross Society to lead this initiative.
Senior Vice President of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Jagath Abeysinghe, Director General Dr. Mahesh Gunasekara, and officials from various government institutions, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Disaster Management Centre, were present at the event.
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.
These evangelical groups not only challenge the Supreme Court’s special determination delivered last year with regard to the bill, but also act in violation of a number of obligations Sri Lanka has to respond to before the United Nations. They happen to instigate a hate campaign against people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) and women’s reproductive health rights.
The campaign is being led by a Pastor from Agape Ministry, which has its origins in Texas, USA, and she has created a recruitment and conversion movement called ‘Mother’s Movement’ to spread false propaganda, an activist on the condition of anonymity told LNW.
The Mother’s Movement (spelled Mawwarunge Peramuna in Sinhala), led by the Pastor in question, has come under fire for allegedly using tactics resembling those employed by the late Mangala Samaraweera’s Mother’s Front (Mawwarunge Peramuna). Whilst Samaraweera’s campaign sought justice for missing children during the second JVP uprising in the late 80s, the current Mother’s Movement is spreading misinformation and promoting religious conversions.
Evangelical groups in Sri Lanka are known for their multi-layered approach to conversion, often presenting themselves as charitable organisations involved in education, healthcare, and rural development. This strategy helps them build trust within communities before introducing religious conversions.
This organisation, which relies on the financial backing of US-supported evangelical Christians, has initiated this protest as part of a much larger campaign to recruit individuals to its particular brand of Christianity by leveraging religious influence.
Alongside their conversion initiatives, these evangelical groups also disseminate anti-queer rhetoric. This aligns with a broader global strategy observed in various countries, where US religious right organisations have invested millions to combat LGBTQIA+ rights and instil fear against marginalised communities to drive conversion and recruitment to their brand of Christianity.
Recently, these groups have escalated their activities in Sri Lanka by organising protests against a bill intended to decriminalise same-sex consensual relationships. They propagate false accusations against the queer community, garnering support under deceptive pretences.
Alarmingly, they have succeeded in persuading certain Buddhist and Muslim groups to back their cause, exploiting their lack of awareness regarding the evangelical groups’ underlying conversion agendas.
The movement proposes the recent developments on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community in Sri Lanka to be ‘abominable’ and ‘daemonic’. It also proposes that gays, lesbians and transgender individuals are paedophiles, thereby inciting a call for all mothers to protect their children from such individuals, in a clear violation of the Supreme Court determination which dismissed such baseless accusations last year.
Their stance of recruiting converts for their movement in the appearance of inciting hate against marginalised communities and women’s rights also instigate tarnishment of the diverse religious and cultural fabric of our nation.
“Persons with homosexual tendencies are children of God. God loves them. Condemning a person like this is a sin. Criminalising people with homosexual tendencies is an injustice,” the Pope said in a recent statement.
This compassionate stance distinguishes the Roman Catholic Church from the more extreme positions of evangelical groups that use hate and fear as recruitment tools.
Whilst we are reassuring our stance against all forms of extremism, we would like to conclude this article by emphasising the importance of creating a society where every individual is treated with respect, irrespective of their religion, race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. This is essential for the long-term stability and renaissance of Sri Lanka.
July 22, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council has delivered a strong rebuke to successive governments for their inconsistent policies, asserting that this inaction has facilitated widespread corruption, detrimentally affecting various industries.
Despite repeated promises from different administrations, the Council highlighted the persistent lack of good governance and effective policy as a major issue.
On Friday, Council Chairman Sean Van Dort called on the Ports Authority and the Minister of Shipping to tackle the entrenched corruption within institutions such as Sri Lanka Customs and the Inland Revenue Department.
Re-elected as Chairman at the Council’s 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM), Van Dort criticised the government’s inadequate response to the recent go-slow campaign by Sri Lanka Customs, describing it as a clear indication of its reluctance to address these issues decisively.
“It is disgraceful that a department like Customs and the authorities take such a dismissive view of these problems. Customs continue to be a thorn in our side,” Van Dort remarked.
While ship handling at the ports meets acceptable standards, Van Dort drew attention to ongoing challenges with the logistics side, mentioning unsanitary warehouses and outdated equipment.
“Pilferage and damage are commonplace. This is the reality,” he lamented.
The Shippers’ Council also noted that private sector entities must be held accountable for their contributions to corruption.
Van Dort explained that in the interest of efficiency, the private sector often outsources bribery and corrupt practices to other entities.
“Companies present themselves as respectable but then engage other entities to pay bribes, disguised as agency commissions and handling fees,” he stated.
Despite these challenges, Van Dort emphasised that the Council and its members do not expect government handouts.
“What we expect is a service that does not hinder operations. We are confident in our ability to compete in international markets. Our private sector is robust enough to find their own markets and generate revenue, but we need the service we deserve,” he added.
July 22, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe reassured that he will disclose his decision when the time is right.
The President made this announcement in response to Minister Prasanna Ranatunga’s call for an immediate announcement of his candidacy.
“Minister Ranatunga extended an invitation to me. You must always respond to an invitation. I will answer Minister Ranatunga’s request at the proper moment,” Wickremesinghe said during a rally in Kadawatha.
Minister Ranatunga had passionately urged President Wickremesinghe to declare his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election within the next week, emphasising the eagerness of the people of Gampaha for his decision.
Instead of announcing his candidacy, President Wickremesinghe reiterated his appeal for the opposition’s support in transforming Sri Lanka into a developed nation.
“I urge the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), National People’s Power (NPP), and SLFP to join us in this endeavour. The current need is a national agenda. The days when each political party could pursue its own agenda are over. The political climate must align with the national agenda,” he said.
The President noted that the opposition has repeatedly rejected his request for cooperation. “Every three months, I have asked for the opposition’s support, but they have consistently denounced me,” he said.
He also mentioned that Sri Lanka has successfully reached an agreement with all creditors. “Creditors will announce this in the coming days,” the President stated.
Highlighting the economic challenge, President Wickremesinghe said, “Sri Lanka needs to increase its GDP fivefold by 2040. We have increased revenues to ensure the people can live without fear.”
UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene also urged the main opposition SJB to support national revival efforts. “Your duty is to the nation, not just to seizing power. President Wickremesinghe has introduced a new political culture, which explains why we work with the SLPP,” he said.
July 22, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured that Sri Lankan students and workers in Bangladesh remain safe despite ongoing unrest in the country.
Director General Niluka Kadurugamuwa stated that there are currently 53 Sri Lankan students studying in Bangladesh.
The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dharmapala Weerakkody, along with the High Commissioner’s office, is closely monitoring the situation of each student.
In light of recent developments, nine Sri Lankan students have returned to Sri Lanka.
The High Commissioner has also communicated with university administrations to ensure the safety and well-being of Sri Lankan students.
The Ministry noted that Sri Lankan students can safely remain in their hostels as the Bangladeshi Government has not requested foreign students to leave the country.
Regarding Sri Lankan workers, the Ministry confirmed that there are approximately 3,000 Sri Lankans working in Bangladesh, and there have been no security issues reported concerning their safety.
July 22, Colombo (LNW): The People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has advised the government against introducing any amendments that would require a referendum at this time.
Conducting a referendum amidst the current economic crisis, which would cost ten billion rupees, is a financial burden, Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of PAFFREL, pointed out.
He criticised the government for considering such amendments when Local Government elections have been postponed due to a lack of funds.
The PAFFREL chief further argued that this approach reveals the government’s focus on retaining power rather than addressing the country’s urgent issues.
