By: Staff Writer

August 04, Colombo (LNW): More nurses are fleeing Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, leaving the healthcare system on its knees and the poorest patients most at risk.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore has revealed that over 400 Sri Lankan nurses currently work in Singapore.

A group of 100 nurses arrived at the Changi Airport in Singapore on 15 March 2024, under an ongoing collaboration with Singapore’s Ministry of Health Holdings, making this the largest group of nurses to be deployed to Singapore simultaneously.

Under the ongoing collaboration, nurses from Sri Lanka get the opportunity to serve within the Singapore healthcare system for a period of two years.

The Singaporean Government also provides air tickets for both ways and accommodation free of charge. Apart from the wages a one-time relocation allowance of SGD 1,000/- is given to each person.

The Minister of Health of Singapore Ong Ye Kung states that Singapore is looking to recruit more nurses from Sri Lanka.

During a meeting held at the Ministry of Health of Singapore recently with High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Singapore Senarath Dissanayake, the Singapore Health Minister has advised the ministry officials to connect SingHealth with the High Commission of Sri Lanka to discuss further the continuity and expansion of collaborative projects in Sri Lanka.

The Minister has also proposed further discussions with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health on exchanging medical professionals, sharing best practices, and arranging capacity-building initiatives for Sri Lankan healthcare professionals.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner has further discussed with the Minister of Health of Singapore Ong Ye Kung, the opportunities for cooperation in the health sector between the two countries.

The High Commissioner expressed gratitude for Singapore’s assistance in reinforcing Sri Lanka’s healthcare response to the pandemic, High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore said.

Minister Ong Ye Kung welcomed the ongoing collaboration between the two countries in the health sector and highlighted the successful integration and outstanding performance of the nurses recruited from Sri Lanka within Singapore’s healthcare community. He noted that Singapore is looking to recruit more nurses. 

More nurses are fleeing Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, leaving the healthcare system on its knees and the poorest patients most at risk.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore has revealed that over 400 Sri Lankan nurses currently work in Singapore.

A group of 100 nurses arrived at the Changi Airport in Singapore on 15 March 2024, under an ongoing collaboration with Singapore’s Ministry of Health Holdings, making this the largest group of nurses to be deployed to Singapore simultaneously.

Under the ongoing collaboration, nurses from Sri Lanka get the opportunity to serve within the Singapore healthcare system for a period of two years.

The Singaporean Government also provides air tickets for both ways and accommodation free of charge. Apart from the wages a one-time relocation allowance of SGD 1,000/- is given to each person.

The Minister of Health of Singapore Ong Ye Kung states that Singapore is looking to recruit more nurses from Sri Lanka.

During a meeting held at the Ministry of Health of Singapore recently with High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Singapore Senarath Dissanayake, the Singapore Health Minister has advised the ministry officials to connect SingHealth with the High Commission of Sri Lanka to discuss further the continuity and expansion of collaborative projects in Sri Lanka.

The Minister has also proposed further discussions with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health on exchanging medical professionals, sharing best practices, and arranging capacity-building initiatives for Sri Lankan healthcare professionals.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner has further discussed with the Minister of Health of Singapore Ong Ye Kung, the opportunities for cooperation in the health sector between the two countries.

The High Commissioner expressed gratitude for Singapore’s assistance in reinforcing Sri Lanka’s healthcare response to the pandemic, High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore said.

Minister Ong Ye Kung welcomed the ongoing collaboration between the two countries in the health sector and highlighted the successful integration and outstanding performance of the nurses recruited from Sri Lanka within Singapore’s healthcare community. He noted that Singapore is looking to recruit more nurses.

1. During a meeting with the staff of ‘Udayan’ newspaper in Jaffna, President Ranil Wickremesinghe stresses the importance of national unity to address Sri Lanka’s challenges, including the ethnic issue: highlights the need to overcome bankruptcy, which has been resolved, and now aims to focus on job creation and provincial development: President assures support for strengthening provincial councils to meet youth expectations.
   
2. Political sources indicate the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is working to reconcile MPs who previously supported President Ranil Wickremesinghe: Efforts are underway to individually approach these MPs and persuade them to return to the SLPP, backing the party’s presidential candidate announced on August 7: Some MPs have already shown willingness to rejoin the SLPP.
   
3. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) announces temporary district leader appointments: MP Namal Rajapaksa for Anuradhapura, State Minister Indika Anuruddha for Gampaha, State Minister Mohan De Silva for Galle, and MP Nipuna Ranawaka for Matara: These changes follow former district leaders’ alignment with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, shifting away from SLPP’s candidate support strategy.
   
4. The Election Commission suspends the ‘Urumaya’ land distribution initiative led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe: The programme is expected to resume following the Presidential election.
   
5. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the release of 24 Sri Lankans, including artists Indrachapa Liyanage, Samanalee Fonseka, and Upeka Nirmani, detained in Kuwait on August 2: They were arrested for holding an event without proper permits: Following intervention by the Sri Lankan Embassy, the detainees were released on August 3, though two organisers remain in custody: Labour Minister Manusha Nanayakkara says the event was organised by the JVP-affiliated ‘Ethera Api’ organisation.
   
6. The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) wins the Best International Tourism Board award at the Global Tourism Awards 2024, as announced on 2 August in New Delhi: Minister Harin Fernando, who attended the ceremony, returned to Sri Lanka on 3 August: The SLTPB’s efforts have led to significant tourism growth, with 1.2 mn international arrivals recorded from January to 1 August.
   
7. The Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) urges the promotion of Wallapatta cultivation for its foreign exchange potential: During a discussion with the Department of Forest Conservation, Chair Lasantha Alagiyawanna highlighted its economic benefits: Forest officials noted that while Wallapatta cultivation is legal, transport from forests without permits is not: Plans are underway to scientifically distinguish Wallapatta from Aquilaria to combat smuggling.
   
8. The Postal Department will deploy around 8,000 staff members to distribute polling cards for the upcoming Presidential Election: Deputy Post Master General Rajitha Ranasinghe’s circular informs all post offices of this initiative: Special arrangements are also being made to manage regular postal letters by increasing personnel.
   
9. Sri Lanka Police are seeking public help to find three suspects involved in a July 8, 2024, shooting in Athurugiriya that killed two and injured four: Suspects are Waruna Indika de Silva alias “Sankha,” Peti Harambage Ajith Rohana alias “Chandi,” and Muthuwandura Tharindu Madhusanka de Silva alias “Bahirawaya”: Contact numbers for tips are 072 4222223 and 071 8591657.
   
10. Sri Lanka’s preparations for the second ODI against India have been disrupted as Wanindu Hasaranga is ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained during the first match: Jeffrey Vandersay replaces Hasaranga, who will miss the rest of the series: The injury comes after fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka were also sidelined: Despite these challenges, Hasaranga had a strong performance in the first ODI.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Public Security has announced that a conclusive decision on the tourist visa issuance process for Sri Lanka will be made tomorrow (05).

This decision will follow consultations with the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

On Friday (02), the Supreme Court issued an interim order halting the Cabinet’s decision to delegate the Online Visa Electronic Travel Authorisation to two private firms.

The court also granted an injunction against the agreements with these foreign companies and allowed petitions related to the issue to proceed.

As a result, the Department of Immigration and Emigration has temporarily suspended e-visa issuance as of 2 August.

The relevant e-visa application website has been deactivated, and the department is processing refunds for those who have paid for visas.

Consequently, tourists must now obtain an On Arrival visa at the airport upon entering Sri Lanka.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has revealed a series of temporary appointments to district-level positions within the party.

Reports indicate that MP Namal Rajapaksa will take on the role of SLPP leader for the Anuradhapura District.

In Gampaha, State Minister Indika Anuruddha has been designated as the new district leader, a significant post given the district’s political importance.

State Minister Mohan De Silva will now lead the Galle District, while MP Nipuna Ranawaka has been appointed to head the Matara District.

These appointments come in the wake of several former district leaders aligning themselves with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, diverging from the SLPP’s strategy of supporting its own candidate.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the release of 24 Sri Lankans, including well-known artists, who were detained in Kuwait on 2nd August.

The group, which included figures such as Indrachapa Liyanage, Samanalee Fonseka, ‘Jolly Seeya,’ and Upeka Nirmani, was arrested during an event organised by the JVP-affiliated ‘Ethera Api’ organisation.

The arrests occurred due to the event being held without proper permissions.

Alongside the artists and event organisers, the music band and their instruments were also confiscated.

Following the intervention of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait, the 24 detainees were released on the night of 3rd August.

However, two members of the organising committee remain in police custody, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) has emphasised the importance of promoting Wallapatta cultivation, recognising its significant potential to generate foreign exchange for Sri Lanka.

This issue was raised during a recent discussion with the Department of Forest Conservation. Committee Chair Lasantha Alagiyawanna instructed officials to focus on Wallapatta due to its economic benefits.

Forest Department officials confirmed that cultivating Wallapatta is legal, but cutting and transporting the plants from forests without permits is prohibited.

They noted that the cultivation of Aquilaria, an imported plant with similar characteristics, has commenced in Sri Lanka.

Distinguishing between Wallapatta and Aquilaria is challenging, leading smugglers to falsely market forest-sourced Wallapatta as plantation-grown.

The officials assured the Committee of plans to develop a scientific method to differentiate the two plants.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Postal Department is set to deploy approximately 8,000 staff members to distribute polling cards to voters across the country for the upcoming Presidential Election.

In a circular issued by Deputy Post Master General Rajitha Ranasinghe, all post offices nationwide have been informed of this initiative.

The circular also mentions that special arrangements are being made to handle regular postal letters by employing additional personnel.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police are requesting public assistance to locate three suspects involved in a shooting incident in Athurugiriya on July 08, 2024, which resulted in two fatalities and injuries to four others.

Photographs and details of the suspects have been released.

Information on the suspects can be provided through the following contact numbers:

1. OIC – Western Province South Crimes Division – 072 4222223
2. OIC – Athurugiriya Police Station – 071 8591657

Suspect details:

1. Waruna Indika de Silva alias “Sankha” (NIC: 951350753V)
2. Peti Harambage Ajith Rohana alias “Chandi” (NIC: 199207801772)
3. Muthuwandura Tharindu Madhusanka de Silva alias “Bahirawaya”

The shooting incident went viral across Sri Lanka due to it being the cause of death of Surendra Wasantha Perera alias ‘Club Wasantha’.