April 19, Colombo (LNW): During a press briefing held yesterday at the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr. Sherine Balasingham, Consultant Community Physician of the Health Ministry’s Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) division, highlighted a concerning rise in deaths and hospital admissions from Ischemic heart diseases in Sri Lanka. Dr. Balasingham attributed this troubling trend to several lifestyle factors, including poor dietary habits, smoking, alcohol use, insufficient physical activity, stress, and air pollution.

Ischemic heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, involves the narrowing of coronary arteries leading to a reduced blood supply to the heart muscle. This condition has been the leading cause of death in Sri Lanka over the past decade, with more than half of all deaths in government hospitals in 2020 being attributed to this disease. Additionally, cerebrovascular diseases, which impact blood vessels and flow in the brain, ranked as the fifth leading cause of death that same year.

Globally, cardiovascular diseases claim nearly 18 million lives annually, making it the number one killer worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Dr. Balasingham stressed the importance of preventive measures, advocating for dietary modifications such as limiting salt intake to no more than 5 grams and sugar to 30 grams per day. She also emphasized the benefits of quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables, and engaging in regular exercise.

Dr. Balasingham called for robust health policies that support accessible and affordable healthy choices, which are crucial for encouraging and sustaining health-promoting behaviors among the public.

April 19, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places inNorth-central, Central and North-western provinces and in Mannar districts during the afternoon or night.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

April 18, Colombo (LNW): In response to a surge in reports, the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) has intensified its efforts to address a concerning trend of scams proliferating within WhatsApp groups.

Charuka Damunupola, the Lead Information Security Engineer at Sri Lanka CERT, shed light on the nature of these scams, revealing that they often exploit the reputations of reputable brands and companies.

The fraudulent activities reported to Sri Lanka CERT involve the unauthorised addition of individuals’ WhatsApp numbers to groups without their explicit consent.

This unauthorised inclusion not only violates users’ privacy but also exposes them to potential risks associated with deceptive practices within these groups.

Damunupola emphasised the insidious nature of these scams, which frequently masquerade under the guise of legitimate businesses or well-known brands.

Such deceptive tactics aim to lure unsuspecting individuals into joining these groups under false pretenses, often promising lucrative offers or exclusive deals.

The prevalence of these scams underscores the importance of vigilance and caution among WhatsApp users, particularly when encountering invitations to join unfamiliar groups.

Sri Lanka CERT advises individuals to exercise discretion and refrain from sharing personal information or engaging in financial transactions within these groups without verifying their authenticity.

April 18, Colombo (LNW): Pradeep Kurukulasuriya of Sri Lankan origin has been appointed as the Executive Secretary for the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the UN’s catalytic finance entity for developing countries.

In his new role, Kurukulasuriya will focus on enhancing UNCDF’s capability to mobilise finance for development impact, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

This involves leveraging UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to blend grants, loans, and guarantees, alongside advisory services.

Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator and Managing Director for UNCDF, highlighted the critical role of UNCDF in addressing last-mile challenges in deploying finance, particularly in high-risk market conditions.

He expressed confidence in Kurukulasuriya’s leadership to strengthen UNCDF’s ability to mobilise private capital for development where it is needed most.

Kurukulasuriya emphasised the urgency of advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing the needs of developing countries, especially LDCs.

He expressed his commitment to working collaboratively with UN agencies, governments, donors, and the private sector to accelerate progress towards the SDGs and the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries.

Kurukulasuriya’s strategic priorities include optimising UNCDF’s investment mandate to maximise development finance for LDCs, enhancing internal risk management and oversight practices, and strengthening partnerships with UN agencies, governments, and the private sector.

With his extensive experience in environmental finance and climate change adaptation, Kurukulasuriya brings valuable expertise to his new role.

His previous roles include overseeing multi-billion-dollar portfolios across 140 countries and leading UNDP’s Nature, Climate, and Energy Practice.

Kurukulasuriya expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with colleagues across UN agencies and leveraging UNCDF’s financial instruments to support diverse development priorities, including infrastructure, water, sanitation, and education.

As the new Executive Secretary, Kurukulasuriya aims to uphold UNCDF’s commitment to working in countries traditionally overlooked in capital markets, with a focus on ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.

Kurukulasuriya holds a Ph.D. from Yale University and has held various leadership positions in UNDP, the World Bank, and NGOs in Sri Lanka.

His appointment reflects UNCDF’s dedication to mobilising finance for inclusive and sustainable development globally.

April 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka remains vigilant amid concerns that Canadian leaders may renew allegations of genocide next month during the country’s commemoration of the war victory, according to a reliable diplomatic source.

Tensions between the two nations escalated last year when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau levelled accusations of genocide, leading to a diplomatic rift.

Sri Lanka responded with diplomatic protests by summoning the Canadian envoy.

The Sri Lankan government is closely monitoring the situation to determine whether such allegations will resurface, despite Sri Lanka’s previous objections, a report by Daily Mirror disclosed citing a diplomatic insider.

“Canadian leaders have a track record of making such allegations, despite the Canadian federal government’s conclusion that the events in Sri Lanka during the war do not meet the criteria for genocide,” according to the source.

April 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s budget carrier, FitsAir, successfully inaugurated its inaugural flight on the Dhaka-Colombo route yesterday (17).

Departing from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital at 2:00 am, the flight arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo at 4:30 am, carrying 120 passengers.

The inauguration ceremony at Dhaka Airport was graced by distinguished guests, including Dharmapala Weerakkody, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Asitha Ranaweera, Deputy Chief Executive of FitsAir, Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, and Kamrul Islam, Executive Director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Key representatives from Bengal Airlift Limited, including Mehnaz Mannan, Chairman, and Faiqa Naser, Director, were also present at the event.

Initially, FitsAir is operating two weekly flights on the Dhaka-Colombo route, deploying Airbus A320 aircraft with a capacity of 164 seats.

Scheduled every Wednesday and Sunday, the flight departs Dhaka at 2:00 am and arrives in Colombo at 4:30 am. The return flight departs Colombo at 9:30 pm, reaching Dhaka at 1:00 am every Tuesday and Saturday.

FitsAir is offering competitive return fares starting from BDT 35,000 for the Dhaka-Colombo route.

Looking ahead, the airline plans to expand its frequency on the route, aiming to introduce another flight within the next two months and two more by the end of 2024.

In addition to Dhaka, FitsAir presently operates direct flights to Dubai, Male, and Chennai.

With the launch of the Dhaka-Colombo route, Bangladeshi travelers can now enjoy seamless connectivity to these destinations from Dhaka through FitsAir’s hub in Colombo.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe visits the Court Lodge Estate, owned by the Udupusellawa Plantation Company in Nuwara Eliya to explore opportunities for the revival of the tourism industry around the picturesque hills of Nuwara Eliya: Notably, the President embarked on this journey by traversing the Pekoe Trail.
   
2. The final rites of former UNP MP Palitha Thewarapperuma, who tragically passed away due to an electrocution accident, will be held tomorrow (19) at 2:00 PM at his residence in Yatadholawatte, Mathugama. Thewarapperuma will be laid to rest in a grave he had prepared on his estate.
   
3. The National People’s Power (NPP) unveils a plan to address the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attack, focusing on justice for victims and their families, under an NPP-rule: proposes establishing a special Commission of Inquiry with full judicial powers to ensure swift justice: vows rigorous enforcement of the law against all involved and pledges to prioritise ongoing cases related to the attack: also promises a compensation mechanism for victims and those who suffered property damage.
   
4. The Colombo District Court extends the interim injunction against former President Maithripala Sirisena’s role as the Chairman of the SLFP until May 9: The decision was made during a hearing prompted by a case filed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga: This injunction follows an earlier order issued on April 4: Meanwhile, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has been appointed as the Acting Chairman of the SLFP by the party’s politburo.
   
5. The proposed reforms for the electricity sector, titled ‘Sri Lanka Electricity Bill’, were officially published in the government gazette on Wednesday (17): Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara announces the Bill would be tabled in Parliament during the upcoming session: adds that revisions suggested by stakeholders in January have been included in the updated version: Additionally, the public will have a two-week period to challenge the Bill’s legality in the Supreme Court after its presentation in Parliament.
   
6. Prominent economic news agency Bloomberg reports that Standard Chartered strategists believe that Sri Lanka aims to finalise a deal with investors to restructure its $12 billion global bonds by mid-May: Talks with bondholders are ongoing, focusing on the structure of “macro-linked” bonds tied to economic performance: Delays could coincide with upcoming presidential elections: Sri Lanka’s dollar bonds see gains, and Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe expresses hope for progress in discussions with bondholders and the IMF: Securing a restructuring deal is crucial for Sri Lanka to access financing from its $3 billion IMF bailout amid its $27 billion foreign debt restructuring efforts.
   
7. Iranian emergency services rescues 21 Sri Lankan crew members after their ship capsized in heavy storms in the Gulf of Oman: The Cook Islands-flagged vessel, carrying oil, encountered distress off Jask: A rescue vessel saved the crew, with five receiving medical treatment: The incident happened amid severe weather conditions impacting the region, resulting in floods and casualties in Oman.
   
8. Pradeep Kurukulasuriya of Sri Lankan origin has been named Executive Secretary of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), focusing on mobilising finance for development impact, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs): He aims to blend grants, loans, and guarantees to address last-mile challenges in deploying finance, emphasising collaboration with UN agencies, governments, donors, and the private sector.
   
9. Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, a prominent LGBTQIA+ rights activist in Sri Lanka, has been recognised as an Icon in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of 2024: Time magazine commends Caldera’s tireless advocacy spanning over two decades, notably her successful legal challenge against Sri Lanka’s prohibition on same-sex intimacy among women: This landmark case elevated LGBTQIA+ rights in Sri Lanka’s political discourse, leading to legislative proposals for decriminalisation.
   
10. Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu’s explosive 195 not out led Sri Lanka to a historic victory against South Africa, chasing down 302 runs, the highest-ever successful run-chase in women’s ODIs: Athapaththu’s innings ranks third highest in women’s ODIs and second in successful run chases across genders: Despite Laura Wolvaardt’s stellar 184, Sri Lanka’s remarkable chase overshadowed South Africa’s strong performance.

April 18, Colombo (LNW): The National Election Commission has convened a session today to address the internal crisis within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

All documentation submitted by the conflicting factions within the party will be meticulously examined during the meeting, Commission Chief R.M.A.L. Ratnayake confirmed.

Ratnayake underscored the importance of a thorough review of the presented materials before any decisions are made regarding the prevailing situation.

In addition, the Acting General Secretary of the SLFP has officially raised objections with the Election Commission concerning recent appointments.

Acting General Secretary MP Dushmantha Mitrapala has emphasised the party’s commitment to upholding constitutional protocols in all actions.

Concurrently, another faction within the SLFP has formally notified the National Election Commission of recent decisions taken by the party’s Politburo.

This correspondence includes documentation detailing the newly appointed members and relevant proceedings from the Politburo meeting.