Category: Special Reports
United States partners with Sri Lanka Life Saving to promote water safety
The Sri Lanka Life Saving (SLLS) organization recently held a graduation ceremony for trainees who recently completed an intensive training conducted in partnership with the United States. The Beach Bronze Medallion workshop, which provided first-responder training and education for civilians at the SLS headquarters in Mount Lavinia Beach, was part of an effort by the […]
India temporarily halts AstraZeneca vaccine exports
India has reportedly halted exporting Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine as domestic demand for the vaccine is picking up, foreign media reported. Accordingly, over 190 countries under the Covax scheme are likely to be affected. India has exported more than 60 million vaccine doses to 76 countries so far. India is starting vaccinations for those over the […]
Sri Lanka to establish new institution to maximize utilization of government lands
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal submitted by the President for the establishment of an institution under the name Assets Utilization Reformation Commission with powers to take necessary measures for productively utilize the identified underutilized assets. “It has become a pioneer requirement to introduce an appropriate methodology for utilizing state ventures with assets […]
Sri Lanka is not renegotiating Hambantota port lease deal with China: report
Sri Lanka’s ambassador to China Palitha Kohona has dismissed suggestions that the country is planning to extend a 99-year lease it granted to Beijing to run Hambantota port. Palitha Kohona said in an interview with the South China Morning Post that his country would “never be an unsinkable aircraft carrier posing a threat to anyone […]
Facebook partners with VTA to launch digital skills training program in Sri Lanka
In partnership with the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka (VTA), Facebook has launched a series of training sessions to help Sri Lankans upskill their digital capabilities. The initiative is a part of Facebook’s flagship We Think Digital program, and has been designed with the objective to help the vocational sector understand the digital landscape […]
UN launches new campaign, Only Together, to support global vaccine equity call
The United Nations today launched a new global campaign, Only Together to support its call for fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines around the world. The campaign stresses the need for coordinated global action to ensure vaccines are accessible in all countries, starting with health-care workers and the most vulnerable. “Over the past year, we’ve all missed […]
COVID vaccination can prevent death and reduce severe disease: Prof. Asita de Silva
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce had the privilege of having Professor Asita de Silva, Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority as the guest speaker at its monthly Committee Meeting recently. According to Professor de Silva, the primary objective of vaccination is to prevent death and to reduce severe disease. Healthcare workers, elderly and those with other […]
First batch of COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX Facility arrive in Sri Lanka
Today, Sri Lanka received the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility. This delivery of 264,000 doses is part of the first wave of arrivals that will continue in the coming weeks and months; culminating in 1,440,000 doses arriving through May. The additional doses to cover 20% of Sri Lanka’s population will arrive […]
Sri Lanka welcomes funding from WFP & Korea to help supply Thriposha to children & mothers
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) are supporting the Government of Sri Lanka with funding worth USD 600,000 (LKR 117 million) to procure maize for the production of Thriposha. The funding will be used to produce Thriposha, a maize-based fortified food product, which will be provided to […]
Sri Lanka must keep pace with global changes: President
Private sector, State Universities and other Higher Education Institutions should work together … IT and computer knowledge for all students, regardless of field of study…. Universities should compete to attract high achievers…. Freedom for Universities to plan their studies and manage…. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has reiterated that Sri Lanka must keep pace with transformative changes […]
President appoints Channa Jayasumana as Acting Minister of Health
Professor Channa Jayasumana has been appointed as the Acting Minister of Health until the Minister in charge of the subject Pavithra Wanniarachchi returns to work, the President’s Media Division said. The Acting Minister was sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat, today (16). Prof. Channa Jayasumana currently is the State Minister of […]
Sri Lanka and Japan conclude 2nd Policy Dialogue virtually
The second round of Sri Lanka – Japan Policy Dialogue at the Senior Official Level of the two Foreign Ministries was held virtually yesterday, 10 February 2021. Reminiscing the solid foundation of recorded political and cultural interactions between Sri Lanka and Japan, the two sides discussed an array of policy priorities in the national, regional and international levels, and resolved to work together in pursuing the common goals of interest. Both sides reviewed and […]