Category: Special Reports
Female-heads of households see their struggles compounded by pandemic
Tharshani, now 45, had already been struggling to make ends meet since her husband died 15 years ago due to the conflict. But since the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns that started last year, her income from poultry farming has dropped, and her eldest daughter, who they relied on for household expenses, has found no daily-wage […]
Health Ministry joins hands to launch Facebook’s Blood Donations feature in Sri Lanka
In an effort to make it easier for people to donate blood, Facebook has launched the Blood Donations feature in Sri Lanka in partnership with the Ministry of Health’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) supported by the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB). Till date, 24 blood cluster centers have been onboarded as part of the joint […]
SL has fastest growing ageing population in SA: Needs meaningful integration of older persons
Sri Lanka has the fastest growing ageing population in South Asia and it is predicted that by 2030, 1 in 5 Sri Lankans will be over the age of 60 with the majority being women- thus bringing about unique challenges and opportunities that the country must be prepared for especially in the context of emergency […]
British resident in Sri Lanka awarded British Empire Medal for services to animal welfare
Samantha Green, Chief Executive Officer of Dogstar Foundation has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to animal welfare. Samantha began her work in Sri Lanka in 2005, after noticing many local dogs had parasites. She moved to Sri Lanka in 2013 with her husband Mark to develop Dogstar Foundation and set up […]
EU, UNDP call on youth leaders to join ‘United Creatives’ for digital peacebuilding
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the EU are calling on youth leaders, influencers, and creators to promote peace through digital action by joining a new regional programme in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. ‘United Creatives’ is implemented by the social change agency Love Frankie and will support youth from across the two countries […]
“We changed political culture of forgetting village after winning power” President
No political witch hunt; only strict adherence to law: will not entertain lumpen politics – President says in Lathugala · Policy decision to allow cultivation without hindrance · Officials must visit villages · Every village to see sustainable development President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the political culture of forgetting the village after winning power has been […]
Repatriation process “People Centric and Transparent” For Min sets record straight
The Foreign Ministry will continue facilitating repatriations without any financial burden on Sri Lankans, the Foreign Secretary asserted responding to misinformation in the public domain. Secretary Jayanath Colombage made it clear that the role of the Missions is strictly confined to organizing repatriation flights for returnees who are tested on arrival, offered all logistical support […]
“India will always be a dependable partner and reliable friend to Sri Lanka” says EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar
Visiting Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S.Jaishankar held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday and discussed multiple areas of bilateral cooperation was taken up, including economic, financial, trade and investment cooperation, cultural exchanges, defence and security, development cooperation as well as Covid 19 pandemic response. Both sides agreed to continue the […]
68,000 Sri Lankans awaiting return: Foreign Secretary
Despite the worsening global situation triggered by the Covid pandemic, the process of repatriation of Sri Lankans, one of the most pressing challenges at hand has been judiciously spear headed by the Foreign Ministry under the directive of Minister Dinesh Gunawardana, enduring insurmountable challenges overseas amid lockdowns, isolations, curfews and closure of air space, to ensure swift return of Sri Lankans who are in distress. Since the evacuation of 33 students from Wuhan City, in February 2019, the Ministry has been carrying out the task of repatriation for almost a year now and […]
Sri Lanka to launch e-Land Registration programme by August
Jun 30, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s e-Land Registration programme is expected to launch by August this year with the support of the Information & Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), President’s Media Division said. Under this programme, an e-Passbook will be issued for the lands registered under the e-Land Registration system. With the new registration programme, […]
We are pleased to contribute towards MCC review committee: Bar Association of Sri Lanka
Jun 29, 2020 (LBO) – Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) says that they are pleased to have contributed towards the final conclusions of the committee appointed to review the MCC. “We are pleased to note that a number of concerns highlighted in our observations have been recognized by the Special Committee,” the BASL said […]
Sri Lanka raises concerns on reference to SL in OHCHR press release
Jun 09, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Dayani Mendis, in a letter addressed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has raised concerns regarding the allegations made in a press release issued by the High Commissioner on 03 June 2020 regarding “clampdown” […]