News
80% of children at Walsapugala malnourished
By Dileep N. Jayasekera
A survey has revealed that 80% of children in a village in Suriyawewa are malnourished says Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa.
“A similar situation prevails in most parts of the Hambantota District. Health administrators must visit rural areas, conduct studies and find solutions to the problems of the people. If immediate steps are not taken our children will be in serious trouble,” he said.
Dr. Sanjeewa added that they conducted a research in Walsapugala, Suriyawewa, and that the area had a substantial population. Given that the particular village was a good representation of the Hambantota district, one could assume that a similar situation prevails in all districts, he said.
“Things have really deteriorated during the last six months. Parents say that they only have work twice or thrice a week. They can barely afford to pay for electricity. Once they pay their bills, they can only buy rice, coconut and the most basic food items. They can’t afford eggs, meat or fish,” he said.
Dr. Sanjeewa said that they had examined health records and found 30% of the children were malnourished. Another 50% were undernourished.
“If things go on like this, the other 20%, too, will become undernourished. Most families have three children each and all of them are malnourished or undernourished. Health Centres have launched a programme to enhance child nutrition but most people can’t afford to visit those place. It is high time health officials went to the people. Most schools in Hambantota have stopped the morning assembly because a large number of students faint.
“Some teachers have started food banks at schools. They bring extra food from home and give it to children. But this is not a sustainable project,” Dr. Sanjeewa said.
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is on an official visit to Paris, France to participate in the high-level segment of the International Expert Conference on ’An Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Safeguarding the World Heritage Property of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and Associated Living Heritage’ which was to be held at UNESCO Headquarters today [Tuesday 1 April], with the participation of the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.
The Conference, organized by UNESCO in partnership with Sri Lanka, brings together leading international experts to discuss sustainable strategies for the conservation of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense cultural and historical significance.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet senior interlocutors of the French Government to discuss bilateral cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
The Delegation of the Prime Minister includes the Minister of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) BUNGO and ETAJIMA arrived at the port of Colombo on a goodwill visit this morning (01 Apr 25).
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
The 141m long JMSDF BUNGO is an Uraga-Class Minesweeper Tender commanded by Commander TANAKA Koji and the ship is manned by a crew of 125.
Meanwhile, JMSDF Etajima, a 65-meter-long Minesweeper, is under the command of Commander Oda Takayuki and operates with a crew of 54 personnel.
During the stay in the island, crew members of the ships will explore some tourist attractions within the city of Colombo. The ships are scheduled to set sail from Colombo on 04 Apr.
“You and your families will be eliminated”
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randun
A full-scale investigation has been launched to track down an underworld character, ‘Navy Dinesh,’ a key accomplice of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, for issuing death threats over the phone to three police officers, including the Gampaha HQI, Crime Branch OIC, of the same police station, and others.
Navy Dinesh is believed to have fled the country.
According to police sources, threats were issued following the arrest of Navy Dinesh’s father and brother in connection with a drug trafficking case.
Phone analysis reports have confirmed that the calls originated from Dubai and France.
Following the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, Navy Dinesh assumed leadership of the underworld gang he had previously been involved with.
Navy Dinesh contacted the Gampaha HQI, the OIC of the Crime Branch, and the investigating police constable, and threatened to kill them and their family members. “You and your families will be eliminated,” he said.
A special police team had been assigned to investigate the matter, and a report has been submitted to the courts, police sources said.
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