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.
Following the conclusion of bilateral discussions between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, official-level talks between the delegations of Sri Lanka and India commenced this morning (05) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.
The Indian delegation included Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with several other senior officials of the Government of India.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian delegations at the presidential secretariat
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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrives at the presidential secretariat
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