News
Children have started losing weight rapidly
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Studying the reports and data from regional health officials show that in certain parts of the country, children have started losing weight rapidly, Prof. G.N. Duminda Guruge, Professor in Health Promotion of the Rajarata University says.Nutrition, especially children’s nutrition, was among the most affected by the country’s severe economic crisis, he said.
“Some pelple say no matter what happens Sri Lankans will survive by eating ‘something.’ This is true. I am sure most people can find something to eat. Yes, the number of meals and the quantity of each meal have decreased for most, but most people eat something. However, one needs to obtain the right amount of nutrition if they are to be assured of long-term wellbeing,” Prof. Guruge said.
Health staff do a lot and those at the grassroots know the gravity of not taking proper nutrition. Health staff at the grassroots check up on children monthly and take measurements, he said.
“Compared to previous years, the number of children who are seriously underweight has increased in certain parts of the country. Weight is not the only thing to worry about, we must also think of the height of children. This is an aspect that is widely ignored, even by parents,” he said.
Prof. Guruge said that he is not certain if the decision makers of the country have felt the gravity of these developments. Nutrition of children is actually an issue that will be felt inter-generationally, he said.
“We are not thinking long term. We are trying to see if we can solve this issue by distributing some goods. Of course, we need to do this to manage the situation in the long term. However, what is our long-term plan? We must use new technologies and empower people. This is the best approach for community health,” he said.Prof. Guruge said that people of the country must feel the need for improved nutrition and wellbeing of the children. At times, officials in charge of health at grassroots are more concerned about the nutrition of children than parents, he said.
“Is this a problem of education? Or are we not communicating properly? We need to educate people in a manner that they understand, and we must also show respect to people,” he said.
Prof Guruge noted that most rural children do get carbohydrates through rice or some tubers. However, they are not getting enough protein because they are expensive.
“We must look at sources of protein that are cheaper and can be accessed where they live. However, changing food habits is not easy. We must look at how these habits have come about. Habits are created. People eat highly processed sugary and starchy food and even during this time of crisis most families spend about 6,000 rupees on these items. An egg is about 60 rupees. You can eat 100 eggs with the money you spend on processed food that is bad for you. Even when eggs were 10 rupees some people didn’t eat enough eggs, but they ate processed food,” he said.
Prof. Guruge said that alcoholism that prevails in certain parts of the country, has also contributed to the malnutrition of children.
“Fathers come home intoxicated and abuse the mothers. Such mothers are often not in a state to worry too much about the needs of children. However, this can only be stopped by community intervention,” he said.
An estimated 6.2 million people (28 per cent of the population) are moderately acute food insecure, while 66,000 people are severely acute food insecure, according to UNICEF. UNICEF said that 41.8 percent of families spend more than 75 per cent of their expenditures on food. This leaves little to spend on health and education. Many families have exhausted their savings and are struggling due to crippling inflation, UNICEF said.
The Sri Lanka Navy successfully recovered its Fast Attack Craft P 4447 following a successful salvage operation, bringing a multi-stage emergency response to a close.
The craft, which ran into distress during a routine patrol on 15th August 2026 off Angulana, was brought to the surface on 11th September, from a depth of approximately 80 feet. It was
subsequently towed to the Colombo Dockyard premises.
The initial phase of the operation immediately following the incident focused on search and rescue. A joint effort involving the Navy, Air Force, Police, and local fishermen from Angulana
resulted in the rescue of 11 crew members. The search and rescue phase drew to a close with the recovery of the remains of the Second in Command of the craft, on 4th September.
Following the search and rescue phase, specialized Navy diving and salvage teams launched a dedicated recovery phase against rough sea conditions and underwater challenges, adhering to
strict safety protocols. The Navy’s marine, hull, electrical, and electronic engineering teams utilized specialized technical know-how and equipment to raise the vessel in stages.
Thus, the salvage operation marked an outstanding achievement attained through the professionalism, technical expertise of Navy divers, and coordinated contribution of all
engineering and technical branches of the Sri Lanka Navy. Technical support and specialized expertise were also extended by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Colombo Dockyard PLC.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Opposition should intensity its focus on the forthcoming selection of a member of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and remain vigilant as Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne, MP, the head of the Constitutional Council (CC) tasked with making the relevant recommendation, is under investigation by the CIABOC, sources familiar with the ongoing inquiry told The Island.
Chethiya Goonasekara, PC, is expected to complete his three-year term on Dec 31, 2026. Sources pointed out that CIABOC Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation made by the 10-member Constitutional Council.
The CIABOC initiated the investigation following a complaint lodged by suspended Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne in early February this year. Sources said that as Goonasekera is scheduled to complete his term toward the end of 2026, the CC would have to call applications soon to choose the successor.
Goonasekara received his appointment from President Ranil Wickremesinghe in January 2024. A Justice W. M. N. P. Iddawala was appointed Chairman of the CIABOC. The other commissioner is K. Bernard Rajapakse.
Asked whether Iddawala and Rajapakse, too, would complete their terms soon, sources said that in terms of the Anti-Corruption Act No 09 of 2023, the Chairman of CIABOC would hold office for a period of five years, second commissioner (K. Bernard Rajapakse) for four years and the third commissioner (Chethiya Goonasekara) for a period of three years.
Sources said that the Opposition as well as civil society representatives in the CC should take up the issue of Speaker facing an investigation by the CIABOC taking part in the forthcoming selection process. Responding to queries, sources emphasized that the issue was whether in terms of Section 107 of the Anti-Corruption Act the participation of the Speaker in the selection process amounted to a violation of the Act itself.
The current members of the CC are Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker and Chairman of the Constitutional Council, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister, Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, Bimal Rathnayake, MP, Aboobucker Athambawa, MP, Ajith P. Perera, MP, Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP, Austin Fernando, Civil society representative, Prof. Wasantha Seneviratne, Civil society representative and Ranjith Ariyaratne, Civil society representative.
Sources pointed out that in spite of the sensitivity of the case, the CIABOC recorded Kularatne’s statement in the second week of August, six months after he lodged the complaint.
The CIABOC on 3, 8 and 10 Sept recorded the statements from the Transport Officer, Deputy Director, Administration and Assistant Director, Finance regarding the use of facilities by the Speaker, those assigned to his staff and other relevant matters.
The NPP named Dr. Wickramaratne as the Speaker after Asoka Ranwala resigned over controversy regarding his higher education qualifications.
SJB lawmaker Dayasiri Jayaskera has repeatedly raised the issues concerning the Speaker with the focus also on the Speaker using two government-managed residences, relevant staff in addition to expenditure on food, transport and fuel provided to the Speaker’s private secretary.
Political sources said that trouble erupted after the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Council in late January sacked Kularatne accusing him of providing false information to secure his appointment. Before being appointed as the Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament in 2023, Kularatne held several high-ranking positions, including Secretary to the Chief Government Whip, Additional Secretary to the President, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Additional Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition.
The SJB declared in Parliament that Ranwala should be brought back as the Speaker as they have no faith in Wickramaratne. MP Mujibur Rahuman jokingly told parliament that the Opposition wouldn’t raise Ranwala’s educational qualifications.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has stressed the need to conduct a comprehensive countrywide cadre revision urgently.
GMOA spokesman Dr. Lasitha Dhammika told The Island that the failure on the part of successive governments to conduct cadre revision caused the deterioration of the public sector health services. Due to the absence of required statistics, they hadn’t been able to fully comprehend the situation on the ground and to ascertain the requirements of the public.
Dr. Dhammika pointed out the expansion of the services without supporting statistics and the need to initiate an immediate cadre revision. According to him, the GMOA had raised this issue with successive governments without success. The GMOA spokesman said that they also sought relevant information from the Health Ministry in terms of the Right to Information (RTI) Act two weeks ago but was yet to receive response.
(SF)
Fast Attack Craft P 4447 recovered in successful salvage operation
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-central and North-western provinces
Shafali, Mandhana power India to eighth Asia Cup title
Tharanga wins Ultimate Javelin title
CIABOC member’s appointment: Controversy over Speaker under probe heading selection process
GMOA: Countrywide cadre revision not done since 2015
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Sports3 days agoDDS set to lose Test captaincy
-
News6 days agoThailand shuts door on undesirables from Sri Lanka
-
News3 days agoSri Lanka faces new grid challenge as rooftop solar surges: former CEB GM
-
Business6 days agoCEB successor company breaks into top three in competitive BESS tender
-
Latest News3 days agoShafali, Deepti power India into sixth T20 Asia Cup final
-
Opinion5 days agoNavigating Sri Lanka’s Israeli Dilemma
-
Latest News2 days agoSri Lanka thwart Fatima Sana challenge to secure Asia Cup final spot
-
Features4 days agoLost for 90 years: Rare Goby resurfaces in Jaffna