News

4,000 and 5,000 children are born with birth defects in Sri Lanka annually

Published

1 year ago

2025/03/7

By Pradeep Prasanna

Between 4,000 and 5,000 children are born with birth defects in Sri Lanka annually, with heart-related conditions being the most prevalent, according to Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, President of the Association of Community Medicine Specialists.

Dr. Jayaratne said so at a press briefing held at the headquarters of the Medical Association in Colombo recently, in commemoration of World Birth Defects Day.

He said they had concerns over rising birth defects and declining birth rates. “This issue is not confined to Sri Lanka but has gained the attention of medical professionals worldwide. There has been an increase in birth defects related to the musculoskeletal system, digestive system, kidneys, and genetic disorders. As a professional association, we are committed to raising public awareness on these conditions.

“Currently, the country records 247,000 live births annually,” Jayaratne said. “As an association, our goal is to ensure a healthier future generation. We also plan to implement large-scale programmes aimed at strengthening child healthcare and protection.”

The event was also attended by Dr. Gayani Gunawardhana, Consultant in Community Medicine at the Family Health Bureau; Dr. Vindhya Subasinghe, Paediatrician at the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Prof. Vajira Dissanayake, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, and Dr. Duminda Samarasinghe, Consultant in Paediatric Cardiology, who also addressed the media.

All News Advertisement

News

Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum

Published

58 mins ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.

This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.

The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.

News

Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed

Published

9 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:

Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage

The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.

The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.