News
New campaign launched to tackle harmful speech and promote social cohesion
46% of online harmful speech targets women
A public awareness campaign titled “UNDO Doesn’t Work in Real Life” was launched last week to address the growing threat of harmful speech and misinformation, while fostering empathy, accountability, and responsible storytelling in Sri Lanka.
This joint campaign is a collaborative initiative by the United Nations in Sri Lanka together with the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF in Sri Lanka, with support from the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund.
Held in Colombo, the launch event saw the participation of Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media; Marc-André Franche, Resident Coordinator, United Nations in Sri Lanka; Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP Sri Lanka; and Christian Skoog, Representative, UNICEF Sri Lanka alongside senior ministry officials, journalists, civil society actors, and media professionals.
Commenting on the effects of dangerous speech, Deputy Minister Dr. Wijemuni said: “The power to combat hate speech misinformation and disinformation does not lie only with the government, tech companies and journalists, it lies also with the people. Let us work together to strengthen the policies to combat online hate speech and misinformation.”
The centrepiece of the campaign is a series of short videos, developed using real-time data from Sri Lanka’s online and offline spaces. These stories reflect the very real consequences of dangerous speech on individuals and communities, particularly women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Marc-André Franche, the United Nations Resident Coordinator highlighted the UN Secretary-General’s Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech which provides a clear framework to counter hate while upholding freedom of expression—a balance that is critical in a rapidly polarizing global and national media landscape in which greater responsibility is placed on governments, civil society, media and individual users to navigate online harm: “The rise in online harmful speech, particularly during politically sensitive periods, is a disturbing trend we must confront together”, stated Franche.
According to the UN Early Warning Brief (February 2025), 46% of online harmful speech still targets women, despite a 22% month-on-month drop in total harmful content. These trends reinforce the urgent need for public awareness, especially around the gendered impacts of disinformation and hate speech.
“In the digital world, you can press ‘undo’ — but in real life, the damage caused by harmful speech is ingrained in someone’s hearts and minds, and often irreversible,” said Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka. “We hope the media will carry this message forward to enhance awareness amongst the public on the unintended and intended consequences of harmful speech, and promote responsible dialogue towards social cohesion.”
“As UNICEF we have taken several actions to empower communities and future generations. We are equipping young minds with skills to engage in safe internet use and nurture critical thinking skills to recognize, challenge, and reject false and harmful language before it takes root”, said Christian Skoog, UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka. “In addition, UNICEF is working with grassroots organizations and religious leaders to actively prevent and counter hate speech and misinformation in their communities”, he added.
The campaign which will run on mainstream media and digital outlets aims to spark national conversation, build digital literacy, and encourage responsible storytelling with media professionals playing a central role in carrying the message to the public.
The Russian circumnavigation team, the 5 Oceans Club, made a brief stop in Sri Lanka as part of their second global sailing expedition.
The six-member crew, visited the Russian House in Colombo, on Friday, (24th April) where they shared insights from their journey.
What makes this expedition particularly inspiring is the club’s commitment to inclusivity. They actively encourage children with limb disabilities to experience the ocean and participate in sailing as equals, fostering confidence and a deep connection with nature.
The team also spoke about a specialized sailing school based in Siberia—one of Russia’s most picturesque regions—where children with such challenges are trained and introduced to maritime life. During the session, they offered a glimpse into their daily life aboard the yacht and highlighted how they integrate elements of science into their explorations, making their journey both adventurous and educational.
The crew consists of, Dmitry Kuznetsov – (captain of the boat of the 5 Oceans Club), Vladimir Dudkin – (crew member), Dmitry Dudkin –(cabin boy), Ksenia Kuznetsova – (cabin boy), Natalia Shahinyan – (founder of the charity foundation “Life on the Move”), Sofia Sheremet -(ward of the foundation)
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 25 April 2026, valid for 26 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-744649
Railway General Manager Ravindra Pathmapriya said on Friday that re-railing operations of the derailed ‘Sagarika’ train have already commenced and that services on the Coastal Line are expected to be restored within two days.
Addressing the media, he said the Minister had instructed officials to take all necessary measures to minimise inconvenience to passengers.
Commenting on the incident, he said: “The damaged train is a significant loss for us, especially as our fleet is already limited. We have incurred this loss and hope to rectify the situation promptly. However, we will need to deploy an alternative train in its place, and discussions are currently underway.”
The ‘Sagarika’ train, operating from Beliatta to Maradana, derailed near the Wadduwa Railway Station on Friday morning (24), causing severe damage to one track of the dual-line section.
The Railway Department has since restricted services on the affected Coastal Line up to Panadura Railway Station.
Arrangements have been made to transport passengers from Panadura to South Kalutara by Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses, from where train services will resume towards Matara and Beliatta.
Meanwhile, the Department said efforts are underway to clear the obstruction and restore at least one track by the end of the day.
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Showers expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 2.00 pm.
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
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