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Lankan Hospitals in crisis: Indonesia throws a lifeline

Published

3 years ago

2022/04/29

First consignment of 3.1 tonnes of medical supplies due yesterday

Faced with an unprecedented shortage of medicine and medical equipment amidst the worst ever forex crisis, Sri Lanka has sought assistance from friendly countries. In response to Sri Lanka’s request, Indonesia has assured 3.1 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Ministry disclosed that the Indonesian assistance came close on the heels of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) declaring its readiness to provide humanitarian aid, in addition to medicine and medical equipment.

Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris on Wednesday (27) received Indonesian Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing at the Foreign Ministry where he received a briefing regarding the assistance.

Ambassador Tobing briefed the Foreign Minister that pursuant to a request for essential medicines and medical equipment from the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka, the Government of Indonesia in consultation with the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka and the representative Office of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Indonesia, worked with Health officials and the pharmaceutical industry of Indonesia, to facilitate the provision of 3.1 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, consisting of essential medicines and medical equipment valued at SL Rs. 517.5 million (approx. US $ 1.6 million).

The Ambassador said that the humanitarian aid would reach Sri Lanka in two batches, with the first shipment was to arrive yesterday (28) on SriLankan Airlines flight from Jakarta. The balance would arrive on Sunday, 8 May, 2022. The Ambassador informed the Minister that following the appeal from the Ministry of Health, Indonesian officials and pharmaceutical and health care industry marshalled together in ten days to donate items to ensure the speedy dispatch of aid and in view of its long standing close friendship, were pleased to support Sri Lanka at its time of need.

Foreign Minister Peiris conveyed to the Ambassador the deep appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka to the generous donation of humanitarian aid from the Government of Indonesia, and highlighted that it was a clear manifestation of the close ties of friendship between the two countries. The Foreign Minister noted the close relations between Indonesia and Sri Lanka and collaboration in ocean issues and processes in the international arena, as well as working closely in the Non-Aligned Movement to address issues objectively on the global stage. Foreign Minister Peiris also recalled the close interactions with Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno Marsudi, who he had met in Glasgow at the UN Climate Change conference and more recently at the Doha Forum in Qatar, where the two Ministers discussed bilateral relations. The Minister also noted he looked forward to welcoming his counterpart later in the year to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Published

16 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

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 011-7446491.

Latest News

Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Published

17 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

News

RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Published

18 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.