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Iran pledges medical assistance to Sri Lanka

Published

4 years ago

2022/06/27

The Islamic Republic of Iran has pledged urgently needed medical assistance to Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Embassy, in Tehran said.It said: Lankan Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, G.M. Vipulatheja Wishwanath Aponsu, met several key dignitaries, including Health Deputy Minister Dr. Mohammed Hossein Niknam, Foreign Ministry of Iran Director General (West Asia) Dr. Seyyed Rasoul Mousavi and Head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) Dr. Pir Hossein Kolivandon, recently, at their offices in Tehran. The main objective of the meetings were to develop collaboration in health and pharmaceutical sectors between Lanka and Iran under the framework of South-South cooperation.

While appreciating Iran’s continued assistance to Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan envoy outlined the current challenges in Sri Lanka, particularly the lack of pharmaceuticals and medical utilities.

Highlighting the longstanding friendly relations between Iran and Sri Lanka, the Iranian dignitaries assured that the Government of Iran would continue extending assistance to Sri Lanka, in every possible way, to overcome the current challenges in Sri Lanka. In response to the Ambassador’s request on urgent requirement of medical equipment, Head of the IRCS conveyed that his organisation will able to offer medical aid to Sri Lanka after reviewing Sri Lanka’s needs.Further, the Iranian key personnel expressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to provide medical education and trainings, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals items to Sri Lanka. They also stated that Iran is willing to invest in health and pharmaceutical sectors in Sri Lanka.The Head of IRCS Dr. Kolivand stated that if Sri Lanka is interested in obtaining health services, the IRCS can dispatch its health team to Sri Lanka as appropriate for treatment of patients who are in unprivileged areas. The Sri Lanka Ambassador Aponsu assured them to bring the Iranian proposals to the attention of health authorities in Sri Lanka for consideration. The Ambassador thanked the above dignitaries for facilitating the productive deliberations and conveyed the deep appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka to Iran’s pledge of donation of medical aid. Expert (West Asia) of the Iranian Foreign Ministry Mohomad Deldhari was also present at the discussions.

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Treasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia

Published

1 min ago

2026/04/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

Nagananda / Harshana

New controversy erupts over missing USD 2.5 mn:

Public interest activist Nagananda Kodituwakku has sought citizenship details of Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.

According to a letter dated 28 April, addressed to the relevant department, Solicitor England and Wales Kodituwakku sought the required information in terms of Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act No 3 of 1982 of Australia. Suriyapperuma is also the Secretary to the Treasury.

The former Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Suriyapperuma (from November 2024 to June 2025) is embroiled in a deepening controversy over the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.

The leader of the Vinivida Foundation said that he intended to move court against Suriyapperuma for entering Parliament through the NPP National List in violation of the country’s Constitution (Article 91(1)(d)(xiiii).

Kodituwakku said: “This is clearly an accountability and integrity issue and violation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and also this act contravenes the law of a member in the Commonwealth.”

USD 2.5 mn paid to a third party was meant to be an instalment of a loan taken from Australia. Suriyapperuma neither responded to an SMS nor answered his hand phone.

Geetha Kumarasinghe (UPFA/Galle District) and Diana Gamage (SJB National List) lost their seats in 2017 and 2024, respectively, over citizenship issues.

Meanwhile, public interest group ‘Free Lawyers’ that exposed the theft of Treasury funds questioned the failure on the part of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), to pressure President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to temporarily remove Suriyapperuma to facilitate unhindered investigations.

On behalf of ‘Free Lawyers’, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday expressed concern over the way the CoPF, under SJBer de Silva’s leadership, handled the issue at hand. Issuing an open letter, Tennakoon, urged the CoPF chief to explain his stand on a spate of vital issues which needed to be addressed without any further delay.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

News

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara

Published

3 mins ago

2026/04/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara (Sue Tue Nhan) at the conclusion of the 161 km ‘International Peace Walk’ in Colombo yesterday. The Bo-sapling will be taken to the US by the spiritual leader. Pic by Sujata Jayaratne

News

USD 625,000 meant for US Postal Service goes missing

Published

4 mins ago

2026/04/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday revealed that a USD 625,000 payment made by Sri Lanka’s Department of Posts to the US Postal Service (USPS) had not been received by the intended party.

The declaration was made at the post-Cabinet media briefing.

According to the Minister, an investigation has been initiated into the incident.

The Minister said that an investigation was underway within the Sri Lanka Postal Department regarding the missing funds paid to the US Postal Service.

He added that the US Postal Service has indicated the non-receipt of a payment amounting to USD 625,000, and that investigations were being conducted by both the Postal Department and the CID to determine how the incident occurred.