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UNICEF: Economic crisis in Lanka hurting children most
(UNICEF) As Sri Lanka descends further into its worst economic and political crisis in 70 years, it is children who are suffering the most. A foreign currency shortage has left the country struggling to import essential goods, pushing food and fuel prices sky-high. Staples like rice, lentils, milk and cooking oil are slipping out of reach for many. Shortages of lifesaving medicine and frequent, prolonged power cuts are taking a heavy toll on the most marginalized, particularly the urban poor.
Nearly half of all children in Sri Lanka require some form of humanitarian assistance, according to UNICEF’s appeal for support. Even before the current crisis, Sri Lanka had the world’s seventh highest child malnutrition rates and was second in South Asia for child wasting under the age of 5. Two in five babies were not being fed the minimum acceptable diet.
Supermarket shelves are emptying out, and the lines of anxious consumers outside stores and gas stations are growing longer. Seventy percent of households report they’ve cut down on food consumption, often going from three meals a day to two. With families turning to cheaper, less nutritious food, the number of children suffering from acute malnutrition is growing. Access to safe water for drinking and domestic use is in decline, posing an increased risk of waterborne diseases.
“We are in a race against time,” said Christian Skoog, UNICEF Representative to Sri Lanka. “Without urgent assistance, the most vulnerable children will pay the highest price, and gains made over many years are at risk of being reversed — in some cases, permanently.”
With more than 50 years of experience in Sri Lanka and a wide network of partners, UNICEF is leading efforts to bring nutrition, health care, safe drinking water, education and mental health services to 1.7 million vulnerable children in the country.
UNICEF is working to cushion children from a toxic combination of poverty, COVID-19 and repeated climate-related disasters. The pandemic disrupted the learning of 4.8 million children in Sri Lanka; a lack of fuel continues to keep children and teachers out of the classroom. On July 3, 2022, school closures were extended for yet another week due to a nationwide fuel shortage. “My school in Colombo had to close before the end of the term,” said 17-year-old Jithmini, above. “I was not able to go to school because there was no fuel. I am worried about what will happen next. I just need fuel for my school van.”
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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
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.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
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.
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