A special awareness programme to mark World Kidney Day was held on March 12 at the Susantha Marapana Dialysis Unit of the Kegalle District General Hospital.The event was organised by the staff of the Kidney Unit under the guidance of Specialist Nuwan Aravinda Bartholomeusz.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Bartholomeusz said the unit currently operates 12 dialysis machines and provided treatment to around 90 patients with the support of dedicated medical staff.

He also highlighted a major gap in regional healthcare services, noting that there were no hospitals with dialysis units between Homagama Base Hospital and Ratnapura Teaching Hospital. Establishing a dialysis unit in a hospital within this region would greatly benefit rural communities, he said.

Several specialists addressed the programme, sharing insights on challenges faced by kidney patients and the importance of prevention and care. Among the speakers were Specialist Gayani Samarasinghe on diabetes management, Specialist Amalka Munasinghe on nutrition, and Specialist Rohitha Gunaratne on the role of physical activity in maintaining health.

The event was presided over by Deputy Director of the hospital, Chathura Tikiriratne.

A highlight of the programme was the introduction of a specialised dialysis support bag by Kelun Lifesciences, located in the Pallekele Investment Promotion Zone. The product, designed to assist dialysis patients in managing their treatment requirements at home, was introduced by Demonstrator Sudharman Wijayasundara under the guidance of the company’s Executive Director I. Sathiyamoorthy.

Prominent philanthropist N. Marapana, who has extended support and facilities to the dialysis unit, also attended the programme.

by SK Samaranayake

Govt. focusing on importers rather than producers

The government led by the National People’s Power (NPP) has yet to fulfil its key promises made to local manufacturers prior to coming to power, the Sri Lanka United National Businesses Alliance (SLUNBA) has said.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo on Friday, SLUNBA Chairperson Tania Abeysundara said the alliance had repeatedly requested a meeting with government leaders to discuss the growing challenges faced by the local manufacturing sector but had so far received no response.

She noted that shipping costs for raw materials imported to Sri Lanka had increased by nearly 300 per cent due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, placing severe pressure on local industries.

“We are people who conduct businesses responsibly and pay taxes properly to the government. We are not a group that is a burden to the country and should not be labelled as an association that merely shouts demands,” Abeysundara said.

“What we are asking is that the promises made to us after discussions held before coming to power be fulfilled. We are not aligned with any political party. Today we are continuing our businesses without making any net profit,” she added.

Abeysundara said that before the election several rounds of discussions had been held with representatives of the alliance, during which assurances had been given that the concerns of local producers would be addressed.

“However, today it appears that instead of focusing on local manufacturers, attention is being given to importers,” she alleged.

She warned that if small and medium-scale industries collapsed under current economic pressures, the country could face a serious loss of employment opportunities.

“We are not a group trying to embarrass the government. But if small and medium-scale industries shut down, thousands of jobs could be lost. Even now we are facing a shortage of labour. Are we expected to close our factories and become importers instead?” she asked.

Abeysundara also said industries were already struggling with rising fuel prices and cautioned that any further increase in electricity tariffs, particularly with the entry of new power companies, would aggravate the situation.

“At a time when industries are already facing severe difficulties due to the increase in fuel prices, if electricity tariffs are increased further it will create additional pressure. Shouldn’t a government pay attention to such matters?” she asked.

SLUNBA Vice President Lakmal Perera said entrepreneurs also faced numerous bureaucratic obstacles when seeking official approvals.

“When a businessman goes to obtain an approval he encounters many problems. Even though the government has instructed that land be allocated for business activities, some state officials ignore these directives,” he said.

Perera added that the alliance was seeking a dialogue with the authorities to address these issues.

“We are not people who organise strikes or protests to demand our rights. We simply ask the authorities to listen carefully to our grievances and help resolve them,” he said.

Meanwhile, SLUNBA Sub-committee Chairman M. R. Jeffrey expressed concern over the government’s plan to remove the CESS tax by 2029, noting that the levy had originally been introduced to protect local producers from excessive imports.

“The CESS was imposed on imports to safeguard domestic manufacturers and it was also said that the funds collected would be used to support local production,” he said.

Jeffrey pointed out that although manufacturers produce locally, they still have to import a large portion of raw materials and warned that under the current circumstances businesses might have to incur an additional US$4–5 million in costs.

He also suggested that the government urgently explore arrangements to import fuel from Russia, noting that countries such as India were reportedly purchasing Russian oil at around US$ 60 per barrel.

“At this moment what is most valuable to the country is not the rupee but the dollar. Therefore, instead of encouraging the import of finished goods, authorities should support the import of raw materials and expand domestic production,” he said.

Several other members of the alliance also expressed their views during the media briefing, calling for greater engagement between the government and the private sector to address the challenges facing local industries.

by Chaminda Silva

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on Friday evening to discuss regional developments and bilateral relations.

During the discussion, Araghchi briefed the Sri Lankan minister on the latest situation following what Iran described as military aggression by the United States and Israel against the country.

He also expressed appreciation to the Sri Lankan government for the assistance extended to the crew of the Iranian warship Dena following the attack on March 4.

The Iranian foreign minister thanked Sri Lanka for its role in helping rescue crew members and for facilitating the repatriation of the bodies of 84 sailors who were killed in the incident.

The two ministers also discussed matters relating to the strengthening of bilateral relations between Iran and Sri Lanka during the conversation, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry.