Dr. Paul Kapur, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, who is currently visiting Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday  (22) afternoon  at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, the two sides recalled the 77 years of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the United States and noted that the relationship has evolved into a strong and multifaceted partnership spanning trade, defence, investment, tourism and people-to-people ties.

Expressing satisfaction with the existing bilateral cooperation, Assistant Secretary Kapur reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to maintaining and further strengthening this cooperation.

The situation in the Middle East was also discussed, with both sides noting that developments appear to be moving in a positive direction. They expressed confidence that the peace agreement reached on 19 June would help guide the region towards lasting peace.

The President also recalled Sri Lanka’s humanitarian approach during this period, noting that the country had provided humanitarian assistance, within the framework of international law, to two vessels that encountered difficulties near Sri Lankan waters in March this year. The steps taken by Sri Lanka were commended by the US Assistant Secretary of State.

President Dissanayake further emphasised Sri Lanka’s commitment to extending its fullest support towards maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The meeting also focused on trade relations between the two countries. The United States remains the single largest destination for Sri Lankan exports and discussions centred on further developing bilateral trade cooperation in a manner that would benefit both nations, as well as on the tariffs imposed on Sri Lankan exports.

The President pointed out that Sri Lanka, as a small economy, could not be compared with a large economy such as that of the United States and that narrowing the trade gap between the two countries would be a challenging task. Both sides also discussed the importance of concluding matters relating to the trade agreement between Sri Lanka and the United States as expeditiously as possible.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also present at the meeting.

The US delegation included Charge d’Affairs of the United States Embassy in Sri Lanka, Jayne Howell; Senior Economic Programmes Manager at the US Department of State, Matthew Ridgeway; and Head of the Political Section at the United States Embassy, Shailaja Kim, among other officials.

(PMD)

Sri Lanka has recorded 1,069 dengue cases, within a 24-hour period, marking the first time daily infections have exceeded 1,000, according to Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit Dr. Kapila Kannangara.

The latest figures, recorded from 6 a.m. on Sunday to 6 a.m. yesterday (22), have pushed the total number of dengue cases, reported in the country this year, to 47,179, with 28 deaths.

Dr. Kannangara said that during periods when dengue was not at epidemic levels, Sri Lanka typically recorded between 150 and 200 cases a day.

However, with the country currently facing a high-risk situation, daily infections had recently increased to between 600 and 650 cases before reaching the latest record level.

Health authorities have expressed concern over the rapid rise in dengue infections and urged the public to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, particularly by eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

Health authorities have warned that if the number of dengue patients continue to increase at the current rate, hospitals will be overwhelmed.

by Chaminda Silva

The Parliamentary Climate Forum has drawn attention to the growing challenges faced in protecting Sri Lanka’s marine biodiversity and amphibian ecosystems from the impacts of El Niño and La Niña climate phenomena.

The issue was discussed at a recent meeting of the forum held at Parliament, under the chairmanship of its co-chairpersons, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and MP Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama.

Officials and experts attending the meeting highlighted the adverse effects of climate change, particularly El Niño conditions, on Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems, coastal areas, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

They pointed out that rising sea temperatures could lead to coral bleaching, changes in fish migration patterns, harmful algal blooms, the emergence of oxygen-depleted “dead zones”, and increased instability in aquatic ecosystems.

The forum was also informed of the threats posed by prolonged drought conditions, including falling river water levels and seawater intrusion into freshwater systems, which could affect drinking water supplies. The possible economic impact on the fisheries and tourism sectors due to these environmental changes was also discussed.

The meeting reviewed the role of key institutions, including the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), in safeguarding Sri Lanka’s marine resources.

The forum emphasised the need for stronger coordination among relevant agencies and called for measures to strengthen ocean monitoring systems, introduce ecosystem restoration programmes, promote science-based policy decisions, and develop an integrated national ocean management plan to address future climate challenges.

Attention was also focused on the vulnerability of amphibian species to climate change. Officials warned that changes in rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures could threaten the habitats, breeding cycles, and survival of amphibians, including frogs, thereby affecting the ecological balance of natural ecosystems.

The meeting was attended by Members of Parliament, officials from environmental agencies, researchers, and representatives of civil society organisations.