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‘Aswesuma’ failed for want of proper survey-SJB

Published

2 years ago

2023/09/2

‘UNDP carried out what govt. should have done’

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa on Thursday (31) said that a proper social security scheme couldn’t be launched without a comprehensive survey.Lawmaker Premadasa, who is also the Opposition Leader said that the government launched ‘Aswesuma’ social security scheme failed in the absence of a countrywide survey.

The former Cultural Affairs Minister said so after receiving a report titled ‘Understanding Multidimensional Vulnerability Impact on People of Sri Lanka’ conducted by the UNDP and Oxford University.

Ms. Azusa Kubota, UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Sabina Alkire (Director -Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), University of Oxford), Prof. Siri Hettige, Fadhil Bakeer Markar (Team Leader, UNDP) and Ms. Tshokey Zangmo, Researcher, (OPHI) were present on the occasion. The SJB leader received the report from Ms Kubota.

Utterly disorganized bid to implement ‘Aswesuma’ in place of time-tested ‘Samurdhi’ caused countrywide chaos and the government was struggling to take remedial measures, lawmaker Premadasa said. According to the Opp Leader, ‘Aswesuma’ hadn’t been able to address poverty though it was implemented with a view to assist the needy.

MP Premadasa said that Prof. S.D. Jayaratne, Chairman of National Medicines Regulatory Authority recently admitted that medicines of inferior quality had been brought into the country and that the government perpetrated corruption in a bankrupt country regardless of consequences. The SJB Chief demanded that those who utilized public funds to import inferior quality medicine should be punished.

Prof. Jayaratne had addressed this issue after the Opposition handed over a no-faith motion against Keheliya Rambukwella against his overall failure to maintain public health sector, therefore President Ranil Wickremesinghe-led government should accept responsibility for the pathetic situation, the Opposition Leader said. (SF)

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SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi

Published

13 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

President of SJF Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi hands over a memento to Dr Alok Kumar Mishra Joint Secretary of the Association of Indian Universities

Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.

Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.

A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.

The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.

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Governor of Gujarat met with Sri Lanka PM to discuss exposition of Devnimori Relics

Published

14 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.

These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.

The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.

The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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INS GHARIAL makes port call in Colombo

Published

21 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.

During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.

The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.