News
Crisis talks: UN ready to assist
…focus on shortage of essential supplies, unemployment and malnutrition
UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer-Hamdy has assured Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris their support to secure international assistance, to meet shortages of essential supplies and also the concerns relating to issues such as unemployment and malnutrition.
Prof. Peiris met Hamdy on Monday (23) at the Foreign Affairs Ministry to discuss multiple impacts arising out of the current economic situation, such as supply of essential items, concerns regarding food security and livelihood matters.
The Minister underscored the fact that the Government had anticipated the difficulties that might arise in the times ahead and was taking precautionary measures to mitigate the impact. The Foreign Minister explained the steps taken by the Government to ensure political and economic stability in the country, including the ongoing negotiations with the IMF and the World Bank.
Minister Prof. Peiris stated that a central mechanism with the participation of key government agencies as well as the UN and donor countries was under consideration in order to address the urgent needs of the people, with particular focus on the most vulnerable sectors of the society. He also explained the measures taken by the Government to address the shortage of essential supplies as well as issues encountered by the agricultural sector in consultation with bilateral partners.
The UN Resident Coordinator assured Prof. Peiris the fullest support of the UN to the Government in securing international assistance, in addressing the shortages of essential supplies and also the concerns relating to issues such as unemployment and malnutrition. The Resident Coordinator stated that the UN would make a multi-sectoral appeal in this regard. She thanked Foreign Minister Prof. Peiris for regular engagements and briefings and assured that the UN would continue its cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
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