News
Eight prominent women share their insights to rebuild Sri Lanka’s future : International Women’s Day
The third chapter of iLead – an International Women’s Day event jointly organised by NextGenSL and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom – was held at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, on Friday.
The event was held for the third consecutive year and it featured eight prominent women, from diverse industries and sectors. They were given the opportunity to speak for eight minutes on “what they would do differently if they were given the opportunity to lead the country”.
The eight women featured at the panel event were Sabrina Esufally, Managing Director, Hemas Consumer Brands, Suhani Kariyawasam Pathirana, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Central Federation of the Deaf, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Vice Captain of the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket team, Bhoomi Harendran from the National Transgender Network Trust, Dr. Shemoon Marleen, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Chani Imbulgoda, Deputy Registrar of the University of Visual and Performing Arts, Dinusha Jayamanne, General Manager Human Resources at Brandix, and Niranjani Shanmugaraja, actress and media personality.
Sabrina Esufally, opening the forum, stressed the need for better budgetary allocations for education, increasing female labour participation, government expenditure reduction and policy reforms for State Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
Suhani Kariyawasam Patrhirana, who shared her views representing the differently-abled population, highlighted the need for equal access to education for her community, which would, in return, give them ample opportunities to contribute to the economic growth of the country.
Oshadhi Ranasinghe, one of the prominent sports personalities in Sri Lanka, stressed the importance of enhancing the sports sector, through enhanced female participation. In her speech, she focused on the importance of implementing social security measures for sportswomen as it would encourage more women to pursue their prospects in the sports arena.
The highlight of Bhoomi Harendran’s speech was the need for creating an inclusive society where differences and diversity are embraced. She said one’s sexual orientation should not be a measure to determine how that person is treated in society. She spoke of standing for humanity which will usher in a better and safer future for all.
Dr. Marleen spoke for fair reproductive health and creating a culture of family planning in Sri Lanka, while Chani Imbulgoda expressed her views on addressing critical issues, such as process and system development in the country, how technocrats, experts and professionals should be brought in to manage Sri Lanka.
Dinusha Jayamanne, a vastly experienced professional in the human resource management, talked about digital education for all and ensuring financial stability for women – a key component of Sri Lanka’s apparel sector.
Niranjani Shanmugaraja, an award-winning actress, talked about measures to create an empowered nation. “Reconciliation cannot be achieved by mere words or pledges. It can only be achieved through action. Action speaks louder than words. I would like to ask this audience if they truly want to elect a person like me – a Tamil woman hailing from a normal family – as the President of Sri Lanka,” she asked.
Wolfgang Heinze, the Country Head of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Sri Lanka, said the main objective of the event was to demonstrate the manner in which women will lead if given access to decision-making platforms and adequate opportunities in governance. Delivering the closing remarks, NextGenSL core team member Lihini Fernando said the event would convince the key decision-makers as to why there should be measures to meaningfully address the underrepresentation of women in politics.
A number of young political figures, from the main political parties, are currently working with NextGenSL, in various capacities, and its main objective is to drive positive youth engagement in politics and work towards addressing challenges that prevent young people — both men and women — from actively engaging in politics. It also seeks to facilitate a healthy political culture and an inclusive platform where diverse political views could be discussed in an amicable manner.
Interdicted Deputy Director at the National Hospital, Sri Lanka (NHSL) Dr. Rukshan Bellana yesterday (29) alleged that the powers that be moved against him for seeking the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption) investigation into a massive fraud at the NHSL laboratory.
Dr. Bellana said so in response to The Island query regarding the circumstances the Health Ministry interdicted him on 18 December, through a letter, as directed by the Health Committee of the Public Service (PSC) Commission. “That letter has been signed by an Additional Secretary, as Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe was overseas,” Dr. Bellana said.
Dr. Bellana stated that the government had paid for reagents, contaminated or close to expiry dates, obtained from a leading local medical supplier, since 2022. He emphasised that his complaint to the CIABOC, and subsequent complaint to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), were entirely based on the issues raised by the National Audit Office (NAO).
Responding to another query, Dr. Bellana said that the public funds, amounting to Rs. 900 mn, had been spent on chemical reagents past expiry dates. Regardless of the intervention made by the NAO, the NHSL continued to procure supplies from the same company, Dr. Bellana said, adding that he had received the unconditional support of the civil society. Among them were Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA), President of Academy of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh, and leader of Mage Rata Sanjaya Mahawatta.
Dr. Bellana said that he had complained about the scam to the CIABOC in June this year.
Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, who also lodged a complaint with CIABOC, regarding the same matter, is on record as having said in September this year that the reagents had been procured over a three-year period without the proper approval of the Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry. Dr. Sanjeewa has alleged that some of the reagents were either contaminated or close to expiry dates, while contracts had been given to a single company at unapproved prices.
Dr. Bellana said that had there been a proper system for CIABOC and law enforcement authorities to act on findings made by the NAO they wouldn’t have personally intervened in the NHSL laboratory matter. “Parliament should look into this. Did Parliament take up the NHSL laboratory matter at the relevant watchdog committee or at the Sectoral Oversight Committee that handled health?” Dr. Bellana asked.
Asked whether the letter that informed him of his interdiction gave any specific reason for the action taken, Dr. Bellana said the Ministry had found fault with him for speaking to the media. The irate ex-official said that he never hesitated to take a stand against injustice. “When former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was accused of corruption, pertaining to medical procurement, I condemned the Minister. Lambasted those responsible for wrongdoings.”
Dr. Bellana said that the NAO had dealt with mega crime involving the public and private sector. “That is the undeniable truth. Parliament should look into this as public money is its responsibility. Having vowed to stamp out corruption, the NPP was allowing and encouraging those who had been making money at the expense of the sick, Dr. Bellana said.
Dr. Bellana said that as many as 10,000 tests were conducted daily at the NHSL. The racketeers had been active during Aragalaya as the NHSL and the private supplier reached agreement in 2022 and the process continued even after the last presidential election, conducted in September 2024.
Dr. Bellana said that the long delay in finalising the Auditor General’s appointment exposed the government. If those holding high political office were genuinely interested in fighting corruption, they wouldn’t have allowed that Office of AG stay vacant even for a day.
Dr. Bellana noted the tough statements issued by the Bar Association, Transparency International Sri Lanka and the Committee on Public Finance demanding the immediate appointment of AG.
Health Ministry officials were not available for comment.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
BIA unions, including those affiliated to political parties, are demanding bonuses equal to five months’ basic salaries.
A group of workers yesterday (29) protested outside BIA urging the Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd to increase their bonuses. They claimed that the Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd., Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Harsha Abeywickrama, had assured them that they would be paid bonuses worth five times their basic salaries.
The SriLankan Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) of the airport, the Podujana Sewaka Sangamaya, the Pragathishili Sewaka Sangamaya, the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya, and the SLNSS of SriLankan Airlines joined the protest.
The Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority has issued an urgent safety warning to residents living along the banks of the Kotmale Oya and the Mahaweli River, as water levels in the Kotmale Reservoir are reaching maximum capacity.
According to a special weather advisory issued by the Department of Meteorology on December 26, 2025, heavy rainfall is expected in the catchment areas over the coming days.
In response, the Mahaweli Authority released a statement on December 27, warning that spill gates may have to be opened to manage the water flow.
Eng. A.M.A.K. Seneviratne, Resident Engineer and Deputy Director of the Kotmale Reservoir, stated that the opening of spill gates would lead to a significant rise in the water levels of both the Kotmale Oya and the Mahaweli River.
Areas on Alert
Residents in the following Divisional Secretariat divisions are urged to remain extra vigilant:
• Nuwara Eliya District: Kotmale West and Kotmale East.
• Kandy District: Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Doluwa, Pasbage Korale, and Ganga Ihala Korale.
Authorities have advised the public in these low-lying and river-adjacent areas to monitor the situation closely and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the protection of their property.
By S.K. Samaranayake
India look to cap off successful year with clean sweep over Sri Lanka
Nepal to scrap ‘failed’ Mount Everest waste deposit scheme
Trump hopes to reach phase two of Gaza ceasefire ‘very quickly’
Bangladesh’s first female prime minister Khaleda Zia dies aged 80
Ukraine denies drone attack on Putin’s residence
Showers expected at times in the Northern, Eastern, Central, North-central and Uva provinces
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News5 days agoBritish MP calls on Foreign Secretary to expand sanction package against ‘Sri Lankan war criminals’
-
News4 days agoStreet vendors banned from Kandy City
-
Sports5 days agoChief selector’s remarks disappointing says Mickey Arthur
-
Opinion5 days agoDisasters do not destroy nations; the refusal to change does
-
News6 days agoSri Lanka’s coastline faces unfolding catastrophe: Expert
-
News4 days agoLankan aircrew fly daring UN Medevac in hostile conditions in Africa
-
Midweek Review6 days agoYear ends with the NPP govt. on the back foot
-
Sports6 days agoLife after the armband for Asalanka