A delegation from the Clingendael Institute in the Netherlands recently visited the Pathfinder Foundation’s headquarters at Riverpoint, Peliyagoda, to discuss with Milinda Moragoda, Founder of the Pathfinder Foundation, and representatives of the Foundation.

The delegation was accompanied by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka, Iwan Rutjens. Discussions focused on developments in the Indian Ocean region, including maritime security, trade routes, logistics, and regional connectivity. The meeting also examined the Netherlands’ role as a major European logistics hub and how elements of the Dutch experience could provide useful insights for Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen its position as a maritime and logistics hub in South Asia. Opportunities for cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands in these areas were also discussed.

The Clingendael Institute, based in The Hague, is a leading Dutch think tank specializing in international relations, diplomacy, and strategic affairs. Present from the Netherlands side: Ms. Rosaline Lantink – Research Fellow at the Clingendael Institute, Mr. Tobias Koster – Research Fellow at the Clingendael Institute, Mr. Namal Perera – Senior Policy Advisor, Embassy of the Netherlands. Dr. Daya Silva, Executive Director, and Mohammad Jawad, Director, represent the Pathfinder Foundation for the discussions.

Community Health Specialist Dr. Thushani Dabarera yesterday said about 50 meningitis patients were receiving treatment in hospitals and the total number of meningitis cases were nearly 200.

Dr. Dabarera said so at a Health Ministry media briefing.

“We have issued special guidelines to all health sectors and institutions to prevent the disease from spreading further within schools and communities.”

Dr. Dabarera said that though they noted a slight drop in the number of cases, the rainy season may aggravate the situation.

She urged the public to strictly follow health advice and adopt preventive measures.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, the main symptoms of the disease include high fever, headache and vomiting, with symptoms usually appearing between three to seven days after exposure to the virus.

Authorities said the disease mainly spreads through contaminated food and water, while it can also be transmitted through droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as well as through close contact.

Convenor of the Democratic Front, Rehan Jayawickrema, has said that in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query submitted to the Presidential Secretariat, in respect of the utilisation of local and foreign donations received by the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, in support of post-Ditwah cyclone recovery efforts, several critically important questions, regarding the donors, disbursement of funds and monitoring process/mechanism weren’t answered.

Appearing on news line with Faraz Shauketaly, Jayawickrema said that though the Presidential Secretariat disclosed altogether USD 11.4 mn and Rs 6 bn had been received, it couldn’t answer other questions pertaining to identity of donors, specific amounts, utilisation of funds, monitoring, procurement and related matters.

How could the Presidential Secretariat, tasked with the project, claim it was not aware. Jayawickrema compared the Presidential Secretariat response to the situation caused by accusations pertaining to the Helping Hambantota programme, during Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga presidency. (SF)