Business

Nation has got its priorities mixed up between humanity and availability: Sri Lanka Red Cross chief

Published

4 years ago

2022/09/8

Saskia de Jongh, Regional General Manager for Delivery, Uber APAC, commits a USD 200,000 donation to Jagath Abeysinghe, president of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to help vulnerable communities affected by the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, at Galadari Colombo recently

by Sanath Nanayakkare

Sri Lanka appears to have got its priorities mixed up between humanity and availability, Jagath Abeysinghe, president of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society told The Island Financial Review recently.

“We hear many concerned voices about the difficulties arising from the shortages of fuel and other commodities as a result of the ongoing foreign exchange crisis, but unfortunately, there isn’t enough concern and attention towards the larger section of the people across the length and breadth of the country who quietly bear the brunt of the economic crisis, and are left without the basic needs to live. So the talk about humanity has taken a back seat, president of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society said.

He made these remarks on the sidelines of a recent event where Uber Sri Lanka announced a USD 200,000 donation to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to help vulnerable communities affected by the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. The donations will be used to distribute food and life-saving medicines across the country.

Further speaking the president of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society said:

“Beyond the prevailing shortages of various things that reduce the convenience of life in general, there’s an underlying huge humanitarian crisis. These people don’t have money to buy even basic needs and this is the first time I have seen a humanitarian crisis in its most extreme form ever since I joined the Red Cross as a youth member forty years ago.

“These people are mostly daily income earners with very low-wages. Although poor they worked and lived with dignity and respect until the economic crisis hit them out of the blue. It was not their fault and it was clearly somebody else’s fault. The heart-rending side of this story is they can’t communicate their plight to the world and take their message to the empathetic people out there who feel for them and may well be willing to support them to alleviate their suffering.

“The government because of its limited fiscal space may not be able to support all these people. But it can muster the support of all kind-hearted people willing to contribute to this cause by establishing a transparent mechanism that ensures their donations will directly and definitely go to this segment of people that needs support to live through the crisis time. Unlike in times of natural disasters, the crisis has affected middle-income households too. As a nation, we must draw our prime focus on this and do the best we can do to help them. The corporate sector, NGOs and other organizations need to step in and the government has to adopt a holistic approach to muster and channel their support to these vulnerable sections.”

“There are many compassionate people in the Sri Lankan diaspora working and living overseas who have made their intentions known to us about their willingness to help the people get rid of this frustrating situation. But it has to be coordinated and channeled through a credible mechanism.”

“The media also has to play a key role in bringing this matter to the surface instead of playing up political rhetoric because the need of the hour is to support the poor and vulnerable people among other urgent matters. If all responsible groups and benefactors join hands, we will be able to fulfill our duty towards these voiceless people.”

“Uber has embarked on a timely initiative to assist the most vulnerable people of Sri Lanka by providing financial assistance during this economic crisis. The trust in Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to deliver their aspirations prove that the Society has continued to work for the most vulnerable in its time of need. Such partnerships as this are vital.”

Sharing her views on the partnership, Saskia de Jongh, Regional General Manager for Delivery, Uber APAC, said, “We are committed to helping Sri Lanka and the communities that we serve. We recognize this is a difficult time for the country, and we are pleased to be able to support it via this partnership with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. Sri Lanka and its people are full of potential, and both will emerge stronger from this crisis.”

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Business

IMF approves USD695 million for Sri Lanka

Published

11 hours ago

2026/05/31

Thilina Walpola

AFP –The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) board approved two reviews of Sri Lanka’s loan programme, making USD695 million in additional loans immediately available to the island nation.

It is the latest tranche in the country’s four-year USD3 billion bailout, with the Fund warning of further risks due to the economic impact of the Middle East conflict.

Surging oil prices due to the conflict have heavily impacted many import-dependent Asian countries.

“Sri Lanka’s strong implementation under the EFF arrangement has continued despite challenging circumstances,” said the IMF’s Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair Kenji Okamura.

“Gains from the economic reform programme helped preserve economic resilience and provided room to respond to cyclone Ditwah and the Middle East conflict. The latter, however, has significantly worsened Sri Lanka’s economic outlook and tilted risks to the downside.”

The IMF projects 2026 growth to slow to three per cent, with higher oil prices increasing inflation and weighing on the current account balance.

The board’s approval was contingent on Sri Lanka adjusting certain energy market subsidies issued in the wake of the conflict.

The statement said the Sri Lankan authorities had met the Fund’s requirements on fuel and electricity prices meeting cost-recovery criteria.

Criteria on ensuring no new external debts and on not imposing or intensifying import restrictions “were not observed”, however.

Business

Cambridge College honours students at awards ceremony

Published

11 hours ago

2026/05/31

Thilina Walpola

Guests with an award winner at the certificate and medal awarding ceremony Hindu Cultural Hall in Kandy

The Cambridge College of English Language Training recently held a certificate and medal awarding ceremony to recognize the academic achievements of students who successfully completed Cambridge English examinations.

The ceremony was held at the Hindu Cultural Hall in Kandy with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Prof. W.M.T. Madhujith, attending as the Chief Guest, while Kandy Mayor Chandrasiri Wijenayake participated as the Guest of Honour.

Founded on March 1, 2024, by English tutor, author and Cambridge TKT lecturer T. Ravichandran, the institution has emerged as a leading centre for Cambridge English examination preparation in Kandy.

Beginning with an initial intake of 30 students, the college has expanded rapidly and currently serves more than 300 students.

The institution’s achievements were further recognized when it received the “Emerging Star Award 2025” at the Annual Coordinators Conference 2025 (South Asia).

The college provides training for students between the ages of seven and 18 across six stages of Cambridge English examinations, including Young Learners English (YLE) Starters, Movers and Flyers, as well as KET, PET and FCE examinations.

Cambridge English qualifications are internationally recognized and are designed to assess language proficiency in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates and medals to students in recognition of their academic performance and commitment.

Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake

Business

ABC Australia, Maharaja Media Network ink MoU to expand Indo-Pacific media collaboration

Published

11 hours ago

2026/05/31

Thilina Walpola

Nishantha Bakmeege President Sri Lanka chamber garment exporters (SLCGE)

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Australia) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sri Lanka’s Maharaja Media Network (MMN), marking a significant expansion of media cooperation aimed at strengthening content exchange, co-productions and professional collaboration across the Indo-Pacific.

The agreement builds on an initial broadcast partnership established in 2022 and an expanded licensing arrangement in 2023, under which ABC programming was made available free-to-air to Sri Lankan audiences through MTV Channel (Private) Limited, part of the Capital Maharaja Group.

Under the new framework, the two organisations will collaborate across television, radio and digital platforms, with a focus on co-produced content, editorial exchange, training opportunities and joint storytelling initiatives.

MMN, Sri Lanka’s largest media network, operates across television, radio, digital media, music and film, including MTV Channel (Private) Limited and MBC Networks (Private) Limited.

Australian High Commission officials described the agreement as a deepening of regional media ties. “This will cover co-production, content sharing and broader cooperation across the Asia-Pacific in telling stories that speak to both countries,” said Matthew Duckworth.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to public-interest media and stronger regional storytelling.

Capital Maharaja Group Director Chevaan Daniel said the relationship, which began during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022, had grown through continued collaboration, including during the 2025 Ditwah cyclone response.