Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardana has expressed his gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his commitment to safeguarding persecuted Christian communities in Nigeria.

In a letter addressed to President Trump, SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardana said the US President’s decisive intervention to address the violence, murders, and assassinations targeting Catholics and other Christians in Nigeria demonstrates exceptional moral leadership on the global stage.

“By standing firmly against the terrorist elements perpetrating these heinous crimes, you have given voice to the voiceless and hope to those living in fear. As a representative of the Catholic community in Sri Lanka, I am deeply moved by your administration’s efforts to bring international attention to these atrocities and to work toward meaningful solutions. Your actions reflect a recognition that the protection of religious minorities and the preservation of human dignity transcend borders and political considerations,” he said.

Dr. Jayawardana said, “The world you envision, one where people of all races, ethnicities, and religions can coexist in harmony and peace, resonates deeply with the values we hold dear in Sri Lanka, a nation that has itself experienced the devastating consequences of religious and ethnic conflict.”

Alcohol consumption, particularly the rising use of illicit liquor, has emerged as a major public health and economic crisis in Sri Lanka, with experts warning of devastating consequences if urgent action is not taken.

Surveys have confirmed that nearly 37 percent of alcohol users in the country consume illicit liquor, according to Chamil Muthukuda, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors’ Association. He warned that alcohol abuse has already begun to create a severe burden on both the national economy and the public health system.

Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, Muthukuda said illicit alcohol consumption in Sri Lanka has increased by more than 300 percent, while global reports indicate that overall alcohol consumption around the world has risen by about 95 percent. Illicit alcohol now accounts for more than a third of total alcohol use in the country.

Alcohol abuse is a major driver of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Muthukuda said, noting that toxic substances commonly found in illicit liquor such as methyl alcohol and heavy metals cause extensive damage to internal organs. He explained that long-term alcohol use leads to memory impairment, liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, cancers and other serious health conditions, while also contributing to mental stress, family conflicts and social breakdown.

According to data from the WHO and relevant ministries, alcohol consumption directly or indirectly causes between 15,000 and 20,000 deaths annually in Sri Lanka equivalent to 40 to 50 deaths per day. Statistics further show that around 20 percent of fatal accidents are linked to alcohol use. Muthukuda added that 85 percent of deaths related to alcohol and drug use are caused by non-communicable diseases, and that one in every four deaths nationwide is attributed to alcohol consumption. The resulting damage to the country’s health and economic systems is estimated at around Rs. 237 billion each year.

Meanwhile, rising alcohol and drug abuse among young people has been identified as one of Sri Lanka’s most serious social threats, undermining education, employment prospects and the country’s future human capital, the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) warned yesterday.

ADIC Executive Director Sampath de Seram said an increasing number of adolescents and young adults are being drawn into substance abuse at an early age—often before completing their schooling—with long-term consequences for families and the national economy.

“We are witnessing a dangerous shift where alcohol and drugs are becoming normalised among youth. This is eroding their health, decision-making ability and chances of becoming productive citizens,” De Seram told The Island.

He warned that aggressive alcohol marketing, easy availability of alcohol outlets near schools and universities, and weak enforcement of age restrictions are accelerating the trend, while prevention programmes remain critically under-funded.

“When young people fall into addiction, the damage extends far beyond the individual. It affects parents, siblings, workplaces and ultimately the country’s development,” he said.

De Seram stressed that substance abuse among youth is closely linked to road accidents, violence, mental health issues and school dropout rate increase, creating a vicious cycle of poverty and social instability.

Calling for urgent state intervention, he urged authorities to tighten controls on alcohol sales and advertising, strengthen school-based prevention programmes, and expand access to youth-friendly treatment and counselling services.

“If we fail to act now, we risk losing an entire generation. Protecting our youth must be treated as a national priority, not a side issue,” he emphasised.

By Ifham Nizam ✍️

The Central Provincial Council on Tuesday (6) launched a new mobile application, Hari Gamana, aimed at facilitating public transport services in the Central Province.

The launch took place under the patronage of Central Province Governor Prof. Sarath Abayakoon, with the participation of senior provincial officials.

The application is intended to connect users with registered transport services, including three-wheelers, with the objective of improving accessibility and efficiency in local transport. Operations of the service are administered by the Hari Gamana Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, which is registered under the Central Provincial Council.

Addressing the event, Chairman of the Hari Gamana Cooperative Society A.S. Kumara said the service includes safety measures for passengers, competitive fare structures, insurance coverage for users during travel, and continuous 24-hour operation.

He stated that the initiative is designed to function as a state-supported transport service while providing an alternative to existing private ride-hailing platforms and supporting local transport operators.

A number of senior officials representing the Central Provincial Council were present at the launch ceremony.

Text and Pic By S.K. Samaranayake ✍️