News
UNDP, Canada empower SGBV survivors
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka with support from the Government of Canada, last week hosted a ‘Knowledge and Experience Sharing’ event today to showcase the achievements of the 15-month ‘Capacity building for post-shelter economic empowerment of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) victims-survivors’ programme. This pioneering initiative forms a key part of the ‘Ensuring Justice for Victim-Survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Sri Lanka’ project implemented together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Sri Lanka.
The event saw high-level participation from Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs; Kiril Iordanov, Head of Cooperation, High Commission of Canada; Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP; senior government officials, along with civil society partners, SGBV shelter managers, independent consultants, and survivors themselves. Attendees engaged in knowledge sharing sessions, policy discussions, and a vibrant Pop-up Marketplace featuring products made by programme beneficiaries.
Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, remarked, “Economic resilience offers and escape route and a permanent deterrent against re-victimisation. When a women achieves a sustainable livelihood and controls her own income, she secures; Independence, Resilience, Dignity and Re-integration”
Kiril Iordanov, Head of Cooperation at the High Commission of Canada, added, “While justice is essential, it is not sufficient. Survivors of SGBV need more than legal redress – they need pathways to rebuild their lives with dignity, autonomy, and hope. This is where economic empowerment becomes transformative.”
Over its 15-month course, the initiative targets current and recently exited shelter home survivors across the Northern, North Central, Central, and Western Provinces of Sri Lanka. Survivors receive tailored training, mentorship, and business development support, while shelter staff benefit from capacity building in order to support current and future victim survivors who engage in entrepreneurial activities. A robust monitoring and evaluation framework ensures the sustainability and impact of the programme.
Commenting on UNDP’s technical leadership on the area, Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka stated, “Our pilot initiative in partnership with CSOs clearly highlights the importance of integrating livelihood skills, financial literacy and access to finance in the overall support framework for the victim survivors of SGVB. In order to provide such an end-to-end programme, the government, civil society, and international partners must come together. We must move beyond crisis response and work towards building sustainable pathways through economic empowerment.”
The objectives of the programme centre on enhancing economic resilience and empowerment for SGBV survivors, reducing the risk of re-victimisation, and supporting reintegration into society. By strengthening shelters and providing comprehensive support, the programme aims to create pathways to sustainable livelihoods and economic independence for those affected by sexual and gender-based violence.
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 28 April 2026, valid for 29 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle,
Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
New controversy erupts over missing USD 2.5 mn:
Public interest activist Nagananda Kodituwakku has sought citizenship details of Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.
According to a letter dated 28 April, addressed to the relevant department, Solicitor England and Wales Kodituwakku sought the required information in terms of Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act No 3 of 1982 of Australia. Suriyapperuma is also the Secretary to the Treasury.
The former Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Suriyapperuma (from November 2024 to June 2025) is embroiled in a deepening controversy over the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
The leader of the Vinivida Foundation said that he intended to move court against Suriyapperuma for entering Parliament through the NPP National List in violation of the country’s Constitution (Article 91(1)(d)(xiiii).
Kodituwakku said: “This is clearly an accountability and integrity issue and violation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and also this act contravenes the law of a member in the Commonwealth.”
USD 2.5 mn paid to a third party was meant to be an instalment of a loan taken from Australia. Suriyapperuma neither responded to an SMS nor answered his hand phone.
Geetha Kumarasinghe (UPFA/Galle District) and Diana Gamage (SJB National List) lost their seats in 2017 and 2024, respectively, over citizenship issues.
Meanwhile, public interest group ‘Free Lawyers’ that exposed the theft of Treasury funds questioned the failure on the part of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), to pressure President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to temporarily remove Suriyapperuma to facilitate unhindered investigations.
On behalf of ‘Free Lawyers’, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday expressed concern over the way the CoPF, under SJBer de Silva’s leadership, handled the issue at hand. Issuing an open letter, Tennakoon, urged the CoPF chief to explain his stand on a spate of vital issues which needed to be addressed without any further delay.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
News
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara (Sue Tue Nhan) at the conclusion of the 161 km ‘International Peace Walk’ in Colombo yesterday. The Bo-sapling will be taken to the US by the spiritual leader. Pic by Sujata Jayaratne
Dulani and Samarawickrama set up Sri Lanka’s victory in T20I series opener
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time
Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 pm
Treasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
USD 625,000 meant for US Postal Service goes missing
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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