News
UNOPS hand over essential medical equipment for COVID-19 centres in Sri Lanka
The Ministry of Health, (MOH) organized a ceremony with UNOPS to hand over the first batch of 40 essential High-flow Oxygen machines and 100 Syringe Pumps for use in COVID-19 treatment Centres in Sri Lanka.
The equipment is part of the World Bank’s emergency procurement support to COVID-19 response projects valued at over US$ 6.4 million. The total oxygen related COVID-19 equipment under the project is estimated to be over US$ 2 million
The event was attended by the Minister of Health, Mrs. Pavithra Wanniarachchi, World Bank Project Director, Dr. Jayasundara Bandara, senior officials of the Ministry of Health including the Deputy Director-General, Department of Biomedicine and Medical Supplies, Janapriya Karunatilake and Sudhir Muralidharan, UNOPS Country Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Minister Wanniarachchi commended the excellent longstanding partnership with UNOPS and acknowledged the part the organization plays in helping Sri Lanka from the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She emphasized the importance of increasing essential medical equipment to treat COVID-19 patients and noted that the Ministry of Health has ordered 350 more High-Flow Oxygen Machines for the COVID-19 treatment Centres via UNOPS and other sources.
Dr. Deepika Attygalle, Senior Health Specialist of the World Bank, who virtually attending the ceremony, thanked the UNOPS for providing such services expediting the supply of essential medical equipment.
Sudhir Muralidharan – Country Manager UNOPS Sri Lanka, highlighted the importance of the partnership between UNOPS and the Ministry of Health which has enabled the relevant and timely delivery of critical healthcare procurement in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
UNOPS has used Emergency Procurement Processes which enable the provision of speedy, transparent and accountable support to the Government, he said.
As the central resource of the United Nations System for procurement, contract management and project management, UNOPS will continue to support the Government of Sri Lanka to curb the spread of the pandemic, he assured.
UNOPS will continue to procure lifesaving equipment to support the pandemic response in the weeks to come. Balance stocks of syringe pumps and high flow oxygen therapy machines will be delivered soon. BIPAP machines, neonatal ventilators, and transport ventilators are also crucial items that will arrive shortly to support the MoH.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill to amend the State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975
By Cabinet decision dated 2025-12-01, policy approval was granted to amend the definition of the term “animal” in the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 by including, pigs, goats, and sheep, in addition to cattle and buffaloes, within the interpretation section of the act.
In accordance with the said approval, the Legal Draftsman has drafted an Amended Bill in all three languages, and the clearance of the Attorney General has also been obtained.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the
resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to publish the draft Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
The Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre, comprising 11 floors, has been constructed with the assistance of the Government of India with the objective of serving as a hub for cultural activities in Sri Lanka and expanding bilateral cooperation for the promotion, preservation, and fostering the cultural heritage of Jaffna.
In accordance with the approval granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2022-02-21, a Joint Management Committee has been appointed to make decisions relating to the affairs of the said cultural centre, in terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed for the operation of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre.
According to the provisions of the aforementioned MOU, upon completion of the construction of the project, the cultural centre should be transferred to the Jaffna Municipal Council through the Government of Sri Lanka.
Following such transfer, the relevant parties have reached an agreement to establish a ‘trust’ for carrying out the management activities of the centre. The Attorney General’s clearance has been received for the draft trust deed prepared for that purpose.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to establish the trust to continue the management activities of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
Eshan Malinga keeps getting them in the second half
State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975 to be amended
Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 amended
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
Prime Minister Keir Starmer under pressure as ministers quit, 80 MPs urge him to resign
Nahid Rana rips through Pakistan to seal a final-session win for Bangladesh
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