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UNP’s ‘Yowunpura’: National Youth Services Council bid to hinder audit revealed

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/19

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘Disputes among govt. appointees major obstacle’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The parliamentary watchdog committee on public enterprises-COPE has called for an explanation as regards unauthorised expenditure on ‘Yowunpura’ in 2018 and 2019.

A recent COPE investigation has revealed huge losses and a bid to suppress the government auditing process.

According to COPE, the yahapalana government had spent Rs. 80,560,914 over the estimated cost of Rs. 350 mn. The then President Maithripala Sirisena and Preme Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the 2018 event; the President skipped the event the following year.

The then minister Sagala Ratnayaka played a key role in organising the UNP’s flagship project ‘Yowunpura’ to attract the youth. COPE probe has revealed that public funds had been spent, sans proper procedures

COPE has revealed the violation of the procurement process in respect of ‘Yowunpura’ 2019 an additional payment to the tune of Rs. 2,227,400 had to be made. COPE Chairman Prof. Charitha Herath presided over the meeting. In addition to the Chairman, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera (SLPP), State Minister Susil Premajayantha (SLPP) and Madhura Withanage, MP and Premnath C. Dolawatte, MP, attended it. Those COPE members who had been with the UNP at that time and now represented the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) skipped the relevant meeting. The original COPE comprised Mahinda Amaraweera, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Rohitha Abegunawardhana, Susil Premajayantha, Jayantha Samaraweera, Dilum Amunugama, Indika Anuruddha Herath, (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekara, D. V Chanaka, (Dr.) Nalaka Godahewa, Ajith Nivard Cabral (resigned to take up post of Central Bank Governor), Rauff Hakeem, Anura Dissanayaka, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Jagath Pushpakumara, Eran Wickramaratne, Ranjan Ramanayake (lost seat after being convicted by the Supreme Court for contempt of court), Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, S.M. Marikkar, Premnath C. Dolawatte, Shanakiyan Rajaputhrian Rasamanickam, and (Prof.) Charitha Herath.

The COPE also observed that Rs. 1,932,500 had been spent on 1,773 T-shirts for the distribution among youth after the conclusion of the ‘yowunpura,’ meet in 2016. The parliamentary watchdog committee pointed out that public funds had been spent without approval of a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC).

It was also revealed at this Committee meeting that according to the report of the Survey Board, 268,000 leaflets had been discarded whereas the total cost of printing in 2017 was Rs. 1,822,400.

Although Sri Lanka Youth Services Pvt. Ltd. was established in 1981 with over 98% shareholding in the National Youth Services Council, it was disclosed at the Committee meeting that the joint financial had never been prepared.

Instructions pertaining to the non-disclosure of matters related to the National Youth Services Council and the Sri Lanka Youth Services Pvt. Ltd to outside parties by way of an Internal Circular issued by the Chairman of those institutions Dhammith Wickremesinghe to the Heads of Divisions on 08th October 2021 was also revealed at the COPE Committee. The Committee pointed out that it hindered the work of the National Audit Office and the Ministry of Youth & Sports.

Prof. Herath urged Sports Ministry Secretary Anuradha Wijekoon and Youth Services Chief Dhammith Wickremesinghe to stop fighting and work towards achieving government goals. Lawmaker Prof. Herath emphasized that cooperation among key state institutions was of pivotal importance.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Chairman of the National Youth Services Council and the Sri Lanka Youth Services Pvt. Ltd. should co-operate or face the consequences, Prof. Hearth said. Their failure to do so would be a serious impediment to the government, Prof. Herath told the COPE meeting last Tuesday (16)

The COPE Chairman also instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth & Sports, Anuradha Wijekoon, to take immediate action against officials who were found to be negligent and misbehaving.

The Committee also noted that the Sri Lanka Youth Services Pvt. Ltd. had not prepared a consolidated plan since 2017. The Committee also questioned the company for not preparing an action plan.

The Chairman of the Committee Prof. Charitha Herath stated that there was a delay in the submission of the Annual Reports of the National Youth Services Council to Parliament and also questioned the non-submission of the Annual Reports of the Sri Lanka Youth Services Pvt. Ltd. since 2015. The Committee also directed the Ministry of Youth & Sports to submit all such reports to Parliament expeditiously.

Although it was decided to construct the Nilwala Youth Park in Matara by a Cabinet decision, COPE pointed out that no feasibility study had been carried out in that regard. The Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training paid Rs. 142,810,543 as compensation and interest to the relevant land owners and Rs. 7,657,349 as advisory fees to the National Youth Services Council as at 31st December 2014.

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Seven million cancers a year are preventable, says report

Published

28 mins ago

2026/02/4

Priyan

Air quality around the Delhi region of India reached 'severe' levels in November [BBC]

Seven million people’s cancer could be prevented each year, according to the first global analysis.

A report by World Health Organization (WHO) scientists estimates 37% of cancers are caused by infections, lifestyle choices and environmental pollutants that could be avoided.

This includes cervical cancers caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infections which vaccination can help prevent, as well as a host of tumours caused by tobacco smoke from cigarettes.

The researchers said their report showed there is a “powerful opportunity” to transform the lives of millions of people.

Some cancers are inevitable – either because of damage we unavoidably build up in our DNA as we age or because we inherit genes that put us at greater risk of the disease.

But researcher Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram said “people are surprised to hear” that nearly four in 10 cancers can be prevented as it is “a substantial number”.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the WHO, analysed 30 preventable factors known to increase the risk of cancer.

These include smoking and ultraviolet (UV) radiation which can directly damage our DNA; obesity and too little physical activity which alter inflammation and hormones in the body to raise cancer risk; and air pollution which can wake up dormant cancer cells.

The agency’s report also looked at nine cancer-causing infections including HPV, hepatitis viruses which lead to liver cancer and the stomach bug H. pylori.

The team used data on cancer cases from 2022 and from the 30 risk factors a decade earlier – across 185 countries – to perform their statistical analysis.

The big three contributors to more than 18 million cancer cases around the world were found to be:

smoking tobacco which caused 3.3 million cancers
infections causing 2.3 million cancers
alcohol use leading to 700,000 cancers

Getty Images Nine people, mostly women, in a line at a bar, smoking cigarettes and holding alcoholic drinks. They all look dressed up for a fun night out. — *Smoking and alcohol were two of the main causes of preventable cancers [BBC]*

However, the overall figures mask a nuanced picture of cancer risk around the world.

There is a stark sex-divide with 45% of men’s cancers being preventable compared with 30% in women, partly down to higher levels of smoking among men.

In women living in Europe, the top three preventable causes of cancer are smoking, closely followed by infection and then obesity.

While in sub-Saharan Africa, infections dominate and account for nearly 80% of preventable cancers in women.

This means any measures to tackle these cancers would need to be tailored to each region or country.

“This landmark study is a comprehensive assessment of preventable cancer worldwide, incorporating for the first time infectious causes of cancer alongside behavioural, environmental, and occupational risks,” said Soerjomataram, the deputy head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit.

“Addressing these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden.”

The report, published in the journal **Nature Medicine**, showed lung cancer (linked to smoking and air pollution) stomach cancer (linked to H. pylori infection) and cervical cancer (linked to HPV infection) made up nearly half of all preventable cases of cancer.

Dr Andre Ilbawi, team lead for cancer control at WHO, said the study was “good news” as it showed something could be done and he pointed to the success of countries that have introduced policies to tackle smoking or vaccinate against HPV.

“The percentage of preventable cancers can change over time and our goal is to get it as close to zero as possible,” he said.

***[BBC]***

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Join hands in unity, determination and brotherhood to build the beautiful shared dream of ‘A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life’ – President

Published

50 mins ago

2026/02/4

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayaike in his Independence Day message called upon all Sri Lankans to join hands in unity, determination and brotherhood to build the beautiful shared dream of ‘A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life’

The full text of the President’s message:

“We commemorate the 78th National Independence Day at a historic moment when, despite numerous challenges, our country is moving steadily forward while regaining economic stability. As Sri Lankans, through our collective struggle, we have within a short period of approximately eighteen months succeeded in achieving tangible economic progress. Amidst adversity, acting collectively and with determination, we have been able to position Sri Lanka on the international stage as a nation branded by a clean and principled political culture, a beautiful country rising with integrity.

Our next foremost objective is to ensure that the macroeconomic gains we have achieved flow to communities of all ethnicities across all provinces of Sri Lanka. We firmly believe that without this, it will be impossible to realise the true rhythm and essence of the new development process we are building.

Recently, we were compelled to confront the largest natural disaster of our time. While the experience of this calamity was painful, the strong foundations we have built over the past eighteen months have enabled us, with the support of all stakeholders, to move forward successfully in the process of recovery and restoration.

Throughout the period since independence, our nation has often missed golden opportunities to steer the country in the right direction, to achieve our national aspirations, and to live together in unity. This time, however, we are determined not to repeat those mistakes. With unwavering resolve, we are striving to elevate our country into a more advanced, resilient and dignified State than it has ever been. I wish to emphasise that this endeavour is being carried out while safeguarding our proud culture, our ancient history and our invaluable heritage, standing firmly upon them.

I hold an unshakable faith that by realising in the twenty-first century, the dream of a proud nation that was born in the twentieth century but later became blurred, we can build Sri Lanka into the developed, prosperous and virtuous country that our people expect, and thereby certainly create the new era for which we have long aspired. In this endeavour, we place our firm confidence in the strength of all our citizens, in their collective spirit and in their unwavering character.

As we reclaim for our nation the victories that were lost in the past century, I once again invite all citizens to join hands in unity, determination and brotherhood to build the beautiful shared dream of ‘A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life’. With this call, I extend my warm wishes for a meaningful National Independence Day that inspires us all to advance towards the true objectives of freedom”.

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Stand united with renewed confidence and determination, and to join in the shared task of shaping a new era of national renewal – PM

Published

60 mins ago

2026/02/4

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya in her Indepencence Day message invited all Sri Lankans to stand united with renewed confidence and determination, and to join in the shared task of shaping a new era of national renewal.

The full text of the PM’s message:

The 78th National Independence Day is marked with renewed hope for freedom. We have now entered a new chapter with a people’s government formed through the collective will and effort of all citizens.

The Government has begun the task of building a nation for future generations, grounded in human values, strengthened by skills, and enriched by intellectual capacity. The time has come for every citizen to fulfill their responsibility to the motherland by contributing meaningfully to the building of a nation rooted in shared values.

We remain committed to achieving national priorities, including stabilizing the country on a strong economic foundation; advancing a new political vision that transforms political practice and redefines the role of the politician through a renewed political culture; guiding society with equality, dignity, and compassion; and addressing persistent rural poverty.

The Government is also focused on strengthening welfare mechanisms to ensure access for vulnerable social groups so that no one is left behind; advancing the digital transformation of the economy through modern science and technology; and presenting Sri Lanka to the international community as a nation guided by a non-aligned foreign policy, enabling engagement based on trust with all countries and peoples.

This is a time for all of us to work together, setting aside narrow political interests in the pursuit of national progress. As we mark the 78th National Independence Day, I invite all Sri Lankans to stand united with renewed confidence and determination, and to join in the shared task of shaping a new era of national renewal.