News

WHO assures support for Lanka to overcome current health challenges

Published

4 years ago

2022/05/29

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris met with Dr. Alaka Singh, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Sri Lanka last week at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the current challenges Sri Lanka is facing, particularly with regard to pharmaceutical products.

During the discussion, the Foreign Minister outlined the multiple challenges currently encountered by the country and thanked the WHO Representative for the proactive steps undertaken by her Office to support the Government at this difficult juncture, Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Dr. Singh assured the Minister of WHO’s full support for Sri Lanka to overcome the current health-related challenges.

Minister Peiris informed that efforts are underway to establish a central mechanism that would streamline requests for assistance emanating from different State agencies and allowing for the identification of the urgent requirements of the country. This would assist multilateral donor agencies, development partners and foreign countries in providing focused and targeted assistance to Sri Lanka.

He also welcomed her expertise on steps that could be taken to address the medical challenges and ensuring that the maximum benefit of efforts undertaken by the Government and the WHO reach the people.

Dr. Singh informed that the critical period is till the end of July 2022 and that from August 2022 to July 2023 there will be sufficient medical supplies in the country. Currently there are several offers of assistance received from many countries. In this context, they are coordinating with the UNDP in Sri Lanka in setting up a platform for donations, particularly private donations.

Minister Peiris conveyed the sincere appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka for the strong, consistent and continuous support received from WHO, in particular the Country Office in Sri Lanka, as well as the support of many foreign countries in assisting the Government address the current health related challenges.

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Cabinet aporives recruitment of Nursing Instructors for Nursing Schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on Contract Basis

Published

8 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

There are 17 nursing schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media including the postgraduate primary nursing school.

There are 142 vacancies in the posts of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) as on 31.03.2026 in those schools while 24 officers are to be promoted to the special grade on 31.12.2025 owing to the vacancies existing in the post of Special
Grade Nursing Officer (Education). Therefore, the number of vacancies is to be 166.

In addition, there are 24 vacancies in the post of Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Although at present action has been taken to upgrade the nursing schools to nursing colleges and upgrade the nursing diploma course to nursing degree course, no action has been taken so far to carry out recruitment for the training relevant to the appointment for the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to recruit retired nursing instructors and nursing instructors who served in the nursing schools belonging to the three armed forces and are retired or have resigned legitimately from service to the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) on contract basis.

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Signing agreement for the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka

Published

8 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

It has been decided to establish a BIMSTEC technology transfer facility in Sri Lanka by entering into a Host Country Agreement at the second leaders’ summit of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal
Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) held in New Delhi, India, in 2008, with the objective of enhancing regional cooperation.

The relevant cooperation agreement was signed by the member countries at the 5th BIMSTEC summit on 30-03-2022 in Colombo.
The prime objective of this technology transfer facility is to provide technology, capacity building, and management of intellectual property for the micro, small, and medium-scale
enterprises of the BIMSTEC member countries.

According to the cooperation agreement, an agreement should be entered into between Sri Lanka, as the host country, and BIMSTEC Secretariat for formalizing the legal status, privileges, and immunities of the technology transfer facility.

The drafted agreement has received the relevant institutional approval and legal clearance.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Science and Technology to sign the proposed agreement.

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The cabinet approves agreement on mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters between the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea

Published

8 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 11-12-2023 to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka regarding mutual cooperation
in criminal matters.

However, according to the aforementioned approval, the relevant agreement could not be signed between both parties.

Through this agreement, opportunities will be provided
for mutual assistance to other countries in handing over judicial documents and collecting evidence for the use of criminal case matters.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution provided by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate in criminal matters.