News
Addressing gender-based violence in disasters and emergency situations
Launch of handbook on Gender, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Disasters
With the commemoration of World Humanitarian Day today, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) with the technical assistance of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Sri Lanka, and the financial support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia (DFAT) launches the first Handbook on Gender, Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Disasters.
The handbook provides practical guidance to policymakers, response staff of the Disaster Management Centre and community groups, to plan, coordinate, implement, monitor and evaluate essential actions for a gender equitable disaster response. The book contributes to the implementation of the Policy Framework and National Plan of Action to address Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in Sri Lanka, initiated by the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment.
The Handbook was developed through a series of consultations with key Government stakeholders and other development partners to better inform decision-making to ensure we leave no one behind. Mr. Kunle Adeniyi, Representative for Sri Lanka, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), expressing his views on the launch “The current socio-economic crisis in Sri Lanka has negatively impacted social and gender equality. Even before the crisis, Sri Lanka had a high rate of gender-based violence and past studies indicate that there is an increasing risk of GBV during crisis situations. So now more than ever, we must work together to strengthen our knowledge and skills on GBV coordination as gender equality and protection from further vulnerability and harm is a central responsibility of humanitarian action.”
Maj. Gen. Sudantha Ranasinghe, Director General, Disaster Management Centre, highlighted the importance of integrating the prevention of GBV in disaster management “Gender equality and empowerment of women and girls are at the very core of the principle of effective disaster response. It is our primary duty to understand the specific needs, capacities and priorities of women and girls, boys and men and integrate this understanding throughout the disaster management programme cycle. As the leading agency for disaster management in Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) is mandated with the responsibility of implementing and coordinating national and sub-national level programmes, for reducing the risk of disasters with the participation of all relevant stakeholders. The handbook on “Gender, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Disasters”, is an important and useful resource, which will help the stakeholders involved in managing disasters to build on their commitments to gender equality and on women and girls in humanitarian action, with the aim of delivering more effective, rights-based programming.”
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
Minimum purchasing price of Samba and Kiri Samba paddy increased
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News2 days agoSajith: Ashoka Chakra replaces Dharmachakra in Buddhism textbook
-
Business3 days agoDialog and UnionPay International Join Forces to Elevate Sri Lanka’s Digital Payment Landscape
-
Features3 days agoThe Paradox of Trump Power: Contested Authoritarian at Home, Uncontested Bully Abroad
-
Features3 days agoSubject:Whatever happened to (my) three million dollars?
-
News2 days agoLevel I landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended
-
News2 days agoNational Communication Programme for Child Health Promotion (SBCC) has been launched. – PM
-
News2 days ago65 withdrawn cases re-filed by Govt, PM tells Parliament
-
Opinion5 days agoThe minstrel monk and Rafiki, the old mandrill in The Lion King – II