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Births decline by 20%, deaths increase by 30% in SL

Published

7 months ago

2024/08/16

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Births in Sri Lanka have declined by 20% and deaths have increased by 30% following COVID, according to Professor Indralal de Silva.

Prof. Silva said so yesterday (15) at a policy dialogue on “Shaping the Future: Population Dynamics in Sri Lanka,” hosted by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka.

He said that it was unlikely that Sri Lankan Total Fertility Rate (TFR) would ever reach the replacement level of 2.1 percent in the foreseeable future.

Prof. De Silva said the situation should not be seen as something completely negative.

“This also means most couples have avoided unwanted pregnancies. Parents can also invest more resources in the babies they have.

We can have a high quality population. This is a matter of quality vs. quantity,” he said.

The demographer said that the population of elderly now stood at 3.6 million and that number would increase in the coming decades.

“If the elderly are healthy, they can work longer and accumulate wealth. We need to rethink the retirement age, improve the health span of people and social security,” he said.

Director General of Department of National Planning, Anuradha Kumarasiri, Director of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, Dr Vindya Kumarapeli, and Head of Migration and Urbanisation Policy Research at the IPS, Dr. Bilesha Weeraratne also spoke at the event.

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Two books written based on parliamentary legacy presented to PM

Published

4 hours ago

2025/03/18

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was presented with two books namely ’Darkness at Daybreak’ by . Nandasiri Jasen Thuliyan and ’Memories of 33 Years in Parliament’ by Attorney-at-Law Nihal Senewiratne on March 15, at the Parliament premises.Both publications were written based on parliamentary recollection of events. Notably, Mr. Nihal Senewiratne, who served as the Secretary General to Parliament for 17 years, authored ’Memories of 33 Years in Parliament’ based on his extensive 33-year tenure in parliamentary service.The event was attended by the Attorney, Mrs. Dhanushki Liyanapatabendi.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Strengthen law enforcement processes to protect public law and order without any external influence – President

Published

5 hours ago

2025/03/18

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Disanayake instructed police chiefs of the Southern Province to carry out their duties without any influence. The President further stated that his government would facilitate this process by ensuring political authority provides the necessary assistance.

President Disanayake made these remarks during a discussion held today (18) at the Presidential Secretariat with police chiefs of the Southern Province.

The President emphasized that everyone must abide by the country’s fundamental laws and stated that enforcing these laws is the responsibility of the police department.

During the discussion, police chiefs of the Southern Province briefed the President on reports related to organized crimes and drug-related offenses. In response, President Disanayake instructed officials to take all necessary measures swiftly to combat crimes.

He also directed the officers to strengthen law enforcement processes to protect public law and order without any external influence.

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala; Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala; Acting Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya; and several Southern Province police chiefs were also present at the discussion.

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President holds discussions with Western Province Police chiefs

Published

5 hours ago

2025/03/18

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that steps will be taken to provide the necessary facilities to eliminate organized crime and drug abuse, as well as to introduce new legislation.

The President made these remarks during a discussion held today (18) at the Presidential Secretariat with the police chiefs of the Western Province.

He emphasized that maintaining the rule of law is a key responsibility of the Police Department.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake further stated that a just society cannot be established in Sri Lanka without ensuring the supremacy of the rule of law.

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala; Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala; Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne; Acting Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya; and several Western Province police chiefs were also present at the event.