News
Breast cancer a leading cause of death in Sri Lanka, experts warn

By Rathindra Kuruwita
Around 70 percent of annual cancer-related deaths occur in lower-middle-income countries, with breast cancer being one of the leading causes, according to Dr. Buddhini Denuwara, Senior Registrar in Community Medicine (Department of Nutrition) at the Ministry of Health. Speaking in a recent televised interview, Dr. Denuwara highlighted the urgency of addressing the rising incidence of cancer in Sri Lanka.
“Each year, we identify approximately 37,000 cancer patients in the country, which equates to an average of 103 new cases per day. Among these, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, accounting for about 5,000 cases annually. Prevention should be a priority,” she said.
Dr. Denuwara noted that the cancer incidence rate has increased significantly over the years. “In 2005, we recorded 18.4 cancer patients per 100,000 people. This number rose to 24.3 in 2014 and further increased to 34.9 in 2019.”
She emphasised that the risk of breast cancer grows as women age, with the majority of cases being detected between the ages of 50 and 54. “Only about one-third of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women under 50 years old. Annually, breast cancer claims around 700 lives in Sri Lanka. We can reduce these deaths by improving early detection and increasing public understanding,” Dr. Denuwara added.
In addition to early detection, women with a family history of breast cancer should be particularly vigilant, advised Dr. Asanka Gamage, Consultant Oncologist at Hambantota District General Hospital.
“Women with a family history should follow screening guidelines closely and consider genetic testing. Several key genes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase the risk of breast cancer,” she explained.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are known as tumour suppressor genes, which play a crucial role in repairing DNA damage that can lead to cancer. Although everyone has these genes, certain mutations can impair their ability to prevent cancer, leading to a heightened risk.
“A small percentage of the population, approximately one in 400 people, carry a mutation in one of these genes. Women with a BRCA1 mutation have a 55-65% chance of developing breast cancer before the age of 70, while those with a BRCA2 mutation have a 45% chance,” Dr. Gamage explained.
She also pointed out the hormonal factors that may contribute to breast cancer risk. “Women who have been exposed to high levels of hormones over long periods, such as those who started menstruation early or experienced menopause later than average, are at greater risk.”
Dr. Gamage noted that pregnancy can lower the risk of breast cancer as it halts the menstrual cycle for about 18 months, reducing exposure to hormonal fluctuations.
“Other risk factors include ageing, obesity, unhealthy eating habits, smoking, and lack of exercise,” she added, stressing the importance of lifestyle changes in reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.
The growing incidence of cancer, particularly breast cancer, underscores the need for greater public awareness, early screening, and preventive measures in Sri Lanka.
Latest News
President and representatives of IMF discuss progress of EFF

A comprehensive discussion regarding the progress of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) took place on Thursday (06) at the Presidential Secretariat, between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the IMF delegation.
The current government has already reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF on the third review regarding the extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of USD3 billion.
The details of this review are expected to be presented to the International Monetary Fund’s Board of Directors by the end of this month. In this regard, discussions were held regarding the progress and the government’s involvement in continuing the program moving forward.
Once the approval is granted by the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka is expected to release the fourth tranche of the extended loan, amounting to 333 million dollars.
The discussion was also attended by IMF Executive Director Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Alternate Executive Director Dr. P. K. G. Harischandra, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwadana, and Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.
News
New Commanders of the Tri-Forces meet the President

The newly appointed Commander of the Tri-Forces met with Commander-in-Chief, President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Thursday (6th) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat.
The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, the new Army Commander; Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, the new Navy Commander and Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe, the new Air Force Commander.
Following tradition, the new commanders formally met with the President after assuming their duties. During the meeting, they also presented the President with a commemorative token.
News
Musk reveals ‘crazy waste’ of USAID funds in Sri Lanka

USD 7.9 mn spent on teaching Lankan journalists how to avoid “binary-gendered language”
USAID has spent $7.9 million to teach Sri Lankan journalists how to avoid “binary-gendered language”, Elon Musk who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said in a post on X on Thursday.
Musk called it a “Crazy waste of your tax money!”
Musk’s criticism came with a detailed breakdown of USAID’s spending across various countries, which he argued reflects misguided priorities. According to a document Musk shared, USAID has funded a range of projects globally, including $20 million for a new Sesame Street show in Iraq, $4.5 million to “combat disinformation” in Kazakhstan, and $6 million to transform digital spaces to reflect feminist democratic principles.
The list also included $1.5 million for art projects promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities and $2 million for sex changes and LGBT activism in Guatemala. $10 million worth of USAID-funded meals, allegedly ended up in the hands of an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, the document states.
Other USAID programmes include $25 million for Deloitte to promote green transportation in Georgia, $6 million for tourism development in Egypt, and $2.5 million to foster inclusion in Vietnam. The documents also pointed to $5 million awarded to EcoHealth Alliance, a group linked to bat virus research at the Wuhan lab, and $20 million for an organisation tied to what Musk described as a “key player” in the Russiagate impeachment inquiry.
Further funds were allocated for various LGBT-related initiatives worldwide, including $5.5 million for LGBT activism in Uganda, $6.3 million for men who have sex with men in South Africa, $3.9 million for LGBT causes in the western Balkans, and $6 million for advancing LGBT issues globally. Additionally, $2 million was allocated to promote LGBT equality through entrepreneurship in Latin America, while $1.5 million was designated for LGBT advocacy in Jamaica.
The data also highlighted spending closer to home, with $1.2 million going to help the African Methodist Episcopal Church Service and Development Agency in Washington, D.C., build a 440-seat auditorium. A further $1.3 million was provided to Arab and Jewish photographers, while $1.1 million supported an Armenian LGBT group.
Musk criticised other expenditures as well, including $3.9 million for artisanal gold mining in the Amazon and $500,000 aimed at solving sectarian violence in Israel just days before the October 7 Hamas attack.
Attention was also drawn to USAID’s $150 billion “whole-of-agency” climate strategy, which outlines efforts to build an “equitable world” while pursuing net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
-
News6 days ago
New Bangalore-Jaffna flights in the works
-
News4 days ago
CID questions top official over releasing of 323 containers
-
News6 days ago
Cardinal says ‘dark forces’ behind Easter bombs will soon be exposed
-
News6 days ago
HRCL reports on Rohingya asylum seekers
-
Features5 days ago
A singular modern Lankan mentor – Part II
-
Features5 days ago
Bharath Rang Mahothsav Parallel Festival in Colombo
-
News6 days ago
Ishadi Amanda makes history as First Runner-Up at 40th Mrs. World Pageant
-
Business7 days ago
Dialog partners with EcoMatcher to launch transparent, tech-driven tree planting in Sri Lanka