News
Children have started losing weight rapidly
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Studying the reports and data from regional health officials show that in certain parts of the country, children have started losing weight rapidly, Prof. G.N. Duminda Guruge, Professor in Health Promotion of the Rajarata University says.Nutrition, especially children’s nutrition, was among the most affected by the country’s severe economic crisis, he said.
“Some pelple say no matter what happens Sri Lankans will survive by eating ‘something.’ This is true. I am sure most people can find something to eat. Yes, the number of meals and the quantity of each meal have decreased for most, but most people eat something. However, one needs to obtain the right amount of nutrition if they are to be assured of long-term wellbeing,” Prof. Guruge said.
Health staff do a lot and those at the grassroots know the gravity of not taking proper nutrition. Health staff at the grassroots check up on children monthly and take measurements, he said.
“Compared to previous years, the number of children who are seriously underweight has increased in certain parts of the country. Weight is not the only thing to worry about, we must also think of the height of children. This is an aspect that is widely ignored, even by parents,” he said.
Prof. Guruge said that he is not certain if the decision makers of the country have felt the gravity of these developments. Nutrition of children is actually an issue that will be felt inter-generationally, he said.
“We are not thinking long term. We are trying to see if we can solve this issue by distributing some goods. Of course, we need to do this to manage the situation in the long term. However, what is our long-term plan? We must use new technologies and empower people. This is the best approach for community health,” he said.Prof. Guruge said that people of the country must feel the need for improved nutrition and wellbeing of the children. At times, officials in charge of health at grassroots are more concerned about the nutrition of children than parents, he said.
“Is this a problem of education? Or are we not communicating properly? We need to educate people in a manner that they understand, and we must also show respect to people,” he said.
Prof Guruge noted that most rural children do get carbohydrates through rice or some tubers. However, they are not getting enough protein because they are expensive.
“We must look at sources of protein that are cheaper and can be accessed where they live. However, changing food habits is not easy. We must look at how these habits have come about. Habits are created. People eat highly processed sugary and starchy food and even during this time of crisis most families spend about 6,000 rupees on these items. An egg is about 60 rupees. You can eat 100 eggs with the money you spend on processed food that is bad for you. Even when eggs were 10 rupees some people didn’t eat enough eggs, but they ate processed food,” he said.
Prof. Guruge said that alcoholism that prevails in certain parts of the country, has also contributed to the malnutrition of children.
“Fathers come home intoxicated and abuse the mothers. Such mothers are often not in a state to worry too much about the needs of children. However, this can only be stopped by community intervention,” he said.
An estimated 6.2 million people (28 per cent of the population) are moderately acute food insecure, while 66,000 people are severely acute food insecure, according to UNICEF. UNICEF said that 41.8 percent of families spend more than 75 per cent of their expenditures on food. This leaves little to spend on health and education. Many families have exhausted their savings and are struggling due to crippling inflation, UNICEF said.
Public’s interest in the upcoming Provincial Council elections remains low, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that there was an urgent need to encourage voter participation, noting that a higher voter turnout is essential for a functioning democracy.
Hettiarachchi said that the current level of political campaigning has been relatively subdued, with fewer aggressive or violent activities than seen in previous elections—a trend he described as a positive development.
He, however, stressed that local councils play a vital role in the lives of citizens, from birth- to death-related services, and also contribute to the legislative process. As such, voters must understand their importance and engage in the electoral process.
Despite the peaceful nature of the campaign so far, PAFFREL has received 20 complaints regarding the misuse of state resources and 15 complaints related to physical assaults. Hettiarachchi, however, added that no major incidents have been reported to date.
By Chaminda Silva
A group of 44 diplomats, including those from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea, headed to Kandy, by train, yesterday morning, to witness the sacred relic exposition.
The group travelled to Kandy in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from the Colombo Fort Railway Station around 7:00 am.
The ‘Sri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commenced yesterday (18), and will continue till 27 April.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with the ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats, participated in the inaugural event.
“This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka,” the PMD said.
Yesterday (18), on the opening day, the public had the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm From today (19) onwards, it will open for public veneration, daily from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
Police investigations have revealed that the shooting of a 27-year-old man in Ahungalla on Thursday night was a revenge attack. The motive is said to be his failure to carry out a contract killing assigned by a prominent underworld gang leader currently hiding in Dubai.
The 27-year-old victim, who was seriously injured in the attack, is currently receiving treatment at the Balapitiya Hospital. Investigations have further revealed that the attack was ordered by an underworld figure, known as “Abrew,” who is reportedly hiding in Dubai.
It has come to light that Abrew had given the young man a contract to kill a rival. However, since the contract was not carried out, the attack is believed to have been an act of retaliation.On the night of 17 April, around 9:48 pm, the young man received a phone call from an individual who instructed him to come and collect a packet of ice (a term commonly used to refer to crystal meth).
Accordingly, the 27-year-old arrived near the Revatha Primary School, in Balapitiya, Ahungalla in a three-wheeler. At that location, a hired gunman, who had arrived in another three-wheeler, fired three shots at him and fled the scene.
Despite being injured by one of the bullets hitting him, the young man managed to reach the Ahungalla Police Station in the same three-wheeler he had come in. Police officers then arranged for him to be admitted to Balapitiya Hospital for treatment.
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