News
Dr. Abeykoon wins South-East Asia Region WHO World No Tobacco Day 2021 award
In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to combating harmful tobacco use, Dr Palitha Abeykoon, former Chairman of National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol in Sri Lanka (NATA), International Public Health Expert, and WHO Director-General Special Envoy for COVID-19 Preparedness and Resonse for SEAR, was named one of the South-East Asia Region WHO World No Tobacco Day 2021 awardees.
Sri Lanka was one of the first countries in the world to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Contro (FCTC). Sri Lanka was also one of the first countries in the region to adopt a tobacco control law in line with the Articles of the FCTC, the National Tobacco and Alcohol Act of 2006, which led to the establishment of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA).
This law also banned all forms of tobacco advertising and sponsorships, prohibited sales to those under 21 and sales through vending machines, and declared most public places smoke-free.
When Dr. Abeykoon was appointed the Chairperson of NATA in 2014, he formed crucial partnerships with the government public health network and enforcement agencies such as the Sri Lanka Police, Customs and the Department of Excise to strengthen enforcement of tobacco control laws. He also formed a close relationship with Civil Society and Non-Government Organizations to boost advocacy and conduct community-level programs and interventions related to tobacco reduction.
Dr. Abeykoon’s contribution to reducing the harmful use of tobacco and alcohol in Sri Lanka is immeasurable; however, some of the outcomes of his work through NATA are as follows:
• Tobacco-Free Zones. Scaled up initiatives in communities where traders voluntarily stopped cigarette sales, resulting in 120 towns in Sri Lanka where cigarettes are not sold.
• Taxation. Advocated to increase the tobacco tax in 2016 following a modeling study that showed cigarettes are more affordable than 30 years ago.
• FCTC Project. Sri Lanka was one of 15 countries selected for the WHO FCTC Project, leading to several significant activities and policy changes.
• Ban on Smokeless Tobacco. NATA issued a Gazette notification banning the import, distribution, and sale of all forms of smokeless tobacco in Sri Lanka in 2016, including
Through these achievements and countless others, Dr. Abeykoon’s efforts significantly contributed to the drop in cigarette sales in Sri Lanka by approximately 15% during his tenure at NATA.
He was instrumental in obtaining support from the WHO to establish the Centre for Combating Tobacco, the WHO-affiliated tobacco industry observatory in the University of Colombo,
Dr. Abeykoo also successfully advocated for pictorial health warnings in 2015, resulting in Sri Lanka’s recognition as the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to agree to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.
The WHO Sri Lanka Country Office said it looks forward to continuing work with Dr. Abeykoon on crucial public health issues.
It has been reported that, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, General Hamilton Wanasinghe has passed away at the age of 91.
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed relevant officials to provide the maximum support necessary to successfully hold the Global Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly and Convention scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka.
The Secretary to the President issued these instructions during discussions held on Thursday (12) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the Global Bora Conference and Convention.
The Bora Conference and Convention will be held from 27 June to 05 July, coinciding with the Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly, centred on the Bambalapitiya Bora Mosque and the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, with the participation of the community’s Spiritual Leader His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Sahib.
Approximately fifteen thousand members of the Bora Community from India and numerous other countries are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for this Convention and Conference. Extensive discussions were held regarding the provision of all infrastructure facilities, including airport arrangements, for them.
A group of the Bora Community’s religious leaders, along with officials including the Secretary to the Foreign Ministry, Aruni Ranaraja and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, participated in this occasion.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has reached consensus with Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP), United National Party (UNP) and the People’s Alliance (PA) to take control of Akurana, Kadugannawa, Kuliyapitiya and Udubaddawa Pradeshiya Sabhas.
Opposition parties made the announcement at a joint media briefing by SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, PA General Secretary Lasantha Alagiyawanna and UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala.
Terms of 161 out of 339 local government bodies to which elections were held in May commenced on June 2. The ruling NPP and the Opposition parties have been trying to seize control of the remaining councils. Contestants failed to secure working majorities in 178 councils. Both sides have accused each other of trying to bribe elected members in a bid to take control of the councils.
Elections were not held to two local government institutions on 06 May—the Kalmunai Urban Council due to a court case and the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), which was elected last year.
Responding to questions, the Opposition spokespersons said that they were confident of forming administration and many more councils.
SJB sources said that the Opposition was also working on an arrangement regarding the Colombo Municipal Council scheduled to meet on Monday (16) for the first time when the Mayor will be elected.
Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganeshan, MP, has alleged that the NPP bribed two of its members in the Haldumulla PS to vote in favour of the person nominated by the NPP as the chairman.
Israel launches ‘major strike’ on Iran’s military, nuclear sites
Former Army Commander General Hamilton Wanasinghe passes away at the age of 91
Air India plane crash claims at least 241 lives as one passenger survives
-
Business6 days agoRegional Ambassador for Wildlife Photography
-
Business6 days agoDialog Enterprise reaffirms commitment to Sri Lankan SMEs as the Title Sponsor of Industry Expo 2025
-
Features4 days agoLTTE and Canadian complicity
-
Business6 days agoThe Evolving Story of Pure Ceylon Tea
-
News4 days agoIranganie celebrates her birthday today
-
Business6 days agoSLIM partners with ministry to produce Sri Lanka’s top Business Advisors
-
Sports5 days agoMathews’ 10,000- run regret
-
News2 days agoUK confirms ongoing war crimes investigation into British mercenaries in Sri Lanka