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Dutch take up battle cry: “Say NO to violence against women and girls”

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The Embassy of the Netherlands yesterday joined the global campaign “Orange the World: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” in Sri Lanka. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Netherlands Embassy took the initiative – together with UN agencies, diplomatic missions, governance institutions, private companies and civil society organisations in Colombo — to raise banners to urge people to “Say NO to violence against women and girls”.

Ambassador Tanja Gonggrijp launched the campaign by delivering the “Orange the World” banners by bicycle to other diplomatic missions and (international) organisations in Colombo that support the 16 days campaign. They will all raise the banner during the 16 Days of Activism, concluding on 10 December, International Human Rights Day. While delivering the banners, several Heads of Missions and representatives of (international) organisations joined the Ambassador’s cycling tour in Colombo. Members of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus of Sri Lanka also joined the campaign at the Residence of the Ambassador, where the cycling event ended after delivering the banners.

“Gender-Based Violence is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. Globally, an estimated 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the situation for women and children has worsened worldwide. Staying at home under the lockdowns proved especially dangerous for women, as domestic violence increased dramatically. The more reason to take a stance together against Gender Based Violence!” Ambassador Gonggrijp said.

“I decided to deliver the banners by bicycle as for many women and children worldwide the bicycle symbolises independence. It is your own mode of transport and, of course, also very sustainable. This event underlines the importance the Netherlands attaches to ending violence against women and girls. And it is also a gesture of appreciation for those organisations and individuals in Sri Lanka who work tirelessly to this crucial cause.”

“Orange the world: End violence against women now!” is an international campaign started in 1991. The colour orange, a colour symbolising hope is chosen worldwide as the colour of the campaign. During the 16 Days of Activism governments and organisations worldwide organise online and offline activities to raise attention for and take action against Gender-Based Violence.



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Students from Thambuttegama Central College visit President’s House

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A group of students from Thambuttegama Central College, Anuradhapura, visited the Presidential Secretariat and President’s House this (20) afternoon  during their annual educational tour.

The students had the opportunity to participate in the ‘Vision’ programme, an initiative for schoolchildren jointly organised by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education, and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

After touring the Old Parliament building within the Presidential Secretariat, the students were also briefed on parliamentary history.

The college’s teaching staff and students were also informed about the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme, which operates under a concept by President Anura Kumara Disanayake, as well as the role of the executive and the rule of law.

During the visit, the Legal Advisor to the President J.M. Wijebandara symbolically demonstrated the value of environmental protection by presenting a valuable sapling to the school.

The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President K.N.M. Kumarasinghe, Deputy Director of the Tri-Forces Security Affairs Coordinating Unit Colonel Dhananjaya Senarath, Deputy Principal of Thambuttegama Central College M.G. Asanka Wijesuriya, along with teaching staff and other officials.

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Foreign Direct Investment records 90% Increase in First Quarter of 2025

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The Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka has successfully increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by US$96 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024.

This was disclosed today (20) during a progress review meeting of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, chaired by President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.

BOI officials also noted that, relative to the first quarter of 2024, domestic investment rose by US$21 million, while export income increased by US$176 million during the first quarter of 2025. In total, Sri Lanka has attracted US$4,669 million in investment proposals thus far in 2025.

The meeting also focused on the issues and challenges associated with attracting investment to the country and discussed potential strategies to address them.
Addressing the gathering, President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the Board of Investment holds a pivotal role in enhancing the national economy and improving the living standards of the rural population.

He stressed that opportunities to attract investment in traditional sectors are becoming increasingly limited and therefore the nation must identify new areas for investment, an endeavour that falls under the BOI’s mandate.

The President further noted that Sri Lanka has attracted only around US$22 billion in investment since 1978. In comparison to other countries in the region, he stated, Sri Lanka must advance rapidly, referencing Vietnam’s achievement of securing US$23 billion in investment in 2022 alone.

He went on to state that the BOI should prioritise the expansion of investment in the services sector and proactively seek new investment opportunities, rather than focusing solely on recapturing missed ones.

The event was attended by senior officials of the Board of Investment, including  Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Advisor to the President on Economic Affairs;  Arjuna Herath, Chairman of the Board of Investment; and Ms Renuka Weerakone, Acting Director General of the Board of Investment.

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Government focuses on controlling crop damage by wild animals

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A Committee comprising government officials and experts has been appointed under the leadership of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake to seek and implement sustainable solutions for managing and controlling the damages caused by wild animals to food production (Agriculture and Plantation sectors) through a scientific approach. The Committee held its first meeting on Thursday (19) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The main objective of the Committee is to conduct a scientific study on the agricultural damage caused by wild animals and to implement short, medium and long-term action plans. In addition to drafting national policies and legislation, the Committee will also coordinate the provision of necessary human, physical and financial resources.

It was emphasised during the meeting that decisions should be made by recognizing wildlife as a part of the natural ecosystem. It was also noted that any solution must acknowledge the right of wild animals to their natural habitats. The need to implement a rapid action programme for high-risk districts was also discussed.

Prof. Ashoka Dangolla from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Peradeniya shared his views, highlighting that based on research conducted over more than 15 years on Toque macaque; it is possible to arrive at successful solutions through a scientific approach. He also pointed out that various methods can be used to control animal populations.

Director General of Wildlife Conservation, M.S.L.R.C. Marasinghe, stated that a multi-pronged approach is necessary to address this issue. He emphasised the importance of animal censuses to obtain standard data on animal densities and underscored that the matter must be approached scientifically, beyond social perceptions.

It was also decided that gathering inputs from all stakeholders including academics, environmentalists, wildlife specialists, officials and members of the public affected by wildlife conflict is essential.

Among those present were Senior Additional Secretary to the President  Kapila Janaka Bandara, Ministry Secretaries including Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration  S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation  D.P. Wickramasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure  Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Ms. Ayesha Jinasena, public officials including Director General of Department of Wildlife Conservation, defence sector officers, university professors and the members of the Committee.

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