News
Environment Minister Ahamed suggests tapping regions’ youth to tackle triple planetary crisis confronting world
By Ifham Nizam
The youth in the Asia-Pacific is a major group that could be engaged for effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution which we call, the Triple Planetary Crisis, Environment Minister Eng. Nazeer Ahamed said yesterday. Speaking at a United Nations Environmental Forum, he said that a coordinated action is needed to address rapid environmental degradation and the challenges linked to the three pillars of sustainable development, that is, the Economy, the Environment and the Society.The Minister said that he was of the view that these three pillars should be balanced to achieve sustainable Development.
He also said that the Asia-Pacific region is home to 60 percent of the world’s population and the region is one of the most vulnerable areas to the climate crisis. A recent UNDP survey has found that around 63 percent of people in Asia and the Pacific recognize climate change as a major “global emergency”, he noted. He had found youth across the region are frustrated with the lack of climate action by their leaders – and they feel that their voices are not being heard.
“This frustration has been demonstrated over the years by the multiple climate strikes campaigns and other youth-led movements happening across the region,” he said.
The Minister noted that the Asia-Pacific region must increase youth efforts to prepare and tackle urgent, overlapping crisis if it is needed to strengthen the resilience of its people and the economies.
“So, the youth in this region is a major group to engage with for effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution which we call, the Triple Planetary Crisis”, he said.
The Minister added that rural areas also remain highly vulnerable to drought and flooding.
“It is the children and young people that stand to be most affected by these impacts of climate change”, he said.
The Asia-Pacific Youth Environment Forum will aim to promote collective, impactful and sustainable measures for the Triple Planetary Crisis at all levels – national, regional and global.
(Ms.) Nina P. Cainglet, Ambassador of the Philippines to Sri Lanka based in Dhaka, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office on May 16, 2025.
The Prime Minister welcomed Ambassador Cainglet and extended her congratulations on the new appointment. The discussion focused on expanding cooperation in trade and tourism, with both sides expressing their commitment to exploring new opportunities in these key sectors. The meeting also addressed consular matters relating to the Filipino community in Sri Lanka. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured continued dialogue and necessary support on relevant issues.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Judienne Capiz, Vice Consul of the Embassy of the Philippines in Dhaka, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. S.S. Premawardhane, Additional Secretary, Bilateral Political Affairs (East); and M.R. Keegel, Deputy Director, Southeast Asia & Central Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division].
The Bribery Commission on Friday filed a corruption case against former Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and ex-BOI Director General Jayantha Edirisinghe, accusing them of misusing public cash for a lavish newspaper ad campaign back in 2014.
They stand accused of siphoning Rs. 1.7 million in state funds to publish 11 newspaper supplements marking the second inauguration anniversary of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 19, 2014.
According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the move amounted to a clear breach of anti-graft laws, with five formal charges now filed before the Colombo High Court.
The case, centred around alleged misuse of Board of Investment (BOI) funds, is backed by 21 pieces of documentary evidence and testimony from 15 witnesses.
The Bribery Commission maintains that the ad blitz had no official sanction and led to a direct loss of Rs. 1,748,877.76 to the state.
Inspector General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon is set to face formal questioning tomorrow (May 19) over serious allegations of misconduct and abuse of power, parliamentary sources said on Friday.
A special committee appointed to investigate the claims will commence formal proceedings next week, following several rounds of preliminary discussions held within the parliamentary complex in recent weeks.
The IGP has been officially notified to appear before the committee and is expected to face the inquiry for the first time at 2:00 PM in Committee Room No. 8.
The committee, which met again on Thursday (15) to finalise arrangements, is investigating allegations that Tennakoon misused his official powers in a manner deemed severe and improper.
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