News
Govt. to convene development coordination meet every six months

Sri Lanka’s Coordination Forum of Development Partners (CFDP) has come in for praise from Deputy Indian High Commissioner Vinod K Jacob, who has offered support for the Treasury initiative to convene a meeting of the CFDP once in six months.
The Indian HC quoted Jacob as having told the gathering that India had steadfastly supported the people of Sri Lanka through the economic crisis as well as at the IMF and expressed hope that Sri Lanka will achieve early economic recovery.
The first meeting held yesterday (04) was chaired by State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe at the Treasury
Explaining the flagship development cooperation partnership between India and Sri Lanka, Deputy High Commissioner Jacob said that the engagement was based on the principles of South-South cooperation between friendly neighbours. The projects are selected in line with the priorities of the Sri Lankan side and pertain to socio-economic sectors like the Indian Housing projects, 1990 Suwaseriya Ambulance, Kandyan Dancing Academy, SL UDI (Unique Digital Identity) project, fishery harbours, hospitals, schools and the like. The total development cooperation portfolio stands at USD 600 million and in the past 8 years, more than 20 projects have been completed.
Elaborating on the challenges faced, Deputy High Commissioner Jacob said that during the past few years import restrictions and capacity issues have impacted the pace of execution. Further, on some occasions the lack of availability of local resources have been an impediment to progress. A unique characteristic of Indian projects are their reliance on Sri Lanka partners for supply of locally available and environmentally sustainable materials. India remains confident of jointly resolving these concerns with the Sri Lankan side.
Latest News
Islandwide power outage

A sudden power cut has been reported across the island.
Accordingly, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said steps are being taken to restore the power supply.
Business
President invites exporters to rise again from the economic setback

President Anura Kumar Disanayake invited Sri Lankan exporters to rebuild and thrive on a robust economic foundation.
The President emphasized that our country faces the challenge of capturing market share from a position of relative weakness. He pointed out that, to overcome this, external support had to be sought. In this regard, he highlighted that the government is prepared to provide assistance for recovery based on the current economic stability.
President Anura Kumar Disanayake made these remarks at the 26th Presidential Export Awards Ceremony.
The 26th Presidential Export Awards, organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), was held on Friday (07) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of President Anura Kumar Disanayake.
The main objective of the awards ceremony is to recognize exporters who have made significant contributions to the economic development of Sri Lanka.
The Presidential Export Award, presented by the President, is the highest honour for Sri Lankan exporters who have made significant contributions to the export sector and economic development.
The Presidential Export Awards program, initiated by the EDB in 1981, has been held annually to recognize Sri Lanka’s top exporters. The awards ceremony for the 2023/24 financial year took place this year.
A total of 14 major awards and 51 awards in the categories of production and services were presented, with recipients gaining the opportunity to use the Presidential Export Award logo as a marketing tool for three years.
President Anura Kumar Disanayake further emphasized the critical importance of the trust placed in Sri Lanka by international economic stakeholders to stabilize the country’s economy. He noted that the global market economy is interconnected, not entirely independent.
He further pointed out that the primary challenge facing Sri Lanka is securing a substantial share of the market amidst the current global division of markets and the ongoing competition to reclaim market shares.
President Anura Kumar Disanayake noted that the global market has become an interconnected network. He emphasized that in order for the country to become a key participant in this market, it must engage in trade agreements that are beneficial to Sri Lanka. He cautioned that aggressive, reckless approaches to market penetration would not be successful, stressing the need for strategic, thoughtful engagement.
The President further stated that the government is already taking steps to provide the necessary technical support for Sri Lankan exporters to enter the market with high-quality products. He highlighted the government’s focus on supplying new goods and services in response to global changes, in line with international market trends.
Regarding the reduction of electricity bills, the President mentioned that the government is prioritizing renewable energy sources to maintain long-term stability in energy costs. He added that efforts are underway to lower costs and ensure stable pricing over the next few years.
President Disanayake also emphasized that the government is committed to playing a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s economy to new heights. He noted that even small or misguided decisions can have significant negative impacts on the economy, and therefore, decisions regarding the economy must be made with great caution and foresight.
In his remarks, the President assured that the government is fully committed to fulfilling exporters’ requests, which are vital to strengthening the nation’s economy and maintaining a strong economic foundation.
Finally, the President invited Sri Lankan exporters to unite in strengthening the economy, stressing the importance of collaboration and mutual understanding to navigate the challenges of economic recovery and growth effectively.
The ceremony was attended by several distinguished individuals, including Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Duminda Hulangamuwa, along with various Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Parliamentarians, foreign diplomats, Secretaries to the Ministries, and members of the EDB.
[PMD]
News
Ignorance of free health care available in SL may have cost two tourist lives

Lack of medical insurance deterred victims seeking early medical help
By Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
The tragic deaths of two young foreign tourists in Colombo could have been avoided had the tourists known they could access free emergency medical care in Sri Lanka’s government hospitals, tourism industry and hospital sources said.
Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), expressed regret over the tragic incident, emphasizing that tourists are regularly informed about their eligibility for free medical care. However, he acknowledged that this message may not have reached all visitors, leading to a delay in medical attention that worsened their condition.
The victims, a 24-year-old British woman, Ebony McIntosh, and 26-year-old German national, Nadine Raguse, both died after falling seriously ill during their stay at the Miracle Colombo City Hostel in Wellawatte, raising questions about the role of toxic chemicals in their deaths.
McIntosh and Raguse, who were staying at the hostel, exhibited symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing, and were only hospitalized after their conditions worsened over a two-day period.
Doctors said that if the tourists had sought medical help earlier, their chances of survival would have been much higher. The two women, along with their two German male friends, had reportedly refrained from seeking medical treatment due to the lack of medical insurance, unaware that Sri Lankan hospitals offer free care to all visitors, including foreigners.
The situation has sparked outrage, with experts describing the lack of communication as “criminal negligence.” Had the tourists been aware of their right to receive medical care at any of the 555 government hospitals nationwide, this tragedy could have been avoided, they argued. The hostel where the tourists stayed is located just 2.5 kilometers away from Colombo’s General Hospital, further highlighting the preventable nature of the deaths.
Police investigations into the incident suggest that toxic fumigation chemicals used to rid the hostel of bedbugs may have played a role in the women’s deaths. The room adjacent to theirs was fumigated with Phosphine gas on Jan 30, and police are probing whether the exposure contributed to their symptoms. The hostel has been closed pending further investigation, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted on McIntosh after her family arrives in Sri Lanka.
Hewawasam assured the public that steps would be taken to increase awareness of this critical information, particularly for those in emergency situations.
UK media said that the deaths of McIntosh and Raguse have left their families devastated. Tributes have poured in for McIntosh, described as a kind, funny, and determined person with big dreams. Her younger sister, India, wrote an emotional message on social media, expressing her heartbreak and vowing to seek justice for her sister. McIntosh’s family has also launched a fundraising campaign to bring her body back to the UK.
The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has confirmed that they are providing support to the McIntosh family and are in contact with local authorities regarding the investigation.
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