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India renews commitment to healthy ageing at the WHO meeting in Colombo
Indian Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Singh Patel has reaffirmed their continued commitment to promoting healthy ageing through strengthened primary healthcare, based on a comprehensive and people-centric system for the elderly.
She said so at the ministerial roundtable of the 78th Session of the WHO Regional Committee of South-East Asia which was held in Colombo last week over a three-day period. The deliberations centred around the theme “Healthy Ageing through strengthened primary health care.”
Anupriya Singh Patel highlighted that with 153 million citizens, aged 60 years and above, India is witnessing a major demographic transition and to ensure that elderly receive equitable, accessible and affordable healthcare services tailored to their needs, the Government of India has taken several important measures.
India called for enhanced regional cooperation among WHO South-East Asia member states to strengthen the integration of Primary Health Care and Long-Term Care (PHC–LTC). India proposed three key areas of collaboration:
a) Establishing a regional platform for knowledge sharing and innovation on PHC–LTC integration;
b) Investing in capacity building and training programmes for the geriatric and caregiving workforce across countries; and
c) Promoting technological innovations and health solutions that support independent and dignified living for older adults.
Reaffirming India’s alignment with the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), the Minister of State emphasised that ageing must be viewed as an opportunity for inclusive growth and social transformation.
India remains committed to ensuring that every stage of life, including old age, is lived with dignity, security and care.
The Minister also delivered her remarks, alongside Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health and Mass Media of Sri Lanka, at a side event on Digital Health, co-hosted by the Governments of India and Sri Lanka. The hybrid event showcased the progress achieved by WHO South-East Asia Member States in developing and implementing digital health architecture blueprints, and served as a platform to exchange best practices, address shared challenges, and foster cross-country collaboration to advance digital health transformation across the region.
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IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
Showers will occur in the Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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