News
MRI’s Nutrition Department Head says country still can reduce severity of malnutrition
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka is still in a position to prevent malnutrition becoming a serious problem, Head of the Department of Nutrition at the Colombo Medical Research Institute Dr. Renuka Jayatissa, told the media yesterday.Addressing the media at the Institute in Colombo, she said that the nutrition level among children had improved in 2021.
“We have the 2021 data and according to the data there was a drop in malnutrition among children. They were home during COVID-19, and things actually improved. Things however have changed since then due to the serious economic downturn,” she said.Dr. Jayatissa said that there were reports that many children’s hospitals were underweight. She said that there was a difference between being underweight and malnutrition.
“Children can get malnourished if they do not receive adequate nutrition for a long time. In the next three months, we can identify what’s going on and take action. We can stop malnutrition from becoming a problem,” she said.
Dr. Jayatissa said 14% of Sri Lankan households were poor and the children in these families were vulnerable to malnutrition. “Children from other families are not that vulnerable and we can take steps to ensure children are adequately fed.
“We can give the families money or a food basket,” she said.
There is also regional variability, she said. For example, the Nuwara Eliya District reports the highest rate of undernutrition indicated by very severe levels of stunting and underweight in children less than five years of age.Most children admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) since the beginning of the COVID pandemic are underweight, Dr. Deepal Perera said earlier this week.
Dr. Perera said they had started a survey on the matter. “This can be a problem of finance. However, this can also be ignorance about nutrition among some parents. We need to understand what’s happening and take immediate steps. When children do not receive adequate nutrition in their formative years, many problems can occur later in life,” he said.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
Belgian prince loses bid for benefits on top of £300k royal allowance
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
-
Business19 hours agoColombo Coffee wins coveted management awards
-
Features2 days agoStarlink in the Global South
-
Business3 days agoDaraz Sri Lanka ushers in the New Year with 4.4 Avurudu Wasi Pro Max – Sri Lanka’s biggest online Avurudu sale
-
Business4 days agoStrengthening SDG integration into provincial planning and development process
-
Business3 days agoNew SL Sovereign Bonds win foreign investor confidence
-
Sports5 days agoTo play or not to play is Richmond’s decision
-
Features2 days agoModi’s Sri Lanka Sojourn
-
Sports4 days agoNew Zealand under 85kg rugby team set for historic tour of Sri Lanka