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NATA, WHO to create smoke free zones

Published

3 years ago

2022/05/16

Thilina Walpola

Second hand smoking causes about 890,000 premature deaths a year worldwide

By Ifham Nizam

The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA), Sri Lanka, in partnership with the World Health Organisation, has initiated a project to set up 362 Smoke Free Zones (SFZs) in Sri Lanka to protect the general public from tobacco smoke, said Supun Lahiru Prakash, Researcher on Smoke Free Zones, and introduced a 10-step process for establishing Smoke Free Zones in Sri Lankan context. NATA Chairman Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa said exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) was a serious threat to the health of the public and it caused death and disease in non-smoking adults and children. “It is a harmful mixture of two forms of smoke, produced from burning tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, and smoke that has been exhaled by smokers.

“There is no safe level of exposure identified to SHS. In adults, SHS causes serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, such as coronary heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke,” he added In addition, SHS causes low birth weight in pregnant women and sudden death in infants. At least half of children regularly breathe the air polluted from tobacco smoke in public settings. Ear infections, more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath) and respiratory infections (bronchitis and pneumonia) are some of the health issues caused by SHS to children. SHS causes about 890,000 premature deaths per annum. Children accounted for 28% of the deaths attributable to SHS in 2004. Therefore, eliminating smoking at all homes, worksites, and public places is essential in order to fully protect non-smokers from SHS. There are different strategies employed in combating tobacco-related health issues all over the world. The World Health Organization Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) promotes smoke-free cities as an effective tobacco control strategy.

Sri Lanka is the fifth country in the South-east Asian Region to sign the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control and the first country in the region to ratify it.According to the guidance of WHO-FCTC, the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act, No. 27 of 2006 was enacted in Sri Lanka supporting preventive measures regarding alcohol and tobacco use. Sri Lanka, while the overall smoking prevalence has shown a downward trend, SHS exposure at home remains a significant problem, despite the recent laws enacted to prohibit smoking in public places.

Women and children are highly vulnerable; it is they who inevitably breathe in SHS due to the high prevalence of male household members who use tobacco. The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol of Sri Lanka has taken the initiative in carrying out a National programme for establishing ‘Smoke Free Zones’ for combating SHS with the help of Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) who are the main coordinators at the grass root level in 2015. During 2015 – November 2019, there were 253 SFZs established in 102 Medical Officer of Health divisions in 20 districts of nine provinces.The highest number of SFZs was established in 2018 (95) followed by 2019 (63), 2016 (55), and 2017 (35). Ninety-six percent (96%) of SFZs were sustained up to the end of 2019; however, the attention was given by PHI lesson due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the attempt to establish SFZs in the island again by the NATA should be very much appreciated.

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Our government has reaffirmed its commitment to breaking barriers that limit women’s full participation in the economy, recognizing their vital role in national development. – Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

Published

5 hours ago

2025/03/15

Priyan

“Women play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s economic and social development. Yet, despite their immense contribution, structural barriers continue to limit their full participation in the economy. Our government is committed to breaking these barriers by fostering an inclusive economic environment where women can thrive as business leaders, entrepreneurs, and exporters.” Said Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

The Prime Minister made this statement while addressing the launching the She Trades Sri Lanka Hub funded by the UK’s She Trades Commonwealth+ Program held at Galle face Hotel in Colombo on March 14 organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).

While addressing the audience, the Prime minister stated, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to breaking barriers that limit women’s full participation in the economy, recognizing their vital role in national development. Emphasizing gender-inclusive policies, financial inclusion, and access to global markets, authorities are prioritizing support for women-led businesses in key sectors such as ICT, agribusiness, and engineering.

A new initiative will establish 200 women-led cooperatives, fostering supportive environments for female entrepreneurs. Additionally, efforts to strengthen childcare, elderly care, and disability services aim to reduce the burdens that limit women’s economic participation.

A dedicated platform has been launched to provide women entrepreneurs with knowledge, networking, and international trade opportunities. Strengthening public-private partnerships and expanding global market access are key strategies to create an inclusive and sustainable trade ecosystem.

By equipping women with the necessary skills, financial resources, and digital trade access, the government aims to ensure that women entrepreneurs become key drivers of economic growth, aligning with broader policies for inclusive and sustainable development.

The event was attended by Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Center, His Excellency Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Officials from the International Trade Center and the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, Chairman of the Export Development Board Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe and Officials from Export Development Board and International Trade Centre and woman Entrepreneurs.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Batalanda Commission report tabled … finally

Published

11 hours ago

2025/03/15

Thilina Walpola

by Saman Indrajith

TheBatalanda Presidential Co-mission report was tabled in Parliament yesterday (14) by the Leader of the House and Transport Minister, Bimal Ratnayake.

Minister Ratnayake announced that the government has decided to forward the report to the Attorney General for legal advice. Additionally, a Presidential Committee will be appointed to provide guidance and recommendations on how to proceed with the findings of the report.

Ratnayake said that the Cabinet-of-Ministers, along with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has made a policy decision to take necessary action in response to the report. He reassured the public that steps are being taken to ensure that such a dark chapter in the country’s history is never repeated.

Minister Ratnayake said that a two-day debate on the Batalanda Commission report will be scheduled in Parliament at an appropriate time, allowing for a detailed discussion on the report’s findings and recommendations.

The report, which will be printed in all three official languages—Sinhala, Tamil, and English—will be made available to the public in the near future. Ratnayake confirmed that printed copies would be provided to Members of Parliament, as well as the general public, for review.

The Leader of the House revealed that there are 28 evidence volumes associated with the Commission’s work, which will be submitted to Parliament at a later date for further scrutiny.

Ratnayake said that as the entire country is concerned about the findings of the Batalanda Commission, the government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised, and preventing future atrocities, stands clear. The next steps, including legal action and policy recommendations, will be shaped by expert advice and informed parliamentary discussions, he said.

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COPE finds fake documents submitted for emergency procurement of drugs

Published

11 hours ago

2025/03/15

Thilina Walpola

The Parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has found that there were fake documents regarding the importing of medicines under the emergency procurement system in 2022 and 2023.

This was revealed during a COPE meeting held at Parliament probing the transactions of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA).

NMRA CEO Saveen Semage told the Committee that several fake documents have been found due to the lack of registration of medicines.

Stating that six such fake documents were found last year alone, Saveen Semage said he had recorded statements regarding each of the documents with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division.

He revealed that, however, no investigations have been conducted yet into the incidents.

“We have documents with confessions from a woman accepting that fake documents had been made. However, a statement has not even been recorded from that woman yet,” he said.

Meanwhile, COPE member MP Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana also revealed that the highest number of waive-off registrations (WOR) for medicines had been obtained in 2022 and 2023.

He said 656 waive-off registrations (WOR) had been obtained in 2022 and 261 in 2023, adding that this proves that discrepancies have taken place during the emergency procurement of medicines during these periods.

Furthermore, Deputy Director General of the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry, Dr. G. Wijesuriya, said discussions are underway on allowing the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) to directly import essential medicines.He pointed out that it was essential to take a policy decision in this regard as a solution to mitigate such discrepancies.