News
Shiranthi delivers keynote address at women’s rights webinar
Shiranthi Rajapaksa, on Wednesday (09), delivered the keynote address at a webinar, under the theme “Empowered Women Dare to Speak Up,” organised by the Indonesian Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (MoWECP).
The Minister of MoWECP, Bintang Puspayoga, and the Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dewi Gustina Tobing, and Heru Prayitno, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Indonesia in Colombo, also took part in the webinar.
Commencing the webinar, from Jakarta, the Minister of MoWECP of Indonesia conveyed the importance of celebrating International Women’s Day as a form of respect for women’s achievements and promoting women’s rights in social, political, economic, and cultural life.
From the Temple Trees, in Colombo, Shiranthi Rajapaksa spoke of the challenges and opportunities for women in Sri Lanka and believed that women’s empowerment requires a collective effort. For Sri Lankans, women’s empowerment is about having the space. They also need support systems, such as education, employment, and health.
All parties must come together to make women more independent, and help them overcome current economic difficulties.
The panelists at the seminar conveyed their views and experiences in the discussion, which consisted of two sessions, namely “Empowered Women” and “Women Dare to Speak Up.”
The panellists emphasised the importance of policy related to the protection and fulfillment of the rights of women and children, providing easy access to social assistance, micro-enterprise assistance, training, loans, and other needs related to women’s rights. Women must also take a firm stand against perpetrators of sexual violence and always fight for gender equality.
Ambassador Dewi Tobing, in her closing remarks, expressed high appreciation to Minister Bintang Puspayoga, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, moderators, speakers, and webinar participants who shared knowledge and experiences in the webinar.
Ambassador Dewi emphasised that women’s voices are still being ignored despite their achievements and successes. Gender equality should continuously be promoted, and women’s empowerment should be prioritised.
As the Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Dewi urged for a closer partnership between Indonesia and Sri Lanka in promoting women’s empowerment and increasing their capacity and contribution to the development in their respective countries.
The Sri Lanka Navy rescued a fisherman from a local fishing trawler that encountered distress due to adverse weather conditions off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.
The rescue operation took place on 17 July 2026, approximately 15 nautical miles off Pothuvil. The operation was launched following information received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo.
In response, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Vijayabahu along with additional craft to conduct a search operation in the designated sea area, where they successfully located the distressed fisherman.
Following the rescue, the individual was brought aboard SLNS Vijayabahu, where naval personnel administered preliminary first aid. He was subsequently brought to the mainland and rushed for further medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Navy, along with the coordination of MRCC Colombo, remains constantly prepared to swiftly respond to the eventualities faced by maritime and fishing communities operating within the island’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
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Showers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
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