News
Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital marks World Down Syndrome Day
By Harischandra GunaratnA
The Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital in collaboration with the National Institute of Education recently held a programme to mark the World Down Syndrome Day at the hospital.
It was a well-attended programme where a number of children participated and the programme included an Art exhibition, singing and dancing.
According to Dr. Roshini Karunanayke, it was an opportunity for such children to exhibit their innate talents.
Dr. Karunanayake (Paediatrician) made a presentation on Down Syndrome and on how to manage the condition.
The Director of the hospital Dr. Rathnasiri A. Hewage said “We should not consider this as an illness. It is a condition where such individuals need love and inclusion in the society. “
An important presentation was delivered by the NIE team about inclusive education.
Nadun Hettiarachchi and the team enthralled the audience singing the song “Aaderayen mulu lokema pudume kerenewo” – love makes the world a wonder.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder and occurs in people of all races and economic level. It is a lifelong condition and occurs in about one in every 700 babies. People with this condition have three copies of chromosome-21. Therefore this event is celebrated on the 21st day of the third rd month. This condition is also called Trisomy-21. Usually people have only two copies of chromosome-21. Chromosomes are found inside the nucleus of the cells in our body and carry genes which decide our clinical features.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
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