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Sri Lanka Red Cross Society celebrates World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2023
Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS), the country’s largest humanitarian organisation, commemorated World Red Cross and Red Crescent (WRCRC) Day 2023 with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, celebrating the power of community and people helping people in times of crises and day-to-day life, encapsulated in this year’s theme #FromTheHeart, said a release from the SLRCS.
In honour of WRCRC Day 2023, branches of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society in the 25 districts, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), planted trees and awarded scholarships to a total of 100 school going children to support their education. Red Cross Societies around the country also marked the day by organising other activities such as blood donation campaigns and beach cleaning initiatives to help their communities.
While commemorating the efforts of the movement, the Director General of SLRCS, Dr. Mahesh Gunasekara, added that “for nearly a century, we have always stood in solidarity with the people. Throughout Sri Lanka’s difficult times, our staff and volunteers have been on the ground trying to find solutions to problems of vulnerable communities. On this WRCRC Day, I would like to wish the members of SLRCS and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement around the world well-wishers, appreciation, and more power to continue the work they do in every part of the world. Sri Lanka has had a difficult year, and the country’s people are still recovering from the crisis, which has not yet been resolved. On this special day, we will also assure the people of the country that we will continue serving them in whatever capacities we can”.
SLRCS has been serving the country’s most vulnerable communities for nearly a century, and WRCRC Day honours the organisation’s staff, volunteers, partners, and everyone else who has stepped forward to make a difference. SLRCS has the largest volunteer base in the country with a membership of over 100,000 volunteers. Their unwavering commitment and exemplary dedication to helping anyone in need, anywhere and to upholding the Fundamental Principles at all times, whether responding to natural hazards, climate crises, conflicts, health emergencies, displacement, or migration is admired around the world.
“For over 160 years, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has remained committed to neutral, impartial, independent humanitarian action. In Sri Lanka, the ICRC supports the humanitarian work of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, ensuring that relevant and timely humanitarian services reach people affected by armed conflict, crises and other emergencies . Today, we pay tribute to volunteers and Red Cross staff who play a vital role in times of need. They do it with love and #FromTheHeart.”, says Head of ICRC Delegation in Sri Lanka, Séverine Chappaz.
SLRCS and the Red Cross and Red Crescent family have long been at the forefront of humanitarian assistance and protection for those in need. The world has seen how effective the movement can be in addressing multiple crises and providing principled humanitarian aid.
“Around the world, the movement supports millions of people every year. Here in Sri Lanka, the IFRC have been collaborating with the SLRCS to support their initiatives aimed at uplifting the country’s most vulnerable communities, reaching more than 100,000 people every year. We build stronger communities through our volunteers and staff.
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 01 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 11 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan of Kareinagar, Jaffna.
The Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the Northern Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Kovilan.
Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of one Indian fishing boat and apprehension of 11 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (11) were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
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Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounts to LKR. 372,776,918.28.
The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over on Wednesday (31 December) at the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The donations comprised LKR. 250 million from the Commander of the Army, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo; LKR. 73,963,879.71 from the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and LKR. 48,813,038.97 from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present on the occasion.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) seeking an 11.57 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the first quarter of 2026, citing an estimated revenue shortfall and additional financial pressures, including cyclone-related damages.
According to documents issued by the PUCSL, the proposed tariff revision would apply to electricity consumption from January to March 2026 and includes changes to both energy charges and fixed monthly charges across all consumer categories, including domestic, religious, industrial, commercial and other users.
Under the proposal, domestic electricity consumers would face increases in unit rates as well as fixed monthly charges across all consumption blocks.
The CEB has estimated a deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for the first quarter of 2026, which it says necessitates the proposed 11.57 per cent tariff hike. The utility has noted that any deviation from this estimate whether a surplus or a shortfall will be adjusted through the Bulk Supply Tariff Adjustment (BSTA) mechanism and taken into account in the next tariff revision.
In its submission, the CEB said the proposed revision is aimed at ensuring the financial and operational stability of the power sector and mitigating potential risks to the reliability of electricity supply. The board-approved tariff structure for the first quarter of 2026 has been submitted to the PUCSL for approval and subsequent implementation, as outlined in Annex II of the proposal.
The CEB has also highlighted the financial impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which it said caused extensive damage to electricity infrastructure, with total losses estimated at around Rs. 20 billion. Of this amount, Rs. 7,016.52 million has been attributed to the first quarter of 2026, which the utility said has a direct bearing on electricity tariffs.
The CEB warned that if external funding is not secured to cover the cyclone-related expenditure, the costs incurred would need to be recovered through electricity tariffs in the second-quarter revision of 2026.
Meanwhile, the PUCSL has said that a decision on whether to approve the proposed tariff increase will be made only after following due regulatory procedures and holding discussions on the matter.
By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️
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