News
State Minister Fernandopulle calls for formulating national policy on gender equality
By Saman Indrajith
State Minister of Primary Health Care, Pandemics and COVID-19 Disease Control (Dr) Sudarshini Fernandopulle has emphasised the need for formulating a national policy to ensure gender equality in Sri Lanka and to prepare an action plan to implement it.
The State Minister spoke for the need to formulate a National Policy and Action Plan to ensure gender equality in the country in her capacity as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee to make recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender-based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka.
The PSC met recently with Minister Dr Fernandopulle presiding at the Parliamentary complex.
The PSC meeting was held with the participation of officials from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Pre-School and Primary Education, School Infrastructure and Education Services and several other groups, parliament sources said.
Addressing the committee, the Additional Secretary to the State Ministry of Women and Child Development Nilmini Herath said that the formulation of a national policy in this regard was initiated many years ago. But it could not be submitted to the Cabinet for approval as it has shortcomings, she further stated. Nilmini Herath pointed out the possibility of formulating the aforesaid policy in a systematic manner by overcoming its shortcomings.
Minister Dr. Fernandopulle said that the participation of women in the field of employment and politics is at a minimum. Therefore, the State Minister pointed out the need to formulate and implement this policy as an urgent necessity. Furthermore, she explained that views of all parties should be obtained and that all parties should be informed in writing for the purpose of formulating the national policy as soon as possible.
NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the national policy and action plan should be formulated with a focus on new concepts outside the traditional framework.
Director (Planning) J.P.S Jayasinghe and Additional Secretary to the State Ministry of Women and Child Development and Nilmini Herath requested to establish an action committee with the intervention of the select committee on the draft National Policy and its Action Plan and take action to rectify the shortcomings.
Minister Dr Fernandopulle said that steps would be taken to appoint a committee in this regard. Therefore, the Select Committee pointed out that this National Policy at the draft level should be directed to all parties who want to study it properly.
MP Sivagnanam Sreetharan, Officers of the State Ministry of Women and Child Development, Pre-Schools and Primary Education, School Infrastructure and Education Services, Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Select Committee Kushani Rohanadheera and several other Parliament officials and other parties participated in the committee meeting held online.
News
12,140 Lankans killed in road accidents during past five years
By Hemanta Randunu
Police Headquarters have revealed that 12,140 individuals have lost their lives in traffic accidents across the country over the past five years. During this period, a total of 117,970 vehicle accidents occurred, including 11,581 fatal ones, according to the Police Headquarters’ Motor Traffic Division.
The shocking data was uncovered through a review conducted under the supervision of the Acting Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasuriya, and with the help of Deputy Inspector General of Police Indika Hapugoda and Senior Police Officer Manoj Ranagala from the Motor Traffic Division.
The Police Motor Traffic Division attributes the rapid increase in vehicle accidents to a variety of factors, including non-compliance with traffic laws, drunk driving, speeding, reckless driving, and inexperienced drivers.
The number of accidents involving buses has been increasing rapidly on an annual basis, according to the police. As a result, the police are intensifying legal action against errant drivers.
In response, plainclothes police officers are deployed in buses to identify and take action against drivers who commit traffic violations.
Vehicle owners have been informed to comply with a directive to remove these unnecessary accessories from their vehicles.
News
Narcotics with a street value of Rs 28.1 bn seized by SLN in 2024
The Navy took into custody narcotics with a street value of Rs 28.1 billion (around 96.1 million U.S. dollars) during operations carried out in 2024.
Among the drugs taken into custody were 622 kilos of heroin (Rs 15.5 billion) and more than 1,211 kilos of Crystal Methamphetamine or ICE (Rs 11.5 billion). Moreover, 21 local fishing boats along with 230 individuals suspected of involvement in drug trafficking were also taken into custody and legal action was taken against them.
The Navy arrested 407 suspects in 2024 involved in illegal activities such as human trafficking, smuggling of narcotics, prescription drugs and other goods The Navy said it conducts continuous operations to prevent illegal activities. (RK)
News
World Bank report highlights key achievements and challenges in South Asian regional cooperation in 2024
2024 was a year marked by political change across South Asia, with elections and political upheavals dominating the headlines in countries such as Bangladesh. Amidst this political backdrop, regional cooperation saw both progress and setbacks, according to a new report by the World Bank.
The report described regional connectivity and cooperation as a “marathon”—with some areas moving ahead swiftly while others progressed more slowly. However, the overarching trend was the growing recognition among South Asian countries that certain challenges, such as air pollution and climate change, require collective action.
One of the standout achievements of 2024 was the strengthened regional consensus on tackling air pollution. Countries in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills—namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, and Pakistan—have come together to combat air pollution as a cross-border issue. In June, the second Science Policy Dialogue on Air Quality Management in Bhutan reaffirmed the need for multisectoral and transboundary collaboration. These efforts are proving to be not only more cost-effective but also faster, delivering results at 45% lower costs compared to ad hoc measures. The group set an ambitious goal of reducing annual PM2.5 concentrations to less than 35 µg/m³ by 2035.
In addition to air pollution, there is growing momentum to tackle plastic pollution, particularly marine plastic. Regional efforts are also focused on innovation in plastic usage and production to reduce waste and pollution.
Addressing climate risks continues to be a priority, with increased regional cooperation in meteorological and hydrological services. The World Bank-supported South Asia Hydromet Forum has fostered collaboration across the region, enhancing consensus forecasting and early warning systems. This cooperation is already saving lives, with improved marine forecasting helping Sri Lanka’s fishing community prepare for extreme wave heights. This example highlights the effectiveness of collaboration in mitigating climate risks.
The report also spotlighted women’s increasing participation in regional development, particularly in traditionally male-dominated sectors like trade, transport, and infrastructure. Women’s inclusion in these sectors is vital to the region’s economic growth, and initiatives such as providing on-site childcare, access to separate restrooms, and well-lit spaces are helping to break down barriers. For example, women like Halima Begum in Bangladesh, employed in the construction and maintenance of regional transport corridors, and Runu Hazarika in Assam, who operates an inland water transport business, are exemplars of the region’s growing focus on gender inclusivity.
The WePower network, which supports women in the energy sector, also made significant strides in 2024, with 101 South Asian women engineers completing a leadership training program in the power sector.
A significant milestone in regional cooperation came in November 2024, when Nepal began exporting 40MW of hydroelectricity to Bangladesh via India’s grid. This historic power-sharing agreement marks the beginning of a broader energy trade between Nepal and Bangladesh, with future expansion expected. Additionally, Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation signed an agreement with Tata Power in India to develop 5,000 MW of clean energy. These collaborations illustrate the critical role of private sector involvement in the clean energy transition.
The World Bank’s analysis predicts that South Asia’s energy demand will double by 2050, with emissions rising by 30%. However, the region could cut its emissions by up to 40% by leveraging cross-border electricity markets, renewable energy, and energy efficiency measures.
The South Asian Economics Students’ Meet (SAESM) marked its 20th anniversary in 2024, further emphasizing the importance of engaging the region’s youth in shaping the future of South Asia. The network brings together undergraduate economics students from across the region to foster academic exchange and strengthen regional ties. Over 90% of the SAESM alumni reported that the meet facilitated their first visit to a neighboring South Asian country, and more than 80% have maintained lasting relationships through the network.
With South Asia having the largest youth population globally, tapping into the collective energy and innovation of young people is seen as key to sustainable development and regional cooperation. These young voices are considered critical drivers of progress in the region, contributing to the vision of a unified #OneSouthAsia.
The report concludes by acknowledging that while significant progress has been made in 2024, much work remains to be done. The challenges and opportunities for collaboration will evolve, but the trajectory of regional cooperation remains positive. “This is not a sprint, but a marathon, with a long-term vision,” the report stated, reflecting the slow yet steady pace of progress that defines South Asia’s path to greater regional cooperation.
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