News
Switzerland donates Lanka $ 4 Mn worth COVID-19 relief package
Swiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka Dominic Furgler with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa
Swiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka Dominic Furgler called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday(28) and ceremonially handed over a consignment of US $ 4 million worth of medical aid to overcome the COVID-19 epidemic, The Prime Minister’s office said.
Commenting on the relief provided by the Swiss Government to South Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, to overcome the Covid Challenge, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis had previously stated, “We can only end this epidemic together. International support is essential. “
The Prime Minister thanking the government and the people of Switzerland for the donation stressed the importance of maintaining strong cooperation between the two countries.
Among the stocks of medical aid provided were equipment including oxygen concentrators and antibody gene testing kits to control the Covid-19 epidemic.
“I thank the Government and people of Switzerland on behalf of the government and people of Sri Lanka for the generous donation of oxygen concentrators and ventilators amongst other medical supplies,” Prime Minister Rajapaksa said.
The meeting also focused on the need to reactivate the Sri Lanka-Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Association (SLSPFA) and the successful programs between the Members of Parliament of the two countries in the past.
The Prime Minister handed over the responsibilities to Premnath C. Dolawatta, Member of Parliament who is the Convener of the Sri Lanka-Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Association (SLSPFA).
Ambassador Dominic Furgler assured the Prime Minister that the Government of Switzerland will support the development of activities and services of Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector in line with the global expectation that the tourism industry will be revived in the near future.
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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