Business

Top business forum reveals:

Published

2 years ago

2021/03/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Two thirds of menstruating women in SL are non-users of sanitary pads

by Sanath Nanayakkare

National level data pertaining to the use of proper commercial sanitary pads by menstruating women in Sri Lanka shows only about a third of the menstruating female population uses feminine hygiene products, thus causing concern. Two thirds of menstruating women population use alternative methods to absorb menstrual fluids.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that as high as 90% of menstruating female workers on tea estates don’t use sanitary pads during their menstrual cycles.

These observations were made by Hemas FMCG and MJF charity foundation of Dilmah Tea at a forum in Colombo on Monday where State Minster Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle was the keynote speaker.

Hemas’ Fems joined forces with the ARKA initiative, Dilmah’s Merrill J. Fernando Charity Foundation, Sarvodaya Women’s Movement and Sarvodaya-Fusion to educate a wider audience of Sri Lankan women on menstrual health and iron out the long-held myths and misconceptions.

While addressing the knowledge gap, this initiative intends to encourage women to use sanitary napkins as researches have found out that majority of menstruating women are non-users of sanitary napkins.

Speaking to the The Island Financial Review CEO Dilmah Dilhan Fernando said that a survey conducted by MJF foundation of Dilmah Tea has found that as high as 90% of menstruating female workers on tea estates don’t use sanitary pads during their menstrual cycles.

Meanwhile, Sriyan de Silva Wijeyaratne, Hemas MD FMCG told the IFR that available data on the adoption of proper health practices by menstruating women in Sri Lanka is not ‘worth talking about’ especially as Sri Lanka boasts a progressive period of 73 years since its Independence.

“If you look at how many women are using feminine menstrual hygiene products on a regular basis, we are referring to about one third of the menstruating women population. Even on an adhoc basis, the usage is less than two thirds of the category. However, having said that, more than two thirds of menstruating women in Sri Lanka should have no problem spending about Rs. 100 on sanitary napkins. That is why we are saying that this is not just a matter of affordability. In fact, this highlights the need for a combination of having good quality affordable products in the market and having the right education and awareness to use them. We have to bring the topic out and have a no-holds-barred dialogue on this. Such a candid dialogue will set the women free. That is why we launched the new sanitary napkin via an initiative for women empowerment on International Women’s Day, rather than just launch a product saying, look, we have a cheap product.”

Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle, State Minister of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control responding to a question posed by IFR said, “We want to see all menstruating schoolgirls get sanitary napkins for free. But we can’t do this alone as a state-owned company doesn’t manufacture the item. We need the support of the private sector to make it a reality”.

Alongside the nationwide initiative, Fems launched a new sanitary napkin aiming to equip Sri Lankan women with an affordable napkin solution. Manufactured using a soft cotton top sheet to provide maximum comfort to the user, Fems Aya napkin will soon be available in the market for an affordable price.

All News Advertisement

Business

National Trade Facilitation Committee Secretariat to be established

Published

6 hours ago

2023/06/9

Priyan

The NTFC review meeting in progress

In an effort to accelerate trade facilitation commitments and bolster the business landscape in Sri Lanka, a high-level review of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) was conducted at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (7).

The review focused on assessing the progress of trade facilitation commitments and scrutinizing the performance of the NTFC Secretariat. The private sector also voiced their views on expediting actions to ensure the completion of measures ahead of the projected timeline of 2025-2030.

In order to streamline compliance and optimize performance, several directives were issued during the meeting. Firstly, it was decided to establish the NTFC Secretariat under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance. Secondly, immediate measures to be taken to address the staffing requirements of the Secretariat and lastly, the budget allocated for the NTFC Secretariat in 2023, currently under the Department of Customs, was to be transferred to the Ministry of Finance to prioritize pending actions such as the development of the NTFC website and progress reporting system.

During the meeting, deliberations took place concerning the proposed National Single Window, a system aimed at simplifying and expediting trade processes. The participants agreed to expedite the submission of the proposal in a sequential manner to ensure its swift implementation.

Business

PM discusses ADB future projects in Sri Lanka with ADB DG and new Country Director

Published

8 hours ago

2023/06/9

Priyan

Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Director General for South Asia Kenichi Yokoyama and newly appointed Country Director Takafumi Kadono held discussions with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Thursday (June 8) at the Temple Trees in Colombo.

The Prime Minister, while welcoming the new Director General thanked the outgoing DG, Chen Chen for the support extended to Sri Lanka during the height of Covid pandemic and the economic crisis. He thanked the ADB for extending short term, immediate contingency support which has helped Sri Lankan economy to recover from the unprecedented crisis within a short period of time. ADB loan funds amounting to USD 380 mn were targeted for enhancing fiscal space and efficient public financial management system as well as strengthening the SME sector with access to finance. Further USD 250 mn was obtained as budgetary support to develop Capital Market.

The Prime Minister made a special mention about ADB’s US$ 333 million emergency assistance to support import of essential items such as fertilizer, medicines and chemicals for water treatment, working capital support to SMEs, and cash transfer to most poor and vulnerable to mitigate the impact of economic crisis.

ADB Director General for South Asia Keinichi Yokohoma, praised the recovery made by Sri Lankan economy and briefed the Prime Minister about the ADB’s mid-term and long-term projects for economic progress and infrastructure development.

Business

ADB provides Sri Lanka access to concessional financing to facilitate sustained and inclusive recovery

Published

13 hours ago

2023/06/9

Thilina Walpola

Kenichi Yokoyama, Director General of ADB's South Asia Department

Low interest -rate financing broadens country’s options to bridge urgent development financing needs

ADB support now comes in concessional and market-based financing, technical assistance, policy advice, and knowledge solutions

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved the eligibility of Sri Lanka to access concessional financing. The availability of concessional assistance, offered at low interest rates, broadens Sri Lanka’s options to bridge its urgent development financing needs to restore economic stability and deliver essential services, particularly to the poor and vulnerable.

Eligibility for concessional resources among the developing member countries of ADB is based on gross national income per capita and creditworthiness. ADB’s decision was considered based on a request from the Government of Sri Lanka in view of the severe and unprecedented economic crisis that has reversed hard-won development gains.

“ADB is committed to further enhancing its support for the people of Sri Lanka as the country responds to this deep crisis that has severely undermined their livelihoods and well-being,” said ADB Director General for South Asia Kenichi Yokoyama. “The availability of concessional assistance will help Sri Lanka to lay the foundation for economic recovery and sustained, inclusive growth.”

Sri Lanka is now eligible for ADB support including concessional and market-based financing, technical assistance, policy advice, and knowledge solutions that together comprise a comprehensive suite of options to address the crisis. Access to concessional financing will also ease debt servicing pressures through more favorable lending terms.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.