News
UNFPA , Japan support Lanka to strengthen access to sexual and reproductive health services amidst COVID-19
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 29 March 2021:
The United Nations Population Fund (formerly UN Family Planning Association) in Sri Lanka and the Government of Japan recently handed over a consignment of goods to support the Ministry of Health to strengthen access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Additionally, the infrastructure provided will further strengthen the service provision capacity at Women and Youth-Friendly health centres.
This support was made possible through ‘PROMISES’ – a USD 1.5 million UNFPA project supported by the Government of Japan designed to improve access to information and services on sexual and reproductive health and gender based violence, aimed at women and young people.
The three-year project primarily focuses on improving women’s access to family planning services in Sri Lanka, enhancing the capacity of Women and Youth-friendly health centres and strengthening services for victims and survivors of gender-based violence.
As such, UNFPA Sri Lanka handed over essential medical and ICT equipment worth over USD 150,000 to the Ministry of Health on 29 March 2021, at the Family Health Bureau in the presence of State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akira Sugiyama, UNFPA Representative Ritsu Nacken and other officials.
Acknowledging this support, Dr. Fernandopulle stated: ‘’Sri Lanka has made significant progress in the health sector. Yet there continues to be areas where we can do better – particularly in terms of enhancing our delivery of sexual and reproductive health services for women and young people. On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I want to thank UNFPA Sri Lanka and the Government of Japan for the tremendous support and assistance in this area.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Sugiyama, said: “As a long-time development partner, Japan has been supporting the peace and development of Sri Lanka in response to the genuine needs of the Sri Lankan people, including in the areas of gender and women’s empowerment. Sri Lanka and Japan are partner countries under the G7 Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Initiative, for which Japan has so far extended approximately USD 6 million to Sri Lanka.
“We hope that the equipment and furniture handed over today will help the health centers better serve women and young people in need, who are key contributors to peace and sustainable development in this country.”
Representative of UNFPA Sri Lanka Ritsu Nacken stated, “Strengthening the access to and delivery of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services is imperative so that women and girls are not left behind as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Even pre-COVID access to SRH information and services was tough for many, especially for young people. UNFPA together with the Government of Japan is pleased to support the Ministry of Health in ensuring everyone has access to essential life-saving services.”
Latest News
Schools closed on 13th and 14th November
The Ministry of Education has announced that all schools in the island will be closed on 13th and 14th November due to the Parliamentary Election.
News
Enthusiasm of voters and candidates at low ebb: Polls monitors
By Rathindra Kuruwita
More than 8,800 candidates were contesting this year’s general election, but fewer than 1,000 of them were actively campaigning, Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), said yesterday.
“This low level of enthusiasm reflects the strain on political parties which have had to contest elections one after the other,” Hettiarachchi said, noting that voters themselves seemed less enthusiastic about the election. “There is significant disillusionment with traditional parties. Additionally, with campaign finance laws now in place, questionable individuals and entities are restricted from injecting money, leading many big spenders from previous elections to withdraw,” he said.
Although hundreds of political parties and independent groups were contesting and are allowed to establish around 600,000 campaign offices, only about 9,200 offices have been set up, Hettiarachchi added.
News
SC halts Magistrate’s orders on release of unregistered jumbos
…assumes jurisdiction over case
By A. J. A. Abeynayake
The Supreme Court issued an order yesterday (07) directing the immediate transfer of a case regarding the possession of several unregistered elephants from the Colombo Additional Magistrate’s Court to its own jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court also instructed the Magistrate’s Court not to take any further steps concerning the case. Additionally, it issued a stay order on all directives given by the Magistrate’s Court regarding the case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) until the conclusion of its examination of the related petitions.
This ruling was made by a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Arjuna Obeysekere, in response to submissions by President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, who argued that the previous order issued by an Colombo Additional Magistrate’s Court, allowing the release of illegally held elephants back to the individuals in possession of them was unlawful.
The Centre for Environmental and Cultural Studies and several other parties had previously filed the case, which was called for hearing yesterday (07).
President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena also brought to the notice of the Supreme Court that despite an order from the Court of Appeal preventing the release of elephants held by the Department of Wildlife in connection with this case, the Magistrate’s Court had recently issued an order releasing the elephants back to the individuals in possession of them.
-
Business6 days ago
Standard Chartered appoints Harini Jayaweera as Chief Compliance Officer
-
News5 days ago
Fifteen heads of Sri Lanka missions overseas urgently recalled
-
News5 days ago
Five-star hotels stop serving pork products
-
Features5 days ago
Waiting for a Democratic Opposition
-
News4 days ago
ITAK denies secret pact with NPP
-
Sports5 days ago
Sri Lanka’s path to Lord’s
-
Opinion4 days ago
Lawyers’ Collective calls on govt., all political parties to commit to repeal of PTA
-
News5 days ago
Lanka eyes default exit by December; IMF review completion after budget: CB Governor