News
UNFPA now moves to help marginalised elderly
UNFPA has entered into a partnership with HelpAge Sri Lanka to prioritise older persons in times of emergencies, a UN body said in a media release.
It said: The rapid ongoing spread of COVID-19 continues to impact billions of lives around the world. The pandemic has also further exacerbated existing inequalities, pushing vulnerable populations deeper into poverty and into the hidden fringes of society.
Further, as an island nation, Sri Lanka is vulnerable to the rapid effects of climate change and extreme weather conditions. In the period 2010-2018, approximately 14 million people were affected by floods and 12 million people due to drought. Within this context, older persons form a significant part of society who are disproportionately affected during emergency situations.
Earlier this year, UNFPA entered into a partnership agreement with HelpAge Sri Lanka through the UNFPA Emergency Fund, to enhance the meaningful inclusion of older persons in disaster preparedness.
Since Sri Lanka has the fastest growing ageing population in South Asia, with 1 in 5 Sri Lankans expected to be over the age of 60 by 2030, with the majority being women, this partnership focused on building the capacity of Senior Citizen Committees (SCC) in Galle and Matara to better design age-responsive integrated disaster response plans factoring in the health needs of the communities, and gender-based violence that could occur during emergencies.
Now UNFPA Sri Lanka is further strengthening the capacitated Senior Citizen Committees (SCC) in Galle and Matara through the provision of essential equipment (Wheelchairs, Commode wheelchairs, Walking sticks, Air mattresses, Digital thermometers, Folding beds, Emergency stretchers, BP meters (Electric), Glucometers, Walkers, Cooking Utensil sets and Folding mattresses) to ensure the needs and wellbeing of older persons are not overlooked in situations of emergencies.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
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