United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),Resident Representative Azusa Kubota affirmed that the UNDP will support the Sri Lankan Government’s ongoing initiatives to build an efficient and accountable public service.

She made these remarks during a meeting with the Secretary to the President, Dr.Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat held yesterday (13).

The discussion focused on improving collaboration with the UNDP to strengthen staff training and establish Internal Affairs Units (IAUs) aimed at delivering efficient services across all Government institutions.

These units are intended to prevent corruption, promote transparency and accountability, uphold ethical governance and support law enforcement in coordination with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Further discussions were held on introducing programmes aimed at cultivating a culture of compliance within public institutions by encouraging ethical behaviour among public officials. Ms. Kubota assured to the Secretary to the President that the UNDP is fully committed to supporting these programmes.

Also participating in the meeting were Drago Kos, UNDP international expert and Chair of the OECD’s Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan and Dhammika Dassanayake, Anti-Corruption Specialist.

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and US ambassador in Colombo Julie Chung discussed the growth and further enhancement of Sri Lanka’s healthcare system for the benefit of citizens during a meeting in Colombo on Thursday.

During their brief conversation, the US Ambassador emphasised that numerous donors from the USA are keen to contribute medicines and essential medical supplies to hospitals in Sri Lanka.

The Health Minister expressed deep appreciation for the invaluable assistance provided by the US Government in advancing country’s healthcare sector through the regular supply of medicines and medical equipment. Furthermore, she mentioned that the US Government is prepared to offer the necessary technical expertise to Sri Lanka to further enhance its health sector.

Minister Dr. Jayatissa also discussed about the rise of dengue and chikungunya cases in the country, stating that the Government has implemented all feasible measures to curb the spread of these illnesses.

“The Health Department also organises seminars and health camps to raise public awareness about the seriousness of these diseases, and these awareness initiatives are yielding significant improvements,” he added.

The Minister also recalled that in 1973, the US Government established a Thriposha manufacturing facility in the country, and the products from this factory greatly benefit the children in Sri Lanka.

The Minister also informed the US envoy that his Ministry has taken decisive steps to foster a positive media culture in the country, including efforts to establish a “Chartered Media Institution” for the benefit of all media professionals.

In response, the Ambassador said that the US Government is also eager to assist both the healthcare and media sectors in Sri Lanka by providing essential knowledge and the latest technology to advance both fields.

The National Media Policy will be launched and will come into effect within three months, Mass Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa informed Parliament yesterday.

The Minister said that this National Media Policy will be formulated by key media stakeholders themselves through proper discussions to arrive at common consensus with the Government and that the Government will only be playing a facilitator’s role throughout the process.

He said that if any media institution does not comply with the common media law of the country, such media institutions will be dealt with according to prevailing media laws of the country. The Minister emphasised that the Government’s objective is to not impose rules on the media but to allow them to operate freely and ethically according to the country’s existing common media law.

He said that the Government hopes that the media institutions and media journalists will operate and work ethically within a highly competitive media environment in the country, abiding by the country’s laws on media.

“The government’s attention has been drawn in preparing a code of ethics for media journalists and currently the Ministry is in the process of drafting a code of ethics for media journalists.”

Responding to a question raised by NPP MP Prof. Sena Nanayakkara yesterday (8), the Minister said that presently there are 23 Sri Lankan television channels that are broadcast in Sri Lanka with five state television channels and 18 private television channels.

The Minister said the Government’s special attention has been also drawn towards enhancing the quality of the TV programmes that are broadcast by state and private sector TV channels and an action plan will be set up towards achieving this objective for the benefit of the viewers across the country.

An Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) has been established within the Ministry of Health and Mass Media in line with the “New Programme to Establish Internal Affairs Units in All State Institutions,” a joint initiative by the Presidential Secretariat and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), under the Anti- Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023. This initiative aims to promote a transparent, accountable, and corruption-free public service. The Internal Affairs Unit of the Mass Media Division of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, located at No. 163, “Asi Disi Medura”, Kirulapone Avenue, Polhengoda, Colombo 05, was officially inaugurated on today (8^th) with Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, serving as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by Additional Secretaries Ms. Deepa Liyanage (Administration), Mr. N.A.K.L. Wijenayake (Development, Information, Research & Policy), and Mr. S.D. Pandikorala (Postal), along with staff officers and heads of affiliated institutions.

Mr. E.M. Sisira Ekanayake, Deputy Director (Planning), has been appointed as the Integrity Officer. Any information regarding irregularities, corruption, or fraud within the Mass Media Division can be reported—either nominally or anonymously—by placing a written complaint in the “Complaints Box” located at the Ministry premises or by using the following channels: by post to the Internal Affairs Unit, No. 163, “Asi Disi Medura”, Kirulapone Avenue, Polhengoda, Colombo 05; by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or by calling 0112512321 (Ext 7004); or by fax to 0112513462.

This initiative reflects the broader effort to establish Internal Affairs Units across all state ministries, departments, and institutions, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and effective public service delivery throughout Sri Lanka.

(Manoj Dambarage)

The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Major General (Retd) Faheem Ul Aziz HI (M), met with the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, at the Ministry of Health on July 7.

During the meeting, both parties emphasized the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and explored ways to strengthen cooperation in key sectors including health, indigenous medicine, education, tourism, and medical tourism.

A notable highlight of the discussion was the potential for greater cultural exchange through media collaborations—such as sharing dramas and teledramas—between the two countries. The High Commissioner assured Pakistan’s continued support in all areas discussed.

Further, the two sides reviewed existing educational collaborations, particularly medical scholarships for Sri Lankan students studying in Pakistan, and proposed expanding cooperation in higher education and vocational training. Opportunities for collaboration in agriculture and information technology were also considered.

The meeting reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, with both nations expressing willingness to deepen their partnership across multiple sectors.

The discussion was also attended by Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media; Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry; and Mahwash Sami (Trade & Investment) and Adeel Sattar (Media & Culture) from the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka.

The Health and Mass Media Ministry plans to roll out a new initiative aimed at serving high-quality, nutritious, and appetising meals to inpatients at Government hospitals. The project, which will begin as a pilot at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, was the focus of a recent meeting chaired by Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

Senior ministry officials, hospital administrators, doctors from the Sri Lanka College of Nutrition Physicians and nutritionists attended the discussion, which explored both the challenges and opportunities in revamping hospital meals.

Minister Jayatissa noted that the Government allocates a significant budget each year for hospital food services but questioned whether the current system delivers real value to patients.

He pointed out that patient satisfaction with hospital meals has hitherto not been assessed, highlighting the need for a complete overhaul of both the content and the delivery of food in State-run facilities.

The pilot project at Maharagama Apeksha Hospital will introduce a new approach where each patient receives a customised plate, with rice, vegetables and proteins served separately, rather than the traditional single-plate method. Doctors told the Minister that such visually appealing and thoughtfully arranged meals can help lift patients’ spirits and encourage better nutrition.

Although the hospital has a modern kitchen capable of preparing meals for up to 2,000, officials acknowledged there was a shortage of staff. The meeting also stressed the need to provide specialised training for kitchen staff in modern food preparation and service techniques. There was a proposal to rename the hospital kitchen as the “Food and Beverages Department” to reflect the upgraded standards.

If successful, the initiative is expected to be extended to all Government hospitals across the country. However, participants emphasised the need to upgrade kitchen facilities, including replacing gas stoves with steam-powered equipment and introducing new technology to ensure food quality and safety.

Concerns were also raised about the procurement process for raw ingredients. Officials noted that contracts are often awarded to the lowest bidder, sometimes compromising the quality of supplies, especially spices. Both doctors and administrators stressed the importance of maintaining high standards for all ingredients used in hospital kitchens.

Minister Jayatissa pledged swift action to address these issues and said the Ministry is committed to the successful implementation of the project.

Among those present at the meeting were Additional Secretaries Sunil Galagama and Salinda Bandara, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Maharagama Apeksha Hospital Director Dr.Aruna Jayasekara, Sri Lanka College of Nutrition Physicians President Dr. Thimathi Wickramasekara and several senior doctors and nutritionists.

The National Accident Prevention Week, implemented annually by the Health Ministry begins today (7). This week will be held from today until July 11 and this year marks the tenth National Accident Prevention Week.

Road Accident Prevention Day falls on today (7), Workplace Accident Prevention Day on 8, Home and Elderly Home Accident Prevention Day on 9h, Drowning Prevention Day on 10 and Schools, Preschools and Day Care Center Accident Prevention Day falls on 11.

The Health Ministry points out that one in seven people in the country’s total population may be involved in an accident that requires medical attention annually, and that at least 6 to 8 Sri Lankans may be involved in an accident that requires medical attention every minute.

Around 2500 to 3000 patients in Sri Lanka who are referred to hospitals for treatment due to accidents die annually, and accidents are ranked 10th among the factors causing deaths in hospitals.

The Health Ministry states that out of the total deaths of 145,000 that occur annually in Sri Lanka, 8 percent or about 10,000-12,000 people lose their lives due to accidents, and that at least 4 people lose their lives to various accidents every three hours.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that healthcare is not just a service; it is a social necessity. And good regulation, like good governance, is ultimately about protecting and promoting that social necessity, she said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the centenary celebration of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) on July 5, at the BMICH in Colombo.

In alignment with the 100-year celebration, a commemorative stamp was officially released during the ceremony.

The Prime Minister further stated:

“This is not just a celebration of 100 years of service to the public, to the medical profession, and to our country.

“In the case of medicine, this responsibility becomes even more critical because here, we are dealing with life itself. Despite severe challenges, Sri Lanka has been able to maintain trust in the health system, as was evidenced during the COVID pandemic.

“As the Education Minister, I want to urge you to consider how we can ensure that our medical education produces more humane, empathetic, and ethical practitioners. I congratulate the Sri Lanka Medical Council on reaching this historic milestone. The Government is proud to stand with you today and in the years to come.”

Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa who also attended the event said,

“We live in a time of profound transformation in healthcare. The old certainties are giving way to new complexities. As we move toward universal health coverage, digitised care, genomic medicine, and cross-border service delivery, regulation must keep pace. The SLMC is not immune to these pressures; it is, in fact, at the centre of them.

“The Health Ministry considers the SLMC a key partner, not only in regulating the medical profession, but also in shaping the direction of healthcare delivery in Sri Lanka. Over the years, we have worked together on matters of licensing, education standards, continuing professional development, ethical oversight, and health workforce planning. These are not minor tasks – they go to the very heart of how we ensure quality, safety, and accountability in the health services we provide to our citizens.”

The event was attended by ambassadors, the Attorney General, Justices of the Supreme Court, members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council, and other dignitaries.

The Sri Lanka Broadcasters Symposium 2025 was held in Colombo today (25), bringing together heads of several leading media institutions.

The event marked the 100th anniversary of the introduction of electronic media in Sri Lanka and was jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Electronic Broadcasters Association, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Held at a private hotel in Colombo, the symposium featured insightful discussions on the evolution and future of electronic broadcasting in the country.

A special tribute was paid to Shan Wickramasinghe in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Sri Lanka’s media industry.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Maduki from the Department of Media and Mass Communication, Islamic University of Indonesia, who spoke on the role of media in fostering democratic engagement and technological transformation.

The Sri Lanka Broadcasters’ Symposium 2025, jointly organized by the Broadcasters Association and the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, is set to take place in Colombo tomorrow (25), according to Additional Secretary to the Ministry, N.A.K.L. Wijenayake.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the Department of Government Information yesterday (23), Wijenayake highlighted that the symposium will address current challenges and emerging trends in the broadcasting sector, particularly in the face of rapid digital transformation and the rise of new media.

The event will focus on a range of key topics, including the future of broadcasting over the next five years, media policy development, publication rights, and strategies for resolving ongoing challenges in the industry. A central theme of the symposium is the vision of establishing Sri Lanka as a regional hub for broadcasting.

The Sri Lanka Broadcasters’ Symposium 2025 will be held across several sessions and will include participation from international observers and industry experts.

Key figures present at the media briefing included Director General of Government Information H.S.K.J. Bandara, President of the Sri Lanka Electronic Broadcasters Association Asanga Jayasuriya, Secretary Laksiri Withanage, and media analyst and consultant Nalaka Gunawardena.

This year’s Kandy Esala Perahera Festival will commence on July 25 with the traditional Kap Situweema (planting of the ceremonial jak tree branch) at the four main devalayas – (Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini) according to Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela.

The ritual will be held facing the north at exactly 6:05 am on July 25.

Diyawadana Nilame Dela made this announcement during a discussion held on Thursday (19) at the Ran Avuda Mandapa Chamber of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa). The meeting was convened to finalise the dates of the street processions and related organisational arrangements.

Following five days of Devale Peraheras (inhouse processions), the first Kumbal Perahera will parade the streets on July 30.

The Kumbal Perahera will continue from July 30 to August 3, followed by the first Randoli Perahera on August 4, the Diyawadana Nilame said.

The final grand Randoli Perahera will take place on Nikini Poya, which falls on August 8.

The 36th edition of the Calin Sarasaviya Film Awards will be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, under the theme “Cinematic Pinnacle in a Resurgent Land”.

The Awards, organised by the Sarasaviya Cinema Weekly published by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) also known as Lake House and sponsored by Calin Soap (Main sponsor) and Wasana Bakers (Gold sponsor) will shine a spotlight on local films released between January 1 and December 31, 2024, including entries in Sinhala and Tamil. Of the 38 films screened across the island, including three locally made Tamil movies, 37 will vie for 32 awards titles.

An independent panel of experts will deliberate on the awards. The audience gets its say in categories such as Most Popular Actor, Most Popular Actress, and Most Popular Playback Song. The winner of the Popular Film Award will be decided on based on box office performance.

Cinnamon Grand Hotel, the hospitality partner and sponsor, will offer a special package to the voter who sends the highest number of SMS messages for the aforementioned categories. Rupahala is a special sponsor while Supreme TV will be the TV and Digital Media Partner.

Eight fresh categories make their debut: Best Tamil Language Film, Comedian, Anti-Hero, Stage Design, Costume Design, Special Visual Effects, Popular Film Song (audience voted) and Appreciation Award for an Assistant Director (a first-of-its-kind honour in the global film awards circuit). It will also have a number of once-in-a-lifetime awards. Some of the year’s most popular films were screened at Cine City, Colombo, prior to the awards night. The first Sarasaviya Awards Night took place in 1964.

Winning a Sarasaviya Award is considered by film artistes and technicians as a crowning achievement in their careers and many who had won Sarasaviya Awards in their formative years have now become national icons.