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.

The official launch of providing all services of the President’s Fund through Divisional Secretariats across the island took place this morning (21) at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat.

Coinciding with the launch, a special training workshop for officials in the Northern Province was held at the same venue, as part of a series of workshops aimed at decentralising the President’s Fund operations to grassroots level.

Since 7 February this year, applications for medical assistance from the President’s Fund have been accepted through all Divisional Secretariats across the country. Following the successful implementation of this programme, steps have now been taken to extend digital access to all other services offered by the Fund.

Accordingly, the public can now apply online for a range of services including poverty alleviation assistance, educational scholarships, recognition for academic excellence, support for individuals with special needs, aid for children affected by the human-elephant conflict, recognition for national and public service and emergency or disaster relief. This marks the first time in the Fund’s 47-year history that services, previously limited to Colombo, are accessible via any Divisional Secretariat nationwide.

This advancement follows a decision made by the Board of Governors of the President’s Fund, chaired by the President. It is expected to improve efficiency, expand access to a wider population and minimise opportunities for misuse.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary of the President’s Fund, Mr Roshan Gamage, briefed attendees on the Fund’s responsibilities and range of services.

As part of the government’s digitalisation drive, the official rollout of online services of the President’s Fund also took place during the event.

Minister of fisheries, aquatic and ocean resources Ramalingam Chandraseker, Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, the Kilinochchi and Jaffna District Secretaries, other senior government officials from the Northern Province, regional officers of the President’s Fund and its administrative staff were present at the occasion.

The “Sarasaviya Film Awards Festival – 2025” organized by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (Lake House) will be held for the 36th time on Tuesday, June 24 at the BMICH. The screening of three acclaimed films on three days began on Wednesday at the Maradana Cine City Cinema complex.

The film Sinhabahu, was screened on the 18th and Sihinayaki Adare was screened yesterday. Today the film Mandara will be screened at the theatre. Veteran actor Jeevan Kumaratunga and actress Sangeetha Weeraratne the chief guests at yesterday’s film screening lighting the traditional oil lamp. Actresses S. Priyasad and Selini Ratnayake look on.

The Government is launching a major project to improve Healthcare across the country by opening 1,000 new Primary Health Centers (PHCs), with the first 100 set to be completed this year.

The goal is to make quality Healthcare more accessible to everyone, especially people in rural areas.

Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the plan at a consultation meeting and one-day Workshop held at the “Sankathani” Hall of the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration. He said the Government wants to build all 1,000 Centers within the next two and a half years.

“This will be the main project of the Health service going forward,” said Dr. Jayatissa. “We want to provide a better, more efficient primary Healthcare system for the people of this country.”

Each Center will serve around 5,000 to 7,000 people and will be located within easy reach, ideally within 3 kms, or a 20-minute walk, from people’s homes. The plan is to set up one Health center for every 5 Grama Niladhari Divisions, ensuring that no one is left out.

These Centers will be staffed with a family Doctor, a community health Nurse, a small medical team, and a coordinator. They’ll offer essential services like First Aid, Emergency Care, Health Education, Nutrition Advice, and Disease Prevention. The idea is not just to treat illness but to help people stay healthy.

Dr. Jayatissa also explained that these Centers will be designed to work closely with local communities. By involving community organisations, the Government hopes the Centers will be better equipped to deal with Health issues specific to each area, as well as emergencies. Looking ahead, the Government also plans to create other essential services alongside Healthcare in each local area, including Education, Police, and Agricultural support units starting with Health as the foundation.

Dr. Jayatissa expressed confidence that with everyone in the Health sector working together, the existing annual Health budget of under Rs. 200 billion will be enough to support this plan and solve long-standing issues in areas like Pharmaceuticals and Surgical supplies.

He also reassured the public that the necessary staff and facilities will be provided. New Health workers will be recruited, and those currently in training will be deployed to help run the new Centers.

Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Deputy Director General of Health Dr. Arjuna Thilakaratne, Director of Primary Health. Provincial Dr. Sarathchandra Kumarawansa, District Health Directors, Specialist Doctors, and officials from Planning and community Health divisions also participated at this meeting.

Health, Mass Media Minister and Chief Government Whip, (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka–Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Association of the Tenth Parliament.

The revival meeting of the Association was held on Tuesday (17) at the Parliament premises under the patronage of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

Nepalese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali graced the event as the guest of honour. The Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, Chaminda Kularatne and the visiting Nepalese delegation led by Padma Prasad Pandey, Secretary General of the Federal Parliament of Nepal, were also present.

At the meeting, MP Anushka Thilakarathne was elected as the Secretary of the Association.

Speaking at the meeting, the Speaker highlighted the longstanding friendship of 68 years between Sri Lanka and Nepal, underscoring the economic, cultural, and strategic cooperation shared by the two nations. He further expressed confidence that the revived Friendship Association would contribute significantly to strengthening collaboration in the fields of education, religion, culture, and people-to-people ties.

Ambassador Nepali congratulated the newly elected office-bearers on behalf of the Government and the people of Nepal. He emphasised that the Friendship Association would pave the way to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and interpersonal connections. He also expressed his appreciation to the Government of Sri Lanka for providing opportunities to Nepalese Buddhist monk students to pursue higher education in Sri Lanka.

In his remarks, the newly elected President, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa expressed his gratitude for the confidence placed in him and for electing him as President of the Association. He further stated his commitment to working through the Association to strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the newly elected Secretary, MP Anushka Thilakarathne extended her appreciation to the Ambassador of Nepal for his continued and invaluable support towards the activities of the Association.

A range of new projects for the 2025 financial year have been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, a flagship government initiative aimed at fostering “A Thriving Nation , A Beautiful Life”

A progress review meeting for these projects, which are being implemented by various ministries and their respective departments, corporations, boards and institutions, was held the day before yesterday (17) at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President.

One notable project discussed is a plan to operate 10 purpose-built buses for people with special needs from Panadura, Kadawatha and Avissawella to the National Hospital in Colombo. This initiative, a collaboration with the Sri Lanka Transport Board, marks the first time such a service will be implemented in the country.

Additionally, there are plans to create a virtual city centred around Kandy, expected to be completed within a year. This pilot project will also encompass the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic premises and is estimated to cost Rs. 50 million.

To attract both local and international tourists, a three-day cultural festival showcasing the cultural values of all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka is being planned for Colombo. This event is scheduled to take place at 16 locations, including Galle Face Green.

Furthermore, there are plans to construct 500 standardised and modern public toilets in tourist areas, with an allocated budget of Rs. 525 million.

A sustainable programme is also underway to secure international Blue Flag certification for two of the country’s main coastal zones within two years. Unawatuna and Hirikatuwa beaches have been proposed for this and over 450 beach custodians are to be appointed under this project, with 250 already receiving their letters of appointment.

A nationwide wastewater disposal project is being implemented at a cost of Rs. 300 million, aiming to maintain the cleanliness and upkeep of urban canals and waterways. Separately, a Rs. 100 million programme has commenced for the sustainable maintenance of the general canal system in Colombo.

A pilot project to minimise water pollution in the Mahaweli River is also being conducted in its upper reaches.

Moreover, a project to provide compost dump bins to local government authorities, costing Rs. 500 million, is also underway. In the first phase, Rs. 150 million worth of bins will be distributed, also within this year.

A road safety programme, costing Rs. 120 million, is already in motion, with the objective of reducing the daily number of road accidents. Attention is also being given to establishing several model villages across the island to prevent anti-social behaviour, including drug abuse.

The meeting also included extensive discussions on the successful completion of these projects to ensure the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme’s objectives are achieved at both ministerial and institutional levels.

Mr. G.M.R.D. Aponsu, Senior Additional Secretary to the President at the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat and Mr. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, along with secretaries and other senior officials representing various ministries, were present at the event.

The Government is currently prioritising the development of a country-specific Food Security Index, with the goal of completing the initiative within the next three months.

This tailored index is expected to better reflect Sri Lanka’s unique food security landscape, addressing the limitations of global indices such as the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), which have been criticized for failing to capture the nuances of the local context. Policymakers have also noted that existing data is often insufficient or imprecise, making it challenging to develop effective strategies.

The proposed index aims to identify key national priorities and guide food security policy over the next five years.

As a first step in this effort, a workshop titled “Identifying a Suitable Food Security Index for Sri Lanka and Formulating a Strategic Plan” was held in Colombo yesterday. Organised by the Food Security Expert Committee in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the event brought together experts and stakeholders from across the sector.

Delivering the opening remarks, President’s Senior Additional Secretary Kapila Gunaratne emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating that the development of a precise, country-specific index is a vital step toward ensuring both economic stability and national food security. The workshop focused on the four key dimensions of food security; availability, accessibility, utilisation and stability and explored how these can be incorporated into a comprehensive and practical national index.

Participants included members of the Food Security Expert Committee, such as Senior Professors Buddhi Marambe and Jeevika Weerahewa, along with representatives from various Government agencies, academic institutions, the FAO, the WFP and the private sector.

The national commemorative ceremony marking World Blood Donor Day, observed at Temple Trees with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Saturday (14).

Coinciding with the event, a felicitation was also held to honour blood donors.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister stated: “The theme declared by the World Health Organisation for this year is “Give Blood, Give Hope – Together we save lives.” In Sri Lanka, nearly 85 percent of the annual blood requirement is fulfilled through the invaluable contribution of organisers of mobile blood donation campaigns. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to them.

Out of the 450,000 blood units received annually by the National Blood Transfusion Service, more than 380,000, around 85 percent are collected through these mobile donation campaigns. Nearly 5,000 mobile blood donation drives are organised annually to support this cause.

Around 1,500 blood donors and nearly 1,000 mobile blood donation campaign organisers participated in this commemorative event. Individuals representing all ethnicities, religions, provinces, and regions of the country ranging from corporate entities, Government institutions, volunteer organisations, schools, defense services, and individual contributors were awarded at this ceremony.

These organisers dedicate their personal resources, time, and labour voluntarily without expecting any personal gain.

The uniquely effective blood donation system that exists in Sri Lanka is not seen in many parts of the world.

The Government intends to systematically reinstate a previously proposed initiative to allocate one day annually for State institutions to participate in blood donation.

Additionally, more opportunities should be provided within the school system to raise awareness about blood donation, as future blood donors are nurtured through education.

Even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, these individuals fulfilled their national responsibility without hesitation.

Today, Sri Lanka has become a country that meets 100 percent of its blood demand through voluntary donations, thanks to the tremendous service rendered by these individuals.

Health and Mass Media Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated: “Two key sectors of Sri Lanka’s health system, the primary healthcare and the National Blood Transfusion Service have received international recognition. In 2010, the World Health Assembly declared that by 2020, all countries should fulfill their blood requirements entirely through voluntary donations. Sri Lanka achieved this goal by 2014. As of today, only about 70 countries worldwide have reached this standard.

The true heroes behind this significant achievement are Sri Lanka’s blood donors and mobile campaign organisers, a uniquely committed group of individuals with pure hearts.

The Government is also focusing on modernising the Blood Transfusion Service further.

The Health Ministry is working to introduce opportunities for stem cell and plasma donations, implement NAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) testing, enhance quality control mechanisms at all blood banks, and establish internationally recognised standards such as AABB and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) to uplift the service to even greater heights.

Health and Mass Media Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, National Blood Transfusion Service Director Dr. Lakshman Edirisingh and several Government officials and a large number of blood donors attended the event.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, delivering the keynote address at the international conference “Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery: Debt and Governance” in Colombo today (16), declared that by 2028 Sri Lanka will have laid the foundation for a stable and self-reliant economy, one capable of independently meeting its external debt obligations. Emphasizing that true sovereignty cannot exist amidst economic collapse, he asserted, “Our ultimate goal is to restore national sovereignty through economic stability and self-reliance.” He urged public officials and citizens alike to contribute to this national endeavour, stressing that the ongoing reform process demands a collective and sustained effort.

The conference, a landmark event jointly hosted by the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), drew global attention as it examined the country’s recovery from economic crisis, the progress of debt restructuring and future challenges under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.

The President acknowledged that while a degree of macroeconomic stability has been restored, Sri Lanka must not be lulled into complacency. “Surface-level stability is not enough,” he stated. “We must deepen this stability through structural reforms that reshape the foundations of our economy.” He also noted several achievements of the current administration within a relatively short timeframe, expressing confidence in continuing this trajectory towards lasting political, economic and social stability.

This conference was held to reflect on Sri Lanka’s experiences, lessons learned and progress made during the debt restructuring process, as well as to discuss the progress and upcoming challenges related to the Extended Fund Facility programme with the International Monetary Fund.

Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe echoed these sentiments, crediting the IMF and international partners for their support in Sri Lanka’s turnaround from a historic crisis that culminated in a sovereign default in 2022. Recalling the severity of the crisis, marked by hyperinflation, shortages and institutional erosion, Dr. Weerasinghe attributed the collapse to years of fiscal mismanagement and unchecked vulnerabilities.

“Stabilization was just the first step,” he noted. “The real test lies in sustaining growth through structural change.”

He highlighted the progress made under the EFF programme, including: Taming inflation – now back to single digits; Rebuilding external balances – including rare current account surpluses and reserve growth; Improving fiscal discipline – with narrowing deficits and emerging primary surpluses.

Dr. Weerasinghe further underlined the importance of governance reforms, pointing to new legislation such as the Central Bank Act, the Public Financial Management Act and the Anti-Corruption Act as pillars of long-term institutional credibility.

Urging stakeholders to maintain policy consistency, empower the private sector and protect the vulnerable, he emphasized: “Sri Lanka’s transformation must be domestically driven, with strong institutions and united public commitment.”

Delivering a pivotal message, IMF First Deputy Managing Director Dr. Gita Gopinath commended Sri Lanka’s hard-won gains but reminded attendees of the cost borne by the people, particularly the most vulnerable.

“The key lesson from this crisis is that it must never happen again,” she said, stressing the need for continued reforms targeting structural weaknesses such as unsustainable subsidies and inefficient pricing mechanisms. Though socially painful, she insisted such changes are essential for resilience.

She also cautioned against “reform fatigue,” highlighting that half of Sri Lanka’s 16 past IMF programmes faltered due to reversals. “This time must be different,” Dr. Gopinath urged. “Success should be measured not just by numbers but by whether this becomes Sri Lanka’s last IMF programme.” She called for inclusive governance, civil society engagement and equitable policymaking that reaches beyond Colombo, reaffirming the IMF’s commitment while urging national ownership of the recovery path.