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Sino – Lanka programme successfully completes 120 cataract surgeries (Pics)
A joint programme by China and Sri Lanka to conduct free 120 cataract surgeries was completed today (17).
Organised by the Yunnan Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Sri Lanka – China Social and Cultural Cooperation (ASLCSCC), the project was implemented by the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan and the Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC.
A 10-members medical team from the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan, China arrived at Colombo last Saturday (13) for the programme held from May 15- 17.
A ceremony was held at the Lanka Hospital in Colombo today (May 17) with the attendance of officials from both China and Sri Lanka.
Visiting governor of Yunnan Province – Mr. Wang Yubo, Madam Yang Mu, DG of the Yunnan Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong, State Minister of Health – Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Mr. Zeng Zhong – President of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, President of the ASLCSCC – Mr. Indrananda Abeysekara, Secretary to the Eastern Province Governor – Mr. L.P. Madanayake, CEO of Lanka Hospitals – Dr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi, Deputy CEO of Lanka Hospitals – Dr. Lasantha Karunasekara as well as embassy and hospital staff were present.
Speaking to the governor at the ceremony – State minister of Health – Dr. Seetha Arambepola expressed her gratitude to the governor and hoped that more such projects would be initiated in Sri Lanka in the future to benefit all levels of public. Responding, the governor said he hoped that the two countries would enhance cooperation with each other.
Talking to the medical staff of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, governor Wang praised their efforts and said that they have restored sight to 120 people, who in return, have become ambassadors of China – Sri Lanka cooperation.
(Pics : Shanika Jayasekara)
Photo Story
Kandy Lake cleaned up after “Siri Dalada Vandanawa” (Pics)
Following the ten-day “Siri Dalada Vandanawa” religious veneration, a special clean-up operation was carried out at the Kandy Lake by the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Navy.
During this operation, plastic bottles, packaging materials and other waste that had been discarded into the lake were removed, restoring the Kandy Lake to its natural state.
The operation was led by Commander Weerasekara and Captain Charitha Gunawantha of Sri Lanka Navy, with the participation of teams from Clean Sri Lanka, the Department of Irrigation and the Department of Archaeology. The initiative also received strong support from volunteer groups and members of the public.
Kandy Lake has long been a major attraction for both local and international tourists visiting Kandy. However, the accumulation of plastic and other waste materials in the lake poses a serious threat to water sources and aquatic life.
Under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, special attention has been given to protecting the environment, with the aim of fostering an environmental, social and moral awakening within the country and thereby uplifting society to a higher level. A series of initiatives have been launched to cultivate a sense of civic responsibility among the public and to promote the maintenance of a cleaner, waste-free environment.
Accordingly, the Clean Sri Lanka programme was actively implemented across the Kandy city area throughout the past ten days, coinciding with the “Siri Dalada Vandanawa”.
(President’s Media Division)
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SLIMFA Media Fest inaugurated (Pics)
Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, and Minister of Mass Media and Health – Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, jointly inaugurated the first-ever Media Fest organized by the Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) today at Taj Samudra, Colombo.
Under the theme ‘Navigating the New Media Landscape Together,’ the two-day Media Fest from 25-26 April 2025 will explore contemporary media trends and innovations. Key focus areas include AI in journalism, mobile journalism, media monetisation, data journalism, disinformation and fact-checking, content creation and audio journalism. As the first-of-its-kind in Sri Lanka, it will feature keynotes, panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
The event provides a unique platform for professional development and for fostering collaboration between media professionals from India and Sri Lanka. Experts from India including Ms. Palki Sharma, Managing Editor at Firstpost; Mr. Siddhant Sibal, Assistant Foreign Affairs Editor at WION;Mr. Shailesh Shekhar, Chief Synergy Officer at India Todayand Mr. L.V. Krishnan, CEO of TAM Media Research in collaboration with experts from Sri Lanka will exchange and discuss best practices with the registered participants from the media and business community locally.
SLIMFA, inaugurated in May 2024, under the patronage of the High Commission of India, Colombo is aimed at strengthening media ties between the two countries. Since its inception, the Association has conducted multiple initiatives, including panel discussions and roundtables, focusing on key media-related topics. It is a significant initiative to further bolster the people-to-people connection between the two civilisational twins.
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President makes sudden visit to Kandy (Pics)
President Anura Kumara Disanayake last night (April 24) conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city to inspect the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address issues related to the provision of facilities and sanitation for devotees visiting the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa”.
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
(President’s Media Division)
Major reforms planned for bus transport
Kandy Lake cleaned up after “Siri Dalada Vandanawa” (Pics)
