News

Americares sends over 2 Tonnes of urgently needed aid to SL

Published

2 years ago

March 2, 2023

editor

Consequent to an official request of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C., and under the guidance of His Excellency Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe, Americares, the health-focused relief and development organization, has generously donated more than two tons of urgently needed nutritional supplements for pregnant women at risk of malnourishment across Sri Lanka.

An essential treatment recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), multiple micronutrient supplements are critically needed by the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka to support the nutritional health of pregnant women and to improve birth outcomes for babies. Over 16,000 pregnant women will benefit from the donated nutritional supplements.

In coordination with the Ministry of Health and the Food Commissioners Department in Sri Lanka, the shipment containing more than 2 tons of nutritional supplements from Americares arrived in Colombo on 24 February 2023.

“At a time when nutritional supplements are imperative for the island nation, the people of Sri Lanka and this Embassy express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Americares for their generous efforts to assist our country,” said His Excellency Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe.

In addition, Americares recently delivered a second shipment to Sri Lanka containing nearly 1 ton of medicines to help treat patients with parasitic worm infections. This donation will help treat more than 227,000 patients. “These medicines are in short supply in Sri Lanka and the shipment we received from Americares was put to use immediately to treat patients, especially children,” said Ambassador Samarasinghe.

Americares has a long history of providing assistance to Sri Lanka, including deliveries of medicines, medical supplies and relief items in response to emergencies and ongoing needs.

Americares is a health-focused relief and development organization that saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster. Each year, the organization reaches 85 countries on average, including the United States, with life-changing health programs, medicine, medical supplies and emergency aid. Since it was established more than 40 years ago, Americares has provided over $22 billion in aid to 164 countries, including the United States.

News

Japan grants US$ 2.5 mn. to SL to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The Government of Japan has granted USD 2.5 million to Sri Lanka to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms under a 3-year project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-corruption Mechanism.

Japanese ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Akio Isomata and UNDP resident representative in Sri Lanka – Ms. Azusa Kubota, in the presence of Justice Minister – Harshana Nanayakkara, launched ‘The Project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-Corruption Mechanism’

The three year initiative is supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by the UNDP Sri Lanka, working in close collaboration with the (CIABOC) and the Ministry of Justice.

The project aims to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in governance and business practices through effective and institutionalised preventive mechanisms in the public and investment promotion sectors, strengthen institutions to enhance corruption related investigative processes, improve coordination with stakeholders and ensure quality of prosecutions, empower citizens to effectively mobilise against corruption and enhance social accountability.

The project also seeks to engage and empower youth, children and journalists to actively contribute to the fight against corruption and promote a culture of integrity.

News

3 ex-DMT officials including ex-commissioner, remanded

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasingha and two other former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into vehicles that were illegally registered with the Department of Motor Traffic without receiving proper clearance from Sri Lanka Customs, CIABOC said in a statement.

According to CIABOC, former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe has been arrested for granting approval to issue a number plate for a jeep.

Additionally, a former Assistant Director of Information Technology at the department and a clerk have also been taken into custody for facilitating the illegal data entry and executing it.

The suspects were produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and were ordered to be remanded until July 08.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.