The Committee on Public Accounts focused on the current performance of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).

The officials who were present pointed out that although this data system was initiated in 2012, it has not yet reached the expected level of performance. The Committee expressing displeasure, mentioned that although this Committee has been discussing this data system for 4 years, it has not reached the desired level.

The members of the Committee who were present also pointed out that the necessary data pertaining to the school system is not available in this data system and not up to expectation. Moreover, the need for accurate national data regarding education was discussed at length.

This was discussed when the Committee on Public Accounts met recently to discuss the 2022 Auditor General’s report of the Ministry of Education and the current performance of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) under the Chairmanship of State Minister – Lasantha Alagiyawanna.

Furthermore, contrary to circular 2008/37, though the number of classes in schools should not be changed without the approval of the Structure Committee under the Ministry of Education, it was brought to attention that the principals of 29 schools had started new classes for intermediate classes at their own discretion without the approval of the Ministry. Accordingly, the Chair of the Committee recommended to submit a full report on this before May 17th.

Attention was also paid to whether there is a lack of enrollment of children in the first year and it was recommended to give a report to the Committee within two weeks containing the information of the last 20 years.

Furthermore, in a letter by the Director of National Schools bearing No. ED/1/6/1/10/2022 dated June 06, 2022, arrangements were made to temporarily admit students to schools close to their residence due to economic difficulties and transportation difficulties in the difficult situation in the country. However, the Committee pointed out that problematic situations have arisen in this regard and recommended the officials to take a decision in this regard after discussing with the minister in charge.The current status of the Education Administration Service and Teacher Advisors’ Service was also discussed at this Committee meeting held.

Ambassador of Japan – Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki handed over three “Health on Wheels” trucks to the Ministry of Health on May 06.
The project has been implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with financial support from the Government of Japan. These trucks valued at USD 380,000 represent a vital step in enhancing healthcare accessibility, particularly in the Uva, Central, and Southern provinces.

“Health on Wheels” is a pioneering mobile health unit designed to deliver essential maternal, newborn, and gynecological services, especially to at-risk women and girls during disasters or emergencies. Additionally, the vehicles will be deployed to remote geographical locations where the required facilities are not available to deliver services. Comprising a solar-powered, all-terrain vehicle and a fully-equipped medical compartment, these units ensure uninterrupted service delivery in difficult-to-reach areas.

The Health on Wheels initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted access to quality sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services, including maternal health, family planning, and well-woman services for women, young people, and people with disabilities.

Through the deployment of these trucks, it is anticipated that women, young people, and people with disabilities will have improved access to lifesaving SRHR services. Additionally, these mobile clinics will contribute to enhancing health literacy and providing vital medical care to isolated communities.The Ministry of Health will ensure a team of dedicated competent healthcare staff will be allocated to each vehicle ensuring comprehensive healthcare services are provided to those in need.

Features:

• Well-equipped medical compartment including gynecological examination bed, fetal doppler, and resuscitation equipment
• Solar-powered vehicle for independent operation
• Disability-friendly design
• Retractable canopy for all-weather service
• Office furniture and shower cubicle for hygiene maintenance
• Generator for continuous power supply
• Water purification system
• Fire extinguisher for safety

The official handover of the Health on Wheels trucks marks a significant milestone in UNFPA Sri Lanka’s efforts together with the Governments of Sri Lanka and the people of Japan to improve healthcare accessibility, particularly in remote and vulnerable communities. This initiative underscores the commitment of UNFPA Sri Lanka and the Government of Japan to support the health and well-being of all Sri Lankans, especially women, girls, and young persons.

Dr Palitha Maheepala, Secretary, Ministry of Health says : “I firmly believe in the power of accessibility when it comes to healthcare. This Health on Wheels initiative is not merely about transportation; it’s a lifeline for women, young people, and individuals with disabilities in remote areas of our nation. By mobilizing medical trucks equipped with quality sexual and reproductive health services, we’re bridging the gap between healthcare and those who need it most. These mobile clinics signify more than just convenience; they represent our commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to essential services such as maternal health, family planning, and well-woman services. With dedicated healthcare teams on board, we’re not just reaching communities; we’re delivering comprehensive care, enhancing health literacy, and saving lives.”

Mizukoshi Hideaki, Japanese Ambassador says: “Japan has been actively supporting Sri Lanka’s women as a partner country for Women, Peace, and Security. This project will enhance the quality of health services for rural women in Sri Lanka. Japan is committed to supporting women and girls in Sri Lanka across the country.”

Kunle Adeniyi, UNFPA Representative, Sri Lanka says :“UNFPA is thrilled to witness the fruition of our collaboration with the Governments of Sri Lanka and Japan in launching the ‘Health on Wheels’ initiative. With their solar-powered, all-terrain design and fully-equipped medical compartments, these units are not just means of transportation; they are lifelines for communities in the Uva, Central, and Southern provinces. These mobile units become indispensable in areas where infrastructure is lacking, and geographical barriers hinder access to healthcare facilities. Through this innovative approach, we are ensuring that essential maternal, newborn, and gynecological services are not just accessible but uninterrupted, even in the most remote and underserved areas. These bridge the gap between isolation and access, ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind in their quest for health and well-being.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, announced the government’s expectation to finalize the foreign debt restructuring process by June. If successful, this endeavour could lead to a reduction of approximately US $17 billion of Sri Lanka’s debt burden.

He also said that the primary focus is on navigating the challenge of debt restructuring. The initial phase of domestic debt restructuring has been completed, with attention now turned to foreign debt restructuring. Negotiations with private investors linked to sovereign bonds aim to finalize this phase by June, with a targeted completion before June 2024. Successful restructuring could result in a $17 billion advantage for Sri Lanka, potentially reducing debt burden through various means. These efforts will also facilitate the continuation of developmental activities within the country.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry made these remarks while attending the ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ press briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) this morning (08). He gave a brief overview of the recent foreign policy decisions, the foreign relations and the high-level visits the Sri Lankan government has undertaken, particularly the recent visit of the Japanese Foreign Minister and the visit of the Iranian President.

The Minister also emphasized that Sri Lanka’s adherence to a non-aligned foreign policy, coupled with its commitment to maintaining relations with all nations while safeguarding its sovereignty, has resulted in numerous concessions for the country.

Minister Ali Sabry further highlighted the government’s endeavours to garner support for Sri Lanka’s economic development by fostering strong ties with both China and India.

Minister Ali Sabry, also reiterated:

“Sri Lanka prides itself on upholding an independent foreign policy, which doesn’t mean isolation but rather engaging with all nations—a concept known as non-alignment. Our commitment lies in maintaining this legacy of non-alignment, independence, and the sovereignty of our Parliament and state. Hence, it’s crucial for us to collaborate with both Eastern and Western nations, nurturing closer ties with our allies.

Over time, we’ve cultivated strong relationships with Western and Eastern countries, as well as our neighbours, which have proven invaluable in overcoming economic challenges.

Securing support from major partners and creditors, including the U.S., France, India and China, was pivotal during negotiations with the IMF. We’ve made progress in debt restructuring, gaining the backing of the Official Creditor Committee and comprising nations like India, Japan and the Paris Club. Our aim is to conclude debt restructuring by the end of June, with the support of all major players. This includes finalizing agreements with China. Once debt restructuring is achieved, mainly the external debt restructuring, we can focus on fostering economic growth through partnerships with various parties. Our on-going engagement with China, evident through visits by the President, Prime Minister, and myself, underscores our commitment to this approach.

Currently, our primary focus lies in effectively navigating the challenge of debt restructuring. We have successfully completed the initial phase, addressing domestic debt restructuring. Moving forward, our attention turns to the next crucial steps, particularly foreign debt restructuring. Our aim is to diligently negotiate and finalize this phase by the end of June, specifically engaging with private investors associated with sovereign bonds. The government is determined to achieve this milestone before June 2024.

Upon successful completion, Sri Lanka stands to gain a significant advantage of US $17 billion throughout the entire restructuring process. This advantage may manifest in various forms, including reductions in principal amounts, interest payments, or extended repayment timelines. Such restructuring efforts hold the potential to alleviate our debt burden by US $17 billion. Simultaneously, these endeavours will pave the way for the continuation of developmental activities within the country at the earliest opportunity.

The Prime Minister’s recent visit to China, where we signed nine MoUs, reflects our on-going efforts to strengthen ties. Particularly with India, a considerable progress has been made in our collaboration with India, with significant Indian investments currently underway. Additionally, the recent approval by the Cabinet of tariffs and Power Purchase Agreements with the Adani Group at US $0.08 per unit is a notable development.

As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we adhere strictly to international rules and regulations in our interactions with foreign countries. Consequently, the visit of the Iranian President to Sri Lanka raised no concerns within the international community. In parallel, we’re actively seeking to attract more investors, as demonstrated by the successful visit of the Iranian President, which led to the inauguration of the Uma Oya project contributing 120 megawatts to our energy grid. Furthermore, we anticipate increased tourism from the region with news of Mahan Air, the Iranian airline, expressing interest in flying to Sri Lanka.

In recent developments, the visit of the Japanese Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka marked an important milestone. Japan has pledged its moral support and endorsed the Sri Lanka’s economic reforms. During discussions, Japan officially encouraged and praised the bold economic reforms that the Sri Lankan government is undertaking and affirmed its commitment to restarting stalled projects. This collaboration with our partners is pivotal in driving our economic agenda forward and fostering development.

Saudi Arabia has shown a keen interest in investing in Sri Lanka. Notably, Middle Eastern nations are actively seeking to diversify their economies away from fuel dependency and are exploring investment opportunities abroad. We are diligently working to capitalize on these opportunities for the benefit of Sri Lanka.

To position Sri Lanka as a premier tourist destination, we must shift our focus away from visa fees. Instead, we should consider offering free visas to citizens of approximately fifty countries. Such a move could ignite excitement within the tourism sector and bolster visitor numbers.

Furthermore, diplomatic initiatives are currently in progress to retrieve Sri Lankans detained by smugglers in Myanmar and to protect our youth enlisted in mercenary forces linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. These issues have also been addressed with Russian security authorities.

(President’s Media Division)