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More than half of SL population’s economy at risk!

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About 12.3 million people out of Sri Lanka’s total population of 22.16 million are economically at risk, a report titled ‘Navigating Vulnerability: Insights from Sri Lanka’s Multidimensional Vulnerability Index’ issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for 2022-23 has revealed.

This was discussed during a meeting of the Committee on Ways and Means held in Parliament yesterday (4).

According to the report, 6 out of every 10 people in Sri Lanka are at risk which is 55.7%. In rural areas this is as high as 82%. Puttalam District is the most vulnerable area with a percentage of 71.8%. The lowest 41.5% is reported from Matale District.

“In Sri Lanka, 55.7 percent of the population grapples with multidimensional vulnerability. Translating to over half of the population, that is a staggering 12.3 million individuals out of the 22.2 million population are deprived in at least three out of the twelve indicators that span the critical dimensions of education, health, disaster, and living standards.

“Almost half of our population (48.8 percent) are both vulnerable and lack disaster preparedness, making this another crucial concern. With climate risks escalating, this poses significant challenges.

“Both male and female years of schooling are key contributors to vulnerability: many households lack any male and/or any female who has completed Ordinary Levels (OL).

“A significant 35.6 percent of our population are vulnerable and lack water piped into their dwelling. This stark fact underscores the necessity to ensure equitable and widespread access to safe water,” the report said.

The Committee on Ways and Means met in Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday.

The social welfare programme of the government and the social security network were discussed at the meeting and officials from a number of government institutions including the Department of Social Services, Social Security Board, Welfare Benefits Board, and the Ministry of Finance were present.

According to the UNDP report, the 2019 Easter Sunday attack, the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, the economic crisis in April 2022, the budget deficit, the balance of payments crisis, and the debt obligations, the negative 7.8 GDP growth rate in 2022 have led to this situation.

The Committee Chairman said that the UNDP has indicated this risk situation under the three dimensions of education, health and disaster, and living standards. The Chairman pointed out that currently 6 out of 10 people in Sri Lanka are in the risk zone, and this may increase to 8 out of 10 people in a year.

Therefore, MP Ranawaka emphasized the need to prepare a formal and strong social safety net for the vulnerable people. The report has considered 12 factors including the students’ school attendance, health, water, food, the ability to face disasters, the ability to adapt, the quality of life, property, unemployment, lack of suitable work and indebtedness.

The MP asked the officials present about the progress of the survey conducted by the Welfare Benefit Board regarding the ‘Awaswasuma’ benefit programme.

The officials said that 3.7 million families have sent applications and the data have been collected from 3.5 million out of which 1.79 million have been selected as beneficiaries. More than 20 criteria including education, health and economic level have been considered in this process.

New method is even more unsuccessful than previous one!

The Committee Chairman pointed out that the survey has been unsuccessful as it has considered a large number of criteria.

In addition to this, incorrect criteria in the selection of beneficiaries, improper collection of data and information, complexity of the appeal process and inclusion of incorrect information due to faults in the mobile application were also revealed as issues in the process.

MP Ranawaka pointed out that the new method introduced to streamline the process for the selection of beneficiaries has failed more than the existing method.

He said the use of new officials instead of officers with experience in the field such as Grama Niladhari Officers, development officers and agrarian research officers was the primary reason for this failure.

MP Ranawaka pointed out that the experienced officers have not joined the survey due to professional issues, and that they could have been included in it after looking into their issues.

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Legendary actress Malani Fonseka passes away

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Veteran Actress Malini Fonseka, widely revered as the “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema,” passed away this morning (May 24) at the age of 78 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Born on April 30, 1947, in Kelaniya as Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka, she later rose to fame in Sri Lankan cinema under the name Malani Fonseka.

Fonseka began her acting career on stage in 1963 and made her cinematic debut in 1968 with the film Punchi Baba.

She won the Most Popular Actress award in 1973 and has received numerous accolades, including the President’s Award, Sarasavi Award, OCIC Award, and Sumathi Award, with several honors for Best Actress.

Plays such as Nidhanaya, Bambaru Awitha, Wekande Walawwa, Aradhana, and Ammawarune are regarded as outstanding works that showcased the acting talents of Malani Fonseka.

Beyond her artistic achievements, she entered politics in 2010 and served as a National List Member of Parliament until 2015.

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12-hr water cut in several areas of Colombo

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The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 12-hour water cut from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday (May 25) in several areas, including Colombo, due to essential maintenance work at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant.

Due to this, the public is urged to make prior arrangements and store an adequate supply of water to avoid inconvenience during the period of the suspension.

Accordingly, the water cut will affect the following areas:

  • Colombo 01 to Colombo 15
  • Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
  • Kaduwela
  • Battaramulla
  • Kolonnawa
  • Kotikawatta
  • Mulleriyawa
  • IDH (Infectious Diseases Hospital) area
  • Maharagama
  • Dehiwala
  • Mount Lavinia
  • Ratmalana and Moratuwa

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Investigations underway to arrest 20 criminals hiding overseas

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The Ministry of Public Security states that investigations are underway to arrest 20 members of major organized crime gangs currently hiding overseas.

Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Interpol has already issued red notices for their arrest and that the countries where these criminals are hiding have been identified.

He added that investigations into the group have been expanded in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the new government came to power, 11 members of organized crime gangs hiding abroad have been brought back to the island and produced before courts.

Meanwhile, operations to arrest members of organized crime gangs involved in various criminal activities, including murder and drug trafficking, within the country are also ongoing.

The Minister added that the Police Special Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are jointly conducting investigations into the allegations against them.

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