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President appoints three new Governors

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed three new Governors to the Northern, Eastern and North-Western Provinces a short while ago, the President’s Media Division said.

Accordingly, former MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has been appointed as the Governor of the North-Western Province.

Meanwhile, P.S.M. Charles has been appointed as the Governor of the Northern Province while Senthil Thondaman has been appointed as the Governor of the Eastern Province.

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50 countries affected by USAID freeze, says WHO

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Programmes to tackle HIV, polio, mpox and bird flu have been affected by the freeze on tens of billions of dollars of overseas aid from the US, says the head of the World Health Organization (WHO).

US President Donald Trump has taken steps to close the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), arguing that its spending is “totally unexplainable”.

However, WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged the Trump administration to consider resuming aid funding until other solutions can be found.

HIV treatments and other services have been disrupted in 50 countries, he said at a briefing on Wednesday.

Speaking publicly for the first time about the freeze on US aid funding, at a virtual press conference in Geneva, Dr Tedros said: “There are actions that the US government is taking… which we’re concerned are having a serious impact on global health.”

In particular he pointed to the suspension of PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, which he said had halted HIV treatment, testing and prevention services in 50 countries.

He added that a reprieve for life-saving services had not stopped the disruption.

“Clinics are shuttered and health workers have been put on leave,” Dr Tedros said.

Experts in global health have warned of the spread of disease, as well as delays to the development of vaccines and new treatments as a result of the cuts.

Trump has argued that USAID is “incompetent and corrupt”.

He recently announced huge cuts to the agency’s 10,000-strong workforce and the immediate suspension of almost all of its aid programmes.

The agency spends about $40bn (£32bn) – about 0.6% of total US yearly government spending – on humanitarian aid, much of which goes towards health programmes.

The vast majority of USAID money is spent in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, where it is primarily used for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who is working on the White House’s effort to shrink the size of the federal government, has previously claimed that the aid agency is “a criminal organisation”.

Neither Trump nor Musk have provided clear evidence to support their claims.

As well as the freeze on USAID, President Trump has taken steps to withdraw the United States from the WHO.

Under the Biden administration the US was the largest funder of the UN’s health agency and in 2023 it contributed almost one-fifth of the agency’s budget.

Dr Tedros said Trump’s decision was affecting collaboration between countries on global health threats. He also said the US had reduced its reporting of bird flu cases in humans.

The WHO says it has employed emergency measures similar to those used during the Covid pandemic to fill the gaps where there are shortages – in life-saving antiretroviral medication, for example, which is used to treat people living with HIV.

Meg Doherty, director of global HIV, hepatitis and sexually-transmitted infection (STI) programmes at the WHO, said efforts were being made to co-ordinate the sharing of vital supplies of medicines between countries.

However, she said a better, long-term solution was needed: “We have been seeking support from country to country for sharing, but this is a short-term approach.”

(BBC News)

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Island-wide power cuts to continue today

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The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) announced that one-hour long power interruptions will be implemented island-wide today (Feb. 13).

The CEB has issued the following schedule, designated to different zones.

Meanwhile, the CEB has also said that the final decision on whether any further power cuts will be implemented or not, will be announced later today.

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President AKD returns to SL after addressing World Governments Summit

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has returned to the island this morning after concluding his three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and attending the World Governments Summit 2025.

Addressing the 2025 World Governments Summit yesterday. (Feb. 12), he said that global climate issues are knocking on everyone’s doors, regardless of wealth or status, and emphasized the need for global citizens to unite in addressing transnational challenges.

He made these remarks today (12) while addressing the 2025 World Governments Summit held in the United Arab Emirates.

During his speech, President Disanayake outlined Sri Lanka’s vision for economic growth, innovation and governance reforms. He reiterated the country’s commitment to sustainable development and international cooperation.

Highlighting the summit’s role in shaping future strategies for key global concerns, the President stressed the need for a collective global response and a unified front in tackling global challenges.

He also underscored the importance of social justice and the rule of law in building a structured state and a more responsible world. He emphasized the necessity of implementing agreements and legal frameworks effectively, providing systematic support for low-income and vulnerable communities, and ensuring accountability among officials. In this regard, he highlighted the critical role of a free press and social activists.

President Disanayake pointed out that the global financial landscape is becoming increasingly precarious due to stringent financial conditions, looming large debt repayments, and a fragile international financial system that is ill-prepared for a widespread sovereign debt crisis. He stressed the importance of financial reforms that could create a fairer economic environment for the modern world.

The President emphasized the need for an updated universal declaration of Human Rights 1948 Charter incorporating digital access rights and environmental rights.

Speaking on human-centered future development, President Disanayake highlighted the critical need for robust cyber security measures worldwide. He also pointed out the challenges posed by automation and robotics, particularly the risk of job displacement. To address this, he called for structured initiatives focused on education, skills development, and the identification of new employment opportunities. He urged global leaders to work collectively in this regard.

President Anura Disanayake stated that just as the challenges we all face the “lub-dub” rhythm of our hearts calls upon us to unite and rebuild the world together.Quoting Martin Luther King Jr.’s statement, “We must learn to live together as brothers,” President Disanayake emphasized the collective responsibility of building a better world. He noted that in 2024, the people of Sri Lanka united to build a “beautiful life and a thriving nation.”
In his remarks at this historic summit, President Disanayake made a heartfelt appeal to world leaders and delegates, stating, “Let us come together and rebuild the world.”

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