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Sri Lanka logs highest HIV cases in single quarter

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According to the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, Sri Lanka has recorded 181 new HIV cases, reflecting a nine percent increase compared to the previous quarter in 2023, which saw 165 cases. The second quarter ranges from April to June.  

 This also represents a significant 39 percent increase compared to the second quarter of 2022, which had 130 cases.  

Out of the cases reported in the second quarter, 26 males and three females fall within the age range of 15-24, while the remaining cases are individuals above 25 years old.  

The male to female ratio of reported HIV cases in 2023 stands at 8.1:1.  

Furthermore, the second quarter has reported 13 deaths related to HIV/AIDS.  

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has officially reported 10 HIV cases among the transgender community, while a total of 3,968 males and 1,379 females have contracted HIV thus far since 2009.

According to Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana, Director of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, there has been a significant rise in HIV cases in 2023.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Dr. Vidanapathirana stated that a total of 346 HIV cases have been reported this year, marking a noticeable increase compared to the previous year.

Dr. Vidanapathirana also expressed concern that the number of cases may continue to rise in the coming months.

She attributed the increase to several factors, including the expansion of testing capacity, a lack of knowledge about sex education among the public, risky sexual behaviors, and a failure to take necessary precautions.

“It is crucial for individuals to be aware of the risks associated with HIV and to take appropriate measures to protect themselves. The National STD/AIDS Control Programme continues to work towards raising awareness and providing necessary resources to combat the spread of HIV,” she added.

(dailymirror.lk)

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Korean SME Association offers support to SL

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The Korean Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Association has expressed its commitment to support Sri Lanka in advancing the agriculture sector and enhancing related employment opportunities.

Additionally, the association has agreed to provide technical assistance and training resources essential for the development of the fishing industry.

These topics were highlighted during a meeting held today (13) at the Presidential Secretariat between a delegation from the Korean SME Association and officials from the President’s Office.

The discussions also focused on training Sri Lankan workers locally for Korea’s fishing industry and creating employment opportunities for them.

The delegation was led by Kim Chung Ryong, President  of the Korean SME Association.

(President’s Media Division)

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US embassy lifts travel restrictions issued for Arugam Bay

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The US Embassy Colombo has lifted travel restrictions issued on October 23, 2024, for Arugam Bay. 

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Pilot project to issue e-BMD certificates to Lankans overseas

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The government has announced a new initiative to issue copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates to Sri Lankans living abroad through Sri Lankan embassies, aimed at providing greater convenience to the expatriate community.

The program will be launched as a pilot project across seven selected foreign missions, including the embassies in Kuwait, Japan, and Qatar, and the consulates in Melbourne (Australia), Toronto (Canada), Milan (Italy), and Dubai (UAE).

In Sri Lanka, efforts are underway to enhance the e-BMD (electronic Birth, Marriage, and Death) database system, which is jointly managed by the Registrar General’s Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This will allow birth, marriage, and death certificates to be issued through foreign embassies, following a model already in place for obtaining certificates at Divisional Secretariat offices across Sri Lanka.

In the initial phase, only the approximately 45 million birth, marriage, and death certificates that have already been scanned and stored in the e-BMD system will be issued.

These will include records for births, marriages, and deaths that have been registered since January 1, 1960. While the majority of these records will be available, there may be occasional delays in updating certificates that have been revised after their initial entry into the database.

(President’s Media Division)

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