News
4200 Lankans infected with HIV, with 1700 new HIV cases detected between 2020 and 2023
Sri Lankan health officials have detected about 1,700 new HIV cases between 2020 and 2023, Dr. Janaka Weragoda, Consultant Community Physician attached to the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, said.
There are about 4,200 Sri Lankans infected with HIV by the end of 2023. However, only about 2,900 are receiving treatment, he said.
“Some might ask us “how did you come up with the 4,200 figure only if 2,900 have sought treatment?” We have come up with this number using an internationally recognized formula,” he said.
Dr. Weragoda said that 1,300 people may have not sought treatment because HIV does not show symptoms for a long time. In 2021, they found over 400 cases. In 2022 we found about 600 cases and in 2023, we have detected about 700 patients.
“In the past three years, we have found about 1,700 new cases of HIV. Out of this 33 percent are between the ages of 15 and 29,” he said.
Out of this over 70 percent have been reported among male homosexuals. About 85 percent of the cases are men.
Dr. Geethani Samaraweera, Consultant Venereologist at National STD/AIDS control programme said about 95 percent of those with HIV have contracted it via sex. In some countries, intravenous drug use is the main manner in which the disease is transmitted, she said.
“In our country, contracting HIV through intravenous drug use was negligible. However, in recent years this has become the second most common way HIV is spreading. The third most prevalent way is when a child gets the disease from his or her mother,” she said.
Dr. Samaraweera said people must be educated on what risky sexual behaviour is. Those engaged in anal sex are the most vulnerable to contract the disease. This is a trend that’s prevalent across the world, she said. HIV can also spread during oral sex, too, she said.
Dr. Samaraweera said that most HIV patients have been reported from the western province and HIV prevalence is higher in urban centres.
“There are a lot of people in the western province and it’s the most urbanized part of the country. We also keep a closer eye on tourist destinations and on people who are usually called beach boys,” she said.
Meanwhile, Microbiologist Dr. Jayanthi Elvitigala said if anyone has engaged in risky sexual behaviour, he or she must get tested for STDs. These tests can be done at centres in government hospitals and the confidentiality of those who have undergone these tests are guaranteed, she said.
(RK)
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
