Almost a third of people in Gaza not eating for days, UN food programme warns BBC NEWS By Maia Davies Published 25 July 2025,
International concern has risen this week with warnings that starvation has gripped Gaza
Almost one in three people in Gaza are going days without eating, the UN’s food aid programme has warned.
“Malnutrition is surging with 90,000 women and children in urgent need of treatment,” the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a statement.
Warnings of starvation in Gaza have intensified this week. Nine more people died of malnutrition on Friday, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry – bringing the total such deaths since the war began to 122.
Israel, which controls the entry of all supplies into Gaza, says there is no restriction on aid getting into the territory and blames Hamas for any malnutrition.
An Israeli security official said on Friday that airdrops of aid into Gaza could be allowed in the coming days – something aid agencies have previously cautioned is an inefficient way to get supplies into Gaza.
While local media reported the United Arab Emirates and Jordan would carry out the latest drops, a senior Jordanian official told the BBC that its military was yet to receive permission from Israel to do so.
The UN has described the move as a “distraction to inaction” by the Israeli government.
The move came amid mounting international concern about humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
On Friday, Germany, France and the UK called on Israel to “immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid” into the territory.
In a joint statement, they called for an immediate end to the “humanitarian catastrophe that we are witnessing in Gaza,” and to the war itself, adding that Israel must “uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law”.
“Withholding essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable,” read the statement.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he could not “explain the level of indifference and inaction we see by too many in the international community – the lack of compassion, the lack of truth, the lack of humanity”.
Addressing the Amnesty International global assembly, he said more than 1,000 Palestinians had been killed while trying to access food since 27 May – when the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began distributing supplies as an alternative to the UN-led system.
01:04 Contains upsetting scenes. Media caption, ‘I’m so tired’: Mother of starving Gazan baby speaks to BBC
A US security contractor who worked for the GHF in May and June 2025 told the BBC on Friday that he had “without question… witnessed war crimes” during that time.
Anthony Aguilar said he saw the IDF and US contractors using live ammunition, artillery, mortar rounds, and tank fire on civilians at food distribution sites.
The retired soldier said: “In my entire career, I have never witnessed the level of brutality and use of indiscriminate and unnecessary force against a civilian population until I was in Gaza at the hands of the IDF and US contractors.”
In its response, the GHF said the claims – which came from “a disgruntled former contractor who was terminated for misconduct a month ago” – were “categorically false”.
Trump says Hamas ‘didn’t want deal’ as US and Israel leave Gaza talks
He went to get aid and didn’t come back – stories of people killed in Gaza
French pledge to recognise Palestine is a gamble – so will Starmer follow suit?
Meanwhile, the future of talks to secure a new ceasefire and hostage-release deal remains uncertain, after the US and Israel withdrew their negotiating teams from Qatar.
US President Donald Trump said Hamas “didn’t really want to make a deal”.
“I think they want to die,” he said.
Hamas has expressed surprise about the US remarks.
A senior Hamas official also told the BBC’s Gaza correspondent that mediators had informed the group negotiations had not collapsed, and said the Israeli delegation was expected to return to Doha next week.
Israel launched a war in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
More than 59,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Israel imposed a total blockade of aid deliveries at the start of March and resumed its military offensive against Hamas two weeks later, collapsing a two-month ceasefire. It said it wanted to put pressure on the group to release its remaining Israeli hostages.
Although the blockade was partially eased after almost two months amid warnings of a looming famine from global experts, the shortages of food, medicine and fuel have worsened.
Most of Gaza’s population has been displaced multiple times and more than 90% of homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed.
On Thursday, France announced it would official recognise a Palestinian state in September – a move which angered Israel and its main ally, the US.
A day later, more than a third of UK MPs signed a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling for the UK to follow suit.
But Sir Keir indicated such a move would not be imminent – it would have to be part of a “wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution” – a Palestinian state alongside Israel. (BBC NEWS)
Cricket World Cup: England on verge of early exit after eight-wicket thumping by Sri Lanka in Bangalore
SKY NEWS UK
By Ali Stafford
Thursday 26 October 2023 15:27, UK
England have now lost four of their opening five matches in India and need several scenarios to go in their favour to keep their slim semi-final qualification hopes alive; watch England vs India on Sunday live on Sky Sports Cricket (8.30am start)
Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler show their dejection during England’s defeat by Sri Lanka
Defending champions England are all but mathematically out of the Cricket World Cup as Sri Lanka cruised to an emphatic eight-wicket victory in Bangalore.
Jonny Bairstow (30) and Dawid Malan (28) put on a 45-run opening stand after England won the toss and elected to bat, only for a flurry of wickets to see Jos Buttler’s side dismissed for just 156 inside 33.2 overs in Bangalore.
Ben Stokes top-scored with 43 in an innings where six players failed to reach double figures, as Lahiru Kumara (3-35), the returning Angelo Mathews (2-14) and Kasun Rajitha (2-36) helped bowl out England for their lowest total of an already disappointing tournament.
England’s heavy defeat to Sri Lanka – as it happened
Scorecard | World Cup table | Results/fixtures
Stream the Cricket World Cup and more top sport with NOW
Play Video – Wood out as England set Sri Lanka a chase of just 157!
Mark Wood is stumped for five England’s final wicket to set Sri Lanka a chase of just 157
David Willey (2-30) took two early wickets to briefly raise England’s hopes, before Pathum Nissanka (77 not out) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (65no) fired an unbroken 137-run partnership for the third wicket to guide Sri Lanka to an emphatic victory in the 26th over.
England have yet to be officially eliminated from the competition, despite registering just two points from five matches and being joint-bottom of the table, although would need to win all four of their remaining matches and for several other results to go in their favour if they are to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals.
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How Sri Lanka put England on the brink
England – making three changes from their record-breaking loss to South Africa – were fortunate not to lose a wicket from the opening delivery when Sri Lanka decided against reviewing a Madushanka yorker that hit Bairstow’s pad first, with replays showing it would have gone on to clatter leg stump.
England got lucky off the first ball against Sri Lanka as the ball appeared to hit Jonny Bairstow’s pad first but wasn’t sent for a review
Bairstow and Dawid Malan negotiated a moving new ball to put on 45 for the opening wicket, including 15 from one Rajitha over as they scored quickly on a fast outfield, only for Angelo Mathews to make the breakthrough in his first ODI bowling spell since March 2020.
Also See:
Scorecard: England vs Sri Lanka
England’s thrashing as it happened
Latest Cricket World Cup table
Cricket World Cup: Latest headlines
Mathews needed just three balls to have Malan (28) caught behind after a successful review, with England suffering another setback in the 10th over when a huge mix-up saw Joe Root (three) sent back by Bairstow when chasing a risky single and being run out trying to dive back into his crease.
Joe Root walks off before the review after a mix-up with Jonny Bairstow to gift Sri Lanka’s second wicket
Stokes almost chipped one to extra cover as he struggled for rhythm early in his innings, while Bairstow (30) hacked a length ball from Rajitha to leave a simple take at mid-on and captain Jos Buttler (eight) fell to a superb Mendis catch off Kumara to leave England languishing at 77-4.
Livingstone (one) lasted just six balls until he was trapped lbw by Kumara, with his immediate review unsuccessful, while Moeen Ali (15) offered some brief respite with a 37-run stand for the sixth wicket until a loose shot presented a routine catch at backward point.
England's Chris Woakes reacts after Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka hits a four on his delivery during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match between England and Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, India, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
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England’s Chris Woakes reacts after Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka hits a four on his delivery
Samarawickrama produced a brilliant diving catch at point to dismiss Woakes off Rajitha without scoring, with Stokes’ one-man charge and boundary burst ended when he picked out the sub fielder at deep mid-wicket.
Sharp work from Mendis saw Rashid (two) run out at the non-striker’s end, having seen the England batter backing up out of his crease, before the Sri Lanka keeper wrapped up the innings with a stumping off Theekshana after Wood (five) danced down the wicket.
Play Video – ‘What has happened here!?’ | Rashid run out at the non-striker’s end
Adil Rashid run out at the non-striker’s end as Sri Lanka reacted by throwing down the stumps while he was out of his crease and a direct hit had him run out
Willey got England off to a strong start when a leading edge from Perera (four) looped up to Stokes at mid-off, while Mendis almost fell with the next ball as his nick just evaded Root at slip and raced for a boundary.
Mendis (11) top-edged Willey and left a ballooning catch for Buttler behind the stumps, leaving Sri Lanka 23-2, before Nissanka and Samarawickrama confidently made chanceless half-centuries to push them towards their victory target.
England's Chris Woakes reacts after Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka hits a four on his delivery during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match between England and Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, India, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Image:
England’s Chris Woakes reacts after Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka hits a four on his delivery
Sri Lanka breezed past the 100 mark in the 17th over and brought up their century stand four overs later, before Nissanka secured victory in style as he blasted Rashid for a huge six with the fourth ball of the 26th over.
Victory moves Sri Lanka to four points and fifth in the standings, with the top four at the end of the round-robin campaign reaching the semi-finals, while England drop one place to ninth in the 10-team table and see their net run rate – which could determine qualification – worsen to -1.63.
Pathum Nissanka smashes huge six to seal eight-wicket victory to leave England on the verge of an early exit from the Cricket World Cup.
Buttler: ‘No clear answer’ to England’s struggles
England captain Jos Buttler: “We’ve not just been short of our best, but by a very long way. As captain, you feel that a lot. I’m disappointed for myself and all of the boys that we’ve not given a good account of ourselves.
“There is no clear answer [to the struggles] at the moment. If there was one golden nugget that we were obviously not doing then we would try to pick that up. I can’t fault the guys’ efforts, we’re just playing a long way short of our best.”
Jos Buttler says he can’t put his finger on why England aren’t reaching the standards they set themselves.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain, speaking to Sky Sports: “Ravi Shastri uses the right word there, ‘outplayed’. I’d add another word in there – completely outplayed with bat, with ball and in the field.
“Jos Buttler can have no complaints. Won a toss, this time he decided, ‘we’ll have a bat’ and the batting let him down again, 156 all out. That’s three massive losses, now four if you include Afghanistan.”
The Cricket World Cup continues Friday, as Pakistan face South Africa (9am on Sky Sports Cricket, 9.30am start), before a double-header on Saturday sees Australia take on New Zealand (5.30am on Sky Sports Cricket, 6am start) and the Netherlands play Bangladesh (9am on Sky Sports Mix, 9.30am start).
England are next in action against hosts India on Sunday (8am on Sky Sports Cricket, 8.30am start), with their qualification hopes in the balance. Sri Lanka are next in action on Monday and can boost their semi-final hopes against Afghanistan (8am on Sky Sports Cricket, 8.30am start). Stream the Cricket World Cup and more top sport with NOW.
A community celebration that brings joy and happiness
The sound of the familiar koha (or the ‘asian koel’), chanting the rhythmic tune, which millions of Sri Lankans wake up to, is a sign that ‘Avurudu’ (New Year) is near.
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is not just a celebration of the dawn of a new year, but also that of unity, cultural enrichment and a sense of family unity. This is all demonstrated, for example, in the ‘boiling of milk’ ritual, where milk is boiled in a new clay pot and the time when the whole family sits down to have the auspicious meal.
Each ritual, from the boiling of the milk to the auspicious meal to what you wear, is decided by astrologers who determine the precise astrological time and dress codes for various rituals. The dawn of the New Year is signified by the sun’s movement from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries).
Cleansing
The initial ritual Sri Lankans observe is the bathing of oneself, by applying a herbal mixture; this is so that one can purify oneself and be fully prepared before embracing the neutral period of the new year. This ritual takes place usually on April 13.
Nonagathaya (Neutral time)
Before embracing the New Year, there is a time when we are in between the old year and the New Year. This period usually begins on April 13 and goes on for around 12 hours. At this time, people are encouraged to prepare themselves spiritually for the New Year, so they do this by rejecting material pursuits and engaging in day-to-day activities such as cleaning, cooking or reading.
As the ‘Nonagathaya’ comes to an end, we proceed with the lighting of the hearth, or simply boiling milk on a brand new clay pot. As the pot boils and the milk overflows, the one overseeing the pot usually calls on the whole family to gather to observe the overflowing of the milk, which is to signify prosperity and abundance for the New Year.
The kiribath (milk rice) is prepared to be had at the table with other accompaniments (like any curries or sambols to go with the kiribath), and the most exciting part of all meal prep is laying out the New Year sweets. Usually, the layout consists of Kokis (the orange crispy snack), Kavum (Oil Cake), Mung Kavum (made with sweetened mung green gram), Athirasa (a flat sweet-cake), Aasmi (a deep-fried snack) and many other delicacies.
Ganu Denu (Exchanging wishes)
It is customary to offer betel leaves to parents, and in return, they may offer blessings or money (Kai-vishesham in Sri Lankan Tamil) for the New Year. This ritual symbolises respect and gratitude, which is customary in Sri Lankan culture, yet the values of respecting your elders are reminded here. The act of exchanging usually takes place before the first meal.
Right after the main activities, family members go from house to house in the neighbourhood, exchanging wishes and even parcels of delicacies. In return, other households exchange their treats with the visitors. This fosters neighbourliness and brings a sense of community to the celebrations.
In the past, the ‘Avurudu Utsawa’ (New Year festival) was common in many village communities. The town’s folks gather around, organising festivities, activities and events coinciding with the astrological times. This, in effect, fosters a sense of community amongst village folks. And the one aspect that makes such community events so popular is the popular New Year games. Some popular games include the: “Kotta Pora” (pillow fighting), “Aliyata Aha Thabima” (marking the elephant’s eye), “Avurudu Kumara Kumariya”, “Kamba Adeema” (tug of war), Thirikkal races and many other joyful activities.
In the current day, while the feeling of the ‘Avurudu Uthsawa’, the community aspect of the New Year might not be the same. Schools, universities and other corporates, fuel the festival’s spirit by organising such events to help bring about togetherness and socialising amongst students. They are most likely busy with studies and assignments and employees are generally busy with work, hence for workers and students alike, it is an opportunity to have a lighter moment with each other for once during the busy year. Leading hotels and resorts also organise large community-style ‘Avurudu Uthsawa’ where guests can engage in the same activities, similar in spirit to the traditional festivals held in villages. Nonetheless, most people, especially in Urban Sri Lanka, keep their celebrations to themselves and then visit neighbours or relatives. Some families go out of Colombo to celebrate the New Year with relatives who live far away, where the New Year’s spirit might be a few notches higher.
Roshan Ratnayake
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Sri Lanka’s Economic Prospects Shine with the Introduction of Graphene
Posted on March 30, 2026
by Sienna De Silva –
Financial Chronicle
29th March 2026, the Kingsbury Colombo hosted an exclusive business conclave aimed at promoting investments in graphene technology, drawing considerable attention from both local and international investors. This distinguished event was organized by Eng. Keerthi Wickramarathna, the Chairman of Ragedara Graphite Mines, renowned for its expertise in mining, research, and the production of vein graphite and graphene in Malsiripura, Sri Lanka.
The conclave provided a vital platform for discussions centered around the promising future of graphene and its potential to revolutionize various industries worldwide. Significant themes addressed included the strategic value of graphite and graphene, which are poised to propel technological innovations and enhance national economic development.
Nishantha Jayaweera, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development, shared optimistic insights regarding Sri Lanka’s economic prospects, emphasizing the importance of the private sector in generating value-added products for specialized export markets. This sentiment was reiterated during the unveiling of a new graphene product.
“Sri Lanka has attained a more stable economic status as we approach 2025, exceeding our financial expectations this year, which is a notable achievement,” he remarked. “Our primary focus moving forward is to expedite development and expand our economy, while consolidating Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and attracting local investments. This aligns with the expectations of our citizens,” he stressed.
Furthermore, Deputy Minister Jayaweera introduced three new legislative measures intended to bolster investment opportunities in Sri Lanka: an Investment Protection Act, an Investment Promotion Act, and a Strategic Development Act. He also disclosed a five-year Investment Diversification Plan set to achieve specific governmental objectives, which includes potential tax incentives for investment projects in the Port City.
Eng. Keerthi Wickramarathna emphasized the importance of graphene, stating, “Sri Lankan Graphene has been recognized globally as the highest quality Conductive Graphene, having undergone rigorous testing at the University of Singapore. With appropriate infrastructure and a focus on production, we can deliver top-tier graphene to the international market and generate substantial foreign revenue.”
He noted that high-grade graphene is currently valued at 30 times the price of gold and expressed optimism about ongoing orders from various countries, including China, Germany, the USA, Japan, India, Korea, England, and several European nations, with many investors eager to engage in the graphene sector in Sri Lanka.
“We can produce graphene more economically than our competitors, and our product quality is rated three times higher based on global market acceptance and feedback,” he concluded, underscoring the potential for Sri Lanka to leverage its abundant natural resources in the graphene industry.
Nasseri was born in the Anglo-Persian Oil Company settlement located in Masjed Soleyman, Iran. His father, Abdel Karim, was an Iranian doctor working for the company which allowed Nasseri to grow up relatively affluently. Nasseri has claimed that he was the result of an illegitimate affair, and that his mother was a nurse from Scotland working in the same place but had also claimed a Swedish mother. However, these claims were never substantiated, and it is most likely that Nasseri’s mother was an Iranian homemaker. Aged 28, he arrived in the United Kingdom in September 1973, to take a three-year course in Yugoslav studies at the University of Bradford.
Nasseri alleged that he was expelled from Iran in 1977 for protests against the Shah and after a long battle, involving applications in several countries, was awarded refugee status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Belgium. This allegedly permitted residence in many other European countries. However, this claim was disputed, with investigations showing that Nasseri was never expelled from Iran.
He was able to travel between the United Kingdom and France, but in 1988, his papers were lost when his briefcase was allegedly stolen. Others indicate that Nasseri actually mailed his documents to Brussels while on board a ferry to Britain, lying about them being stolen. Arriving in London, he was returned to France when he failed to present a passport to British immigration officials. At the French airport, he was unable to prove his identity or refugee status and was detained in the waiting area for travellers without papers.
Nasseri’s case was later taken on by French human rights lawyer Christian Bourget. Attempts were then made to have new documents issued from Belgium, but the authorities there would do so only if Nasseri presented himself in person. In 1995, the Belgian authorities granted permission for him to travel to Belgium, but only if he agreed to live there under the supervision of a social worker. Nasseri refused this on the grounds of wanting to enter the UK as originally intended. Both France and Belgium offered Nasseri residency, but he refused to sign the papers as they listed him as being Iranian (rather than British) and did not show his preferred name, “Sir, Alfred Mehran” (including the misplaced comma). His refusal to sign the documents was much to the frustration of his lawyer, Bourget. When contacted about Nasseri’s situation, his family stated that they believed he was living the life he wanted.
During his long stay at Terminal 1 in the Charles de Gaulle Airport, he could be found, day or night, around the Paris Bye Bye bar, where he wrote in his journal, listened to the radio, and smoked his gold pipe, or ate a meal at McDonald’s. The meals were bought for him by strangers, and he sometimes sat on a red bench in the Terminal’s first level in a reflective trance. In other accounts, his luggage was always by his side, as he wrote in his diary or studied economics.
In 2003, Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks production company paid a rumoured US$275,000 to Nasseri for the rights to his story, but ultimately did not use his story in the film The Terminal.
Nasseri’s 18-year stay at the airport ended in July 2006 when he was hospitalized and his sitting place was dismantled. Towards the end of January 2007, he left the hospital and was looked after by the airport’s branch of the French Red Cross; he was lodged for a few weeks in a hotel close to the airport. On 6 March 2007, he was transferred to an Emmaus charity reception centre in Paris’s 20th arrondissement. From 2008 onwards, he lived in a Paris shelter, though in the wake of Nasseri’s death in 2022, the Associated Press reported that he had recently returned to live at the airport.
Nasseri was reportedly the inspiration behind the character Viktor Navorski, played by Tom Hanks, from Steven Spielberg’s 2004 film The Terminal.However, neither the film’s publicity materials, nor the DVD “special features” nor the film’s website mentions Nasseri’s situation as an inspiration for the film. Despite this, in September 2003, The New York Times noted that Spielberg had bought the rights to Nasseri’s life story as the basis for The Terminal. The Guardian indicated that Spielberg’s DreamWorks production company paid US$250,000 to Nasseri for rights to his story and reported that, as of 2004, he carried a poster advertising Spielberg’s film draping his suitcase next to his bench. Nasseri was reportedly excited about The Terminal, but it was unlikely that he would ever have had a chance to see it in cinemas.
On 12 November 2022, at the age of 76, Nasseri died of a heart attack at Terminal 2F of Charles de Gaulle Airport. Local police and a medical team attempted resuscitation but were unsuccessful, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was interred on 8 December 2023 in Cimetière communal de Mauregard (the communal cemetery of Mauregard) in France.
England Women suffered their second straight defeat when Sri Lanka thumped them by 52 runs in the Women’s Under19 Tri-Series 50-over match played at Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane on 7th April 2026.
England lost to Australia in their first match played at the same venue on Monday by six wickets and yesterday they failed to chase down Sri Lanka’s total of 170 being bowled out for 118. It was Sri Lanka’s opening match of the Tri-Series which features 50-over and T20 matches against Australia and England.
England bowlers were guilty of giving away 29 extras which included 20 wides which helped build up Sri Lanka’s total. Limansa Thilakarathna, daughter of former Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan top scored for her team with a refined knock of 51 off 85 balls (2 fours, 1 six). With Shashini Gimhani who made 39 off 50 balls, Limansa put together a stand of 56 off 74 balls for the fifth wicket.
England never got going against the left and right-arm spin combination of skipper Chamodi Praboda (3/13) and Aseni Thalagune (3/11) and failed to come up with any partnership of substance.
Sri Lanka play host Australia at the same venue today (8th April).
Scores: Sri Lanka Women (U19) 170 (42.4) (Limansa Thilakarathna 51, Shashini Gimhani 39, Extras 29, Trudy Johnson 4/9, Maria Andrews 2/23, Bea Willis 2/40)
England Women (U19) 118 (42.1) (Bryony Gillgrass 35, Bea Willis 20*, Chamodi Praboda 3/13, Aseni Thalagune 3/11)
Lanka News UK March 2026 issue – Online Newspaper Please share this with your friends and relatives. Visit our website: www.Lanka News UK .com Editor : Shanthi Senadheera – +44 7956129642 Text or phone lanaknewsuk1@gmail .com shanthi.senadheera@yahoo.co.uk
මෙම කෘතියට The Wise Virgins, International Government, The Future of Constantinople, Cooperation and the Future of Industry, Economic Imperialism, Empire and Commerce in Africa, Socialism and Co-operation, Fear and Politics, Hunting the Highbrow, Imperialism and Civilization, Quack! Quack!,Barbarians At The Gate, The War for Peace
On March 3, 2026, Ambassador Samantha Pathirana presented his Letters of Credence to the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, during a formal ceremony held at the historic Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest. This event marked his official appointment as the second residential Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to Romania.
The ceremony featured an impressive Guard of Honour provided by the Romanian Armed Forces, followed by the handing over of the Letters of Credence. Subsequently, discussions were held with President Dan in the Lounge of the Unirii Hall at the Presidential Palace. Ambassador Pathirana was accompanied by Counsellor, Kaushalya Govinda, and Attaché, R. Ratheesparan of the Embassy.
During the meeting, Ambassador Pathirana conveyed warm greetings from President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and highlighted the longstanding diplomatic ties between the two nations, which date back to 1957. The Ambassador emphasized the substantial progress made in strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors, fostering cooperation and mutual support.
In his response, President Nicusar Dan extended his best wishes to President Disanayaka and the people of Sri Lanka. Ambassador Pathirana also briefed the
President Dan showed his appreciation for the large Sri Lankan community residing in Romania and inquired about their welfare and requested the Ambassador to reach out the institutions in Romania if he need any assistance regarding the Sri Lankan Community. The Ambassador expressed gratitude to the Romanian government for its strong support, particularly in hosting over 25,000 Sri Lankans employed in industries such as apparel, construction, hospitality, and agriculture. He also advocated for a government-to-government (G2G) framework to ensure safer and more regulated pathways for skilled labour migration between the two nations.
Ambassador Pathirana’s tenure in Romania follows his dedicated career in Sri Lanka’s Foreign Service (SLFS). He previously served as the Deputy High Commissioner at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London and held the position of Director General of the South Asia and SAARC Division at Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. During his career, he has also held roles including Director General of Economic Affairs, Director of UN & Multilateral Affairs Division, and Assistant Director of West Division at the Ministry.
Further he served in Sri Lanka Mission in New Delhi, Moscow and Geneva.
His academic credentials include a Masters’ Degree in International Relations from the University of Malta) and Masters Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the Georgian Technical University, Tibillis, Georgia.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Bucharest, Romania
05 March, 2026
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In Memorium of Dr Hemamala Pushpakumari Jasenthuliyana
Dr Hemamala Pushpakumari Jasenthuliyana who passed away on 21st January 2026. Loving daughter, sister, aunt, and a very loyal friend
My very dear friend for over 62 years, Hemamala departed this life in January this year. Known as Pushi by school and university friends, and Mala by other friends in UK, her nameHemamala means golden garland and Pushpakumari meansflower princess.
Pushi was born on 29 March 1946 to a loving family with an older brother and later, a sister joined the family. I met Pushi when I was 15 and she was 16, at our school Visakha Vidyalaya (a prominent girls’ school in Sri Lanka). There, Pushi excelled in her studies, and was famous among the students and teachers as the girl who won the most prizes atannual prize giving days. As well as being an exceptional student, Pushi was very involved in school life, as secretary of the school Buddhist society, vice-captain of one of the schoolhouses (Dawes house), and prefect.
Pushi entered Colombo University medical school in 1965, where I had the pleasure of becoming her batchmate, and her dedication to others continued with her becoming president of the medical school girls’ hostel. After qualifying as a doctor in 1970, Pushi worked in several hospitals in Sri Lanka before arriving in England to continue her postgraduate studies. Pushi chose Psychiatry as her speciality and worked for the NHS for three decades, practicing with great kindness and compassion.
Pushi had always been dedicated to making a positive difference for women and girls, and after retiring, she joined Soroptimist International (the largest women’s organisation with consultative status in the UN) where she became president of the Enfield club. There Pushi was very active in fundraising and had a particular interest in initiatives thathelped women for whom English was a second language. In Sri Lanka, Pushi and I travelled many times to remote villages to support impoverished schools in these areas.
Pushi was a devout Buddhist, very much involved as a devotee at Abhayaramaya, helping with the upkeep of the temple and taking part in religious observances and meditation sessions. She even joined the dhamma discussion I ran every Saturday on Zoom, never missing a single meeting until she fell ill.
Just like her beautiful names, Pushi loved beautiful things anddelighted in giving beautiful gifts to the people she loved. She paid special attention to friends’ and relatives’ birthdays, never forgetting to give presents and send cards, and very much appreciated receiving birthday cards too.
Pushi had many interests throughout her life. When she was younger, she played the piano and enjoyed sewing even making her own dresses. Later, she found a love of travelling, preferring warmer climes although she was still game for joiningd me in a Baltic cruise. Pushi also did enjoy watching TV, with detective series and nature programmes being her favourites.
Pushi was dedicated to her family in Sri Lanka, being particularly close to her younger sister who she called every morning to chant Buddhist stanzas together, until she fell ill.Pushi was a mentor to her sister’s son Kanishka & daughterSewvandi whom she also supported financially, but most of all she was a very loving and dedicated aunt to them. Pushi’s friends and family knew her as honest, forthright, occasionally quick to temper, but always with a warm and compassionate heart.
Pushi’s funeral was held on 20 February 2026 at Enfield crematorium, attended by many friends & neighbours, school alumni, and members of her Soroptimist club, with her favourite music playing. Buddhist funeral rites were performed by Venerable Panamure Thapassi. A peaceful and tranquil celebration of Pushi and her life lived guided by theBuddha’s teachings, by those who loved her.
May her journey through sansara be short until she attains the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
Thousands of pro-Iranian protesters have marched through central London chanting anti-Israeli and US slogans and calling for an end to the Iran war.
There were tense scenes along the route between Westminster and the US embassy in Nine Elms when the march was met by a counter-demonstration of people holding Israeli flags.
The families of the six US Army Reserve soldiers who were killed this week in Kuwait watched as their loved ones were brought home during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Saturday. https://cnn.it/4uchNqd
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Thousands of pro-Iranian protesters have marched through central London chanting anti-Israeli and US slogans and calling for an end to the Iran war.
Watch in full: More than 50,000 march in London against US-Israeli attack on Iran.
