Vaas And Randiv To Flying To Mumbai To Night To Join Sri Lankan Crickrt Team

Two pace bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Suraj Randiv are due to leave Mumbai,India later today to join Sri Lankan Cricket Team to play the ICC World Cup Final on Saturday against India.Vaas and Randiv who are also all rounders as well likely to be replaced the injured all rounder Angelo Mathews and off spinner Muttaia Muralideran during the finals.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has approved the selection of these players for the Sri Lankan Team the Sri Lanka Cricket has announced.Sri Lanka's ace spinner Muralideran who already taken 534 wickets in One Day Internationals is to make his last appearance for the Sri Lankan Team on Saturday's Final.Although he took 15 wickets from the 8 matches Sri Lanka played at the World  Cup Tournament including the Quarter Finals and Semi Finals he was taking part these matches while afflicted with hamstring and groin injuries as well as side strain and Knee Injury.

All Rounder Angelo Mathews who is suffering from side strain occurred during the Semi Final against New Zealand in Colombo,last Tuesday is reported as in serious condition and likely to be replaced with either Vaas or Randiv.Vaas is also a member of the 1996 World Cup Winning Team as Murali retired from International Test Cricket last July and also considering retiring from One Days as well following not selected for the last 15 of the Sri Lankan Team.

ICC Named Umpires For The World Cup Cricket Finals

The International Cricket Council(ICC)today  has appointed the Autralian born Simon Tauffal and Aleem Dar as on field umpires for the ICC World Cup cricket finals scheduled to be work out in Wankhade Cricket Stadium in  Mumbai,India on this Saturday(02).

The ICC has also named New Zealand Born Jeff Crowe as the Match Referee for the match .Ian Gould is appointed as the third umpire for the match and Steve Davies as the fourth umpire.The ICC World Cup Cricket Final will be played between Sri Lanka and India.

Government Began A Probe On An Illegal Deal Of Rs.100 Million Worth Purchasing Of Wooding For Surgical

The Government has  began a high level inquiry on an illegal purchasing of Rs.100 million worth Wooding for Surgical for the Government Hospitals by the State Pharmaceuticals Cooperation taken place recently.This deal was handled without the permission of the Cabinet Tender Board as well as the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation Tender Board according to the Government Sources.

Although purchasing of over Rs.25 million worth items needed to get approved by the Cabinet Tender Board before purchasing it one of the higher officials of Pharmaceuticals Cooperation has illegally given the order to purchasing of  wooding for surgical to a local drug supplier and given orders to pay the supplier a letter of credit too it has been revealed.

However when the government has able to traced the facts on this deal the official who is responsible for this soon abolish the whole deal by suspending the letter of credit.However the first stock of wooding for surgical under this deal was arrived on 18th of March to the Medical Supplies Division and the Supplies Division has refused to accept the stock  as it's an illegal order health sources has  said.

Sri Lanka Beat New Zealenders And Sealed Their Place In The ICC World Cup Finals

Sri Lanka has today qualified for the ICC World Cup Cricket Finals scheduled to be play  in Mumbai ,India on this Saturday(02nd of April) with a cruising 5 wicket win over New Zealenders at the first Semi Final of the World Cup worked out at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo this evening in front of a large home crowd.

New Zealand won the toss and batted first in a perfect batting pitch but failed to live up to their expectations to get a big score as Sri Lankan Bowlers restricted them to a modest 217 runs off 48.5 overs.All Rounder Scott Styris was the highest run getter for the New Zealenders as he scored well compiled 57 runs from 76 balls.Martin Guptill made 39 runs off 65 balls.For Sri Lanka Off Spinner Ajantha Mendis and Seemer Lasith Malinga took 3 wickets each while Veteran Off Spinner Mutththaia Muralideran who made his final one day international appearance in Sri Lanka took 2 wickets.

When Sri Lankan openers Thilakaratne Dilshan and Upul Thranaga open the innings for Sri Lanka to chase 218 runs for win, everyone has expected them to repeat their powerful batting display against England two days back.However they were only able to put 40 runs for the first wicket  before Upul Tharanga was out for 30 runs.Thilakaratne Dilshan scored well compiled 73 runs and skipper Kumar Sangakkara scored 54 runs.When Sri Lanka is at 160 runs for the loss of one wicket three wickets fell within space of 9 runs.However the Middle order Batsmen Angelo Mathews and Thilan Samaraweera guided Sri Lanka to a 5 wicket win with 13 balls to spare.Skipper Sangakkara was adjudged as Man of the Match.

After the match Muralideran who is scheduled to retired from one day internationals after this world cup waved to the home crowd saying  farewell to Sri Lankans who supported him throughout his career.

This was Sri Lanka's third World Cup Final entry and two in a row and out of the previous two finals only able to win the World Cup in 1996 under the captaincy of Arjuna Ranathunge.In last world cup final worked out in Caribbean in 2007 Sri Lanka was beaten by Australia.The other finalist with whom Sri Lanka will clash in the Grand Final scheduled to be play in  Mumbai on Saturday will be decided in tomorrows Semi Final battle between India and Pakistan.

New Zealand Prime Minister Key Declined The Invitation Of Sri Lankan President To Watch World Cup Semi Finals

The New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has denied the invitation of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha to attend the ICC World Cup Cricket Semi Finals between Sri Lanka and New Zealand to be worked out in R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo tomorrow(29).A Spokesman of the New Zealand Premier's office said that the Prime Minister has to decline the invitation but not given any reasons for that.

Meanwhile Sri Lankan President' Media Office said that the New Zealand Ambassador In India will attend tomorrow's Semi Finals on behalf of  his Premier John Key.

Sri Lanka is to play with New Zealand in their Semi Finals tomorrow  the first of the two semi finals play under the ICC World Cup 2011.The winners of the match will played the winner of the Semi Final between India and Pakistan to be played in Punjab,India on Wednesday(30).The finals of the ICC World Cup 2011 is scheduled to play at Wankhade Stadium in Mumbai,India on 02nd of April.

President Mahinda Rajapaksha Invited New Zealand Premier To Watch ICC World Cup Semi Final In Colombo

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has today invited the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to watch the ICC World Cup Semi Final scheduled to held in R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo this Tuesday(29)

This is similar gesture as the Indian Premier Dr.Manmohan Singh too has invited their neighbor Pakistani President Asif Al Zardari and the Prime Minister of Pakistan to watch the second Semi Final of the ICC World Cup between India and Pakistan to be played in Mohali in Punjab,India on this Wednesday(30).

Sri Lanka qualified for the Semi Finals yesterday by beating England by 10 wickets in the match palyed in R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Out Played England In ICC World Cup Cricket Quarter Finals And Qualified For The Semis

Sri Lanka recorded a superb 10 wicket win over England in their Quarter Final ICC World Cup Day Night Match played at  R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo today and qualified for the semi finals to be played in the same venue against New Zealand on next Tuesday(29th).Both the Sri Lankan Openers T.M Dilshan and Upul Tharanga made an unbroken  opening partnership of 231 runs and reached the winning target easily with 63 balls to spare and with 10 wickets in hand.

T.M Dilshan Scored 108 runs off 115 balls with Ten  fours  and Two sixes and Upul Tharanga has scored well made 102 runs not out with Twelve  fours and one six .Earlier in the day the England Captain Andrew Strauss has won the toss and decided to bat first in the wicket which believed to be favorable for spinners during the night session.However Sri Lankan seemers and spinners were able to restrict the  English batting line up to a modest total of 229 runs  for the loss of 6 wickets with Jonathan Trott scored an unbeaten 86 runs off 115 balls for the English side.

Sri Lanka's veteran Spinner Mutththaia Muralideran got 2 wickets while spinners Mendis Dilshan,and seemers Mathews and Lasith Malinga got one wicket each.This Match was the 100th One Day International Played in the R.Premadasa Cricket Stadium.T.M Dilshan was adjudged as  Man Of The Match.

Health Minister Advised Officials To Take Legal Action Against 767 Tyre Shops And Bus Depots With Mosquto Breeding Places

The Health Minister Maithrepla Sirisena has instructed the officials of National Dengue Control Programme today to take legal action against 767 Tyre Retail Shops and Bus Depots who are running Mosquito Breeding Places in their backyards with immediate effect.

"These Tyre Shops and Bus Depots which are in the earlier occasions were issued notices and get cleaned in  raids carried out  during previous Dengue Control Weeks are not able correct their mistakes and continuously committing the same mistake by keeping Mosquito Breeding Places in their back yards" according to the Health Minister."Therefore no need to issue notices for them again and without a notice taken legal action against them "the Minister has advised the officials.

Drug Authority Has Temporarily Suspended The Selling Of "Apetamin- P" Syrup

The National Drug Authority has temporarily suspended the selling of "Apetamin-P" Syrup through Private Pharmacies Island Wide with immediate effect.The selling of above Syrup which is prescribed for children as well as adults for allergies and food appetite conditions suspended due to an insect was found from a bottle of " Apetamin-P" Syrup bought by a person  in Mahawa Area.

The person who bought the Syrup Bottle from a Private Pharmacy in Mahawa Area have seen the insect inside the bottle and immediately complained on this to the food and drug inspector in Kurunagala(North Western Province) for further action .Then the food and drug inspector informed the incident to the Drug Authority. The  bottle was sent for a laboratory test according to the Drug Authority sources .

President Has Appointed A New Elections Commissioner

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has appointed Mr.Mahinda Deshapariya as the New Elections Commissioner with the effect from tomorrow(25).The new commissioner will replaced the out going Elections Commissioner Mr.Dayananda Dishanayake.

President Rajapaksha Greets Opposition Leader For His B' Day And For Re Electing As The Party Leader

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has  greeted  the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinha today for his Birth day which falls today(24th) and for being re elected  as the Party Leader of Main Opposition the United National Party(UNP) again .

Opposition Leader Wickramasinha was re elected as the UNP Leader yesterday without a contest after weeks long leadership battle he was having with Hambanthota MP and the son of former President Late R.Premadasa,Sajith Premadasa.MP Premadasa who battled for the Leadership removed from the race during the working committee meeting of the Party held yesterday  and  accepted the Deputy Leader Post of the UNP and as the Deputy Leader  to the Opposition Leader in Parliament.

320 Govt.And Private Institutes Island Wide Who Are Having Mosquito Breeding Enviornment Were Issued Notices

Under the Island wide inspections carried out by the Ministry Of Health throughout yesterday(230 in Government and Private Institutuions to search Mosquito Breeding places Mosquito Breeding palces were found in 840 Institutes and the officials issued notices to 320 Institutes according to the Health Ministry Sources.

If those institutes who received notices will not clean up their places properly and destroying Mosquito Breeding Places withing two weeks time the Ministry has decided to take legal action against them the sources stressed.

Under this Inspection carried out as a part of the first ever National Mosquito Breeding Prevention Week declared by the Ministry, the Officials were inspected 9234 Government and Private Institutes and out of them 5267 Institiutes are found as most vulnarable areas for breeding mosquitoes according to the Ministry.

The first ever National Mosquito Breeding Prevention Week which began on 23rd of March and ends in 29th of March will implemented in collaboration with Anti Dengue,Malaeria and Fileria campaigns.

One Drug Supplier Delaying The Supply Of 18 Drugs To The Government Hospitals

It has been reported that the Health Ministry Officials had  handed over the Tenders of supplying 18 Essential Drugs to the Government Hospitals to a Single supplier and that particular Supplier is purposely delaying the supply of those Drugs and therfore created a drug shortage in the Hospitals.

According to the Health Ministry Sources the said Drug Supplier is delaying the supplying of these Drugs since six months .However the Ministry Officials did not take any measures to cancel the Tenders offered to the above supplier and hand over the Tenders to Different other good quality suppliers."according to them.Instead of braking the Monopoly created by this supplier in the Drug Supplying Trade ,Health Ministry Officials just help them to keep their Monopoly and worsening  the Drug Shortage in Government Hospitals" a Hospital Official has said.

"As a result the Patients in Government Hospitals are forced to buy these drugs from the Private Sector from their own expenses according to the Official.The only Cancer Hospital In Sri Lanka ,Maharagama National Cancer Hospital too faced a severe Drug Shortage due to the Supplier delaying the supply of 25 Cancer Injections since March 2010.

The First Phase Of Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Was Commissioned

 President Mahinda Rajapaksha was commissioned the First Phase of 300 Mega Watt Norochcholai Coal Power Plant this evening.Under the phase one the New Coal Power Plant will be generated 17 percent of national Electricity Requirement in the Country according to the Officials.

Draft Bill On New Pension Scheme For State Banks And Private Sector Employees To Be Presented Next Month

The Draft Bill on the proposed new Retirement Pension Scheme for workers in State owned Banks  Private Sector Employees and Migrant Workers  will be presented to the Parliament by Next Month President Mahinda Rajapaksha has said today in Parliament.The President visited Parliament today and delivered a speech there.

Government To Introduce Simplest Tax System In The Region

The Government intends to introduce a Simplest  Tax system in the region soon including of various Tax Systems International Monitory Cooperation  and Senior Minister Dr.Sarath Amunugama has said today in Parliament.The Minister has revealed this while presenting 9 Tax Bills to the Parliament.

Due To The Nato Air Strikes Sri Lankan Embassy In Libya Shut Down-Ambassador Recalled

Due to the NATO led Air Attacks in Libya ,Sri Lankan Government has temporarily shut down the Sri Lankan Embassy in Libyan Capital Tripoli and recalled the Ambassador Sudantha Ganegamaarachchi and the local Embassy Staff to Colombo the Ministry Of External Affairs has  announced today.

Sri Lankan Ambassador had  left Libya yesterday (21) night according to the Ministry Sources.According to the Ministry Sri Lankans still standard in Libya to the present crisis there will be bring back to the Country as soon as possible.

Ministry Of Health To Carry Out Island Wide Raids To Catch 7000 Quack Doctors

Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena today has instructed the Director General Of Health Services Dr.Ajith Mendis to launch a series of Island Wide raids to catch 7000 Quack Doctors who are illegally practicing Western Medicine throughout the Island.

Under the instructions of the Minister Ministry Of Health is scheduled to issue a special circular to All Provincial Health Directors and Provisional Health Directors instructing to carry these raids in their areas shortly.

According to a Health Ministry Spokesman Some of these 7000 Quack Doctors are previously working as Drug Dispensers under the Registered Government  Doctors.Some of these quacks displaying bogus Government Registered numbers as well as their personal telephone numbers as registered numbers according to the Ministry Spokesman.

It has been reported that these Quack Doctors even treating Dengue Patients and due to the wrong treatment they provided for them some patients ended up with Dengue Hemorrhage and Shock Syndrome conditions and admitted to Government Hospitals in critical condition."If this kind of patient died due to the critical condition  then the blame goes to the Government Hospital and the doctors there who treated that particular  patient not to those quacks "he said."Even these Quack Doctors are administering Dengue Patients various Drugs without doing preliminary  tests" he stressed.

Taking into consideration  this Medical Negligence of the Quack Doctors Ministry Of Health has decided to carry out raids island wide to catch these quacks and to punish them according to the law Health Ministry Spokesman has stressed.

Sri Lanka To Meet England In ICC World Cup Cricket Quarter Final Match Scheduled To Play Next Saturday

Sri Lankan Cricket Team who qualified for the Quarter Finals of ICC World Cup Cricket Tournament got underway in the Sub Continent will face England in their Quarter Final Match scheduled to play in R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium ,Colombo on next Saturday(26th of March).The quarter final opponents of the Sri Lankan Team was decided after today's Match between India and West Indies played in Chennai India where Indians won.

The Quarter Finals Schedule are as follows.

 The leaders of the Group "A" of the ICC World Cup Pakistan will meet the fourth placed West Indies of Group B at Dhaka,Bangladesh on 23rd of March 

Third Placed Australia in Group A will meet the Second Placed India of Group B at Ahamadabad,India on 24th of March
New Zealand who placed fourth in Group A will meet the South Africans who was the First in Group B in Dhaka ,Bangaldesh.on 25th of March


Sri Lankans who is placed second in the Group A will meet the third placed team of Group B England at Colombo,Sri Lanka on 26th of March

Sri Lankan Authorities Began Radiation Checks On Imported Containers And Vehicles From Japan

Sri Lankan Authorities has been taken steps to check the containers carrying Imported items from Japan and vehicles imported from there  to see whether they are  contaminated with  radiation released by the Fukushima Nuclear Plant.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority,Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority and the Sri Lanka Customs Department are jointly implement this programme in the view of protecting local people from radiation according to the Authorities.

Sri Lnakan Authorities last week checked the imported Stock of Nissan Motor Parts  from Japan to see whether it contaminated with radiation.The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority has also requested from those who returned from Japan after the Fukushima Nuclear Explosions to  check whether they are exposed to the radiation or not from the Authority if they wishes.

Meanwhile Japanese Authorities confirmed that food items Spinach and Milk in Tsunami hit Ibaraki Prefecture are contaminated with radiation.

Sri Lanka Beat New Zeeland By 112 Runs And Boost Their Confidence ForThe Quarter Finals

Sri Lankan Cricketers boost their confidence further for the Quarter Finals encounter by beating the News Zealanders from 112 runs  at the ICC World Cup Cricket Match played in Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai,India today.

After winning the toss Sri Lankan Skipper Kumar Sangakkara has decided to bat first in a perfect batting pitch and Sri Lankans able to score 265 runs for the loss of 9 wickets during their 50 overs.Skipper Kumar Sangakkara him self scored a superb knock of 111 runs  with 2 sixes.He was well supported by his Deputy Mahela Jayawardena who scored patient 66 runs and added 145 runs for the third wicket with Sangakkara.

Both Sangakkara and Jayawardena build the Sri Lankan Innings after  both openers Upul Thranga and Thilakaratne Dilshan were out forlow scores.After the pair dismissed Middle Order Batsman Angelo Mathews scored a useful 41 runs to take Sri Lankan Score to 265 runs.

When the New Zealenders came to bat to score 266 runs for win Sri Lankan seemers Nuwan Kulasekaera and Angello Mathews able to keep their run rate low through a tight bowling .However it was Sri Lankan Spinners that destroyed the New Zealend batting line up led by Sri Lankan Ace Spinner Muththaia Muralideran who got 4 wickets by conceding just 25 runs in 8 overs.He was well supported by the Spinner Ajantha Mendis who got 2 wickets and Thilakaratne Dilshan who got 1 wicket..

Sri Lankan Skipper who scored 111 runs and got two victims one caught and a stump by keeping wickets was adjudged as the Man of The Match


With this win Sri Lanka who completed their 6 matches in the preliminary round came to the front in the table of " Group A"with 9 points from 6 games.Even before today's game the Lankans already qualified for the quarter finals of  ICC World Cup.

The Governing UPFA Won Power Of The 205 Out Of 234 Local Government Councils

The Governing United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) won 205 out of the 234 Local Government Bodies where the elections held yesterday.The Tamil National Alliance (Illankei Thamil Arasu  kachchi-ITAK) won the second highest number of Local Government Councils that is 12 and the Main Opposition the United National Party(UNP) became third with 9 Government Councils.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress(SLMC) won 04 councils,The National Congress -02,Upcountry Peoples Front(UPF) 01 and an Independent Group has secured 01 Council.The Main Leftist Party Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) failed to secure the power of any Government Council according to the results.

However the voter turnout reported at the elections is low and only 45 percent out of the total number of eligible voters cast their votes in yesterday's elections.

FOR THE LATEST  ELECTIONS  RESULTS VISIT  http://www.slelections.gov.lk/

The First Elections Result Was Announced

The first Local Government Elections Result of the Local Government Poll conducted today was released short while ago.The result of the Weligama Urban Council in the District of Matara (Southern Province) was out and according to the result the Governing United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) has received 7246 votes with 7 of the Urban Council seats and the Main Opposition the United National Party(UNP) secured 3622 votes with 3 seats.

55-60 Percent Voter Turn Out In Today's Election- PAFFREL

According to the PAFFREL (People's Action For Free And Fair Elections)Organization the overall voter turnout of today's Local Government Elections was 55-60 percent.The voting for electing 3022 Local Government Representatives for 234 Government Bodies was concluded at 4 p.m today.


According to the Elections Secretariat The voting in majority of the poll stations had been  peaceful except of few minor incidents of violence .

Voting Of The Local Government Poll To Elect 3022 Representatives Began

Voting for electing representatives for 234 Local Government bodies began at 7 a.m today and due to conclude at 4 p.m .

A total number of  9,444,455 Registered voters are due to cast their vote at 7396 polling centres islandwide.3022 representatives are due to elected from this election.

Meanwhile President Mahinda Rajapaksha cast his vote this morning at the D A Rajapaksha College in Madamulana (Southern Province).

Sri Lankan Air Lines To Arrange A Special Flight For Returnees From Japan

Following the discussions held between the officials of  the Ministry Of External Affairs and Sri Lankan Air Lines ,it has been decided to operate a special flight from Tokyo to Colombo via UL 1423 Flight on 4.30 p.m tomorrow(17th) for those Sri Lankans who wish to return from Japan.

Ealier most of the Lankans lives in Japan directly requested from Sri Lankan authorities to bring them back from Japan as the aftermath Tsunami conditions worsens with the explosions occured in Fukushima Nuclear Plant.

Nepali Government Has Turned Down The Requests On Granting Refugee Status To 7 Associates Of Gen.Fonseka

Two Major News Papers published in India and Nepal have been reported that the government of Nepal has refused to grant Refugee Status to few close associates of the imprisoned former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka .

According to the "Katmandu Post " and "The Hindusthan Times " News Papers these associates were worked for General Fonseka during his presidential elections campaign in january last year and now staying in Semi Underground in Nepali Capital Kathmandu since past few months and seeking assylum there.

These people are reportedly as  been given an unofficial protection by the United Nations High Commission For Refugees(UNHCR) in Nepal.However the UN sources said that due to the illegal status of these persons they cannot called as refugees.

Around 14 associates of the Former Sri Lankan Army Commander who fled to Nepal in wake of the loss in the Election here reported as been in the unofficial protection under UNHCR and one of them died from heart attack and one fled to Canada while five are missing according to the papers.The remained seven associates are seeking assylum and the Nepali Government had turned down their requests the papers further said.

External Affairs Ministry To Bring Back Some Sri Lankans In Tsunami Hit Japan

The External Affairs Ministry  has said today that they are discussing with Sri Lankan Air Lines on bringing back some of the Sri Lankans lives in Japan following their requests for doing so due to the After shocks and Radiation problems occured in Tsunami hit Japanese Areas.

According to the Ministry there are around 20,000 Sri Lankans currently reside in various Japanese Cities including the Capital Tokyo and most of them who are in out side the Capital City and their realtives here wants  to bring them back home as soon as possible.

All Schools In Island Except In Two Districts To Be Closed During Local Government Polls

All Schools in the Island except those in Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts will be closed three days from 16th to 18th of March due to the Local Government Elections scheduled to be held in 17th of March(Thursday) the Education Ministry has announced.

Three Private Schools in Colombo District namely Saint Bridget Convent in Colombo-07,Saint Peters College in Bambalapitiya and Saint Josephs College in Colombo-10 will also closed during these three days according to the Ministry.However other Private Schools is likely to be remain open as the authorities  did not announced they are going to closed them during the Local Government Polls.

100 Varieties Of Drugs And Injections Are Out Of Stock At Govt.Hospitals

 Around 100 varieties of essential Drugs,Injections and Surgical items are out of stock these days in Government  Hospitals as well as in the Medical Supplies Division(MSD) according to the Hospital Sources.

According to the sources "Paracetamol",Gentomycine Injections,Thiopenton Sodium Injections,Piriton and around 25 Cancer Injections are among the Drugs and Injections out of stock at the Hospitals and MSD.

Due to this Drug Shortage doctors prescribing patients to buy these Drugs from the Private Sector according to the sources.

The delaying of Drug Supplies to the Hospitals by the Drug Suppliers and supplying of low quality drugs have been identified as the main reasons behind this Drug Shortage.

Sri Lanka Postal Dept.Suspended Mail Deliveries To Tsunami Hit Japanese Areas

The Sri Lankan Postal Department had suspended all mail deliveries to the Tsunami hit Japanese Postal Code Areas of 00 to 09, 30 31 96 98 99 with immediate effect.This decision has taken after the Japanese Postal Department informed the Sri Lankan Posts that Mail Deliveries to the above Postal Code Areas have been suspended following the damage done by  Tsunami .

The Post Master General MKB Dissanayake has appealed the public to avoid of sending Posts or packages to above Postal Code Number areas until further notice is given.

Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority To Monitor The Local Skies From Tomorrow To Check Radiation Threat

The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority (SAEA) today has said that although there is no threat to Sri Lanka following the Radiation Leakage occured in the Japanese Nuclear Plant in Fukushima Prefacture after two of the plant's reactors were exploded,  they will monitoring sri alnkan skies from tomorrow to ascertain whether there is any radioactive metarial above our sky.

However the Atomic Energy Authority  appealed the people not to be panic over the Radiation Leak in Fukushima Nuclear Plant as it is not a threat to Sri Lanka.The skies will be monitoring as a precautionary meassure the Agency further added.

Meanwhile The Foreign Nuclear Experts issued a warning that   the Fukushima Radiation Leakage might affect some countries in the Asian Region like Philiphines and Singapore as well and it may have affecting Thyroid gland .

Health Ministry To Send A Medical Team To Japan If Need Arise

The Ministry Of Health has already selected a standby Medical Team comprising of Medical Specialists,Nurses , Midwives and other Health Workers to send Tsunami hit Japan for treating the wounded people upon a request of Japanese Government the Ministry Sources said today.

President Mahinda Rajapaksha  had yesterday  instructed the Treasury Secretary to send a Medical and Rescue Teams for Japan to help Tsunami Victims.

Ministry has also stated that if the Japanese Government has requested can also send a Team Of local Epidemiologists to Japan as well to help the health authorities there to prevent spreading of Water Borne Infectious Diseases.Sri Lankan Epidemiologists were successfully able to minimize the spreading of water borne infectious diseases in Tsunami hit Sri Lankan coastal areas after the massive Tsunami Waves hit Sri Lanka in December 2004 the Ministry has stressed.

President Instructed To Send One Million US Dollers And Medical/Rescue Teams To Japan

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has today instructed the Treasury Secretary Dr.P.B Jayasundara to send One Million US Dollars to  Tsunami hit Japan as a friendly donation from people of Sri Lanka.

President has also advised the Treasury Secretary to send a well trained Medical team compromise with Doctors and Nurses to treat Tsunami affected people in Japan  and trained members of Tri Forces for rescue Operations  as well.

Japanese News reports have  stated that the death toll due to the Tsunami in North Eastern Japan may exceeds 10,000 while hundreds are still believed to be missing.Half of the Tsunami hit Sendai Town too reported as missing .Meanwhile around 3000 people who were in the Tsunami Hit areas have been  evacuated and up to now some 200,000 people are reside in Temporary Shelters set up by the Government.

Millions of people who are trapped in the Tsunami hit areas have experienced food and water shortage and food distribution  is delaying due to the transport block .Meanwhile Japanese authorities requested the citizens to save their electricity as most of the power plants got damaged due to the Tsunami waves.

650 Complaints On Face Book Crimes Received Within 08 Months

 During past 08months alone  Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team(SLCERT) had received around 650 complaints on  Abusing and Crimes,Scams and Freud activities  carried out by using the Social Networking Site "Face Book".

SLCERT  has already taken measures to cancel a large number of  fake "Face Book" accounts used to carried out these wrong doings it has been revealed.

Drug Mafia In State Hospitals?

Due to the majority of  Medical Consultants in state hospitals giving expensive drug samples free of charge for their patients and requested them to buy them in private sector on completion of it, patients find it extremely difficult to bear the expenses of such expensive drugs it has been revealed.The free Drug Samples given to the patients are provided to Consultants by various Muti National Drug Companies aiming to promote their products.

Although Patients are advised by the Consultants to purchase these Drugs from  Private Sector after the given sample drug finishes, there are several drugs belongs to the same category  available in State Hospital Pharmacies from different brands.For taking instance it has been revealed that some Ophthalmologists(Eye Surgeons) prescribed the patients to buy certain eye drop to bring down eye pressure for those in "Glaucoma" condition in continue basis after giving them a free sample of the drug to them.

But when contacted the Out Door Pharmacy in National Eye Hospital confirmed that the prescribed eye drop by the consultant is not available in the Pharmacy and a eye drop in same category with a different brand is available out there.However they said they will only issue this eye drop if the consultant prescribing it.Sri Lankan State Hospitals providing the Drugs for patients free of charge under free health care policy and this act is a violation of that policy according to the Health Sources.

Due to unawareness on the situation Patients are forced to buy the certain branded drug prescribed by the Consultant from the private sector even they cannot bear the cost of the price.

Japanese Earthquake And Tsunami Video Footage 11-03-2011

President Rajapaksha Conveyed His Sympathies On Japanese Earth quake

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has contacted the Japanese Ambassador in Colombo  this evening and conveyed his sympathies and support after the powerful earthquake and tsunami which had strucked Northeastern Japan this morning.

Ministry Of External Affairs Set Up An Information Service On Sri Lankans In Earthquake Hit Japan

The Ministry Of External Affairs has been set up a 24 hour Information Service for those seeking Information on Sri Lankans live in Japan following the powerful Earthquake and Tsunami which had struck ed Japan early today.

Still no information has been received on the whereabouts of Sri Lankans lives in Japan due to the power failure and  Mobile Network failure experienced in Tokyo and suburbs following the quake.Public has appealed to contact following numbers for information on Sri Lankans in Japan.The Numbers are 0772267929 and 0115743362.

No Tsunami Threat To Sri Lanka Following Japanese Earthquake-Sri Lanka Met Department

There is no Tsunami Threat to Sri Lanka due to the powerful 8.9 magnitude Earth Quake and after temors hit in Northeastern Japan today (11)according to the Sri Lankan Metereology Department.

The Tsunami which hit Sri Lanka as well as in other Indian Ocean Countries in 2004 too occured after 8.9 magnitude powerful earthquake hit in Indonesian Coast.According to the Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawai Tsunami threat issued to the whole Pacific coast including Japan and Taiwan,Philiphines,Russia,Mariana Islands and Papua New Gunia.

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe And Qualified For the ICC World Cup Quarter Finals

A superb 144 runs and 4 wickets for 4 runs by Sri Lankan Opening Batsman  Thilakaratne Dilshan guided Sri Lanka to a 139 run victory against the Zimbabwe Cricket Team in a ICC World Cup Cricket Match played today at the newly built Pallekale International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

With this victory Sri Lanka has been qualified for the  Quarter Finals in the World Cup by earning 7 points from 5 matches they have played withing Group A.After won the toss Zimbabwean Captain Elton Chigumbura put Sri Lankan's  in to bat first and Sri Lankans scored 327 runs for the loss of 6 wickets with openers Thilakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga put a recordable opening stand of 282 runs for the first wicket which is a ICC World Cup Record..Dilshan has scored 144 runs and Tharanga  scored 133 runs.

By replying the Zimbabweans open their run chase with a valuable 106 run opening stand.With the  help of poor fielding and dropped catches by some of the Sri Lankan Cricketers.Zimbabweans managed to reach 188 runs before  Sri Lankan veteran Off Spinner Mutthaia Muralideran ,Thilkaratne Dilshan and Angelo Mathews turned the match in favor of Sri Lankans by collecting wickets in regular intervals.Dilshan is the pick of the bowlers by getting 4 wickets for just 4 runs supported by Muralideran and Mathews who got 3 and 2 wickets respectively.

Thilakaratne Dilshan was adjudged as the Man of the Match for his brilliant all round performance with bat and ball. Sri Lankan team has recorded 3 wins in their 5 matches played so far and lost to Pakistan and tie a game with Australia which was abandoned last week due to the bad weather.

Medical Experts To Reveal The Exact Causes Related To Unidentified Chronic Kidney Disease By June

The Medical Experts at the World Health Organization(WHO) Sri Lankan Office said that after receiving the research reports by June this year they can give the exact reason or reasons that caused the unidentified Chronic Kidney Disease spreading in North Central Province in Sri Lanka.The Chronic Kidney Disease which not showing any symptoms during early stages of the disease killed several people in North Central Province during last few years.

According to the National Professional Officer of the WHO Sri Lankan Office Dr.Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake till the research conduct by 10 groups compromising 60 researchers concluded, they cannot give any particular reasons which might caused the said Kidney Disease.

It has been reported that out of the total number of Kidney Patients reported from the Island 22 percent are reported from the North Central Province where  6 percent of theSri Lankan Population reside in.

Sri Lankans Taking 564 Million Paracetamol Tablets Annually

Sri Lankans are taking 1.5 Million Paracetamol Tablets daily  and 564 Million Tablets Annually as a Pain Killer according to the Ministry Of Health.Paracetamol Tablets came to the Local Market with different brands and known as widely used Pain Killer in Sri Lanka.

Although the State owned The State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation(SPMC) has producing the Paracetamol under the generic name the production still not able to meet the demand of the above drug.Therefor The Health Ministry has still importing the major portion of the required Paracetamol Stock from India despite the stock supplied by the SPMC. 

Health Ministry Plans To Produce Most Of The Imported Drugs Locally To Tackle Drug Shortage

The Health Ministry has decided to produce most of the Drugs imported for Government Hospitals locally through the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation and other local Private Institutes to tackle the Drug Shortages occurring time to time in Hospitals.

Under this programme the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) already expand  their production of 'Paracetamol" by produced and supplying 16.5 million Paracetamol Tablets to the Government Hospitals and to the Market during last two weeks a  Ministry Official has stated.

Altogether the SPMC has expand their annual Drug Production of 1600 Million Tablets to 1800 Million Tablets with the increased 200 Million Production of Paracetamol.according to him.The official has also said that due to quality failure of a stock of Paracetamol imported through a Supplier and due to the delay of supplying the Drug to the Hospital has been caused the Paracetamol shortage occurred in Government Hospitals these days.

Colombo High Court Ordered To Produce Transcripts Of Second Court Martial Against Gen.Fonseka

The Colombo High Court has today ordered the Army Commander to handover the complete  transcripts of the proceedings of the Second Court Martial on Hi Corp Case filed against the Imprisoned Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka.

The order was given after the Defense of the Case had challenged that the High Court cannot charge Former Army Commander legally with the same crime charges he has been convicted in the Second Court Martial hearing.The High Court is due to taken the requested transcriptions to consideration when the court hearing begin on 29th of March.

Prime Minister Has Revealed On Three LTTE Camps Function In Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne has said in Parliament today(09th)  that the LTTE Terrorist Organization  is currently functioning three Training Camps in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu and trying to reinstate their activities.Prime Minister has also said that out of these three LTTE Training Camps in Tamil Nadu, one training camp is training troops to destroy VIP Politicians and warned that they plan  to kill a Indian  Leader and  create another Civilian War in Sri Lanka.

According to him LTTE Leader Rudra Kumar who is based in USA and two other LTTE leaders who fled to India are believed to be handling this operation.

While proposing to extend the State of Emergency the Prime Minister has said that the LTTE Member Pugalendra Master has been responsible for recent attack  on  Mahabodhi Society in Chennai,India.

21,000 Tender Applications Called For Supplying Of Drugs This Year

Around 21,000 Tender Applications were called to buy essential drugs for state hospitals during January to March this year according to the Ministry Of Health .Although such a large number of tenders were called this year, there is still a shortage of some essential drugs in State Hospitals.

Ministry Officials further said that there is a monopoly in the drug supplying trade in Sri Lanka and the breaking of that monopoly is beyond their reach .The supplying of low quality drugs to hospitals by suppliers as well as  delaying of drug supplying process are the main reasons for this drug shortage they  added.

Severe Vaccine Shortage In Maharagama Cancer Hospital

Around 20-25 Essential Cancer Vaccines are out of stock in National Cancer Hospital at Maharagama(Colombo Suburbs) according to the hospital  sources .   

Carboplatin,Pachlitaxel,Vincristin(VCR),Doxorubacin,Oxaloplatin and Cisplatin are among the out of stock vaccines according to the sources.

Due to the shortage of these vaccines thousands of Cancer Patients faces severe difficulties as a large sum of money need to buy these vaccines from the Private Sector.As a result there is a threat to developing the illness of the Cancer Patients One Oncologist at the Cancer Hospital stressed.

In Private Sector One vial of these out of stock vaccines is costs around  Rs.10,000 and above according to him.

Meanwhile according to the Ministry Of Health the main reason behind  the Cancer Vaccine shortage is the delay of supplying these vaccines by the supplier.The supplier who was awarded the tender to supply these vaccines last year has not supplied them since March 2010 Ministry has confirmed.