Severe Shortage Of Nurses Crippled Patient Care In Government Hospitals

The Patient Care Treatment in Sri Lankan Government Hospitals collapsed due to the severe shortage of Nurses  according to the Hospital Sources.The sources have said that there is a shoratge of around 17,000 Nurses in Government Hospitals at present and only 24,000 Nurses out of 41,000 needed are working in these Hospitals.

According to the largest Nurses Union in Sri Lanka the Public Services Nurses Union(PSNU) the Nurses shortage occured due to  increasing number of retired nurses, service departures and going abraod .There shortage around 1000 nurses at the largest hospital in Sri Lanka the National Hospital in Colombo the Union has stressed.

Due to the shortage most number of Nurses who are seeking transfers since few years need to wait more time due to this shortage the President of the PSNU Ven.Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero has said.

England Beat Sri Lanka By An Innings And 14 Runs In The First Test Match

England has take 1-0 lead in their Three Test Match Series against Sri Lanka today when they defeated Sri Lankans by an innings and 14 runs in a rain affected first test match finished at Cardiff in Wales.Sri Lanka who batted first after winning the toss scored 400 runs in their first innings and England has  scored 496/5 and managed to restrict Sri Lankans to 82 runs all out  in their second innings.

The match started late today due to the overnight rain.The Second Test Match is scheduled to begin at Lords on this Friday.

Government Suspended Private Sector Pension Scheme- Exclude Free Trade Zone Workers From The Scheme

The Government has today decided to temporarily suspend the Proposed Private Sector Pension Scheme which created tension amongst  Private Sector Employees.The Decision was made by the Central  Committee of the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP).

Government has also decided to exclude Free Trade Zone Workers from the proposed Private Sector Pension Scheme as a response to the requests made by Parliament MP's and Trade Unions.

Meanwhile Government has announced that the Katunayake Free Trade Zone will closed tomorrow as a step to bring Industrial Peace in the area.

Higher Police Officers And Free Trade Zone Workers Injured During A Clash Between Them

Nine Police Officers including a DIG, two ASP's and a OIC and 15 Free Trade Zone Workers got injured and admitted to the Negombo Hospital this evening following a Clash between the Workers and Police occurred at the Free Trade Zone in Katunayaka.The clash erupted when the Police used tear gas to disperse Free Trade Zone Workers who conducted  a protest over the  proposed private sector pension scheme .

After using tear gas  a tense situation erupted between the police and protesters  as the protesters began throwing stones at  police.Police Officers as well as protesters were seen washing  their faces with water due to the tear gas.Several  Protesters were arrested by the Police and seen beaten them.Some Police Vehicles parked near the protest too got damaged as they were hit by  stones.

Smoking Caused Rs.15 Million Loss To The Sri Lankan Economy Daily-ADDIC

Smoking has been caused Rs.15 million losss to the Sri Lankan Economy daily according to the Executive Director of  Alcohol and Tobacco Information Center "ADDIC" Mr.Pubudu Sumanasekera.

S peeking at the Media Seminar held today in Colombo to Mark 'World No Tobacco Day" falls tomorrow(31) Mr.Sumanasekera has said that one of the major causes for poverty  in Sri Lanka is Cigarette Smoking.He stressed that the Samurdhi (a monthly allowance given to the selected low income groups by the Government) Beneficiary has spend more then twice the amount they received as samurdhi allowance for Cigarette Smoking  and that figure stands in 2002 as Rs.1825 Million when Government allocated Rs.834 Million for the allowance.

Meanwhile the Secretary of the Committee on Tobacco and Alcohol attached to Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) Dr.Sajeeva Ranaweera has suggested that if the Government can Increase Tax imposed on Cigarettes by 10 percent it will help to reduce  usage of Cigarettes by 3 percent among the youth and people in poverty as well as increasing the tax income of  government.

The theme of this years World Non Tobacco Day is "WHO(World Health Organization) Framework Convention On Tobacco Control".

Former UN Information Officer Appointed As Rupavahini Chairman

Former National Information Officer of  United Nations Colombo Office Mr.Mohan Samaranayake has been appointed as the new chairman of Government owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation with effect from today according to the government sources.He replaced the out going chairman Mr.Sarath Kongahage.

Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Is In India For Discussions On UN Report

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinha has left for India today to hold discussions with Indian Leaders on the situation arisen in the wake of issuing the United Nation's Darusman Report on alleged war crimes against Sri Lanka.He was invited to visit there by the Indian Government.During his  visit the opposition leader Wickramasinha is scheduled to meet Indian Premier Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister S.M Krishna.

However he will not meet  the newly elected Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalitha Jayaram according to the sources.The opposition Leader was invited by India for the talks on UN Report two weeks after the Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister Professor G.L Pieris visited India to brief Indian Leaders on the  Report.

Colombo Municipal Council Taken 500 Liters Of Local BTI Bacteria From Malaria Campaign

The Colombo Municipal Council has taken 500 liters of Locally made BTI Bacteria last week from Anti Malaria Campaign to spray in Dengue Risk Areas in Colombo City according to the Colombo Chief MOH Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam.The Officers  have already sprayed the BTI Bacteria in to Dengue Risk Areas of Eastern Colombo ,Borella,Thimbirigasyaya,Kirulapana and Havlock Town Dr.Kariyawasam has said.


According to him the locally made BTI Bacteria is much cheaper than the Cuban made Bacteria.Around 222 Dengue Patients with one death was reported within the Colombo City limits during this Month.

Adverse Weather Condition Killed 6 People And Afffected Nearly 4000 People

According to the Disaster Management Center the death toll due to the Adverse Weather Condition prevails in the Country has risen to 6 while nearly 4000 people and more than 1000 families have affected due to floods in several parts of the country.

According to the Center 5 people were died due to heavy showers and land slides in Galigamuwa area in Kegalla District and One person died due to lightning in Millaniya of Kalutara District.Kegalle District has  identified as the District worst affected by floods.

Meanwhile Few earth slips occurred in several areas in the Country today causing heavy traffic .The water level of  one of the main rivers in the Country the Kelani River too has risen to minor flood level and the Irrigation Department warned the residents in Kelani River Basin to be in alert on the situation.

Victory Day Celebrations-- President Stressed The Importance Of Racial Harmony While Former Army Commander Disheartned For Not Attending The Celebrations

President Mahinda Rajapaksha today had reminded the Political Parties that the Incited Racial hatred will not serve any purpose .Speaking at the 02nd anniversary of the Victory day held in Galle Face Green in Colombo to celebrate  the defeating of LTTE the  President stressed that the Human Rights cannot be guaranteed by including it to the Constitution but people will have to be liberated in order to enjoying it.

Meanwhile the imprisoned former Army Commander is reported as disheartened as he could not celebrate the war victory in Sri Lanka today.He expressed his feelings on this towards  a group of Parliamentarians of  main opposition United National Party including the UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa who visited him at the Welikada Prison today.

Four Districts Were Isssued Land Slide Warnings

The National Building and Research Organization(NBRO) has issued Land Slide warning to four districts today due to the heavy showers experienced in these Districts at present.Kagalle,Kalutara ,Ratnapura and Galle Districts received these land slides warning.

According to the NBRO several areas in Kagalle District are severely affected due to the heavy showers and landslides already.Several houses were reported as buried live with some people according to the reports and NBRO sent officials  there to inquire in to the incidents.

Cabinet Approved An Electronic Visa System

Cabinet  has approved to implement  an Electronic Visa System proposed by President Mahinda Rajapaksha .According to the government  sources The aim of the system is to issuing visas online  to foreigners

Former Army Commander Towards Judiciary

Imprisoned former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka has said today that the country's judicial system should work independently and should be free without any political influence.He said that the Attorney General Department  too biased towards the government and often bringing those who are opposing to  the courts while turning blind eye towards corruption.

General Fonseka made these remarks while attending the court proceedings held today at Colombo High Court on White Flag Case.

Rs.2.5 Million Worth Unused Stock Of Cancer Drugs Found At Maharagama Cancer Hospital

The Drug Evaluation Committee Members of the Ministry Of Health were found an unused  Stock of Essential Cancer Drugs including 800 vials  of "Hypercentin"  Injections worth around Rs.2.5 Million stored in a Drug Store at the Cancer Hospital in Maharagama in the Colombo suburbs.The "Hypercentin" Injection was reported as out of stock at the Cancer Hospital in recent months  causing severe hardships for Cancer Patients.

A sin gal  vial of the above Injection costs around 240,000 according to the Ministry Sources.Health Minister Maithepala Sirisena has instructed the Director General Of Health Services Dr.Ajith Mendis to investigate on why these Expensive life saving cancer drugs not issued to the patients by  creating  a Drug Shortage in the Hospital.

LTTE'S Chief Arms Procurer KP Revealed How The UN And A Western Country Tried To Offer A Ship For Fleeing LTTE Leaders

"The United Nations and a Western Country had prepared to offer a Ship to the  LTTE Leaders if they wants to flee to a foreign country during the last stage of the war between Sri Lankan Armed Forces and LTTE in 2009"  LTTE's Chief Arms Procurer and on time leader Kumaran Pathmanathan allias KP told an Indian News Paper THL Mediagrove.

KP revealed this when he was Interviewed by the head of  THL Mediagrove  VK Shasikumar in a safe house in Colombo earlier this month.Answering a question raised by the interviewer Shasi Kumar KP has  said
"We fought for freedom (and) it failed. It’s over. The new world order (after the Cold War) taught us that we have to…live together. We learnt from our past experience also that we should make a bridge between the two races (the Sinhalese and the Tamils)"

 For Video Extract of the Interview visit   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK2l190VfcE 

Three Day Seminar To Be Held In Colombo On Defeating Terrorism In Sri Lanka

A three day International Seminar on "Defeating Terrorism- The Sri Lankan Experience" scheduled to be held from 31st of May to 02nd of June at Hotel Galadari in Colombo.Nearly 300 delegates representing 42 Countries are due to participate this seminar which shows how the Sri Lankan Forces eliminated  Terrorism from the Country after three decades of war against LTTE.

75 Residents In Colombo City Received Notices On Dengue Mosquito Breeding

 The Colombo Municipal Department has last Saturday issued notices for 75 Residents in Central Colombo and Hulftsdorf areas who are found as  responsible for maintaining Dengue Mosquito Breeding Places in their backyards.Legal Action will taken against these residents if they are unable to clean up their places withing one week according to the Colombo Chief Medical Officer Of Health(MOH) Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam.

During the house to house inspection launched within Colombo City limits on last Saturday Officials have inspected around 1350 Houses which 650 houses are found as home to Mosquito Breeding.

Sri Lankan Star Boxer Manju Announced His Retirement

Sri Lanka's Star Boxer Manju Wanniaracchi who won a Gold Medal in the Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi India last year(2010) has officially announced his retirement   from Boxing Ring today through his coach.

The Gold Medal won by Manju has taken back by the organizers after he was found positive for the Banned Substance when his urine sample got tested.Although the Boxing Authorities here have decided to appeal against the decision , The Sri Lankan sports officials have  said that they accepted  the verdict given by the commonwealth authorities.

Former Army Commander General Fonseka Said He Had Never Made Any Statement Against Country And Army

Imprisoned former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka has said today(23) in Colombo High Court that he had never  made any  statement opposing the Country nor the Army.

Speaking at the White Flag Case filed against him General Fonseka spoke on his 36 year service including a description of various army operations he had taken  part with when the Judge Panel called him to the stand today.

Majority Of New University Entrants Arrived For Leadership Training Programme

Majority of the new University entrants had today arrived for the Military Bases island wide to participate the three week leadership training programme scheduled to commenced tomorrow(23) according to the Higher Education Ministry Sources.The Ministry Sources have said that by this eve around 80 percent of the students who are selected for the Universities arrived at respective Military Bases selected for this Programme .

These students were arrived with their parents despite the appeal of few political parties to the students parents for not to send their children for this training what they called as a Military Training.However Both the Higher Education Ministry and the Minister S.B Dissanayake denied the accusations and said that the aim of this programme is to develop positive thinking and good attitudes among the New University Entrants.

Sri Lankan Embassy In Oslo To Track The Developments Of Nediyawan Case

The Ministry Of External Affairs has asked the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oslo to keep track of the developments on  probe against LTTE leader Perinpanayagam Sivaparan allias Nediyawan who was detained by Norway few days back.

Nediyawan was detained and produced before the Court in Oslo where he was summoned for the allegations that the LTTE extorted Tamils in abroad by threatening to harm their relatives in Sri Lanka.Nediyawan who is a Norwegian Resident is believed as the current leader of  LTTE following the death of former leader Valupillai Prabhakaren last year.

Higher Education Ministry To Conduct Leadership Training Programme For University Students

The Leadership Training Programme organized for New University Entrants will go a head as scheduled from 23rd of May onwards despite the strong opposition against the government organized workshop the Minister Of Higher Education S.B Dassanayake has said today.

Norway Based LTTE Leader Nediyawan Got Arrested

Norway based LTTE Leader Perinpanayagam allias Nediyawan has been arrested by the Norwegian Police and produced before the Court in Norwegian Capital Oslo on Wednesday and Thursday according to the Norwegian Media Reports.

The Dutch Authorities including a Dutch Judge and five Dutch Defense  Attorneys are now in Norway to question Nediyawan who is a Norwegian Resident claimed as the leader of the LTTE.He is to be questioned for two days according to the Media Reports.The Dutch Authorities came to Norway to question Nediyawan on an investigations on terrorist finance case in Netherlands, where seven Tamil tigers got arrested last year.

During the Police operations a Chief Accountant of the LTTE and the the leader of LTTE in Netherlands too got arrested.

Public Health Inspectors Warned 650 Dan Sal Organizers On Preparing unhygienic Food

The Public Health Inspectors Association has identified around 650 Alms Giving Centers known as "Dan Sals" set up  island wide on behalf of  the "Wesak" day Celebrations yesterday,  on preparing  unhygienic food for distributing among the public.The Public Health Inspectors were raided around 1120 "Dan Sals" throughout the island yesterday and found more then 50 percent of this total that is around 650 Dan Sals were prepared unhygienic food for consumption.

The Public Health Inspectors have already warned those 650 Dan Sal organizers on preparing an unhygienic food.

First Sri Lankan Female Chief Justice Sworn In

 Sri Lanka's  first female Supreme Court Judge Dr.Shirani Bandaranayake has sworn ed in as the first Sri Lankan female Chief Justice before President Mahinda Rajapaksha this morning .

The 53 year old Dr.Bandaranayake has sworned in as the new Chief Justice following the mandatory retirement of former Chief Justice Asoka De Silve in May 2011.Dr.Bandaranayake had previously  served 11 times as  acting Chief Justice according to the legal sources.

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Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Sangakkara To Deliver Collin Cowdry Lecture At Lords

Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara has become the first international activate cricketer to deliver the Collin Cowdrey Lecture at Lords in England on 04th of July as he is invited to deliver the Lecture.This lecture which is inaugurated in 2001 is delivered in the memory of former England Cricketer Collin Cowdry.

Sangakkara has also become the first Sri Lankan to deliver the Cowdry Lecture at lords and the lecture was scheduled to held a day after the Sri Lankan Cricket Team played a one day international in lords against the hosts England.The former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Sangakkara is the youngest ever cricketer to deliver the lecture following the former Australian Cricketer Adam Gilchrist who delivered the lecture in the year 2009.Former English Cricketer Geoffry Boycott,Former Pakistani Captain Imran Khan and South African Activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu were amongst the famous people who delivered this lecture in the past.

Announcing the selection of Sangakkara to deliver this  years Collin Cowdry lecture the MCC President Christopher Martin-Jenkins has  said: that Sri Lanka have been so consistently successful in world cricket and it is very appropriate that a distinguished cricketer from this beautiful country should be giving the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdry lecture. 

Buddhists Around The Globe Celebrates "Wesak "(The Birth,Enlightment And Passing Away Of Lord Buddha) Today

Buddhists in Sri Lanka and around the globe are today(17th)  celebrating the"Wesak Poya" marking the Birth,Enlightenment(Nirvana)  and Passing Away(Parinirvana) of the Lord Gautama Buddha .According to the Buddhist Calender the Wesak Full Moon Poya Day falls today .

To mark the Wesak Buddhist Devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world made and Display Pandals and Lanterns showing the life events of Lord Buddha and decorated their houses and streets with colorful decorations.A Large number of Alms Giving Centers (Dan Sal) are set up in Colombo and other cities around the island  both today and tomorrow the day after the Wesak to offer various kinds of meals including Rice,Tea,Coffee,Noodles,Ice Cream ,Soups free of charge for those visiting  to see Wesak celebrations.

I wish My Blog Readers " A HAPPY WESAK"

External Affairs Minister G.L Pieris Left India To Discuss On Darusman Report

The External Affairs Minister Professor G.L Pieris has left  India for an Official Visit today to make awareness among India Leaders on the United Nations Darusman Report on alleged war crimes against Sri Lanka .

During this visit the Minister is scheduled to brief the Indian Leaders on  Sri Lankan Stand of the Darusman Report and to discuss several bi lateral issues.Minister Pieris will meet Indian Foreign Minister S.M Krishna and several other officials during the visit according to the government sources.

Another Child Died After Consuming A Soft Drink

A child reside in weliwita,Karandeniya area was died after consuming a soft drink before admitting to the hospital according to police sources.The child was vomited and then fainted after consuming the soft drink and died while being rushed to the hospital the sources said.

This child was the fourthvictim died this year after consuming a soft drink.The child's body now lying in the Karapitiya Hospital(In Southern District) mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination.Hospital Authorities have sent some organs of the child to the government analyst and Medical Research Institute for further investigations.

Norwegian Diplomatic Staff In Colombo Secretly Aided 12 LTTE Rebels -Norwegian Paper Afterposten

The Norwegian Media has reported that the Norwegian Diplomatic Staff in Colombo had secretly helped around 12 LTTE rebels and provided them political asylum for years.

According to the Norwegian Paper "Afterposten" the Norwegian Diplomatic Staff in Colombo aided these rebels to purchase flight tickets,Driving some to the Air Port and issuing of visas with a short notice both from immigrants and those who are escaped from Sri Lanka..

While the Norwegian Opposition calling this move as quite unusual and "bordering on activism" by claiming this will strained the Norway's relationship with Sri Lanka the Norwegian minister of International Development Erik Solheim has defended the practice by saying that there is a long tradition in Norway for helping those people are at risk.

Government To Employ 30,000 Graduates And OL/AL Qualifiers

Government to employ 30,000 Graduates and Ordinary /Adavanced Level qualified applicants with effect from 01st of August this year Cabinat Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has announced during today's Cabinet Briefing.

Accordingly 15,000 graduates and equal number of O/L and A/L qualifiers scheduled to be recruited to the Sri Lankan Development Service.

3O Killos Of Rotten Kottu Roti were destroyed

The Public Health Department Of the Colombo Urban Council yesterday raided 15 Hotels in the Slave Island in Colombo and arrested 30 killos of rotten  kottu rotty and destroyed them according to the Public Health Department officials.

During the raid Another 35 samples of unhygienic food too taken in to custody by the officials and sent them to the laboratory for further tests the Colombo Chief MOH Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam has said.

President Named Four Officials To the Bribary And Civil Services Commissions

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has today named Four  officials and members of the Commission  to Investigate Allegations On Bribery And Corruption And the Civil Services Commission.

The Retired Supreme Court Judge Jagath S Balaptabandi  has been appointed as the head of  Bribary And Corruption Commission while Professor Dayasiri  Fernando has been named as the head of the Civil Services Commission.

Retirement Age Of State Enterprise Employees Extended To 57 Years From 55 Years

The retirement age of State Enterprise Employees has been extended  to 57 years from 55 years with effect from 01st of May this year the The Policy And Research Unit of the Presidential Secretariat has announced today.

According to this decision an Employee in a State Enterprise can be in the service till  age of 57 without seeking a service extension.This new retirement age only applied for those employees in state enterprises whose retirement age has been specifically determined through a Parliamentary Act according to the Research Unit of the Presidential Secretariat.

Also the state employees who have reached the age of 55  are  permitted to retire voluntarily.If an employee retired voluntarily from the state service he/she will received the benefits of  Employees Provident Fund(EPF) and the Employees Trust Fund (ETF) the sources said.The circular regarding the new law has already issued by the Treasury Secretary.

Alleged Financial Misappropriation And Match Fixing On Sri Lankan Cricket Interim Committee Has Summoned

The Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) has yesterday summoned the Sri Lankan Cricket Interim Committee on    Financial Misappropriations and Match Fixing allegations.The chairman of the COPE Senior Minister Dew Gunasekera has said that the summoning of Sri Lankan Cricket is due to the recent media exposures against the activities of the Interim Committee.

According to  the sources the Sri Lankan Cricket Interim Board lost more than  Rs.2 Billion since the present Interim Committee headed by former national cricketer D.S De Silva took over the administration.