Anuradhapura Hospital Doctors Launched A Token Strike

The Doctors attached to Anuradhapura General Hospital have launched a token strike since 8 a.m this morning (31) to protest against attacking of a hospital doctor by political group the government medical officers association (GMOA) has announced.The strike will continue till 4 p.m this evening.

As today is a poya holiday here in Sri Lanka OPD Clinics are not functioning in government hospitals including Anuradhapura Hospital ,but admissions and normal treatment and surgeries have been affected  due to this strike hospital sources said.

All Ceylon Health Services Trade Union Slammed Health Authorities Over Imporing BTI Bacteria

All Ceylon Health Services Trade Union has yesterday (29) slammed Health Authorities over their decision to import BTI Bacteria from Cuba to curb dengue mosquito larvae while a large stock of the said bacteria imported few years ago still remained in the shelves.Around 30,000 mili liters of BTI Bacteria were  imported from Cuba few years back.However only a small amount of them used to destroy dengue mosquito larvae in the country as dengue experts continuously urging  that the bacteria is not the  major weapon on curbing dengue menace .

However last week Ministry Of Health again has decided to import another stock of BTI Bacteria to air spray over dengue mosquito breeding places located in higher buildings withing city of Colombo .while criticizing the said decision the secretary of All Ceylon Health Services Trade Union Gamini Kumarasinha has said that importing BTI Bacteria again while recent stock still available in the country is a total waste of public funds and urged authorities to cancel the said decision.

Also he has requested the health authorities to revealed the real reason behind importing BTI Bacteria to the country at this stage.meanwhile locally developed BTI Bacteria too released to the Dengue Control Programme few years back.

2574 Dengue Patients Admitted To Ridgway Children's Hospital This Year

Around 2574 Dengue Patients were admitted to Lady Ridgway Children's Hospital for treatment during last 08 months of this year while 11 of them died hospital sources said today(29).Out of the total number of dengue patients reported majority were  transferred from outstation hospitals and all deaths occurred due to seeking late treatment or lapses in hospital treatment sources added.

CID Inquiring On Leaking Of Grade 5 Scholarship Examination Paper Prior To Exam

The criminal investigations department(CID) has been inquiring on whether there's a leek in examination paper prior to grade 5 scholarship examination  which was held throughout the island last Sunday(26)according to examinations commissioner w.m.j.n.j pushpakumara the inquiry is conducting due to the allegations made by several sections including some teachers trade unions who are stated  that the grade 5 scholarship exam paper was leaked before the examination.

Some teachers trade unions requested education authorities to annul the scholarship examination and re held it in a view of thousands of students who faced injustice  due to leak of examination paper.

Janitorial Service Tenders Of 54 Government Hospitals Gone Astray

A large scale financial fraud occurred during handing over janitorial tenders (cleaning services)of 54 Government Hospitals to private companies for 2012-2013 period it has been revealed,The fraud occurred when handing of said tenders to government hospitals vested to ministry of health at a cost of Rs.3 billion sources said.

A sum of Rs.12 million had exchanged as commissions during tender procedure which  3 of the powerful persons in the health ministry including a minister got involved sources further added.a sum of rs.3 billion spending for janitorial services is a total waste of public money which can be utilized to purchase out of stock drugs in hospitals health ministry officials said.as these tenders solely handled by higher officials of the ministry they do not even requested the service of a labor officer to calculate wages of laborers involved in janitorial service which is must according to labor laws officials have said.

Also due to improper way of handling these tender deals the companies who produced lowest bids and suitable for offering janitorial tenders were ignored.

The procurement committee which prepared  tender deals  put low wages for laborers  which were very low compare to Rs.633 minimum daily wage (for a 12  hour shift daily) recommended by labor department.Also the private companies who received the tenders after   produced highest bids have been reported as not paying   full amount of the salary of laborers and as a result some laborers attached to some janitorial companies who are cleaning hospitals launched a strike action by opposing this it has been revealed.

Muruththettuwe Thero Is In Warpath Against Health Ministry

The President of Health Services Trade Union Federation Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero has claimed that due to the poor administrative skills of  Health Minister, ministry itself has become a "paradise of cheaters"while declaring current health minister as a poor administrator ever appointed as health minister Venerable muruththettuwe Thero has said  that due to this situation there's no discipline in the ministry.

Eleven Drugs Are Out Of Stock In Karapitiya Hospital

Eleven essential drugs including Insulin Injections prescribed for  diabetes patients are out of stock in Karapitiya General Hospital these days hospital sources said."Atovasatatin",Enelapeil and Meformin  are among these out of stock drugs sources added.

Due to this situation patients are advised by doctors to buy these drugs from Private Pharmacies through there own expenses.

Janitor Service Tender Of Chilaw Base Hospital Handed Over To a Banned Company

Health Authorities have handed over a  janitor  service (cleaning service) tender of Chilaw Base Hospital ( 2012/2013 period ) to a private company which was banned by Presidential Special Investigations Unit for a sum of Rs.13,149,459 it has been revealed.The sum of money spent for this tender is not worth for a janitor service of a base hospital and it was a total waste of money the co secretary of Health Services Trade Union Federation Mr.Harendra Kuruppu  has claimed.

The tender which was offered to the said company on 26th of june 2012 was handled by 3 of the powerful officers at Ministry Of Health including a minister Mr.Kuruppu has said.The worth of the tender offered to above company is 5 times higher than the lowest bid produced by another company   he stressed.

All Universities Except Medical Faculties closed

Due to the ongoing strike action of University Lecturers higher education ministry has decided to close all university faculties except medical faculties till further notice.University Lecturers are in strike since 04th July demanding increase of their wages.This strike paralyzed the whole university education system as well as paper marking activities of G.C.E Advanced Level Examination.

Trincomalee Hospital Nurses In War Path Against Minor Staff

The nurses attached to Trincomalee General Hospital have launched a 4 hour strike today (20) to protest against issuing of nurses  uniform material to minor staff of the hospital as well.Due to the strike launched between 7.30-11.30 a.m this morning all hospital clinics,surgeries and patient care services in wards were paralyzed according to hospital sources.

Nursing Staff of Trincomalee Hospital who are angry over the move by hospital administrators on issuing nurses uniform material to minor staff says that they will continue this 4 hour strike daily from tomorrow (21) onwards till authorities correct their mistake.

Sacred Relics Of Lord Buddha Brought To Sri Lanka

The sacred "Kapilawasthu Relics"relics which are  portion of Lord Buddha's fragments of bones  were brought to Sri Lanka this morning from India.This is the first time these relics brought to Sri Lanka after 34 years and it will be displayed  to the public from today onwards at several temples in nine provinces of the  island.The relics are currently at Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya .

The relics which brought here from museum in New Delhi were received by Mahanayaka Theros and President Mahinda Rajapaksha at the Katunayake Banadaranaike International Air Port this morning.

Ramadan Festival Falls Today (19)

The Muslims in Sri Lanka are celebrating their religious Ramadan Festival ("Id Ul Fitr ") today(19). The Colombo Grand Mosque has declared today as Ramadan following yesterday's (18) sighting of new moon .

Doctors Strike Paralysed OPD's,Clinics And Routine Surgeries/Treatment In Govt.Hospitals

The OPD's ,Clinics,Routine Surgeries and treatment offered in Government Hospitals throughout the island were paralyzed yesterday due to the one day token strike launched by Government Doctors the hospital sources said.A large number of people who came to hospitals to get clinical treatment yesterday went home empty handed sources added.

The token strike will be continued till 8 a.m today(18).

Government Hospital Doctors launched this token strike as a mark of protest against the grenade bomb attack taken place at consultant surgeon Dr.Lalantha Ranasinha' s residence on last Thursday (16) .Dr.Ranasinha  is a strong campaigner against Malabe Private Medical College and member of  Disciplinary Committee of  the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and the grenade attack is  believed to be against his position on malabe private medical college .Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has said that the  strike was launched to urged authorities to prevent such attacks against doctors in future who are acting against low quality Private Medical Collages set up in Sri Lanka.

Government Doctors To Launch An Islandwide Token Strike Tomorrow(17)

The Government Hospital Doctors have decided to launch an island wide token strike tomorrow(17th) at 8 a.m in protest against a grenade attack on Dr.Lasantha Ranasinha's house in dehiwala this morning according to Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA).The strike is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m tomorrow morning and will be lasted till  8 a.m on Saturday  GMOA has stated.

Meanwhile the doctors attach to Colombo National Hospital have launched an one day token strike this noon as a protest against the attack.The strike is scheduled to end tomorrow noon.

The doctor subjected to grenade attack dr.ranasinha is strongly opposed Malabe Private Medical Collage and GMOA firmly believes that may have caused this attack.

GMOA Wants Govt.To Increase Wages Of State Employees

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has requested government to increase salaries  of Government Sector Employees from up to Rs.80,000 through this year's national budget president of GMOA Dr.Anurudda Padeniya has said today (14).  addressing a media briefing held today at GMOA office dr.padeniya has said that comparing to a salaries received by private sector employees government employees are being paid less.

In view of this  GMOA wants a salary increase of 1:12 ratio to overcome the situation he added. 

Due to  poor economic conditions prevails here  intellectuals including medical doctors are migrating to western countries seeking higher wages he further said.

Power Cuts To Continue For Another Two Weeks

The Ceylon Electricity Board(CEB) has decided to continue ongoing power cuts implement throughout the island for another two weeks CEB sources today (13) said.There is a 2 hour and 15 minutes power cut implement throughout the island at present due to technical issues of norochcholai power plant.

Meanwhile repairing process of norochcholai power plant is currently underway  CEB sources added.

"Some Medical Doctors In Health Ministry Are Acting Like Condutors " Venerable Muruththettuwe Thero

The president of Health Services Trade Union Federation(HSTUF)Venerable Muruththeettuwe Ananda Thero has said yesterday (10) that few  doctors attached to health ministry who are acting like conductors are responsible for the confusion arisen when re appointing of  Dr.Ajith Mendis to the post of Director General Of Health Services(DGHS) ."These Conductor type doctors  have not only given wrong information and misguided  health minister on DGHS Post but also have tried to prevent re appointing  dr.mendis to the post by slinging mud over him" he has stressed.

Muruththettuwe Thero has also said that the Health Services Trade Union Federation has pleased the way health ministry administrators  were acted in the last moment to give much awaited  service extension to Dr.Mendis.

Muruththettuwe Thero has revealed these things during a press briefing held at Abayaramaya ,Narahenpita yesterday.

Cabinet Approved One Month Service Extension To DGHS

The Cabinet has today (08)approved the cabinet paper on granting one month service extension given to Director General Of Health Service(DGHS) Dr.Ajith Mendis government sources said.After one month period DGHS will receive the required service extension under cabinet approval sources further added.

Health Minister has submitted the cabinet paper on service extension of DGHS to the Cabinet under the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksha.

24 Health Trade Unions Staged A Protest Campaign To Support Director General Of Health Services

The Health Trade Union Confederation which compromised 24 trade unions staged a protest campaign in front of Health Ministry this noon to support the proposed  service extension to Director General Of Health Services (DGHS)Dr.Ajith Mendis.members of powerful trade union alliance staged their protest campaign around one hour and urged health authorities not to block the proposed service extension of DGHS .

Meanwhile the "Satyagraha" Campaign launched by few unions of Health Trade Union Alliance opposing service extension of DGHS was stopped this noon due to enjoining order issued by Colombo District Court restraining their action.However the health workers participated the "satyagraha"campaign mainly Family Health Officers have seen protesting in front of Ministry coincided with other protest campaign.Both Protest campaigns were held at the same venue and Police Officers and Riot Police were deployed there to avoid any tense situation.

37 Detained Chinese Fishermen Handed Over To Chinese Embassy

The group of 37 Chinese Fishermen who were arrested by sri lankan authorities when illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters were handed over to Chinese embassy in Colombo yesterday .These  Fishermen got arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on last Sunday with their two trawlers used for fishing when they fishing in waters of Batticloe Area in eastern part of Sri Lanka.Two Sri Lankan Agents who helped them were also got arrested.

Director General Of Health Services Given One Month Service Extension Till..........

The Government has decided to give a temporary one month service extension to Director General Of Health Services (DGHS)Dr.Ajith Mendis with effect from 03rd of August till Cabinet approves the proposed service extension to him government sources said.Cabinet is due to discuss on granting the service extension of Director General Of Health Services Dr.Mendis today(08) sources added.

The Cabinet Paper on granting a service extension to Dr.Mendis has already submitted to Cabinet it has been revealed.

Till cabinet announces  his future dr.mendis  has decided to stay away from office the sources said.Due to this situation Deputy Director General Dr.Sunil Alwis has been appointed as acting director general of health services by health secretary dr.nihal jayathilake to carry out  duties of the post.Showing their concern for DGHS Post few of the deputy director general of health services attached to health ministry who were also engaged in mud slinging campaign against dr.mendis are now eying to grab the acting DGHS slot by claiming that they are the seniors eligible to hold the post.

The cat is out from the bag yesterday regarding this issue  when one of the senior DDG'S sent a letter to health ministry secretary by stating that  he should be appointed for the post according to law.

Meanwhile some officials attached to Ministry Of Health and few trade union leaders who are engaged in a mud slinging campaign to oust DGHS dr.mendis since last few weeks from his post are now openly opposing the temporary service extension given to dr.mendis by stating he should not be given such an extension.Some who are slinging mud over DGHS  are trying to misguide public by saying that the post of DGHS is now vacant and suitable candidate should be appointed for the post soon.

Director General Of Health Services is  head of the Health Department in Ministry Of Health.

24 Health Sector Trade Unions wants President Rajapaksha To Consider Service Extension Of DGHS

The Health services Trade Union confederation has made a written appeal to president Mahinda Rajapaksha yesterday (03) by stating when giving  the proposed service extension to current Director General Of Health Services(DGHS) Dr.Ajith Mendis only consider the service performance of him not the false allegations leveled  against him by certain elements.

The DGHS is due to retire from his service next Monday (06) but due to a request of service extension to him made by majority of health sector trade unions the trade union confederation wants president to consider the service extension request.However few health sector trade unions have trying to block his service extension by leveling a fraud charges on him by stating DGHS has  responsible  for fraud activity taken place when  purchasing of  Rs.182 million worth surgical equipments to government hospitals in year 2009 .The accusers charged that  the sufficient stocks of that equipment were available  in stores then and stated it was an unnecessary deal to buy an extra stock at that time.

However the charges leveled against DGHS was cleared after an inquiry conducted by special investigations unit of Ministry Of Health last week.The report  of the inquiry was sent to secretary of president by the Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake.However those elements who accused DGHS of wrong doing still refused to accept that inquiry report by stating that it was a biased  report.

The powerful 24 health  trade union alliance has stated through the letter sent to president yesterday that certain elements including a trade union leader backed by some NGO's are trying to block the proposed service extension of  Dr.Mendis by leveling false allegations against him which he was cleared through an investigations a week ago."Therefor President Rajapaksha should consider the yeoman service rendered by DGHS to the health sector during Tsunami and war periods when giving approval to his service extension" it said.

The letter signed by the president of Health Services Trade Union Confederation Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero and co secretary Harendra Kuruppu has said   that DGHS Dr.Mendis has earlier decided to retire from service with effect from next Monday (06) when his service period expired  but has decided to  request a  service extension only after Health Minister had urged him to do so in several instances.But since he made a written request for service extension under the influence of Minister certain elements withing health sector have trying to tarnish his image as well as his post through a media campaign which is turned out to be a pure mud slinging campaign .

Nurses Union Has Suspended Nurses Strike Scheduled To commence Tomorrow(03)

The Public Services Nurses Union has today (02) decided to suspend proposed Island Wide continuous strike action of government hospital nurses scheduled to be launched tomorrow(03) following a promise made by health ministry secretary on solving all nursing demands withing one month.

The officials of Public Services Nurses Union had met health ministry secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake this morning and hold discussions on 15 service demands of nurses which are not solved up to now according to president of nurses union venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero.Amending nurses constitution,granting risk allowance to nurses and increasing of uniform allowance among top demands that discussed with dr.jayathilake Muruththettuwe Thero said.

During the discussion health secretary has promised to give solutions for all 15 demands withing one month period he has added.

Government Hospital Nurses To Strike From This Friday (03)

Government Hospital Nurses have decided to launch an island wide continuous strike action on Friday (03) by demanding solutions for 7 of their service demands according to Public Services Nurses Union (PSNU).nurses will launch this continuous strike if the health ministry has not taken any steps to solve their demands during tomorrow's meeting with health ministry secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake the president of Nurses Union Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero has said.

The Nurses Union Officials are due to meet Health Secretary tomorrow morning to discuss on their demands Muruththettuwe Thero  has stressed. 


Amending Nurses Constitution and increasing Nurses Uniform Allowance are among  main demands of nurses he added.