Health Ministry Secretary Refused To Accept Former Sacked Officer To The Ministry

The Dream Of Former sacked Media Officer D.M Wanninayake to return to the Health Ministry was  shattered again as the Health Ministry Secretary Mrs.Sudharma Karunaratne has refused to accept him to the ministry although  the  Director of Information has made a written request to accept him  ,the ministry sources said.

Through a  letter the director of Information has requested  Mrs.Karunaratne last Friday to appoint the sacked media officer to the media officer post again besides the corruption charges leveled against him  the health ministry sources added.

Health Minister Has Instructed The Special Investigations Unit To Probe On Former Sacked Ministry Officer

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has last week  instructed the Special Investigations Unit of the Health Ministry to investigate on two corrupt charges leveled against former sacked Media Officer of the ministry D.M Wanninayake .

Under the instructions of the minister the Special Investigations Unit has already began investigations against the former  media officer who was charged that building two houses and bought two luxurious vehicles  from the money he has earned illegally through the drug companies while in office and staying in the media officer post for nearly 10 years although he was appointed for two year period the Health Ministry sources said.the former media officer was sacked from his post by the former Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake who is now the secretary of the economic development ministry.

However the said media officer who was transferred to the Information Department after sacking from his post in the Health Ministry is still trying to return to his previous  post by influencing the Health Minister and Director General Of Health Services through the corrupt drug companies according to the  sources.the former media officer was reported as meet the  health minister last week and appealed the minister to appoint him to the media officer post again sources further said.

Meanwhile health trade unions have said that if the health authorities have again appointed a corrupt officer to his recent post it will be a violation of code of ethics in a government institution as the said person is already charged with corruption charges.

Defense Secretary Has Instructed Authorities To Take Action Against Elements Spreading Anti Racial And Religious Sentiments

The Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajpaksha has instructed the Security Authorities to take stern action for the extremist elements who are spreading racial and religious hatred sentiments  through the  Social Media Sites like Facebook.

Defense Secretary's move  came after it was revealed that by using Facebook some elements are trying to  spread racial and religious hatred sentiments  as well as false information among Sri Lankans living  in abroad.after the Beruwela and Aluthgama clashes some elements are spreading false information through text messages and the  large number of Anti Muslim and Anti Buddhists pages that created in Facebook make the situation worst security sources said.

Ten Blood Tests Performs In Government Hospitals Are At Risk Of Suspension Due To MLT Shortage

Around ten blood  tests performs in major government hospitals island wide are at risk of  suspension  due to  the severe shortage of government medical laboratory technicians(MLT) faced by those hospitals according to the Government Medical Laboratory Technicians Association.

The Blood Tests including Dengue Anti Body and Leptospyrosis Tests are at risk of suspension in Major Government Hospitals  the Association has said.some sections of the Path Labs in Medical Research Institute in Borella ,South Colombo Teaching Hospital,Northern Colombo Teaching Hospital,Anuradhapura General Hospital and Maharagama Cancer Hospital are already at risk of close down due to the shortage of MLT's the president of the Medical Laboratory Technicians Association Mr.Janaka Nishantha has said.

Even the patients in  Hospitals attach to Provincial Councils like Gampaha and Awissawella hospitals  are in awaiting lists to get done essential blood tests due to the shortage of MLT's he has stressed.

Meanwhile the MLT Association has criticized some senior MLT's attach to Colombo National Hospital for trying to transfer some of the MLT's attach to Path LABS in the Hospital illegally to other hospitals without going to transfer boards .

Court Of Appeal Too Issued An Injunction Order Preventing A Specialist Doctor For Contesting GMOA Elections

As the Court Of Appeal has issued an Injunction Order today(27) against Dr.Harsha Atapattu from being  contesting for the post of Vice President at  the Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) elections scheduled to be held tomorrow(28) ,it has been speculated in the medical circles that the whole Annual General Meeting(AGM) including the elections will be subjected to postpone.

Few days back the Colombo District Court 1 too has issued an interim order preventing Dr.Atapattu from being contesting at the GMOA elections .the two courts have issued these orders to GMOA according the complaint made by few doctors including the nominee for contesting President's Post of the GMOA Dr/Niroshan Premaratne.

Meanwhile GMOA has issued a statement regarding the present situation and said that although Courts prevented a specialist Doctor from contesting at the elections the annual general committee meeting to elect other office bearers will be held tomorrow(28) as usual.

Authorities Have Avoid Making Professor Bibile's Drug Policy To Entertain Drug Companies-Nursing Union President

The Health Authorities have avoid of making Professor Senaka Bibile's National Drug Policy because it will cause to reduce the number of Drug Varieties currently imported to Sri Lanka to 358 from 10,000 according to the President of the Government Nursing Officers Union Saman Rathnapriya,

Due to this reason authorities have made the proposed Draft of the National Drug Policy as a friendly policy for the multi national drug companies not as the patients friendly one he has
stressed.

If the Health Ministry is able to amend the proposed act with the help of  experts of  the Pharmaceutical Industry it will become a patients friendly act Rathnapriya has said,he has also urged the Ministry to publish the drug policy act in the Ministry Web Site in both Sinhalese and Tamil languages as well .the draft act is now published in the site from only in English language . 

8000 Government Midwives Have Withdrawn From Hospital Services From Today(26)

Around 8000 midwives attach to Government Hospital Labour Rooms and Field work have been withdrawn from their services island wide since this morning crippling the filed work according to Government Midwives Union.midwives launched this trade union action by demanding the withdrawal of  circular issued by Health Ministry Secretary Mrs.Sudharma Karunaratne instructing Midwives to function under nursing staff.

The said circular  which was issued on 18th of June was  violated the rights of Midwives according to the President of Government Midwives Union Mrs.Devika Kodithuwakku.she has said that until the health authorities taken steps to withdraw the said circular midwives will continue their tarde union action.

Meanwhile Hospital Sources have said that the  Midwives services in hospital labour rooms not affected due to the trade union action as nursing staff handling those services without any interruption .

The Nurses Trade Unions have backing the circular issued by the Health Secretary and said that the midwives are functioning under nursing staff since decades and health secretary has done the right thing by issuing the circular.

All Ceylon Nurses Union Wants Proposed Drug Policy Draft To Be Changed Completely

The All Ceylon Nurses Union has today (24)claimed that the proposed National drug Policy Draft should be fully changed as it fails to come near the Professor Senaka Bibile's original National Drug Policy .

The Government Pharmacists Union lead Expert Panel has already suggested to amend 42 articles of the proposed drug policy draft which is currently published in Health Ministry web site for the   suggestions of the public .

As the proposed drug policy fails to safeguard patients rights for getting high quality medicinal drugs for lower prices it should be changed completely and should re introduced the previously made drug policy draft which was announced by health authorities as misplaced ,the president of All Ceylon Nurses Union Mr.Gamini Kumarasinha has said.

Sri Lankan Cricketers Sealed Their First Test Series Win Against England

The Sri Lankan National  Cricketers have made history today(24) by sealed  their first ever Test Series Win recorded in England when they beat England by 100 runs during the last day of the second test match played in  Headingly.with this win Sri Lankans won the two match test series by 1-0 .

Besides the test series win Sri Lankans have also managed to win full match series in England  including the one day series by 3-2 and also the  one off T20 match.

By chasing 350 runs target on the final day of the second test today,English Batsmen  were  dismissed for 249 runs in just two balls to be delivered in their second Innings.Bowler Moen Ali was top scored for England in the second innings by scoring an  unbeaten 108 runs not out at the end  .the last pair Moen Ali and fast bowler James Anderson have faced 21 overs and tried  to save the test match for England amid st some tight bowling of Sri Lankan Pace bowlers .Fast Bowler Dammika Prasad was impressive as he was collected 5 wickets for 50 runs and pace bowlers Shaminda Eranga,Nuwan Pradeep and Spinner Rangana Herath have bowled some tight overs.

Although both Ali and Anderson seems to be settled down in the crease and going  to save the test match for England it was Shaminda Eranga who was shattered their dreams for a draw  when he bowled last over of the England innings. Erange has s trucked James Anderson where he  hit a rash stroke of the rising delivery of erange and  gave a easy catch to Rangana Herath . Last Batsman James Anderson was not able to score a run although he has faced 55 deliveries.

Sri Lankan Captain Angelo Mathews who scored 160 runs in second innings of Sri Lanka and taken 4 wickets has been adjudged as the player of the series for Sri Lanka while England
fast bowler James Anderson was adjudged as the player of the series for England..

Expert Panel Suggested To Amend 42 Articles In The National Drug Policy Draft

The expert Panel appointed to make necessary amendments to the proposed Draft of National Drug Policy have been suggested to amend 42 articles in the draft according to the General Secretary of the Government Pharmacists Union Mr.Ajith .P .Thilakaratne.

The 15 member panel compromised with Professors,Doctors,Pharmacists and other experts on pharmacology have meet during last two weeks and prepared a document contains these amendments he has said.the proposed amendment document is scheduled to be hand over to the Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena early next week the government pharmacists Union secretary has revealed.

The expert panel made these amendments   to 42 articles of the  drug policy including the article 38(1) which stated that the patients should be prescribed drugs with generic names as well as the trade names.

The proposed Drug Policy draft has now published in the Health Ministry Web Site for public views and it was criticized by many due to the lapses seen in the draft,

Police To Ban Religious And Ethnic Hatred Rallies

The Police have decided to ban  Rallies which can be caused religious and ethnic hatred. according to the Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana  the police have decided to ban such rallies in future and those who are participating such rallies too will face a legal action .therefor he has urged the public not to participate in  such rallies.

The decision to ban religious and ethnic hatred rallies was taken after police have received an information that one group is trying to conduct protests tomorrow(23).

President To Appoint High Level Panel To Investigate Ethnic Clashes In Aluthgama And Beruwela

As   a sudden fire has destroyed a shop in Panadura(Colombo District) belongs to  one of the popular shopping chains in Sri Lanka "No Limit"  this morning ,President Mahinda Rajapaksha has announced the appointing of a high level Panel to investigate on recent ethnic clashes  in Aluthgama,Beruwela areas.

The president has said that the proposed high level panel will be included senior government officers .he has  also appealed from all communities to act with restraint and avoid  harming communal harmony.

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has also promised to re build the houses and business Shops destroyed during the clashes erupted in Aluthgama,Beruwela and Dharga Town areas which killed 2 persons and injured around 40 people.

Meanwhile Panadura Police along with the Colombo Crimes Division are  conducting an inquiry on the fire erupted at No Limit Cloth Center in Panadura early this morning,the fire has damaged a large section of the cloths store and there are accusations that the Fire Brigade failed to reach the area in time and got delayed around two and half hours although they were informed on the fire.

Around 200-300 Dengue Patients reported Daily Throughout the Island

Around 200-300 Dengue Patients are being reported daily throughout the island at present  according to the Epidemiology Unit.This month alone 2357 Dengue Patients have been reported up to now and for this year 15,184 patients and 45 deaths have been reported Epidemiologists have said.

Out of the total number of dengue patients reported throughout the island this year 59.52% have been reported from the western province.due to this situation a massive three day dengue control programme has been launched yesterday(20). 

a Massive Three Day Dengue Control Programme To Be Launched Today(20)

Health Authorities along with the  Security Forces are due to launch a massive  three day Dengue Control  Programme at Western Province on 20th(Today),21st and 22nd of June to combat dengue menace in the province.around 50 to 60 percent out of the total number of dengue patients reporting throughout the island are from western province according to the statistics.

Under this programme Health Officials and Security Officers are due to visit house by house and institutions in the province to inspect the dengue breeding places currently there in.if a dengue breeding place is find it will be destroyed immediately  according to the organizers.awareness programmes on dengue too are conducting  to the public under this programme.

Over 1000 Medical Lab Tests Which Can Perform In Govt.Hospitals Have Been Send To Private Labs-MLT Union

Over 1000 Medical Laboratory Tests including Blood and Urine Tests of Government Hospital Patients  are sending  to Private Laboratories daily on recommendation of doctors although those tests can be  performed in Government Hospitals free of charge according to President Of Medical Laboratory Technologists Union Janaka Nishantha.

Due to this situation The relatives of the patients admitted to Government Hospitals are facing enormous difficulties as they  have to hire private vehicles to go to the private laboratories for  the tests he has said.

Out of the 25 Major Hospitals belongs to the Health Ministry 24 hospitals only able to perform 50 out of the 75 laboratory tests can be performed in those hospitals as doctors recommending these tests to be done through  private labs Janaka Nishantha has stressed."if there's a national laboratory policy this will not happen and the patients too will be benefited from the policy " he said.

While condemning health authorities for the  failure to implement the National Laboratory Policy made during 2009-2012 the President of the Government Medical Laboratory Technologists Union has said that the proposed Lab Policy included around 50 proposals made by his union for the benefit of patients. however the policy was not approved by the cabinet in 2012 due to the opposition from private sector according to reliable sources available ,he has revealed.

Now the Health Ministry Officials are planning to re make a National Laboratory Policy by undermining the previously made policy under the influence of Private Hospital Laboratory Owners he has said .he made these remarks during a press briefing held at Government Medical Laboratory Technologists Union Office in Colombo today(19)
.

1611 Dengue Patients Have Been Reported In June

During last 17 days of June 1611 Dengue Patients have been reported throughout the island according to the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry Of Health.majority of these patients were reported from Western Province.

During this year so far a total number of 14,438 Dengue Patients have been reported throughout the Island  and out of this number 5417 patents were reported from Colombo District Epidemiologists
said.

As dengue out break in the country is at risk due to the rainy weather conditions prevails in the most parts of the country at present people are advised to clean their houses and gardens by destroying possible dengue breading materials.

Around 41 Got Arrested Over The Clashes In Aluthgama And Beruwela -Police Media Spokesman

Around 41 persons have been arrested and out of these 26 were produced before the courts and remanded over the clashes occurred in Aluthgama and Beruwela areas on last Sunday the Police Media Spokesman Senior Superintendent Of Police Ajith Rohana has said today(17).

According to him Police are investigating on more persons who  got involved in the clashes which lead to killed few peeople and injured many in Aluthgama and Beruwela areas.the police curfew imposed in those areas on last Sunday is still underway despite the situation has
returned to normalcy.

Two Died And Fourty Four Got Injured During Clashes In Aluthgama And Beruwela-Prime Minister

Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne has today(17) informed the Parliament that 2 persons died and 44  persons got injured during the clashes erupted between two religious groups in Aluthgama and Beruwela areas on last Sunday .a buddhist monk and six police officers are among those injured and receiving treatment from Nagoda Hospital at present Prime Minister has revealed.

Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne who is also the minister of Buddha Sashana And Religious Affairs has stated that he has been inspecting the situation risen in Aluthgama and Beruwela areas  on  both Yesterday(16) and the day before(15) with coordinate with District Secretariat and police,

Meanwhile Police curfew that imposed in those areas since last Sunday was lifted between 8 a.m to 12 noon today to allow people to buy essential goods .

Government Nurses To Launch A Massive Protest Campaign If The Health Ministry Take A Decision Against Their Midwifery Training

The  Government Hospital nurses will launch a massive protest campaign  If the Health Ministry  agrees to take  a decision against the midwifery training of Nurses during the discussions scheduled to be held with Government Midwives Union tomorrow(17),   the president of the Government Nursing Officers Union Saman Rathnapriya has said.

"It is unfair that the Ministry Of Health has invited only  the government Midwives Union for the talks on Midwifery Issue without inviting Nurses Unions "Ratnapriya has stressed.

The new Health Ministry Secretary Mrs.Sudharama Karunaratne has invited the Government Midwives Union Officials to the ministry to discuss on Midwifery Training Issue Crisis occurred between Nurses and Midwives in government hospitals per the request of Health Minister he has revealed.

Around 80 Injured In Clashes In Beruwala And Aluthgama-Situation Now Under Control -Ministry Of Law And Order

 The reliable sources  revealed that few people died and around 80 injured due to the clashes occurred yesterday(15)between two religious groups in Beruwala and Aluthgama areas.the injured were admitted to the Kalutara Hospital and some are still receiving treatment including a Buddhist Monk hospitals sources have said.

Dozens of shops in Beruwala and Aluthagma too burnt during the clashes it has been revealed.

Meanwhile addressing a media briefing held in Colombo Today(16) the secretary to the Ministry Of Law and Order Retired Major General Nanda Mallawaarachchi has said the tense situation in the said areas now returned to normalcy.he has also appealed to the public in those areas to be calm.

The leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP)has today appealed from the people to halt all religious clashes and help to build a peaceful environment in the country.

Due to the clashes occurred between two religious groups, police curfew has been imposed in Beruwala And Aluthgama areas since yesterday to control the situation.Police Special Task Force Has deployed in the areas to strengthen security.

Police Curfew Was Imposed In Aluthgama And Beruwala

Police Curfew was imposed in Dharga Town and adjoining areas in Aluthgama and Beruwala Police Division(Western Province) Since this evening following the  clashes between too religious groups.simmering tensions between Buddhist and Muslim Groups escalated in to clashes and Police Special Task Force was deployed  to restore normalcy in the areas according to Police.

To control the situation police had imposed the curfew until further notice.

Meanwhile President Mahinda Rajapaksha who is currently on a visit to  Bolivia has urged that Government will not allow any party to take the  law into their hands and appeal all parties involved in the incident to act in restraint.the investigations on the incident is underway to arrest  those who are responsible for the incident President has said.

According to the sources today's incident occurred due to the incident happened in Poson Poya Day (12) when a Muslim Youth said to be manhandled a Buddhist Priest and his driver.three suspects have already arrested over that incident Police have said.

Expert Panel To Hand Over The Amendments Of Proposed National Drug Policy

A Panel Compromise  with 15 experts of Pharmacology is due to be handed over the document of amendments for  the proposed draft of the National Drug Policy to the Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena withing next two weeks time the  Government Pharmacists Union has said.

The panel compromise with Professors and Doctors On Pharmacology ,Pharmacists and other experts are currently preparing the amendments to the drug policy and the panel has already identified 22 clauses in the draft which should be amended the union has stated .one of the key factors identified as need to be amended is the clause 38(1) of the drug policy which has stated Doctors can prescribe drugs by generic name as well as with the trade name the Secretary Of The Pharmacists Union MR.Ajith P.Thilakareatne has stressed..

The draft of the proposed National Drug Policy which is displayed at the Health Ministry Web Site  for public suggestions comes under heavy fire since last week  after most of the intellectuals in the drug field have criticized the draft as a completely changed one when compare with Professor Senaka Bibile's National Drug Policy .

Heaven Located At Abayaramaya Temple With Gods And Goddesses

We all have heard about the heaven and hell and what will cause a human to visit  one of these locations.but having view both  hell and heaven with life size portraits inside a Buddhist Temple is a quite a rare scene.at Abayaramaya Temple in Narahenpita(Colombo- on the road where Lanka Hospital is situated) public will able to view both heaven and the hell with large size portraits with description.The hell is displayed according to 5 SHIKSHA PADA'S of Buddhism in the canal temple located at Abayaramaya,The heaven is called" Sadev Pura" and the portraits of gods and goddesses are there with descriptions of their life expectancy.


I was able to capture some pictures of the heaven built there at the abayaramaya  temple last week .there is a  tall statue of Maithree Buddha the future  Lord Buddha situated in front of the place where heaven is located.Visit there and enjoy this new experience.

 Heaven Built At Abayaramaya Temple-Pix  By Emanthi.K Marambe

                                                                                           
          

Buddagaya Temple Converted To A Colorful Lantern

- The Lantern Portrays Buddhagaya Temple -Pix by Emanthi K Marambe

The Buddagaya Temple worshiped by millions of Buddhists all over the world has built as a tall lantern by the Employee of   Colombo National Hospital Mr.Ranjith Madagedara.the lantern which was made through only by using Cardboard is now displaying at the Colombo National Hospital premises  to mark the  Poson Poya day.

However the creator of this lantern Mr.Madagedera who was attached to the Salary Section of the hospital has suddenly demised on April this year and the son of his had completed  the lantern and displaying it at the  national hospital.it had taken  10 months to finish this colorful lantern it has been revealed.

Adverse Weather Conditions Have Disrupted The Life In Up Country Areas

The National Building Research Organization(NBRO) has warned the public in four districts in the up country on possible land slides and power failures due to the adverse weather conditions prevails in those districts at present.Nuwara Eliya,Kegalle ,Kandy And Ratnapura Districts are identified as the areas prone to weather related disasters NBRO has stated.

Meanwhile  due to the rising water levels sluice gates of Upper Kotmale,Lakshapana,Castlereigh and Nortonbridge Reservoirs have been opened authorities have said.due to the heavy showers  prevailing at present those  who are residing in low lying areas have been  advised by the authorities to be vigilant on this situation .also the central provincial education ministry has today(12) decided to close all schools in Hatton District due to the bad weather.

Due to the adverse weather conditions including earth slips  prevailing  in the up country areas the night train service of up country rail way route are being  continuously  disrupted it has been reported.the hatton -colombo main road was blocked this evening due to an earth slip occurred in diyagala area.the vehicle movements on hatton-colombo main road is disrupted due to this and the  authorities have advised motorists to use alternative routes.

Prices Of Some Essential Drugs In Private Pharmacies Are 37 Folds Higher Than In Government Pharmacies

Some of the essential Drugs Prescribed to the patients by  Hospital Doctors are being sold  in Private Pharmacies at higher Prices more than 37 folds  when compared  to the  Government Pharmacies  health sources have said.

According to the Government Pharmacists an essential Cholesterol drug "Rusovastatine" 10 Milli Grammes prescribed for
 the patients to buy outside is being sold in Government Pharmacies for Rs.4.10 per tablet while in Private Pharmacies it is sold for Rs.150.25 per tablet.the same thing applies to the essential drugs including "Cholesterol Drug"Atovastatine",Diabetic Drugs "Glyclazide", and "Metformin" and Pressure Tablets "Enalapril" Government Pharmacists have stressed.

As Sri Lanka is still not having a  National Drug Policy although trying to implement such a policy  since two decades ,Private Pharmacies are increasing the prices of drugs without any control due to the absence of a price control mechanism they have further said.as throughout the island  there are only around 26 Government owned Pharmacies, most of the people in rural areas are not able to getting the benefit of purchasing the  good quality drugs for lower prices through these state pharmacies it has been stated.

The Draft of the National Drug Policy which has prepared recently is too found as having so many lapses as it's not even able to address the needs of the patients it has been revealed.

Three Health Institution Heads Who Delayed Their Transfers Released To The New Stations

 The Heads of the three Health Institutions attach to the Health Ministry who have delayed implementing the transfers they have received by months have been released to their new stations  with immediate effect according to the Health Ministry sources.

The three health institutions heads namely Dr.Hemantha Beneragama the outgoing Director of National Drug Authority,Dr.Amal Harsha De Silva the Western Provincial Health Director and Dr.(Mrs) Deepthi Perera the Director of Family Health Bureau have been released to the new ,stations as Director of Family Health Bureau ,Director Of National Drug Authority and Western Provincial Health Director respectively.

These directors who were delayed implementation of their transfers  also subjected to heavy criticisms of  the hands of several health trade unions.

Proposed National Drug Policy Will Increase The Importation Of Low Quality Drugs And Erant Pharmacies -Government Pharmacists Union

The proposed draft of the National Drug Policy published in Health Ministry Website will  lead to  importation of more and more low quality drugs to Sri Lanka  and the increasing  the number of errant pharmacies in the country according to the General Secretary of the Government Pharmacists Union Ajith P.Thilakaratne .the proposed drug policy is not a patient friendly one like the world renowned Professor Senaka Bibile's National Drug Policy and it's solely a private agenda of the corrupt higher officer attach to the Health Ministry He has said.

While addressing a press briefing held at Government Pharmacists Union Office in Colombo this morning the general secretary of the Union has said that even the new drug policy draft  is clearly violating the patients right to receive good quality drugs  at lower  prices as the clause 38(1) of the draft has  stated that  Doctors shall prescribe  drugs to the patients by generic name as well as by trade name .but the professor senaka bibile policy has indicated that the  doctors can only prescribe drugs to the patients under  generic name only he has stressed.

Even the new draft policy has create a confusion among public by allowing public to purchase drugs which are currently issued only for a prescription through a phone call or a sms Government Pharmacists Union Secretary has said.

The corrupt health officer who is responsible for adding his personal agenda items to the drug policy was  also responsible for adding the name of Deputy Director General of Laboratory Services as a member of the proposed drug evaluation committee under the draft  although that post has nothing to do with drug industry  he has stressed."that post is the one which the said officer was eyeing   during the making of the draft" Mr.Thilakeratne has revealed.

Sri Lankan Navy Had Arrested 73 Indian Fishermen Who Were Illegally Fishing In Sri Lankan Waters

Sri Lankan Navy had arrested 73 Indian Fishermen at Delft and Talaimannar areas who were  violated the  International Maritime Boundary Line by illegally fishing in Sri Lankan territorial waters.

According to the Navy ,a group of 41 Indian Fishermen were arrested with  at Talaimannar and another group of 32 fishermen were arrested with at Delft Area . fifteen trawlers which these fishermen were in have also taken in to the custody .according to the reports the arrested Fishermen were arrived from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam areas in Tamil Nadu.the arrested fishermen were taken to Taliamannar and Kankasnthurai  Harbors and handed over to the fisheries authorities for further action Navy sources said.

The latest arrests of Indian Fishermen comes just days after Sri Lankan Navy had released 33 Indian Fishermen under the custody  as per the orders given by  President Mahinda Rajapaksha,

Meanwhile Both the Indian Government and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jayram have criticized the latest arrests of Indian Fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy.

Proposed Draft Of The National Drug Policy Differed From Professor Senaka Bibile's National Drug Policy-Professor R.L Jayakody

The proposed Draft of the National Drug Policy which has been recently submitted to the Parliamentary Advisory Committee for review is different from the Original Professor Senaka Bibile's National Drug Policy and there are so many errors in the proposed draft need to be corrected says Professor R.L Jayakody the Professor Of Pharmacology at Faculty Of Medicine in University Of Colombo.

Although the Health Minister and Director General Of Health Services continuously pledging to implement the proposed National Drugs Policy Draft soon ,there are so many clauses in the draft need to be ratified before implementing it Professor Jayakody has said.addressing a seminar on the proposed National Drugs Policy Draft held at the National Blood Transfusion Center in Narahenpita yesterday(06) he has said that the proposed drug policy which was remade after the health authorities revealed that the previous draft was misplaced ,is out of track when comparing  with the Professor Bibile's National Drug Policy in many ways.

"One of the major errors in the proposed draft that identified is the Clause 38(1)  which stated that the doctors shall write the prescription of drugs from generic name as well as with the brand name .the aim of this clause is not clear " Professor has revealed.this will contradict with the Professor Bibile's Drug Policy which says the importation of Drugs to the country and prescribing to the patients  should be done by generic name" he has stressed.

Also he has questioned the authorities on what basis the post of  Deputy Director General Of Laboratory Services(DDG(LS) was  included in the draft as a member of the proposed National Medicinal Drug Authority to be set up under the draft," as the post has nothing to do with drug industry and only responsible for activities in laboratory services it's not clear the reason behind it's inclusion" Professor Jayakody has stated.

Meanwhile it is widely believed that the outgoing chairman of the National Drug Authority Dr.Hemantha Beneragama and the former health ministry secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake were responsible for including the DDG(LS) post as a member of the proposed authority to be set up under the drug policy. Dr.Beneragama who was eyed the DDG(LS) post a year back wants to involve in matters related to importing of drugs to Sri Lanka even after getting the new post Health Ministry Sources said.however the Public Services Commission(PSC) has recently requested the health ministry not to consider Dr.Beneragama for the post due to his malpractices in office and later another director was appointed for the post.

Meanwhile several doctors and trade union leaders present at the occasion were criticized the authorities for not publishing the draft policy of National Drug Policy in the Health Ministry Web Site from Sinhalese and Tamil Languages.as the draft is only displayed in the ministry web site in English language it will be unfair for other communities who wants to make suggestions and criticisms on the draft they have said.

A section of Professors,Doctors,Media Representatives ,members of Doctors and Nurses Unions,Patients rights Movement,Civil Activists,members of the World Health Organizations, legislative Department,State pharmaceutical Corporation,Sri Lanka Medical Association and Health Minsitry and related institutions were present at the occasion, all the suggestions made by the participated representatives on the drug policy will be utilized when making amendments to the draft Health Ministry officials have said.

Cockroaches Causes Respiratory Illnesses Like Asthma-Colombo Chief Medical Officer

The Chief Medical Officer Of Colombo Dr.Ruwan Wijemuni has appealed to the Public to ensure that  their houses are  free of Cockroaches as the  excreta and wings of them  will be caused serious respiratory illnesses like Asthma.the wings and excreta of the cockroaches are contain  an acid substance which causes the respiratory illnesses he has stressed.

The fumigation method which uses to destroy dengue mosquitoes is also destroying cockroaches as well Dr.Wijemuni  has further said. 

Colombo Public Health Department To Introduce The Ovitrap Method To Control Dengue

The Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council is planning to introduce the  "Ovi Trap"method to reduce  breeding of Dengue Mosquitoes in City Of Colombo according to Chief Medical Officer in Colombo Dr.Rohana Wijemuni."Ovi Trap" system which is recommended by World Health Organization as a successful method of destroying the dengue mosquito larvae has successfully tested in Singapore and Malaysia Dr.Wijemuni has said.

Under the  this method a Plastic Containers filled with water  will be planted in the  houses and institutions which are identified as  risk areas  of breeding dengue mosquitoes.after planting the plastic containers, the dengue mosquitoes will laying eggs in the water there. then the eggs will go down the water and the residents can either removed the water from the container else destroying the eggs Dr.Wijemuni has stressed.

Besides introducing the Ovi Trap method to control dengue mosquitoes the Colombo Public Health Department has decided to appoint 47 Dengue Control Officers for 47 Urban Divisions in Colombo City with the aim of implementing dengue control activities  effectively.the appointing of these officer will take place during next week the chief medical officer of Colombo has said.

The said officers will be provided with a fogging machine and other equipment for their work according to Dr.Wijemuni.

98% Of The Annual Child Births In Sri Lanka Occurs In Hospitals -Family Health Bureau

Out of the total number of child births reported in Sri Lanka annually 98% of child births occurs  in Hospitals under the supervision of a Gynecologist the deputy director of Family Health Bureau Dr.Chithramali De Silva has said.94 % out of this occurs in government hospitals and remaining 4% occurs in Private Hospitals she has stressed.

As the majority of pregnant mothers prefers to go to a Hospital for their child births only 2% out of the total number of child births occurs annually are happens at houses Dr.De Silva has revealed.

According to the newest survey carried out on the maternal morbidity in Sri Lanka only 37 maternal deaths have been reported from 100,000 pregnant mothers delivering their babies.this is the lowest maternal morbidity rate reported from South Asian Region Deputy Director of the Family Health Bureau has said."we are now planning to reduce this rate further to 23 maternal deaths by next year" she has further added.

Meanwhile according to the survey carried out by the Family Health Bureau around 120-150 maternal deaths are reported from Sri Lanka Annually mostly due to the hemorrhage.due to the safe blood transfusion facilities available in all government hospitals in Sri Lanka the maternal deaths occurs due to the hemorrhage has been reduced significantly Gynecologists have said.  

Western Provincial Council Has Closed 148 Schools Due To The Bad Weather

Western Provincial Council has decided to close 148 schools in the province from tomorrow (04)until further notice  due to the adverse weather conditions prevailing.according to the authorities 137 schools in Kalutara District ,9 schools in Colombo District and 2 schools in Gampaha District will be closed due to the bad weather.

Authorities have said that if the weather conditions improves the schools can be opened without a delay.

A Plan To Reduce Noise Pollution In The City Of Colombo

The Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council has decided to introduce a Horn  Free Day and Horn Free Zone for the Colombo City coincide with  World Environment Day falls on this Thursday(05) to reduce the  increased noise pollution in the  city.

The noise pollution in the city has been increased by 8 Decibel Units during last 10 years and now stands at 72 Decibels the Chief Medical Officer Of Health Dr.Rohan Wijemuni has said.due to this situation diseases like High Blood Pressure are  in increase among adults and children Dr.Wijemuni has revealed.

According to Dr.Wijemuni the doubling of the number of vehicles enter the Colombo City daily during last 10 years is the main reason for  increase in   noise pollution.around 250,000 vehicles are entering the city daily at present when compare to the number of vehicles entered 10 years back which was around 100,000 .

"Therfore the Public Health Department has decided to introduce a Horn Free Day and Horn Free Zone at seven selected roads on this Thursday between 8.30 a.m to 10.30 a.m to aware the public on the  importance of  reducing noise pollution and during that time period there's no stopping of vehicles in the city" Colombo Chief MOH has stressed.

Meanwhile according to a latest survey done by Central Environment Authority and Industrial Technology Institute around 90% of the noise polluters in Colombo City are bus drivers and drivers of heavy vehicles who are tooting horns unnecessarily .Sri Lanka has recognized  as the only country  that tooting horns unnecessarily even at traffic jams,bus stops and sometimes at co lour lights researchers have said.  

Around 15 Persons Died Due To The Adverse Weather Conditions Prevails In Several Parts Of The Country

Around 15 persons including members of the same family have died due to the floods and land slides occurred in several parts of the country since yesterday (01)as a result of the current adverse weather conditions the  Disaster Management Center (DMC) has announced.

Out  of the 15 deaths reported 12 are from the Kalutara District(Western Province) and among them were father and two children from the same family DMC said.Three deaths were reported from Colombo and Matara Districts (Southern Province)
.In Colombo a couple reside in Malabe Area have died when a wall of their house collapsed this morning.in Matara District two youths are reported as missing due to the adverse weather conditions.

The authorities have disconnected the Power Supply for the most parts of Kalutara District in view of the safety of those who  trapped in flood waters out there it has been reported.

Heavy Showers accompanied by thunder,lightning and gusty winds prevails in most parts of the country for second consecutive day today while roads ,bus and railway stations  and houses in some places remains under  water the  Disaster Management Center has said.

Navy Arrested 29 Indian Fishermen Who Were Illegally Fishing In Sri Lankan Waters

Sri Lankan Navy has last night arrested 29 Indian Fishermen who were illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters of the north western coast of Talaimannar .the fishermen along with their trawlers were arrested and they are due to be handed over to the fisheries authorities in Talaimannar for legal action according to navy sources.

The navy has said that the arrested Indian Fishermen from Tamil Nadu have clearly violated the International Maritime Boundary Line by  using an  illegal method of fishing the bottom trawling in Sri Lankan waters.earlier Sri Lankan Government has announced that the Indian Government has agreed to phase out the destructive methods of fishing like  bottom trawling in waters between Sri Lankan and India.

Railway Signal System And Some Main Roads Affected Due To The Showers And Lightning

The Trains started from Colombo Fort and Maradana Rail Way Stations have got delayed this evening due to the lightning disrupting  the signal systems.

Meanwhile several roads in Colombo including Thunmulla Junction,Bauddaloka  Mawatha and R.A De Mel Mawatha are inundated at the moment due to the heavy showers prevails in Colombo since few hours.a heavy traffic is there due to this situation it has been reported.