Australian Coastguards Have Arrested 37 Sri Lankan Asylum Seekers Who Are Heading For Australia

The Australian Coastguard Officers have arrested a vessel carrying 37 Sri Lankan Asylum Seekers in the Indonesian Seas and handed over them to the Sri Lankan Navy Officers on Thursday(27) according to the sources.The asylum Seekers are the residents of Colombo,Jaffna,Chilaw and Marawila areas sources have added.

The vessel carried these asylum seekers have left for Australia from Sri Lanka on 01st of November it has been revealed.Among the asylum seekers there are 13 Sinhalese, 09 Tamils a Burgher and tow infants .

The vessels carrying Sri Lankan Asylum Seekers illegally to Australia have been decreased since recently as the Australian Government has decided not to accept  asylum seekers from Sri Lanka and other countries.

Budget-2015 Was Defeated At Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha

The annual 2015 Budget Proposals at the government controlled Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha (North Central Province)has been defeated by one vote today(27).During the voting three members were voted against the budget while only two members ,the Chairman and another member of the government coalition  United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) have been voted in favour.

Four Pradeshiya Sabha Members of the Ruling UPFA were absent during the vote.

Health Ministry To Establish A Special Eye Clinic For Diabetic Patients At Eye Hospital

The Health Authorities have decided to establish a special free eye clinic for Diabetic Patients at Eye Hospital in Colombo to be functioned daily with effect from tomorrow(27) according to the Ministry Of Health.This clinic which is to be inaugurated at 2 p.m tomorrow will establish in view of testing the vision problems of Diabetic Patients as the eye disorders among Diabetic Patients are on the increase Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr.Charith Fonseka has said.

Addressing a Media Seminar held at the Health Education Bureau this morning on"Diabetic Retinopathy" Dr.Fonseka has said that People who are suffering from Diabetes in the age group 45-60 are vulnerable for eye disorders including blindness.

It has been revealed that around 20% of the Sri Lankan Urban Population and 8% of Rural Population are suffering from Diabetes mainly due to the bad food habits,lack of exercise and mental
stress.

Meanwhile the Ministry Of Health has decided to establish a special eye clinic near the diabetic clinics in Government Hospitals in view of checking the vision of Diabetic Patients regularly .Also there is a plan to expand the diabetic clinics in Government Hospitals which enable to treat more patients in rural level.

The Ministry is due to declare a "Health Sri Lanka" Programme withing the first week of December to educate the public on non communicable diseases including Diabetes the Director General Of Health Services Dr.Palitha Mahipala has said.

HIV/AIDS Among Intravenous Drug Users Are On The Increase In Sri Lanka

Intravenous Drug Users(IDU'S) known as the Drug Users who are injecting Drugs to their bodies among the annually reported HIV Positives of  Sri Lanka are on the increase according to the Consultant  Venereologist attach to the National STD/AIDS Campaign Dr.Ariyaratne Manatunge.According to Dr.Manatunge out of the total number of HIV Positives reported from the country last year(2013) 2% are IDU's and in previous years non of the IDU's are among the HIV Positives reported.

In last year it has been estimated that around 423 Intravenous Drug Users were there in the country.Also female sex workers as well as the men to men sexual contacts among the HIV Positives in Sri Lanka too are on the increase Dr.Manathunge has said.

Female Sex Workers,Men to Men Sexual Contacts,Intravenous Drug Users,Drug Users and Beech Boys have been identified as the higher Risk Groups in the Sri Lankan Society that are  vulnerable to HIV/AID he has revealed.

Meanwhile it has been reported  that the HIV Positives in Sri Lanka  have been doubled withing the  last 5 years .Still the main cause for HIV/AIDS in Sri Lanka are heterosexual relationships which contributed 48% to the total number of HIV Positives reported from Sri Lanka.

Western,North Western and Southern Provinces have been identified as the provinces where highest number of HIV Positives are being reported.

These facts were revealed during the HIV /AIDS Media Workshop jointly conducted by Sri Lanka Family Planning Association and National STD/AIDS Campaign which was held at the Hotel Renuka in Colombo-03 this morning.

Accepting Of Postal Vote Applications For The Presidential Elections Commenced

The accepting of postal vote applications for the upcoming Presidential Elections scheduled to be held on 08th of January 2015 has began today (23) according to the Elections Department.the deadline for the accepting of postal vote applications is 04th of December.

The voter lists will be displayed at Divisional Secretaries and Grama Seva Offices Elections Department has said.

The Transfers Of 10,000 Police Officers Postpones Due To The Presidential Elections

Due to the upcoming Presidential Elections in January transfers of around 10,000 Police Officers scheduled to be implemented with effect from  January 2015 have been postponed until 01st of february The Police sources said.

The Police Department has decided to transfer these Police Officers ranking below the Police Inspectors with effect from 01st of January
2015.

Presidential Elections Due On 08th Of January

The Presidential Elections will be held on 08th of January the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has announced this evening.the handing over  of nominations for the elections is on 08th of December .

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has signed the proclamation yesterday on the presidential elections.

Main Opposition UNP Has Nominated The Health Minister Maithripla Sirisena As Their Common Presidential Candidate Of The Opposition

The main opposition United National Party(UNP) has today (21) nominated the  Health Minister and the secretary of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Maithripala Sirisena as the common Presidential Candidate of the opposition for the forthcoming Presidential Elections.

Mr.Sirisena's appointment came by ending  weeks of speculations among the public and media over the  common candidate of the opposition .The new presidential candidate of the opposition has removed from his ministerial portfolio and the secretary post of the SLFP soon after his decision to accept the new appointment it has been reported.

After appointed as the common presidential candidate of the opposition for the presidential elections former minister sirisena has addressed the media at new town hall short while ago and said that he will bring a good governance for the country and also he has appealed to the public to give a clear mandate for him in the forthcoming presidential elections to abolish the executive presidency within 100 days after being elected.he has pledged to create a media freedom in the country  which he says has not seen  at present.Implementing the 17th amendment of the constitution ,abolishing  the 18th amendment and appointing the UNP Leader Ranil Wickramasinha as the prime minister of a future opposition government were among the promises that former minister has been  made during the media briefing.

Former President Mrs.Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge,The fisheries minister of the present government Dr.Rajitha Senaratne and MP Arjuna Ranathunge were among those present at the media briefing.

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has signed the proclamation yesterday(20) for holding the Presidential Elections -2015 which is expected to be held in early January next year.The elections commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya is to decide the date of the presidential elections soon.

The Administrative Work Of The Health Ministry Have Been Paralyzed As 12 Higher Officers Went Abroad For Seminars

The administrative activities of the Ministry Of Health have been paralyzed since last Tuesday(18) as 12 Higher Officers attach to the Ministry including the Health Ministry Secretary and the Director General Of Health Services went abroad at once to attend seminars and workshops the Health Ministry sources have revealed.

According to the sources the Health Secretary Mrs.Sudharama Karunathilake along with the Additional Secretary(Administration) and few other officers had left for Italy to attend a seminar on Nutrition while The Director General Of Health Services Dr.Palitha Mahipala had left for Switzerland to attend another Health seminar.Most of the other officials that went abroad including Deputy Director General of Health Services( Dental Services) are attending a seminar in Bhutan sources said.Two officials including the Deputy Director General Of Health Services(Laboratory Services) went Australia for a private tour it has been revealed.


Out of the seven Deputy Director Generals Of Health Services attach to the Ministry Of Health five have went abroad sources have stressed.

Due to the absent of most of the Higher Ministry Officials ,the weekly Public Day held for the  public at the Ministry Premises yesterday (19)was abandoned as there were only two higher officials to handle the activities.Now only three higher officials namely Deputy Director General Of Health Services(Medical Services-1) the Additional Secretary( Development) and the Deputy Director General of Health Services(Public Health-1) are there at the ministry to handle all the administrative work .

Sri Lankan Born British Citizen Was Arrested Over The Molesting Of A British Female Inside A Flight

The Police have arrested a  Sri Lankan Born British male this morning at the Katunayake ,Bandaranaike International Air Port for allegedly molesting a 27 year old british female inside of a  Sri Lankan Flight.The british female passenger was molested while she was onboard the flight.

This incident had occurred while the molested british female was flying Sri Lanka with her boy friend for a three week holiday it has been revealed.The man who got arrested regarding the molesting incident has been identified as a Sri Lankan born British Citizen
in late 40's who is a resident in Batticloe area.

The suspect was produced before the Negambo Court today .Police are conducting an investigation on the incident.

Kidney Transplant Surgeries Performed At Institute For Nephrology,Dialysis And Transplantation Have Been Suspended

The Kidney Transplant Surgeries performed at  the National Institute For  Nephrology,Dialysis and Transplantation at Maligawatte have been suspended since one month due to the post operative infections occurred in many  patients who were underwent surgeries there sources said.

Performing of  Kidney Transplant Surgeries at the institute  have been suspended as  the said patients were infected with "Acenobactor" Bacteria after the operations it has been revealed.

Due to this situation many kidney patients who are in the waiting list at the institute have faced severe difficulties and even their lives are at risk Doctors have said.

The National Institute For Nephrology ,Dialysis and Transplantations at Maligawatte which was built at a   cost of Rs.70 million was inaugurated in 2009 but the institute didn't perform any Kidney Transplant Surgery until last year(2013) due to human resource and logistics issues as well as due to the battle between doctors and nurses attach to the institute over a room there.

After these issues were settled to a certain extent the surgeries have began last year and around 2 kidney transplant surgeries have been performed there per week until the operations have been suspended. a month ago.

Around 350 People Have Evacuated From Koslanda Due To Landslide Threats

Around 350 people reside in and around Koslanda in Badulla District where the landslide has occurred in two weeks back have been evacuated last evening due to the possible landslide threat in the area the Disaster Managment Center has announced.

The evacuation has taken place after  people in the area have informed the National Building Research Organization(NBRO) that there are earth cracks in the area .The evacuated people are now reside in Ganesha College at Koslanda.

Fifty Nine HIV/AIDS Positives Have Been Reported From Sri Lanka Between July-September This Year

During the three month period July to September this year 59 HIV/AIDS Positives have been reported from the island according to the Director of the National  STD/AIDS Control Programme Dr.Sisira Liyanage.These HIV Positives are on the age group 25-45 he has said.

With the newly found HIV Positives 169 HIV/AIDS Positives have been reported from Sri Lanka this year up to now Dr.Liyanage has stressed.

The STD/AIDS Control Programme Director has said that due to the increasing number of ex marital affairs among youth and adults most of the HIV Positives reported have got the disease through heterosexual relationships."The STD/AIDS Control Programme has planned to launch a practical awareness programme on HIV/AIDS for the most vulnerable groups who are prone to HIV /AIDS including School Children,High School Students ,Tourist Guides,Beach Boys (Especially In beaches in the Southern Province  and Some beaches in Western Province) and Factory Workers " Dr.Liyanage has said.

Since the  first HIV/AIDS Positive case which  was reported from here on the year 1987 majority of the HIV Positives reported from the  island are males  but now the number of female HIV Positives in the country too are on the  increase STD/AIDS Control Programme has said.now the male to female ratio among HIV Positives here is 3:2.

Around 71 HIV/AIDS infected Infants and Children are currently receiving the treatment for the disease it has been reported.

Bribery Commission Has Filed A Court Case Against Former Customs Director

The Bribery Or Corruption Commission has filed a court case against the former director of Sri Lanka Customs Ranjan Kanakasabe for  not disclosing his assets for the 2004-2007 period.The court case against the customs director was filed before Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya.

Bribery Commission has earlier filed a court case against him for accepting a Rs.1 million bribe from a person.

A Seven Day Programme For Local Doctors On How To Communicate With Patients Began Today(12)

A seven day workshop and seminar programme designed for local doctors on How to improve Communication Skills of Doctors when communicating with Patients  titled "Doctor Patient Communications Skills in clinical practice-Towards patient centered care" began today(12) in Colombo and it will be concluded  on 19th of November according to the Head of the European Association For Communication In Health Professor Jonathan Silverman .

Professor Silverman along with American Professor On Family Health Professor Marcy Rosenbaum are conducting this programme .Around 50 selected doctors are participating this programme which jointly organized by European Association For Communication  In Health and the Faculty Of Medicine in  University Of Peradeniya.

Around 20 Line Houses In Estate At Hatton Were Destroyed Due To A Fire

Around 20 line houses were destroyed at estate in Dayagama East ,Hatton this evening due to a sudden fire broke out in one of the houses.Several valuables and belongings of the residents have been destroyed due to the fire but no casualties have been reported .

The fire was doused by the residents before it spreads further as the fire truck was delayed in arriving at the scene.The cause of the fire has not yet been revealed.

Search Operations At The Koslande Land Slide Site Have Been Called Off

The search operations carried out at the Meeriyabedda Estate in Koslande where the land slide has occurred in two weeks back was called off today(09) per the written request made by  relatives of the victims.During the search operations carried out by the military personal since 29th of October only 12 bodies were found from the land slide site and 19 persons still reported as missing.

Government has decided to stop rescue operations at the site and erect a memorial there with the names  of all who have died and missing
from the disaster and declared the site as a sanctuary.

When the landslide has occurred officials have been announced that around 300 people feared as dead from the disaster but later dropped that number  to around 30 people.,

Two Sri Lankans Got Arrested For Smuggling Gold To The Country

Two Sri Lankans who tried to smuggle 11.8 Kilo Grammes of Gold to the country illegally got arrested  by customs officials today(08).The value of the smuggled gold was estimated as Rs.59 million .

201 Persons Have Been Evacuated From Landslide Site In Maskeliya

Around 201 persons belong to 47 families who are reside near  a mountain in Gartmore Estate in Maskeliya  which has been  declared as a landslide site  ,have been evacuated and transferred to  the safer areas  according to the authorities.Steps have been taken to provide Food,Water and other facilities for  the evacuated families the authorities  have stated.

The National Building Research Organization(NBRO) is to conduct tests at the landslide site.

Over 30 Deaths Reported This Year At A-9 Road Due To Driving Vehicles In High Speed-Police

Over  30 deaths have been reported  and dozens got injured during this year so far  due to driving vehicles in high speed at A-9 road  to and from Jaffna Police have revealed.Most of these deaths and injuries have been occurred while driving their vehicles from Mankulam to Kilinochchi areas  through A-9 Road Police reports said.

As the A-9 Road is a straight road drivers driving their vehicles there  met with an accidents so often due to  not able to control their high speed it has been revealed.Two women were killed last Wednesday when a high speed vehicle skidded out from the road as  not able to control the speed of the vehicle.Due to this situation the Police have requested the drivers who are driving vehicles in A-9 to refrain from driving in high speed.

Adults With Diabetes In The Society Are On The Increase

More than 18 % out of the 2 million adult population in the country are suffering from Diabetes according to the Senior Lecturer of the Faculty Of Medicine in University Of Colombo Dr.Prasad Katulande,Around 10% of the adults lives in Urban Areas and 9% in Rural Areas are suffering from the  disease He has said.

Due to the bad food habits,lack  of exercise and Obesity among children Diabetes among School Children are on the  increase Dr.Katulande has stressed.

 Speaking at the  media briefing held at Sri Lanka Medical Association(SLMA)Auditorium  in Colombo-07 yesterday(05)regarding the World Diabetes Day Dr.Katulande has expressed the need to make people aware on the danger of Diabetes.To mark the World Diabetes Day fall on 14th of November a Diabetes Walk has been organized on 15th of November from Independence Square to BMICH in Colombo-07 with participation of the people .First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksha will be participated this event as the chief guest.

Air Port Workers Strike Which Paralyzed The Work In The Air Port Has Called Off

The strike launched by a section of Air Port Workers attach to the ruling government Trade Union SLFP in  Katunayake ,Bandaranaike International Air Port this morning has been called off in the evening following the discussions held with the Air Port Authorities.During the strike period some out bound flights got delayed for hours it has been reported.

The power supply to the Air Port was also paralyzed due to the strike.However after the trade union leaders settled their dispute with  the air port authorities work at the air port back to normal the Air Port sources said.

Supreme Court Has Requested Bar Association To Make Submissions On Whether There Are Any Impediment For president To Elect For The Third Term

The Supreme Court has referred two questions submitted by President Rajapakha to the Sri Lanka Bar Association regarding   whether there are any impediment for the President to elect for the third term.

In a letter addressed  to the Bar Association the Registrar of the Supreme Court Mrs.M,M Jayasekera has requested  the Association to be informed their members  to make their submissions regarding the said questions at the Supreme Court Registry before 3 p.m on 07th of November(Friday).


Earlier the President has submitted the two questions to the Supreme Court by asking
a) Whether he, in terms of article 31 (3A) (a) (1) of the Constitution, as amended in the 18th Amendment, I, as the incumbent President, serving my second term as President, have any impediment, after the expiration of four years from the date of commencement of his second term of office as President on 19th of November 2010, to declare by Proclamation his intention of appealing to the people for a mandate to hold office as President by election, for a further term, and

(b) Whether in terms of the provisions of the constitution, as amended by the 18th Amendment, I, as the incumbent President, serving my second term as President of office as President, and was functioning as such on the date 18th Amendment was enacted, has any impediment to be elected for a further term of office.

Health Ministry Has Banned The Using Of 19 Food Additives And Essences For Locally Made Food Items

The Food Administration Unit of the Ministry Of Health has banned the using of 19 Food Additives and Essences  for locally made sweets and food items with effect from 01st of July 2014.In addition another three food additives have been banned for using when  making food items for infants and Children under 3 years .

According to the Director of Food Administration Unit Dr.Ananda Jayalal the 19 food additives and essences  were banned under the international regulations and guidelines,The banned food additives are Aloin,Berberine,Beta-Azarone and Cinnamyl Anthracillate ,Diethylene Glycol,Diethylene Glycol Mono Ethyl Ether,Cade Oil,Calamus Oil,Cocaine,Coumarin,Estragol,Eugenil Methyl Ether,Hypericine ,Nitrobenzene,Pyroligenous Acid,Saffrole and Isosaffrole,Sontonin ,Sasafras Oil,Thujone and Isothujone( A nad B Thujone) and Tonka Bean .


The food flavor enhancers Monosodium Glutamate-INS 621,Disodium 5'-Guanylate -INS 627 and Disodium 5'- Inosinate-INS 631 have been  banned for using when  making food items for young children and infants under 3 years.Even if these three food flavor enhancers can be used when making food items for adults it should be displayed  in the food label as well.

Bribery Commission Officers Arrested Kandana Traffic OIC While Accepting A Bribe

The Bribery Commission Officers have arrested the Officer In Charge (OIC) in the Kandana Traffic Police Division this morning while accepting a bribe of Rs.7000 in Colombo the Police said.The Investigations on the incident are being carried out.

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Met Department Has Issued Severe Weather Warning

The Department Of Meteorology has today(03) issued a severe weather warning stating that the showers or thundershowers with heavy rainfall more than  150 mile meters  will be widespread in the  Northern ,Eastern ,North Central and Uva Provinces.Due to the atmospheric disturbance located to the Northeast Sri Lanka sudden increase of the wind speed in coastal areas between Jaffna to Galle via Trincomalee and Batticloe is possible the met department has said.

Sudden roughness will appear in the said sea areas and thundershowers are to  be experienced in sea areas throughout the island.

Landslide Warning Given To Seven Districts Has Been Extended For Further 24 Hours

The landslide warning given to seven districts has been extended for further 24 hours from 5.30 p.m today(02) according to the National Building Research Organization(NBRO).Landslide warning issued to the districts of Badulle,Nuwara Eliye,Kandy,Matale,Kagalle,Ratnapura and Kalutara by the NBRO.

Meanwhile the NBRO has deployed two special teams to monitor the situations in Districts Of badulle and Nuwara Eliya.

Families Reside In Samanalagama In Hatton Area Were Shifted To Temporary Shelters Due To Landslide Threats

Around 28 members belongs to 7 families reside in mountainous Samanalagama Area in Hatton  have been shifted to a temporary shelter today(01) by the authorities due to the possible landslide threat in the area.The evacuation of these families was made according to the landslide threat notice issued by National Building Research Organization(NBRO).

Second Reading Of The Budget Has Been Passed In The Parliament

The second reading of the Budget-2015 has been passed in Parliament this evening with a majority of 100 votes.At the voting 157 MP'S voted in favor of the Budget while 57 MP'S have voted against it.

Parliamentarians attach to the Jathika Hela Urumaya(JHU) which is an allied party of the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) were absent during the voting.