Appropriation Bill For Year 2011 Presented To The Parliament

Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne presented the Appropriation Bill for the year 2011 to the Parliament this noon with a projected expenditure of Rs.75.2 billion.Defense and Health are projected higher expenditures as Defense expenditure projected as Rs.9.7 billion while Health expenditure projected as Rs.62.2 billion.

Under the bill Presidents expenditure projected as Rs.2.2 billion and Parliamentary expenditure Rs.1.5 billion.

Court Of Appeal Seek Attorney General's Stand On Vacating The Parliamentary Seat Based On Court Martial Decision

Court of Appal today directed the Government Lawyer of the General Sarath Fonseka's petition case on vacating his Parliamentary seat to get Attorney General's stand on whether a Court Martial decision can consider to vacate a Parliamentary Seat.The petition filed by imprisoned former Army Commander General Fonseka challanging the decision taken to vacate his Parliamentary Seat was taken for debate today at the Court Of Appeal this morning.

During the debate president's Councel Romesh de silva who represented behalf of Generla Fonseka has said that since Court Martial is not a recognized court under the Sri Lankan Constitution it cannot vacate a Parliamentary Seat .The vacating of the Parliamentary Seat of General Fonseka considering Court Martial decision is unconstitutional he further added.

The debate on the petition will resume tomorrow.

Health Minister Stressed The Need For Combating Illegal Drug Trade

"Local Drug Market and most of the Government Hospitals are filled with low quality and illegal Drugs and time is come for Sri Lanka and other Developing Countries to combat this illegal Drug trade" Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena has said.Minister also said that this illegal Drug Trade is harmful and posed great threat to the public.

 Health Minister made these remarks at the Seminar On Illegal Drug Trade held in Colombo yesterday.

"80 Percent Of Rice Varities In Local Market Are Not Suitsble For Human Consumption" New Study Revealed

According to a latest health survey 80 percent of the Rice varities available in the  local market are not suitable for human consumption as they are without the nutrients.The Non Communicable Diseases Unit of the Ministry of Health stated that the nutirent part of these Rice varities are removed when paddy seeds turned in to Rice by using laser tecnique.

During this process of Paddy seeds turning to Rice the nutrient part is completley removed and it has learnt that when 22 killos of Paddy process to Rice two and half killos of the nutrient part which contains the vital Vitamins,Minerals and Fibre removed and that part is used as food for cattle and pigs.

Due to eating non nutritious Rice varities people are at risk of getting diseases Hig Blood Preassure and Diabetese doctors warned.

According to the Health Experts most of the people who settled in Mahaweli River based villages are consuming the rice varity "Samba" and they are suffering from diseases like High Blood Preassure and Diabetese due to the starch and suger contain in the Rice Varity.

Health Minister To Punish Government Officials Involved In Illegal Drug Trade

Health Minister  Maithrepala Sirisena has said today that Some of the Government Officers who were appointed to the Four Committees to Investigating Illegal Drug Imports to Sri Lanka were involved in Importing Unregistered Drugs to the Country while they are serving as Committee Members.

Addressing a Seminar On Illegal Drug Importation held in Colombo today the Minister said that he will take legal action against those Government Officials who are violating Government laws by involved in Illegal Drug Importation to the Country.United States State Department and United States Embassy in Colombo sponsored the event.

Government Medical Officers Association Says No Need For Male And Female Nurses To Serve In Labor Rooms

Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) today said that it has proven that the service of the Male Nursing Officers as well as Female Nurses not needed for Government Hospital Labor Rooms.Health Ministry should have pay attention in this matter as a method for reducing Health Cost GMOA Further added.

The Docs Union also said that Female Patients should decide whether to allow Male Nursing Officers to enter Female Wards and the Labor Rooms and not the authorities pointing that GMOA is talking behalf of the rights of these female patients.GMOA revealed this as a response to the incident occured in Kurunagala Teaching Hospital in North Western Province last week when a group of Male Nursing Students were allowed to enter Labor Rooms for Maternity Training.Association said this is the first time in the world that Male nurses are allowed to enter a Labor Room and the Pregnant Mothers there were scared due to this development.

Meanwhile responding to the Allegations made by GMOA the Nurses Union says that if the Male Nurses are not suitable For entering Labor Rooms then Male Docs too not suitable for that.

Opposition Leader To Leave Europe Today

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinha is scheduled to leave for an European Tour where he is to meet the Officials of Commonwealth Parliamentary Union in London to discuss on issues related to  Imprisonment of  Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka.Opposition Leader is also scheduled to meet British Premier David Cameron and the Norwegian Minister of International Affairs and Environment Eric Solheim during his stay in Europe.

Inter University Students Federation To Protest In Front Of Universities For Three Days

The convener of the Inter Universities  Students Federation Udul Premarathna has said that University Students will stage protest campaigns in front of all universities on 19th,20th and 21 st of October against arresting 21 university students during the clash in Higher Education Ministry premises on last Thursday.These students were arrested by  the police after they broke in to the Higher Education Ministry premises in Town hall forcibly by breaking the gates and they were remanded for damaging the properties of the Ministry during the incident.

A group of students entered the Higher Education Ministry premises last Thursday demanding the release of six university students attached to University Of Peradeniya who were jailed due to  their opposition  shown towards Higher Education Minister S.B Dissanayake when he visited the University..

Kurunagala Hospital Nurses Launched A Strike Against Not Allowing Male Nursing Students To Receive Maternity Training

Nurses of the Kurunagala Teaching Hospital in North Western Province began a One day token strike this morning to protest against the Hospital Administration's decision to stop maternity training given to male nursing students.However Hospital Authorities said that the entire decision was made on the recommendation of the University Grants Commmission.

Due to the Nurse's strike the Out door patients Department clinics,normal sugeries and treatment are paralyzed according to the hospital sources.

Meanwhile blaming the health authorities Nurses Unions stressed that if the Male Nursing Students not suitable for maternity training then Male Docs too not suitable for the above training.

When contacted , the Health Ministry officials said that till  University Grants Commission give permission they cannot allowed the male nursing students who are studying health science degree in Peradeniya University to undergo maternity traing in Kurunagala Hospital.

General Fonseka Seeking A Writ Against Vaccating His Parliamentary Seat

Former Army Commander and the leader of the Democartic National Allliance(DNA) Retired General Sarath Fonseka filed a writ application in the Court of Appeal on wednesday aginst the Parliamentary Commissioner's notification sent to the Elections Commissioner vaccating his Parliamentary Seat.General Fonseka is seeking a writ which prevents vaccating his Parliamentary Seat which is to be filled by another candidate of the DNA.

500,000 Sri Lankan Females Are Underweight

According to a latest Health Survey 500,000 Females in the year 15-49 age group are found as underweight.The highest percentage of Underweight Women are reported from  the Rathnapura District and the Second and third highest percentage have been reported from Badulla and Nuwaraeliya Districts respectivly.

According to the  Nutritionist Dr.Renuka Jayathissa this situation occured due to the lack of nutrition among females here mostly due to the Calcium and Vitamin D deficiancy.

Court Hearing Of The "White Flag Statement Case" Postponed Due To Power Failure

The Court hearing of the "White Flag statement case" filed against the Former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka was postponed till 02nd of November today due to a Power Failure occured in the High Court Complex in Colombo this morning  while the case is in progress.At the time of the Power Failure Cross Examining of the main witness of the Case Federica Janz who is the Chief Editor of  "Sunday leader" paper was in progress                                                                                                                                       . 

After discussions with the Judges and the Counsels the three member Judge Panel decided to postponed the Court hearing till 02nd of November.According to the Panel of Judges the Cross Examination will resume in that date.

Health Ministry Issues Notices To 9864 Persons Who Maintained Dengue Mosquito Breeding Places

During the Islandwide inspections carried out in National Dengue Control Week from 07th to 13th of October Health Ministry has issued notices to 9864 persons who maintained Dengue Mosquito Breeding Places within their premises.Ministry Officials also severely warned 124,299 persons who were maintained Risk factors lead to Dengue Mosquito Breeding Health Ministry said.

During this inspection Ministry officials found 19,525 Dengue Mosquito Lavae Breeding Places.

Males Are Also Among The Sri Lankan Breast Cancer Patients

Despite Female Breast Cancer Patients Male Breast Cancer Patients are also reported from Sri Lanka Oncologists here revealed.According to them around 2000-2500 Female Breast Cancer Patients and around 50 Male Breast Cancer Patients are reported annually.

Females can identify whether they are having a Breast Cancer through a Memmo Gramm Test and Males can identify their status through an Ultra Sound Scan Test Oncology Epidemeologist of the National Cancer Institute in Maharagama Dr. A.Balasuriya said today.According to him Breast Cancer is become the leading Cancer in Sri Lanka and through an early detection it can cured completly he stressed.

A lump,liquid or swallow appeared in a Breast are the main symptoms in Breast Cancer and  people are encouraged to seek a medical treetment as soon as they have witness these symptoms Dr Balasuriya further added.He made these remarks during a Seminar on Breast Cancer held in the Health Education Bureau in Colombo today.

White Flag Case-High Court Rejected The Requset On Investigating On The Breaking Pages Of Sunday Leader Editors Note Book

Colombo High Court today rejected an appeal made by the Government Lawyers to investigate the breaking pages of the Note book of  the Editor in Sunday Leader News Paper Federica Janz who was summoned by the court on the case filed against the imprisoned Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka.

The Court Case is filed against the Former Army Commander for making a statement to the Sunday Leader Paper in Last December which can cause unrest among the communities here by saying that the Defense Secretary has ordered the Commander in the Forces to kill the LTTE Leaders who are coming to surrender with white flags during the last stages of the war against  LTTE.

Ministry Of Health To Re Organize Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital

Ministry Of Health has decided to Re organized the whole structure of the Sri Lanka's only semi government Hospital Sri Jayawardanapura Hospitlal in Kotte-Colombo with immediate effect.According to the Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena the reorganizing of the hospital structure will take place due to the mishandling activities occured  in the administration,Purchasing,Income Control and Tender Procedures of the Hospital.

Sri Lankans Are Addicted To Foods Containing More Salt

According to a  latest Health Survey it has been revealed that an average Sri Lankan  consumed  twice the amount of Salt they usualy required.An average person usually recomended to take 5 grammes of Salt daily but in Sri Lanka an average person is taking 10 Grammes of Salt daily it has been reported.

This situation airse as the people are addicted to  fast foods like Pizzas,Chips and Peanuts which included more salt.

Due to this situation  non communicable diseases like High Blood Preassure,Heart Diseases and Stroke are in increase ,Doctors warned.Even one can get a Disease like Osteoporosis in later stages as by taking Salt more then required the Calcium level in the bones are getting reduced.

Sri Lankan Boxer Won The First Commonwealth Boxing Gold After 72 Years

Sri Lankan Boxer Manju Wanniarachchi today bagged the Gold Medal in the 56 KG weight Catagory at the 19th Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi, India.At the finals he beat Shaun Mack Goldrick of Wales.

This is the First Gold Medal won by the Sri Lankan Team at the Games so far and it's also the first Gold Medal won by a Sri Lankan Boxer at the games after 72 years.The first Gold Medal in Boxing for Sri Lanka won by Boxer Barny Henricks at the  Commonwealth Games held in Sydney, Australia in the year 1938.

Daily Bread Consumption Dropped While Rice Consumption Increased-Deputy Health Minister

Deputy Health Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today that the daily consumption of Bread in the Country dropped by one million due to the recent price hike of the loaf of bread and at the same time daily consumption of Rice  increased by five hundrad Thousand Killos.Deputy Minister has said that this a good trend since the consumption of Bread caused health problems.

However the price of Paddy is little high these days he also stressed.Deputy Health Minister made these remarks during a media seminar held at the Health Education Bureau in Colombo today on "Osteoporosis".

One Fourth Of The Sri Lankan Female Population Suffering From Osteoporosis

500,000 Females in Sri Lanka out of the 2 Million Female Population in the Country are suffering from Osteoporosis according to the Nutritionist Dr.Renuka Jayathissa.Dr.Jayathissa has said that according to the statistics one fourth of the local Female Population and 30 percent of the Country's Male Population suffering from Osteoporosis which is known as the Bone breaking Disease.

Addressing a Media Seminar today at the Health Education Bureau in Colombo Dr,Jayathissa has said that the people in the age group of 60-70 are more prone to the Disease.The main cause of the Disease is Calcium Deficiancy and due to the reducing the Calcium level in the Bones by 30 to 40 percent the Bones including the hip fractured after a sudden fall she said .Osteoposrosis is a disease which not show any pre symptoms and the patient only find out he or she have the disease after a bone fracture occured due to a fall she stressed.

One of the leading Rheumatology Specialists in the Country Dr.Lalith Wijeratna said that the all who are above the age  55 should go to a Doctor to check their Bone Mass Index and find out is there any risk of gettong the disease.

Government Doctors Wants Rs.200,000 Monthly Salary

Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) has requested the National Salary Commission to make the monthly salary of a Government Doctor as Rs.200,000 from the next budget.According to the GMOA there are lapses in the present Salary Structures between the lower grade and the Highest Grade employees and the ratio of these Salary structures stands as   One to four.

Due to this the salary of the Minor Staff Employee in the Health Sector is Rs.11,700 and the Salary of a Government Doctor is Rs.26,000 and a specialist Doctor is Rs,42,000 GMOA stressed.If the government is not taking  any action to solve this Salary issue there is a possibility that the  Government Doctors who are working in the Rural Areas to resign from Government Service and join the Private sector as well as Going Abroad the Association warned.

Due to the present Salary Structure there is a problem to exceed the Monthly Salary of the Highest Officer in the Health Ministry the Health Secretary beyond Rs.47,515 Association said.

In viewing this situation  GMOA said that the monthly salary of a Government Doctor should be Rs.200,000 and pointed out that the Highest Grade officer  in the Private Sector in Sri Lanka drawing a monthly salary of Rs.5 to 10 million while the lower grade Employee is drawing Rs.7000  and the ratio between the lower and higher grades in the Private Sector is More than one to one thousand.

All Nurses Of The Kurunagala Hospital To Stage One Hour Walk Out In Wednesday

All nurses attached to the Kurunagala Teaching Hospital in North Western Province are decided to stage an one hour walkout between 10.30 a.m to 11.30 a.m in this Wednesday(13) to protest against the decision taken by the Kurunagala Hospitlal Authorities to  withdraw Male Nursing Students who are training at the Hospital  from Maternity Training All Ceylon Nurses Union has announced today.

General Fonseka Said He Will Not Seeking A Pardon From Hooligans

Imprisoned former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka has said today that he will not seeking pardon from Hooligans even he is senenced to a life  Imprisonment or have to die in Jail.He made these remarks to the media personnal and the people who gathered around him when he was brought to the High Court in Colombo this morning to appear the  "white flag "case filed against him.

150,000 Sri Lankans Are Living With Blindness

Out of Sri Lanka's  Twenty Million Population ,One hundrad Fifty Thousand people(150,000) are living  with Blindness according to the Health Ministry.Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr P.G Mahipala said today that major cause of this Blindness is due to Cataract.If the people who are having somekind of Eye Disorder go to a Opthamalogist(Eye Specialist) in  early stages and getting treatment this kind of Blindness can be preventable he stressed.

Speeking at the Seminar Organized by the Health Education Bureau in Colombo today  Dr.Mahipala said that among the Sri Lanka's blind People 100,000 are Blind due to Cataract ,6000 due to Diabetese and 15,000 are due to  Glucoma.Out of these Blind People 80 percent can be curable.Other then Cataract other main causes that can leed to Blindness are Glucoma,Cataract  and Childhood Blindness according to the Opthamalogists.

According to them there are 400,000 Sri Lankans  who are having low vision and 160,000 School Children who are suffering with some kind of Eye Disorder.World Sight Day falls on    14th of October and the Ministry of Health has  launched a programme called Vision 2020
with the aim of preventing Blindness among Sri Lankans by the year 2020.                                                                                                                   

Elections Commisoner Received The Repalcement For General Fonseka's Vaccant Seat

Colombo Elections Officer sent the name of Lakshman Nipunaarachci to the Elections Commissioner to repalce General Fonseka who lost his seat yesterday it has been revealed.Elections Commisioner also received a request to gazette the repalced persons name.Nipunaarachchi received next highest preferential votes from the Democratic National Alliance(DNA)after General Fonseka at the last Parliamentary Elections.

One Thousand One Hundrad Fifty Four Institutions Were Issued Notices For Breeding Dengue Mosquitoes

One thousand one hundrad fifty four(1554) owners of Bus Depots,Garages,Tyre sales outlets and other institutions Islandwide were issued  Notices yesterday due to maintaining Dengue Mosquito Breeding Places Health Ministry has announced.During the search operations carried out throughout the island by inspection taems on Dengue Mosquito Breeding places yesterady another 7887 owners of institutons  warned on the ground of having risk areas of Mosquito Breeding.Total of 2317 Dengue Mosquito Breeding Places were found during the Inspection.

The people who received Notices have to face a legal action if they do not clean their premises within a week Health Ministry said.If a legal action is taken then an accused willl charged a fine  up to Rs.50,000

under the Mosquito Breeding Prevention Act.

A total of 11,988 Institutions were inspected by the Inspecting teams yesterday on Dengue Breeding Places.These islandwide Inspections are carried out by the Health Inspection teams during the National Dengue prevention Week which runs till 13th of October.Under these Inspections Health Officials assisted by the Police and Armed Forces will visited the Houses,Schools and other premises to see whether there are Dengue Mosquito Breeding Places.

DNA To Seek Legal Action Against Vaccating Gen.Fonseka's Parliamentary Seat

Democratic National Alliance(DNA) said today that they are going to Supreme Court today against the decision to vaccate  the Parliamentary Seat of their leader and Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka.DNA Secretary MP Vijitha herath said that General Fonseka cannot loose his seat through a  verdict given by a Court Martial which is  not even recognized as a Court by the Judicial Services Act and the Constitution..

Dengue Is In Rise

Thirty one thousand two hundrad eighty four(31,284) Dengue patients and Two Hundrad Twenty Seven Dengue Deaths were reported throughout the Island from January this year to up to now the Epidemeology Unit has been reported.

Within first six days of this month One Hundrad Fifty Dengue Patients were reported throughout the Island.

Health Ministry Banned Drug Like Powder SVS Snuff From The Market

Health Ministry today instructed all the Provincial Health Directors to ban and removed a Powdered substance "SVS Snuff" from the local Market as it has been revealed this powder is reacting like a drug.Director General Of Health Services Dr.Ajith Mendis today issued a special circular to ban this Substance which already gained popularity among School Children.

Health Ministry said this powdered substance is imported from India illegally and when someone taking this subsatnce he/she got addicted to it.It has been revealed that there is an islandwide programme to popularize this Powder among School Children.

Sobitha Thero Met With An Accident While On His Way To Pooja

The Vehical carried Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero who organized the Adishtana Pooja to be held in  Dalada Maligawa  in Kandy this evening,demanding the release of former Army Commander General Fonseka  met with an accident this noon at Pitakotte in the Colombo suburbs while he was on his way to Kandy.Later  Thero lodged a complaint to the Police in Mirihana and went to Kandy from a hired Vehical.

General Fonseka Lost His Parliamentary Seat

Parliamentary Commissioner short while ago informed the Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dishanayake that  the Imprisoned Former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka lost his Parliamentary Seat under the Constitution

 and Requested to name another MP for the Vaccant seat.

General Fonseka who is also the leader of the Democratic National Alliance lost his seat due to the imprisonment sentenced to him by the Court Martial.

Health Minister Pledged To Implement National Drugs Policy Soon

"As a tribute to the late Professor Senaka Bibile who is the Pioneer Medical Pofessional Of Sri Lanka who introduced the World Health Organization approved Esential Drugs List,I will implement the proposed National Drugs Policy with immediate effect "Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena said  yesterday.

Addressing the 33rd rememberence of Professor Bibile at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo Health Minister charged the higher officials of the Helath Ministry and the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation which is founded by Prof.Bibile for only participating the Former Rememberences of Prof.Bibile  held in previous years and walk out without even thinking of trying to implement the Drug Policy.These Officers should asked from them selves what have they done regarding implementing this important policy he stressed.

Health Minister also said that the State Pharamaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation which is the brain child of Prof.Bibile is not able to produce any new drugs since sometime back. When Prof.Bibile's  demise in 1977 they produced 34 Drugs but still the Corporation only able to Produce 49 Drugs he said.

Cabinet Spokesman Said Former Army Commander's Family Member Should Appeal From The President On His Release

Cabinet Spokesman MP Keheliya Rambukwella said today that If the imprisoned former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka wants a pardon his wife or a Family Member should appeal a pardon from the President and the Appeal made by the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinha is not valid on this.Addressing a Cabinet Briefing this morning Spokesman Rambukwella said that it seems Former Army Commander's Wife Mrs.Anoma Fonseka and his family memmbers not willing to pardon from the President.

Sixteen Essential Drugs Removed From The Govt.Hospitals Due To Low Quality

Sixteen Essential Drug Items distributed for the Government Hospitals were removed by the Medical Supplies Division(MSD) between 20th of July 2010 to 09th of September 2010 due to  low quality Health Sources said.According to the sources Injection Cloxacilin,Anti Biotics Amoxicilin,Chloropethiramine,Dompiridone tablets are among the drugs that removed from the hospitals.

Some of these drugs were expired at the time that removal orders came to the Hopsitals and other drugs were issued to the Patients sources further added.The National Drug Quality Assuarance Laboratory informed the Medical Supplies Division to advise the importers of these Drugs the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation to getting replacements for  these low quality drugs from the supplying company with immediate effect

Group Of Buddhist Monks To Hold "Adishtana Pooja" In Dalada Maligawa To Free Former Army Commander

A group of Buddhist Monks are to held an Addhistana Pooja( a kind of meditation) in the premises of Sacred Dalada Maligawa of Kandy today demanding the release of imprisoned Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero said.He also said that President Mahinda Rajapaksha should pardon and free the Former Army Commander as he  saved the Motherland from terrorists.

Government To Shift Grade 5 Scholorship Exam To Grade 7

Education Minister Bandula Gunewardena said today that the Government is considering to shift Grade 5 Scholoship Examination to Grade 7.He further said that this is due to the Grade 5 Scholorship Exam gives undue stress to the mind of School Children.

Opposition Leader Requests President To Release Former Army Commander

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinha today made a written appeal to President Mahinda Rajapaksha to release Imprisoned Former Army Commander General Fonseka.He made this appeal when President visited the Parliament this morning.

National Petition Signing Campaign To Release General Fonseka Began

The National Campaign for Democracy today begun a petition signing campaign in Fort.Colombo to get  release  former Army Comander Retired General Sarath Fonseka.Majority of the Opposition Parties and their leaders attended the event and signed the petition.

The leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremasinha said all political parties should act together by putting behind their differences to release General Fonseka from the prison.

Bread Price To Go Up By Rs 3

Sri Lankan Bakery Owners Association today announced that the price of a loaf of 450 grammes Bread will increased by Rs.3 with the effect from midnight tonight.With this price hike the new price of the Bread will be Rs.46.

In last Month too the Price of  Bread goes up by Rs.3.

Venerable Sobitha Thero Along With 100 Buddhist Priests To Serve Rigourous Imprisonment If Former Army Commander Released

Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero(Bhuddist Priest) yesterday urged the Government that he along with 100 Buddhist Priests are ready to serve rigourous imprisonment if the former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka is released from prison..Addresing a press briefing organized by the National Bhikku Front in Colombo yesterday Ven.Sobitha Thero said it is a sad state that a War Hero who freed the country from the terrorists is giving rigourous  Imprisonment while rapists,Drug Dealers and Criminals who were sentenced to Jail in the past were given a  pardon.

He also said that former LTTE Members  like KP,Karuna and Pillayan are now living a luxury life even they were involved of killing thousands of innocent civilians in the past.Ven.Thero also urged the Sri Lankan Public to go to the Temples and lighting lamps and evoking blessings on behalf of  Former Army Commander.

Bakery Owners To Increase Bread Prices

The price of the Bread Loaf is to be increased during next week as the Flour Suppliers increased the price of a Kilo of Wheat Flour by Rs.8.33 All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association has announced today.However the Association did not revealed the amount of the price increase yet.

Bakery Owners Association already increased the price of a Bread loaf by Rs.2 few weeks back and now the Price of a Bread stands as Rs.42.

Poster Campaign Launched By JVP Against General Fonseka's Imprisonment Blocked

A poster campaign launched today  by the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna(JVP) against the imprisonment of former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka was blocked by the Police in five areas in Colombo District JVP Media Unit has announced.According to the media unit posters pasted in Hanwella,Awissawella,Maharagama,Borella and Wellampitiya areas were confiscated and torn off by the Police and several JVP members  who involved in putting up these posters were arrested.A three wheeler used to transport the posters also taken in to custody the unit further said.

General Fonseka Will Not Ask Forgiveness -DNA General Secretary

Although Government officials announced that the President Mahinda Rajapaksha will give pardon to the Imprisoned former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka if he personally appeal to the President the General Secretary of the Democratic National Alliance(DNA) MP Vijitha Herath said today that General Fonseka will not ask forgiveness from the President as he is innocent and not committed any crime.MP Herath also said that even Public is aware that General Fonseka is innocent on the charges leveled against him.

Retired General Fonseka was brought to the Walikada Prison last night with high security after President approved the Imprisonment sentenced to him by the Second Court Martial.Even DNA Members and party supporters went to Walikada Prison this noon General Fonseka's Wife Mrs.Anoma Fonseka  and her Sister were the only ones allow to see General.

General Fonseka Brought To Walikada Prison

Former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka who was sentenced to two and half years  Imprisonment by the Second Court Martial was sent to the Walikada Prison in Colombo yesterday night around 10.30 p.m.According to the media sources there were large number of people gathered in front of the Prison Premises including the wife of General Fonseka Mrs.Anoma Fonseka and the members of the Democratic National Alliance(DNA) which General Fonseka is the leader, to witness bringing Genral Fonseka to the prison.

He  was imprisoned in Navy headquarters during the two court martial trials.President Mahinda Rajapaksha last wednesday  approved the second court martial verdict given against General fonseka on imprisonment.

Meanwhile addressing a Media Briefing General Fonseka's Wife Mrs.Anoma Fonseka said yesterday that the decision given aginst his husband will nether deterred her or her daughters and stressed that this decision will give her strength to fight for her husbands rights.

50,000 New TB Cases To Be Reported Within Next 5 Years

Medical Specialists said that during next five years 50,000 new Tuberculosis (TB) Cases will be reported from Sri Lanka.These new cases will be in the age group of 15-54 which can contributing much to the local economy they stressed.

According to the Health Sources 9118 Sri Lankans infected with TB last year and it has been estimated that 89 out of 100,000 population in Sri Lanka are infected with TB annually.One third of the Global Population and 35 percent of the South East Asian Population reported as infected with the disease.

President Approved The Imprisonment Of Former Army Commander General Fonseka

President Mahinda Rajapakshe yesterday (29)approved the Second Court Martial Verdict against the former Army Commander, Retired General Sarath Fonseka to sentenced him two and half years imprisonment.According to the Government sources President who returned to the island yesterday after attending the 65th UN Summit held  in New York sentenced him two and half years imprisonment a six month less then the Court Martial Verdict which is to sentenced General Fonseka three years of Imprisonment.

The Second Cort Martial sentenced the former Army Commander General Fonseka three years imprisonment on a charge that he was chaired the Tender Board which carried out the Purchasing of equipment to the Military while he was the Army Commander.He was earlier charged that he favored his son in law danuna thilakeratne's company the Hi cop in USA while offering the Military Equipment Tender.However the Lawyer representing the Government later denied that general Fonseka favoured his son in law during the Tender Procedings.

When the sentence implemented General Fonseka who is also a MP in the Natioanl Parliament will loose his Parliamentary Seat.According to the first Court Martial Sentence he lost his official residence,the pension entitled to his Army Commander post and the all rankings he hold while he was in Army Commander's position.

Ministry Of Health To Take Legal Action Against Ilegal Drug Companies

l  Ministry Of Health has decided to take legal action against the Drug Companies which are supplying Drugs to the local market without getting registration from the  National Drug Authority.Ministry has already identified some Drug Companies who are selling their drugs through the Generic name not registerd in the Authortiy.

Sri Lankan Teanage Pregnancy Rate Is In Rise

It has been reported that the Pregnancy rate among teanage girls in Sri Lanka is 8 percent.These Pregnancies are one of the causes for the increase of illegal Abortions in Sri Lanka according to the Medical Specialists.

According to them more than 1000 illegal Abortions are performed throughout the Country daily and most of them are performed at illegal Abortion centres through the  non medical professionals.Most of the females who go to these centres for abortion ended up at Government and Private Hospitals for treetment due to the unhygenic equipments used for the Abortions which caused bleeding doctors stressed.

Rs.8 Billion Worth Gold Jewellery Belongs To Sri Lankan Financial Freudsters Found

The Criminal Investigations Unit(CID) today found Rs.8 Billion worth of undeclared Gold Jewelery deposited in a vault of a State Bank in Colombo belongs to the Ceylinco Group Chairman Lalith Kotelawela and his wife Cicily who are Business Tycoons involved in one of the largest Financial Frauds in Sri Lanka. Both Mr.Kotelawela and his wife are charged for cheating  thousands of depositors who saved millions of Rupees for higher interest rates  in the Golden Key Private Limited run by them.

Sri Lankan Epidemeologist Suggests Annual Dengue Symposium

Sri Lankan Epidemiologist Dr.Hasitha Thissera today suggested to held Annual Dengue Symposium in the view of reviewing the Dengue situation in the Country and to take measures to controlling the disease.Speaking at the Final day session of the 10th South East Asian Scientific Sessions of the International Epidemiology Association today Dr.thissera stressed the need to develop laboratory tests for the Dengue especially the Full Blood Count test.He also said  that the disease Dengue  is having a 50 year old history .