Health Officers Belongs To Seventeen Categories Are To Be Launched An Island wide Strike On 26th

Government Hospital Nurses and 16 categories belongs to Professions Supplementary To Medicine(PSM'S) and Paramedicals have decided to launch an Island wide token Strike on 26th of March(Thursday) by demanding DAT(Disturbance,Availability and Transport)Allowance according to the Joint Confederation of Nurses-PSM'S And Paramedicals .

The Executive Committee of the Joint Confederation which met today have decided to launch this token strike which was postponed from last Thursday(12).According to the Co-Convener of the Confederation Saman Ratnapriya as both the Health and Finance Ministries have not able to grant a fair solution for their demand the trade unions attach to the Joint Confederation have no other option than going for a strike,The Strike will be commenced from 7 a.m on Next Week Thursday and will be concluded on Friday on 7 a.m.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM WORDS OF WISDOM

Former Secretary Of Economic Development Ministry Has Been Questioned On Financial Irregularities

The former secretary to the Ministry Of Economic Development Dr.Nihal Jayathilake and the Director Of People's Leasing and Finance P.Kudabalage have been questioned today(17) by the Federal Bureau Of Investigations(FBI) over the financial irregularities occurred in Divi Naguma Development Department comes under the Ministry.

The former Secretary Of The Ministry Of Economic Development Dr.Jayathialke was appointed to the post on 29th of May 2014 and he has served as the Secretary to the Ministry Of Health previously.

LIFE

Gazette On 119th Amendment To The Constitution Has Been Released

The Gazette Notification on Reforms to the Constitution as 19th amendment  including of removing several powers vested with the Executive Presidency has been published and public are requested to submit their ideas and suggestions withing two week period the Government Information Department has announced.

Central Bank Governor Will Go On Leave Until The Inquiary Completed-Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha has made a special statement this evening in Parliament by stating that the Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendren will go on leave until the investigation on the controversial Central Bond Issue which he was alleged as involved in  is completed.

Both the leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) and the opposition parties have been requested the Central Bank Governor over the last few weeks to temporarily step down from his post to pave the way for an impartial inquiry on the bond issue.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

Gazette Notification Of Draft Bill On Constitutional Reforms To Be Issued Today

The Cabinet today(15) has decided to gazette the Drat Bill provided for Constitutional Reforms including the much talked about re instatement  of the 17th Amendment and transfer the Executive Powers of the Executive Presidency to the Parliament and the Cabinet.This gazette is scheduled to be issued midnight tonight.

The Gazette on Constitutional Reforms is scheduled to be presented to to the Parliament soon  for approval .

Under the Draft Bill Providing for Constitutional Reforms, the President will not able to dissolve the Parliament after a one year and the President will not able to be elected to office  more than two terms .The proposed Independent Commissions including the Police and Elections to be appointed under the constitutional reforms.

It has been learnt that the powers vested to the Current Executive Presidency to dissolving the Parliament too will be removed and the provisions provided under the constitution for avoiding taking legal action against the President too proposed to be removed.However the President will remain as the commander of all forces and the powers of appointing the Cabinet and acting as the head of the Cabinet will be remained with the president.

The Cabinet Meeting held today(15) was chaired by the President Maithripala Sirisena.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

Total Number Of Dengue Patients Reported This Year Has Exceeds 10,000

The total number of Dengue Patients reported from Sri Lanka during last two and half months now exceeds 10,000 according to the Sri Lanka Epidemiology Unit.From 01st of January to 14th Of March this year a total number of 10,323 Dengue Patients have been reported throughout the Island the Epidemiology Unit has stated.

The majority of these patients were reported in January and the number stands as 6276 patients.In February 3652 Dengue Patients have been reported throughout the island while in this month 395 patients have been reported up to now.

The majority of the Dengue Patients reported this year have been found from Colombo District and the number stands as 2989.

Police Have Arrested More Than 13 Kilos Of Heroin From A Prawn Farm?

The police have found more than  13 Kilo Grammes of Heroin this morning from a Prawn Farm situated in Madurankeliya Area it has been reported. Mundalama Police Officers have raided this Prawn Farm on an information received by them and taken into custody a stock of heroin weighing more than 13 Kilos and 500 grammes Police Sources have said.

During this raid three Persons attached to the Prawn Farm got arrested on suspicion.However the suspects have told the police that the stock Police have taken into  custody was not Heroin but a chemical substance using to breed prawns.The Police have sent the sample of the suspicious stock to the government analyst for further investigations it has been revealed.
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THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Majority Of Transgender Persons In Sri Lanka Do Not Have National Identity Cards To Prove Their Gender-A Survey Result

There are around 8000 Transgender (Males converted  to females/Females converted to Males) persons in Sri Lanka at the moment according to a latest survey result.The majority of these Transgender Persons do not have Identity Cards to show their gender and are facing numerous difficulties when they are going to common places like banks for their work according to the Director of HIV And Advocacy Unit Of Sri Lanka Family Planning Association Ms.Madusha Disanayake.

Addressing a Media Seminar held today at the Sri Lanka Family Planning Association Headquarters in Colombo this morning On HIV And Sexual Orientation ,Ms.Disanayake has said that due to the discrimination these transgender persons are going through some of them are turned to Prostitutes as they have no chance of working in their working places freely.

The rights of these Transgender Persons should be ensured  and they should be allowed to live in the society as other human beings she has stressed.As countries like India and Pakistan have issued Identity Cards for Transgender Persons in their countries under the third gender category Sri Lanka too should taken steps to issue Identity Cards for these persons she has said.

These Transgender Persons who lives in Sri Lanka are vulnerable to getting HIV/AIDS due to their involvement in the Sex Trade Ms.Dissanayake has revealed.

Transgender is an Umbrella term for persons whose gender identity,gender expression or behavior does not conform o that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned  at birth.(From Google).

AWAITING FOR? FROM WORDS OF WISDOM

Former LTTE Womens Sea Tiger Wing Leader Jeyaganesh Murugesu Pakeerathy Was Released On Bail

The Former leader of the the Sea Tiger Wing of the LTTE Jeyaganesh Murugesu Pakeerathy who was arrested by the Terrorism Investigations Division at the Katunayake Air Port while trying to leave the Country for France has been released today(13) by the Colombo Additional Magistrate.As the Terrorism Investigations Division is planning to file  indictments  against the former LTTE Women's Sea Tiger Wing Leader the Attorney General has instructed the authorities to release her on bail until then.

Jeyaganesh Murugesu was released on Rs.200,000 personal bail by the Colombo Additional Magistrate today and was ordered to handover her passport to the court.She was also ordered to appear before a Police Station once a week.

The Former Women's Sea Wing Leader has arrived Sri Lanka on 09tth of February and reported as stayed at a house in Dharmapuram in Paranthan Area.

Indian Prime Minister Has Promised On Arrival Tourist Visas For Sri Lankans Visiting India

The visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured today (13) that with effect from Sinhalese And Hindu New Year falls on 14th of April this year India will offer Tourist Visas on arrival to Sri Lankans.During the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Managala Samaraweera's visit to India recently the Indian Government has announced the plan to offer on  arrival tourist visas to Sri Lankans for the first time.

Initially Sri Lankan government officers will receive this facility and others will follow according to the sources.

The Indian Premier arrived Sri Lanka early this morning from Mauritius and at the Air Port he was welcomed by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wikaramasinha.Later he met the Sri Lankan President Maithrpala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat and hold discussions.

Indian Prime Minister had visited Sri Lankan Parliament this evening and made a speech there,This is the first time in 27 years that an Indian Prime Minister has visited  Sri Lanka.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

Professor Bibile Commemorative Organization To Submit Amendments To The National Drugs Policy Act

The Professor Seneka Bibile Commemorative Organization has decided to submit necessary amendments to the proposed National Drug Policy Act which was passed in Parliament last week.According to the National Organizer of the Organization Dr.Jayantha Bandara they are now preparing the several amendments to the policy act.

While praising the government's efforts of enabling the national drugs policy the Professor Bibile Commemorative Organization has said that they are not satisfied the way the act was passed in the Parliament,Copies of the act should be distributed to the health trade unions and to the public to get their views Dr.Bandara Has said.The time allocated for  MP'S to examine the facts in the act too not sufficient enough he has stressed.

Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena Was Remanded Over Fraud Charges

The Attanagalle Magistrate has today(12) remanded the Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department(CID) today on financial fraud charges.Former Deputy Minister has appeared before the CID this morning on being summon to record a statement from him over his involvement in purchasing  Rs.9 million worth Stock of Steal .

  
Later he got arrested and produced before the Attangalle Magistrate.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Nurse-PSM'S And Paramedics Have Suspended Their Token Strike

The Joint Confederation Of Nurses-Professions Supplementary To Medicine And Para Medicals have today(11) decided to suspend their Island Wide Token Strike scheduled for tomorrow (12) by demanding the Disturbance,Availability And Transport (DAT) Allowance.

As the Health Ministry has decided to send a proposal to the Finance Ministry withing one week  by requesting to pay the proposed DAT Allowance to the Nurses,PSM'S And Paramedicals the Joint Federation has decided to suspend the strike action for a week period the joint convener of the Confederation Saman Jayasekera has said.

Around 45,000 professionals representing 17 professions have planned to launch a strike tomorrow by demanding to pay them DAT Allowance he has stressed.

Former Minister Lodged A Complaint Against The Central Bank Governor

The Parliamentarian attach to the United Peoples Freedom Alliance and former Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had today(12) lodged a complaint to the Bribery Commission against the Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendren over the irregularities occurred during selling of Central Bank Bonds.

MP Amaraweera is on the view that the Central Bank Governor should have resigned to ensure the transparency of the investigations carried out by the government regarding the bond issue.Yesterday the leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) MP Sunil Handuneththi too requested the Central Bank Governor to step down from his post temporarily to ensure a fair investigation
on the issue.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Glaucoma Disease Among Sri Lankans Are On The Increase

The Glaucoma Disease among the Sri Lankans are on increase according to the  local Eye Surgeons.The Eye Surgeon Dr.Muditha Kulatunge has today (10) said that around 12% out of the total number Blind People that are currently in Sri Lanka becomes blind due to the Glaucoma.

According to a latest survey around 48% of those who are having a  low vision being in that situation due to Glaucoma.

Glaucoma an eye disorder which permanently damaged the
Optical Nerves and caused the total blindness  of  a person are common among those over 40 years old and above 60 years old Dr. Kulatunge has stressed.

As there's no permanent cure for the Glaucoma  Disease those who are at risk of getting the disease should check their eyes once in 2 to 3 years she has revealed.

A special Glaucoma Clinic for the risk groups is due to be held in Colombo Eye Hospital on this Thursday(12) from 8 a.m to 12 noon it has been announced.

Leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna Had Requested Central Bank Governor To Resigned From His Post Over The Controversial Treasury Bond Issue

The leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP)  has today(10) called for the resignation of Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendre due to a controversy Treasury Bond Issue involved in his son ln law.

Central Bank Governor who is also an International Banker has appointed to the post only on 23rd of January this year has been in spotlight during last week due to the controversial deals made in the bond markets involved by a firm "Perpetual Treasuries" which is connected to Arjun Aloysius the son in law of the  Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendren..

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a three member special committee to investigate on the alleged irregularities occurred in the bond issue of the Central Bank.                                                                                                                                                                            
However the JVP Parliamentarian Sunil Handunneththi has today says that the appointing of a Special Investigations Committee is not enough  and there's a need of a formal investigations over the treasury bond issue with transparency.He has requested the Central Bank Governor to resigned from his post temporarily to ensure the transparency of the investigations .Otherwise people will loosing the faith in the Central Bank MP Handuneththi has stressed.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Passports Of Four Persons Including Ex Defense Secretary Have Impounded

The Galle Magistrate Court has today (09) directed the Department Of Immigration And Emigration to temporarily impound the Passport of Four Persons including of former Defense Secretary and Brother of Former President Gotabaya Rajapakshe and former Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake over the floating armory issue.

The Criminal Investigations Department(CID) has detained a ship carrying 12 container loads of weapons on 18th of January and t
he investigations on these weapons are currently under way.

Ban On Wearing Full Face Helmets Suspended Due To The Directive Of A Minister

The Minister Of Public Order Johan Amaratunge has today  (09)  directed the Inspector General Of Police N.K Ilangakoon to temporarily lift the Ban of wearing full face helmets scheduled to  be implemented  from  21st of March .The directive  has come as a result of the public requests on lifting the ban on Full Face helmets Minister John Amaratunge has said.

The Police Department has decided to implement the ban due to the increased  number of incidents reported on using  Full Face Helmets for robberies and gun shooting throughout the island.

When the Minister of Public Order made the directive to lift the ban of Full Face Helmets today two motorcyclists  wore Full Face Helmets have  robbed Rs.140,000 belongs to a Financial Institute in  Athurugiriya this noon.In another incident Two Armed Men  wearing full face helmets have gunned down a Private Bus Owner  who is due to be getting married tomorrow(10) in Hikkaduwa (Southern Sri Lanka)during  broad day light.  

Former Army Commander General Fonseka Acquitted On Harbouring Army Deserters Case

The Colombo High Court has today (09) acquitted Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka of all charges leveled against him on harboring Army Deserters during the Presidential Elections held in  2010.

The Colombo High Court Judge Devika Tennakoon has today given this verdict and the second accused of the case Seneka Silva too acquitted all chargers leveled against him.

The Attorney General had indicted 41 charges against the both the accused of the harboring Army Deserter's case and  both General Fonseka and Senaka Silva were pleaded not guilty for all 41 charges.