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.

Consumer Affairs Authority Has Seized 40,000 KG Of Expired Imported Chocolates In Colombo

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officers have yesterday(30) seized around 40,000 Killo Grammes of expired imported chocolates which are unsuitable for human consumption  at  a ware house in Colombo -Negambo main road.

The stock of expired chocolates believed to be worth more than  Rs.100 million and have been expired over a year ago consumer affairs authority has revealed.the stock of chocolates were been repackaged with different labels and stored in the ware house in view of   issuing to the market at the time of the raid.these chocolates are imported from India CAA sources added.

New Health Ministry Secretary To Be Assumed Her Duties On Monday

The Secretary of the Ministry Of Plantations Mrs.Sudharma Karunaratne is due to be assumed her duties as the new secretary of the Ministry Of Health this Monday (02) according to sources.she is replacing the outgoing health ministry secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake who has already been assumed  duties as the secretary of Economic Development Ministry .

Dr.Jayathilake has  replaced the former secretary of the economic development ministry and current treasury secretary Dr.P.B Jayasundare.

Meanwhile according to the health ministry sources there are rumors that the ousted media officer of the ministry W.M.D Wanninayake is planning to return to the post after new secretary has assume her duties on this Monday.the former media officer was sacked from his post by the outgoing health secretary Dr.Jayathilake last week due to some charges against him including exercising luxurious privileges not entitled to  the media officer post and  involving some  corrupt tender deals.

Sri Lankan Children Aged 6-59 Months Are Suffering From Anemia-Newest Nutrition Survey Reveals

According to the newest Nutrition Survey conducted by the Medical Research Institute(MRI) in Colombo  15.1% of the children aged   6 months to 59 months are suffering from Iron Deficiency Anemia .a majority of these children with anemia which is around 34% are belongs to the age group 6 months to 11 months .

Approximately 15% of the preschool children and 20% of the School going children are suffering from anemia according to survey results.the prevalence of anemia among non pregnant women aged 15 years to 49 years was 22.2% and among pregnant women was 16.7%.

Addressing the media seminar held today(29) at the Health Education Bureau titled"Iron Rich Food for health,strength and intelligence" to mark the National Nutrition Month falls on June  Dr.Renuka Jayathissa a senior Nutritionist attach to UNICEF has said that Iron Deficiency Anemia is caused due to the insufficient dietary intake,poor absorption of iron and the loss of blood (eg:Parasitic Infestations and menstrual bleeding).

" The Ministry Of Health has already launched a nutritional plan to aim of reducing the anemia among children and women in the country by 50% at the end of 2016" she said.rich dietary sources of Iron are in red meet like chicken,pork,mutton and beef also in small fish,organic meet like liver ,vegetables like green leaves and pulses like beans,soya been,green gram,chickpea,cowpea,ulundu and dhal.products of these pulses-tofu,been curd and soya meet dr.jayathissa has stressed.

The economic impact of anemia is high and it is around US Dollars 50 billion loss in gross domestic product according to her.if the children aged 6 months to 12 months supplied diet using iron sprinkles at home a US Dollars 37 gain in productivity can be reached per US One Dollar spent it has been revealed.

Out Going Health Secretary Ordered An Inquiry Against The Sacked Media Officer

The Out going Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake has ordered  a fresh inquiry from the internal audit   of the ministry on  the charges leveled against sacked media officer of the Health Ministry W.M.D Wanninayake .

Ignoring the duties vested him as the media officer in the health ministry and exercising luxurious privileges which are not entitled to the media officer post are among the main charges leveled against the sacked media officer wanninayake.

The health secretary has hit and chased the sacked media officer  out from the secretary's office last Friday evening after sacking him from the post of media officer.he is now returned to the information department where he was  originally attached to.

The health secretary has indicated in the removal letter handed over to the media officer last Friday that media officer wanninayake has illegally given health ministry information to the media as a media spokesman in the ministry although no such media spokesman appointed to the ministry.the former media officer has also reported as allegedly involved in many corrupt tender deals of the health ministry and taking bribes from some  drug companies to attack their rival drug companies.he has also worked as an unofficial media consultant for many drug companies it has been revealed.

Dengue Mosquito Density Increased In Ratnapura District

The Dengue Mosquito Density in several areas of the Ratnapura District(Sabaragamuwa Province) has increased by around 8 folds more then the normal mosquito density level according to the Entomology Assistant Officers.the mosquito density in those areas are found as 40 in the Bretau  Index which measures the mosquito density in an area.

Most of the other risky areas of Dengue situated throughout the
island including Colombo and Gampaha Districts have been reported as having Dengue Mosquito Density around 30 in the index sources said.

President Ordered To Release 14 Indian Fishermen Got Arrested For Drug Trafficking

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has ordered to release 14 Tamil Nadu  Fishermen who were arrested for drug trafficking charges as a goodwill gesture towards India ,the government sources said.president has ordered to release these fishermen just before his departure to attend  the swear in ceremony of Indian Newly Elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi held yesterday .

As the court cases against these fishermen are conduct  in different courts they are due to be released next week after completing their court cases.

Out of the 14 fishermen due to be released ,11 are from Rameshwarem Island and  3 are from Arcottuthurai in Nagapattinam  District.

German National Drowns In Hikkaduwa Sea

A 74 year old German National was found dead after  drowning in the Sea at Hikkaduwa Area yesterday(26) evening.the victim Berns Matias was married to a Sri Lankan Woman and lives in Hikkaduwa according to the police.

The postmortem of the deceased was conducted at Karapitiya Hospital today(27).

Members Of 50 Government Trade Unions Are To Stage A Massive Protest Campaign In Colombo

Members belongs to around  50 Government Trade Unions including Unions of Professions Supplementary To Medicine,Nursing,Minor Staff,Bank Officers,Postal,Teachers ,University Teachers , Railways and student movements are due to stage a massive protest campaign in front of the Fort Railway Station in Colombo this Wednesday(28) against the decision on reducing the study period of allied health sciences degree  and assaulting of allied health sciences degree students.

The protesting trade union activists and students are due to walk towards the fort railway station from Colombo National Hospital premises at 1 p.m on Wednesday and due to reach fort station at 2  p.m according to the secretary of Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine Mr.Saman Jayasekera.

The protesting trade unions are demanding authorities to stop reducing the study period of allied health sciences degree from 4 years to 3 years and stop assaulting allied health sciences degree students."the Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) is  responsible for reducing the study period of the degree" Saman Jayasekera has stressed.

Brawl At The Health Ministry-Health Secretary Hit And Chased Out The Media Officer After Sacking Him

The sacked Media Officer of the Ministry Of Health D.Wanninayake was hit and chase out from the health secretary's office  by the out going Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake when media officer went to him per Dr.Jayathilake's request on last Friday (23) evening Health Ministry Sources have revealed.the health secretary has also informed the audit to probe  on the media officer wanninayake the way he has earned millions of rupees  as commissions through the fraud tender deals over the past few years sources added.

Out Going Health Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake who is due to be appointed as the new secretary of the economic development ministry has scolded  media officer wanninayake heavily last Friday evening at the health secretary's office by accusing  him that he has exposed information to the media on several corrupt tender deals in the ministry which both of them were involved in.when  the media officer tried to defend him self by saying that he had nothing to do with the media reports the angry health secretary hit and chased him out of the office after handing over his removal letter sources said..d.wanninayake who was served as the media officer in the health ministry for 9 long years although he was released to the ministry for 2 year period is due to return to the information department.

As the media officer was sacked from his post over his involvement in fraud tender deals ,health secretary too was removed from the office over the same offence and he is due to move to accept his new portfolio as the secretary of the economic development ministry soon by replacing the treasury secretary Dr.P.B Jayasundera,

Health Secretary And The Media Officer Who were Involved In Corrupt Tender Deals Have Removed From Their Posts

The Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake  and the media officer of the Ministry D.Wanninayake whose names have been mentioned in related to most of the corrupt tender deals of  Health Ministry in recent times set to be  removed from there posts with immediate effect. media officer Wanninayake has already been removed from his post with effect from yesterday according to the reliable sources. 

The former media officer who has removed from his post in the health ministry yesterday  too involved in most of the corrupt tender deals reported from the ministry and received huge sums of money as commissions  from some corrupted drug companies for supporting them  till the date he has been removed sources said.Besides his involvement in corrupt tender deals,Dr.Jayathilake who has   just returned from Geneva,Switzerland after attending the Health Assembly of The World Health Organization(WHO) has been criticized by the Nurses Unions and the Government Midwives Union over his controversial decisions taken regarding the midwifery training issue of Nurses.

 However there are reports that Dr.Jayathilake is to assume duties as the new Treasury Secretary replacing the current secretary Dr.P.B Jayasundera . Dr.Jayasundera is to leave his post  due to the influence of government minister and the leader of National Democratic Front Wimal Weerawansha who is criticizing the economic policies adapted by Dr.Jayasundera..

The current secretary of the Ministry Of Plantations Mrs.Sudharma Karunaratne is due to be appointed as the new secretary of the Ministry Of Health sources have added.

Head Of The Drug Evaluation Committe Has Arrived The Monthly Meeting Under Heavy Alcohol Influence.....

The Chairman of the National Drug Authority who is a doctor and also  head of the drug evaluation committee has attended monthly  Drug Evaluation Committee meeting held last Tuesday (20) under a heavy alcohol influence and behaved an unusual way in front of the participants the  health ministry sources revealed.

According to the sources as the head of the committee he should have behaved well during the meeting as the agenda is on drugs imported and distributed to hospitals here,but he has not only drunken also spoke to the intellectual members of the drug evaluation committee without any respect.

Some of the intellectuals participated that meeting have complained the Director General Of Health Services Dr,Plaitha Mahipala on the incident  in the same day.

Around 20 members of the committee including professors,doctors and specialists on Pharmacology have attended the said meeting according to ministry sources.the Drug Authority Chairman has purposely violated the code of conduct on government service sources have added.the said Chairman Doctor was known as involved in many of the fraud tender deals reported from the health sector.

Health Secretary And Some Health Ministry Officials Awarded The Cancer Injection Tender To A Highest Bidder Which Having Quality Problems

The Health Secretary Dr Nihal Jayathilake has involved in another tender fraud by handing over the tender for purchasing 1697 vials of Cancer Injections " Protein Bound Paclitaxal "  100 milli grammes to the  drug supplying company which produced the highest bid  instead of awarding the tender to the supplier produced the lowest bid.

According to the reliable sources the Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena who has just returned from Geneva ,Switzerland after attending the World Health Assembly had suspended the controversial tender last Wednesday(21)which costs the Health Ministry an extra amount of Rs.3.67 million  when compare with  the lowest bidder.also minister has instructed the director General Of Health Services Dr.Palitha Mahipala to conduct an inquiry   on this tender fraud.

However showing the latest developments of the war between  Health Ministry Officials, the Media Officer attach to the Health Ministry  has issued a press release today (22)stating that the Health Minister has not suspend any Tender Deal on purchasing Cancer Injection Vials.responding to the article published in a local national paper today , the media officer has said that the minister didn't suspend any tender deal .however he fails to provide enough evidence through the release to certify  that the minister himself admitted he has not cancel the tender.also the media officer did not reject that a  fraud has been occurred when handing over the tender to the highest bidder.

According to the Health Ministry Sources both Health Ministry Secretary and the Chairman of National Drug Authority have received Rs.1 Million each as luxurious commissions for handing over the tender to an Indian Drug Company which was selected to award the tender as a highest bidder.the media officer of the Health Ministry too has received commission money to his bank account through these fraud tender deals sources have added.

The samples of cancer injections produced by the said Indian Company too not up to the standard and even not thoroughly checked the sources said."these Health Ministry Officials are trying to play with the lives of thousands of  innocent Cancer Patients in the country for the sake of luxurious benefits they are gain from corrupt drug companies" a spokesman of the health ministry has said.

The Tender to award purchasing of "Paclitaxal Injections to be distributed to the Maharagama Cancer Hospital and other Cancer Units throughout the island was called as an International Tender  by both State Pharmaceuticals Company (SPC)and the Medical Supplies Division(MSD).the lowest bid was produced by an American Company who applied for the tender called by SPC and the quality of the injection samples they have produced are up to the required standard sources revealed,the said company has agreed to supply an injection vial per Rs.19,110 while the highest bidder an Indian Company  selected through the tender called by MSD has produced the price of their injections vials as Rs.38,500 and Rs.45,000.

Allied Health Sciences Degree Students Have Completed 150 Days For Their Protest

The Students attach to the  Faculty of Allied Health Sciences in Peradeniya University have today (22) completed 150 days for their continuous "Satyagraha" protest Campaign conducting   at Galaha Junction,Peradeniya, as a protest to reducing their degree study period from 4 years to 3 years .

As to show their  solidarity to the students   protest campaign a group of nursing officers attach to All Ceylon Nurses Union too joined the students "Satyagrha" today.

Meanwhile A group of  University Students attach to faculties of Allied Health Sciences have filed a human right violations petition before the human rights commission yesterday over the arrest of some of their students last week.

The allied health sciences degree students as well as most of the health trade unions have accused the Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) for influencing University Grants Commission(UGC) to reduce the study period of their degr
ee programme to 3years from 4 years.

All Schools In Sabaragamuwa Municipal Council Area To Be Closed For Two Days

All Schools Belongs to the Sabaragamuwa Municipal Council Area will be closed  during next  two days, the 22nd and 23rd of May due to the threat of Dengue Epidemic the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Education Minister has announced this evening. prevention programmes are to  be conducted during the two days.

No Confidence Motion Against The Government Was Defeated At The Parliament

The no confidence motion which was  tabled in the Parliament  against the present government by main opposition party the United National Party(UNP) was defeated today(21) with a majority of 94 votes .when  the voting has taken place at  Parliament this evening  151 members were voted against the motion while 57 members including MP's of main opposition UNP , leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) and Tamil National alliance (TNA) were voted in favor.

The No Confidence Motion was tabled by the UNP last Tuesday against government's failure to combat the spreading of drug menace in the country.

The members of the government allied parties Jathiak Hela Urumaya (JHU) and National Freedom Front(NFF) were absent  during  the voting.

The National Parliament of Sri Lanka has been compromised with 225 MP's. out of this number 144 members are belongs to the ruling UPFA Coalition and 60 members to the main opposition United National Party.Tamil National Alliance(TNA) has represented by 14 members and Democratic National Alliance (DNA)by 7 members.

Two Sri Lankans Were Arrested While Trying To Smuggle Gold Slabs Worth Rs.53 Million To The Country

Two Sri Lankan Nationals have been arrested by the Customs Officers at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Air Port early this morning while trying to smuggle gold slabs worth Rs.53 million to the country from Dubai.

According to the Custom Officers gold slabs weighing 7.1 Killo Grammes which the suspects brought from Dubai were concealed in calculator boxes.

Authorities are conducting further investigations on the incident.

Wesak Celebrations At Ganagaramaya Temple In Colombo

University Teachers To Launch A Token Strike On 03rd Of June

The Federation Of University Teachers Association(FUTA) has today (20) urged that they will stage a Island Wide Token Strike on 03rd of June if the authorities have failed to give solutions for six of their demands before the strike date.

Setting Up a Committee to investigate the grievances of Undergraduates /recommending solutions for their issues as well as allow the Students Unions to function in the Universities and stop harassing Student Activists  are among the six demands of the FUTA.

The Federation Of University Teachers Association has warned that due to the proposed token strike the academic activities of all the government universities in the country will come to a

halt on 03rd of June.

Customs Officials Arrested Three Sri Lankans Who Tried To Smuggle Rs.12 Million Worth Gold

The Sri Lankan Customs Officials have last night arrested Three Sri Lankans including two women at the Katunayake ,Bandaranaike International Air Port  when they are  trying to smuggle 24 Gold Slabs worth Rs.12 million to Mumbai ,India.

Gold Slabs weighing around 2 Killo Grammes and 400 Grammes were taken in to custody with the suspects according to Customs Officials.the gold slabs were hidden inside the shoes of the said  suspects it has been revealed.

Indian National Was Remanded For Staying 19 Years In Sri Lanka Illegally

Anuradahapura District (In North Central Province) Chief Magistrate has today(20) ordered to remand An Indian National who was found guilty of staying in Sri Lanka more than 19 years illegally till 26th of this month.the accused Indian National was arrested recently by the Anuradhapura special flying squad while he was staying in a rural area.

The Anuradhapura Chief  Magistrate and Additional District Judge Miss.Yuresha De Silva has also ordered the police to file charges against the Indian National when he is produce before the court on 26th of May.

Two German Nationals Were Killed Due To The Motor Bike-Bus Collision

Two  German Nationals were killed  when the  Motor Bike they were travelling  on was collided with a private bus at Unawatuna in Galle District (Southern Sri Lanka )this evening.

The Bus travelling from Colombo to Middeniya area was collided with the Motor Bike which the two German national men  were travelling  on from Matara to Galle  and one of them was killed at the spot due to the accident.other german national  has died after admitted to the Karapitiya Hospital  according to hospital sources.

The Motor Bike and the Bus were  travelling  on the road opposite each other when the accident has  occurred sources said.

PSM'S Attach to Colombo National Hospital Are To Launch Half Day Strike Tomorrow(19)

The Professions Supplementary To Medicine (PSM'S) attach to Colombo National Hospital are due to stage a 4 hour strike action from 8 a.m to 12 noon tomorrow(19) in protest against assaulting allied health sciences degree students and reducing the study period of health allied science degree.

According to the Joint Council of Professions Supplementary To Medicine(JCPSM) compromising with Government Pharmacists,Radiographers,Medical Laboratory Technologists,(MLT),Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists Unions due to this half day strike services like issuing drugs to patients through the OPD Dispensaries,Radiography Tests including X Ray and C.T Scan tests ,Laboratory Tests and Physiotherapy Treatment will be affected during the strike period.

The PSMS's attach to Colombo National Hospital has decided to launch this strike against assaulting of University Students who protested against reducing the study period of health allied sciences degree and discrimination faced by health allied sciences degree students the secretary of the JCPSM Saman Jayasekera has said.

The Police has arrested 17 University Students attach to Inter University Students Federation
(IUSF) last Friday who were protested against reducing the study period of health allied sciences degree of PSM'S and Nueses.although several health trade unions and university students federation accusing higher education ministry and the government on reducing the study period of health allied sciences degree  from four years to three years, the authorities have  pointed out that it is the Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) which is behind the decision. 

Police Has Arrested A Child Smuggle Smuggling Children To Australia

The Police has today(18) arrested a man who is alleged as involved in  a Child  Smuggling Racket at Udappuwa in Mudalama Area.the suspect was known as smuggling Sri Lankan Children to Australia via boat and has arrested on a court order given by the Colombo Fort Magistrate.

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has informed the details on suspect to magistrate and the court order was given to police afterwards.the national child protection authority is due to be   produced the suspect before the court .

University Teachers Condemned The Arrests Of Sixteen University Students

The Federation of the University Teachers Associations(FUTA) has today(17) condemned the arrest of sixteen university students attach to the Inter University Students Federation(IUSF).according to the FUTA this kind of arrests will only provoke the students further than solving their problems.

 Demands of University students  like increasing the duration of all health sciences degree to 4 years and increasing the mahapola scholarship fees  accommodation and quality of their academic courses are fair and justified the president of FUTA Dr.Chandraguptha Thenuwara has said.

He has urged the authorities to release the arrested students and resolve their  grievances .

Kirulapona and Slave Island Police have arrested sixteen university students yesterday and the Inter University Students Federation has stated that these arrests are abductions .

Fifteen Inter University Students Federation Members Got Arrested

Around 15  Student members of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) were arrested today(16) by Kirulapona and Slave Island Police on false charges according to the convener of IUSF Najith Indika.according to him four student leaders including the student rajitha prasad attach to the all health sciences faculty  were arrested by Kirulapona Police and the rest were arrested by Slave Island Police.

The IUSF has claimed that these arrests were made without a proper warrant ,but the police said they are having a warrant for the arrests  it further said.
.

Cabinet Has Sent A Warning Letter To The Health Secretary On Involving Tender Fraud

The Cabinet has sent a warning letter to the Dr.Nihal Jayathilake the current secretary of the Health Ministry on his involvement of providing false report to the Cabinet Committee by recommending a regional pharmaceutical company which   not even applied  for the tender of purchasing  "Desferioxamine Mesylate "Injections prescribe for Thalasemia Patients ,as a suitable company to purchase those injection vials.

The Health Ministry Secretary who have received a similar warning letter from the Cabinet few weeks back over another tender fraud like this  has said to be received Rs.10 million as commissions from the said company for recommending them for the tender,

The Rs.3,230,928 worth tender "MSD/P/018/13-DHS/C/P/346/2013-SR Number:160305" was opened in view of purchasing  360,000 "Desferioxamine Mesylate" Injection Vials for Thalasemia Patients in government hospitals.  the health secretary was charged for trying to change the successful bidder company submitted the suitable bid for the tender with another company which not even applied for the tender the government sources said.

The Ministry Of Finance has instructed the Health Secretary to provide a fully detailed report on explaining the reasons  for changing the successful bidder of the tender.

Earlier this week the Government Medical Officers Forum (GMOF)has requested President Mahinda Rajapaksha to remove the Health Ministry Secretary with immediate effect over the corrupted tender deals he got involved in.meanwhile government sources said that the Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Jayathilake is scheduled to be removed from the post by next week and a senior lady administrative officer attach to the Finance Ministry is due to be appointed as the new health secretary
.

Fifteen Train Journeys Cancelled This Morning Due To Absence Of Drivers And Guards

The Railway Department has cancelled around 15 scheduled train journeys this morning due to the absence of Engine Drivers and Rail Guards following the two public holidays of Wesak Festival   the department sources said.

As many of the Engine Drivers and Rail Guards not reported to work this morning the General Manger of Railway Department has sent special request to all those absent to report for   work without any delay.meanwhile as some drivers and rail guards reported for work this evening per the request a number of train journeys have resumed without a delay railway department has announced.

Public Health Inspectors Have Thrown Out Unhygienic Food Prepared In 67 Alms Giving Centers

The Public Health Inspectors have today(14)  thrown out a large stock of   unhygienic food prepared and served in 67 Alms Giving Centers(Dansal) throughout the  island  which  are  set  up  to mark  Wesak Full Moon Poya Day the  Public Health Inspectors Association has said.the food that thrown out were unhygienic and not suitable for human consumption the association has stressed.

The Public Health Inspectors have checked majority out of the 4800 Alms Giving Centers situated Island wide according to them.