Portugal Prime Minister To Visit Sri Lanka Tomorrow(20)

The Portugal Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho is due to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow(20) for a one day official visit according to the government sources.The portugal premier is due to hold bi lateral talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksha ,Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne and External Affairs Minister Professor G.L Pieris and due to visit two of the Portugal's Aid Projects here.

This will be the first visit of Porugal Premier to Sri Lanka. He is also  due to participate the signing ceremony  of the Memorandum Of Understanding(MOU) between Foreign Trade And Investment Agency(AICEP) of Portugal and it's Sri Lnakan Counterpart.

Health Ministry To Consider Allowing Private Practice For PSM'S After Their Working Hours

 The Ministry Of Health has submitted a Cabinet Paper regarding allowing Professions Supplementary To Medicine(PSM'S) to engage in private practice after working hours (after 4 p.m) in  government hospitals the Ministry Secretary Mrs.Sudharama Karunaratne has said.at present only Government Doctors and Nurses are given permission by the health ministry to do private practice after working hours

According to the Health Secretary,Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has submitted a cabinet paper per a demand made by Joint Council of Professions Supplementary To Medicine(JCPSM) to allow their professions namely Government Pharmacists,Radiographers,Medical Laboratory Technologits(MLT),Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists to do private practice after working hours in their hospitals.

The PSM's who were staged a two day island wide strike last Thursday and Friday also put the private practice demand among their  six demands which lead them to the strike.

Tooth Decaying Among The Age Group Between 35-44 Is On Increase-Dental Surgeons

Tooth Decaying is high among the Sri Lankans in the age group between 35-44 according to the Dental Surgeons .among the age groups the tooth decaying among the people belongs to the age group between 35-44 is 89.78%  it has been revealed.

The second highest rate of tooth decaying is reported among the age group between 65-74 with 71.1%  and children under 5 years old having   the third highest rate of tooth decaying in Sri Lanka with 68.31% .

According to the Dental Specialist Dr.Prasanna Jayasekera the tooth decaying among some age groups in Sri Lanka as mentioned earlier is on increase .The main reason for this situation is bad food habits including consuming too much of sweets and sugary drinks Dr.Jayasekera has stressed.sweets and sugary drinks should be consumed in between main meals he has said.

Meanwhile the Community Dental Specialist Dr.Iresha Perera has said that the tooth decaying in Sri Lanka is becoming a national disaster and the authorities should implement educational programmes  to avoid tooth decaying."Tooth Decaying is now becoming the worst disease among Sri Lankans more than Dengue" she has  stressed.

To avoid tooth decay everyone needs to pay special attention on their teeth and should get the necessary advise through the  Dentists she has revealed.

Health Ministry Secretary Has Got Caught To The False Alarm Of Opposition MP

The  new Secretary of the Ministry  of Health Mrs.Sudarma Karunaratne along with few health ministry officials had gone  to the medical supplies division (MSD) yesterday (15) evening per a false information received from the United National Parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa stating that a group has trying to rob two vehicle loads of medicine stocked at MSD  and returned to the ministry empty handed it has been reported. 

When the health secretary and the  group of ministry officials went to the MSD premises situated just near the ministry building to seal the vehicles if found that the medicines are going to rob.however they found   that the said vehicles are loading medicine to transport them to the State Pharamceutical Corporation stores and not that  anyone trying to rob the said stock of medicine.

After this incident The Medical Administrators attach to the Health Ministry are due to meet the Health Ministry Secretary withing next few days to advise her  not to trust the information received through out side persons including opposition MP;s and to consult medical administrators of the ministry before taking any action..

More Then 300,000 Lives In Sri Lanka Are Suffering From Epilepsy -Professor Ranjani Gamage

There are more than 300,000 Epilepsy patients lives in Sri Lanka at present according to the Neurologist Professor Ranjani Gamage.out of 1000 people here 9 are suffering from epilepsy she has said.

As there is a simple treatment available  that can control the symptoms of epilepsy to a certain extent and for some can be completely cured through that  nowadays ,there's no need to discriminate epileptic  patients in the society Professor Gamage has stressed.

However some people in the society are still trying to discriminate epileptic patients by labeling them as  mental patients else people suffering from a rare deadly disease she has pointed out.

As the Epilepsy Task Force that has been set up to manage epileptic patients in Sri Lanka few years back are working fir the benefit of epileptic patients the society need to realize that epilepsy is a normal disease which is not affect the patient's education,employment ,marriage and child delivery  she has further said.

These facts have been revealed during a media seminar held today(15) at the Health Education Bureau in Colombo regarding the public awareness on Epilepsy .

Pensions Department To Inform Pension Details Through SMS

The Pensions Department has decided to inform the public on  details of pensions through SMS Messages with effect from 01st of August the department has said.

Three Indian Nationals Have Been Arrested With 72 Grammes Of Kerala Marijuana

 Sri Lankan Navy have today (14)arrested three Indian Nationals near the Island of Delft in the  northern peninsula  while trying to smuggle 72 grammes of Kerala Marijuana to Sri Lanka .the stock of marijuana with the suspects have also taken in to the custody the sources said.The three Indian nationals were handed over to the Kankasanthurai Police  for taking  further action it has been revealed.

Strong Monsoonal Winds Have Been Damaged Over 300 Houses In 3 Districts

The Strong  Monsoonal Winds have been damaged over 300 houses in three districts  according to the Disaster Management Center.the damaged houses were situated in Badulla,Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura Districts.

Meanwhile the authorities have closed down the Sabaragamuwa University until 21st of July due to the adverse weather condition prevails in the area it has been announced.

The Meteorology Department has said that there is a possibility of developing south west monsoonal winds speed up to 70 -80 kilo meters per hour in most parts of  the island in time to time especially in the western slopes of the central hills and sea areas.sea areas around the island too will be rough and the met department  has advised the fishermen to be vigilant  in this situation.

Seventy Two Infants Born To HIV/AIDS Infected Mothers Have Been Infected With The Disease

Seventy Two ((72) Infants who were infected with HIV/AIDS Virus through their mothers have been born in Sri Lanka since 1987 up to now according to the Director of the National Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Aids Campaign Dr.Sisira Liyanage.out of this number twelve (12) infants were born during last year (2013) Dr.Liyanage has said.


Around 40% of these infants have already died due to the HIV/AIDS it has been revealed.a special programme to prevent transmitting HIV/AIDS Virus to the new born children through their infected mothers has been implemented already by the National Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Aids Campaign Dr.Liyanage has stressed.

Government Hospital PSM'S Are To Be Launched A Two Day Island Wide Strike On Wednesday And Thursday

The Professions Supplementary To Medicine(PSM'S) attach to all Government Hospitals have  decided to launch a two day island wide strike on this Wednesday(16) and Thursday(17) by demanding solutions for three of their service demands.

According to the secretary of the Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine Mr.Saman Jayasekera the PSM's are to be launched this two day strike from 8 a.m on This Wednesday to 8 a.m this Friday by demanding for  implementing   delayed service promotions of Grade One and Special Grade PSM'S ,recruiting 200 PSM Graduates who have completed their intern period to the government hospitals and abolishing the diploma course of training PSM'S .

Due to Humanitarian Reasons the PSM'S attach to Castle Street Maternity,De Soyza Maternity,Peradeniya Children's ,Borella Lady Ridgway Children's and Maharagama Cancer Hospitals are not participating this two day strike he has said.

The Government  PSM's comprised  with Government Pharmacists,Medical Laboratory Technologists(MLT'S) ,Radiographers,Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.

Sri Lankan Off Spinner Has Been Banned By International Cricket Council

The International Cricket Council(ICC) has today (12) instructed the  Sri Lanka Cricket Board to ban Sri Lankan off spinner Sachithra Senanayake from playing international cricket matches with immediate effect based on a lab report which stated his bowling action is illegal and not suited for cricket.

Sachithra Senanayake has underwent a test at a laboratory in Welsh capitol Cardiff last month during the England Tour of the Sri Lankan National Cricket Team after  some umpires have complained that  his bowling action is suspicious.he has been charged for delivering four deliveries in an over during the  fourth one day match played at Lords between Sri Lanka and England deemed to be breech of 15 degree elbow extension permitted under the ICC rules.

Due to this he has been suspended from playing few matches in England as well.the said test report was handed over to the ICC recently and according to the report the international cricket body has  instructed sri lankan cricket to ban sachithra from playing international matches.

The sri lankan left arm off spinner and all rounder had played the one day series against South African Team which concluded today at Hambanthota.the sri lankan cricket is scheduled to be taken a decision on ICC's latest move the sources said.

Sachithra was the leading wicket taker during Sri Lankan Cricket Team's visit to England last month and involved in controversial " Mankading" run out of England Wicket Keeper Jose Butler during the final one day international played in Edgbeston when sachithra was removed the bails of butler at the non strikers end  while he is out from his crease before delivering the ball.

Meanwhile the  Sri Lankan Captain Angelo Mathews has said recently that the complaint against sachithra on his bowling action might be made by either the England Cricket Team else the officials of England Cricket Board .

Former Sri Lankan Ace Spinner Mutthaia Muralideran too faced a similar fate while he was playing against Australian Team in Australia in 1995 while Australian Umpires Darrel  Hair  had signaled his deliveries as no balls by complaining his bowling action was illegal,however Muralideran was later cleared through the lab tests.

Court Cases Were Filed Against 218 Residents In Colombo City For Maintaining Dengue Breeding Places

The Colombo Public Health Department has filed court cases against 218 house owners in City Of Colombo few days back for maintaining dengue breeding places in their backyards according to the Chief Medical Officer Of Health in Colombo Dr.Ruwan Wijemuni.these cases were filed at the Maligakanda Magistrate Court dr.wijemuni has said.

These house owners who are facing legal cases due to  maintaining  dengue breeding places are reside in borella,kirulapana,m attakuliya,maradana,dematagoda and central colombo areas he has stressed.  

Supreme Court Ordered The Tobacco Company To Carry Pictorial Warnings Covering 60% Of The Cigarette Pack From 01st Of January 2015

The Supreme Court has yesterday (11) ordered the Ceylon Tobacco Company to implement the decision on   publishing  pictorial warnings covering 60% of the  the cigarette  pack surface on health hazards  with  the effect from 01st of January  2015.

According to the verdict given by the court tobacco company should carry pictorial warnings on the 60% surface of their Cigarette Pack with the new cigarette packets release to the market from 01st of January next year. the appeals court had earlier given orders to the tobacco company  to publish pictorial warnings covering  60% of a Cigarette Pack with effect from 01st of July.

However as the tobacco company wants to release cigarette packets to the market with  current packing without the pictorial warnings till the supreme court announce it's decision ,the implementation of the said appeals court order has been delayed.

The verdict of the supreme court has delivered by the three member judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mohan Pieris after considering the fundamental rights petition  filed by Ceylon tobacco company challenging  the gazette notification issued by the health ministry on pictorial warning decision  .through the petition the company has requested  to reduce the 60% space of publishing pictorial warnings.

Ninety Complaints On Cosmetic Related Allergies Have Been Reported During Last Eighteen Months

During last 18 months(January 2013   to June 2014 )  Around 90 complaints on  cosmetic related allergies have been received from island wide  Sri Lanka Food And Drug Inspectors Association has stated.out of these complaints 22 were received during first six months of this year and 68 complaints  have been received during last year the association has stressed.

While addressing a press briefing held in Colombo yesterday(09) the president of the  Sri Lanka Food And Drug Inspectors Association Mr.Damith Perera has said that these allergies have been caused due to both registered and unregistered cosmetics and majority of them were due to the hair dyes .

\The samples related to these complaints on allergies were sent to the National Drug Quality Assurance \\Laboratory for further tests he has said.
\
Due to these allergic reactions of cosmetics people should check the registered number ,the manufactured date and the expiry date of the products before purchasing cosmetic products  Mr.Perera has further added.

Circular Issued To The School Canteens Banning selling Of Soft Drinks And Short Eats Still Inactive

The Circular issued by the Ministry Of Education on 2011  regarding  the banning of  selling Soft Drinks,Short Eats,Meet Products and Junk Foods in 9568 School Canteens island wide  is still not able to implement  due to the failure of Health Authorities on activating the circular according to the president of Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors Association Mr.Upul Rohana.

The Health Ministry Officials are purposely delaying the activating of the said circular numbering 2011/3  and due to this non infectious diseases like Diabetes,High Blood P reassure,Heart Diseases and stroke   among school children are on increase  Mr.Rohana has said.due to the non implementation of the circular School Canteen owners are selling sugary soft drinks,short eats ,meet products and junk food to the school children freely he has stressed.

Addressing a press briefing held in Colombo this morning the president of the Sri Lanka Health Inspectors Association has said that their is a greet need to implement the said circular as soon as possible  and all the authorities need to do is to introduced the circular as an interim constitution to  the food act of 1980.

The Shortage Of Triple Blood Bags Caused A Shortage Of Blood Platelets In Most Of The Blood Banks

There's a severe shortage of Triple Blood Bags which  use to take  blood from blood donors   in the majority of Blood Banks throughout the island these days according to the  Government Nursing Officers Association.

The Blood Banks in peradeniya,kandy,matara,hambanthota,ratnapura,ampara,kurunagala are affected severely with the shortage of three layer triple blood bags the nursing officers association has pointed out.due to this shortage Blood Platelets which are derived from blood by using these bags are also out of stock in several blood banks the association has stated.

As there's a Dengue Epidemic in most parts of the island blood platelets are need to transfuse to these patients the president of the nursing officers association Saman Rathnapriya has said.therefore he  has urged the health authorities to distribute this all important  Triple Blood Bags to the blood banks with immediate effect he has stressed.

Twenty Indian Fishermen Have Been Arrested Whlie Fishing In Sri Lankan Waters

Sri Lankan Navy Officers have arrested another 20 Indian Fishermen in seas of North Mannar who were illegally fishing in Sri Lankan Waters.Navy  Four  trawlers  the Indian Fishermen were  traveled in also taken in to the custody navy sources said. 

These fishermen were arrested due to violating International Maritime Boundary Line and pouching in Sri Lankan Waters sources have added.

The arrested Fishermen and Trawlers were handed over to the Department Of Fisheries And Aquatic Resources for a legal action.

An Elephant Was Killed After Hit At Train In Kekirawa

A train runs from Trincomalee to Colombo was derailed late  last night after it was
hit at wild elephant in Kekirawa(North Central Province) according to Railways Department.the wild elephant was killed due to the accident and no one in the train has injured the sources revealed.

Due to this accident train services in the line got delayed around eight hours and brought to normal early this morning.however four trains got delayed due to the accident railways department has said.

According to  the authorities around 200 elephants have been killed last  year due to the  human -elephant conflict.

Dengue Mosquito Larvae Also Breeds On Dee freezers ?

The dengue mosquito "aedis egyptai" who is responsible for spreading dengue are laying their eggs on defrosted water in freezers too according to the Colombo chief Medical Officer (MOH) Dr.Ruwan Wijemuni.

He has said that during the house to house inspections carried out by the health officials in northern colombo a large number of freezers with dengue mosquito larvae have  found Meanwhile the officials of Colombo Public Health Department have decided to file   court cases against the owners of  181 residencies in Northern Colombo  who are responsible  for  maintaining dengue mosquito breeding places in their back yards.the officials have identified these during the inspection carried out n north Colombo yesterday .

Around 18,100 houses in northern colombo have been inspected on last wednesday under the programme.

A Lady Lawyer Gave Birth To Quintuplets At Peradeniya Hospital

A 36 year old Lady Lawyer reside in Kandy District has given birth to Quintuplets at Peradeniya Teaching Hospital on last Saturday(27) .this was the fifth set of Quintuplets born in Sri Lanka since late 90's as earlier four sets of quintuplets were born in Castle Street Maternity Hospital,Kandy General Hospital and Central Private Hospital respectively.

The latest set of Quintuplets which compromised with one girl and four boys are currently receiving treatment at the  Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Peradeniya Hospital.. two of them are given  oxygen at premature baby unit due to breathing problem and one is having low birth weight,all five children are 30 weeks old when they were born Hospital doctors said.

The latest set of Quintuplets born through a Ceasarien Surgery performed by a medical team lead by Gynecologist Dr.Sisira Ranaraja.

Distribution Of Thriposha Has Become An Issue

A large number of complaints are being received by the Health Ministry these days from rural and urban areas on shortage of nutrition supplement Thriposha Powder which is distributed by government among pregnant mothers ,lactating mothers and children under the age of 5 for  free of charge .

Although the Production in the Thrposha Plant at  Kapuwatta,Ja Ela (Western Province) has increased up to 1.8 million packs per month from 894,000 packets per months in last year the inproper distribution plan of "Thriposha"implemented by the director of Nutrition Division in the  Health Ministry has caused an unusual shortage of Thriposha health ministry sources said.

The Director of Nutrition who is a lady doctor in charge of distributing Thriposha among the required groups has recommending the same number of Thriposha  packs to some districts like Colombo,Kurunagala,Hambanthota,Kandy,Madirigiriya ,Gampola and Kandy in 2009 as well as in 2014 without considering new numbers of pregnant and lactating mothers and children sources have added,.

Although the distribution of Thriposha Supplement throughout the island is not up to the standard the lady doctor who is in charge of distribution process of the supplement is taking around Rs 4500 to 6000 as transport allowance for her visits to the Thrposha Plant.

Thriposha nutritious supplement is made locally by using Maize,soya beans,Milk Powder,Minerals and Vitamins .
.

A Massive Three Day Anti Dengue Campaign To Be Launched In Western Province

A massive three day Joint anti dengue campaign will be launched tomorrow throughout the western province with the implementation of article 262 of the penal code which allows  security forces to arrest anyone without a warrant found as maintaining dengue mosquito breeding places in their backyards according to the Director of Police Environment Health Unit SSP Quintus Raymond.

While addressing a media briefing held today (02) at the Health Education Bureau in Colombo,SSP Raymond has said that although health authorities are not able to implement the said article of the penal code security officers including police officers and officers attach to tri forces who will be accompanying the health officers during house to house check in will implement it when need arise.

The three day massive anti dengue campaign which inspecting  and destroying dengue mosquito breeding places in western province will run up to 5thof July (Saturday).the aim of this campaign is to control the spreading of dengue in the province where around 60% of the total number of dengue patients reported from the island are locating.

The first massive anti dengue campaign has conducted on 20th,21st and 22nd of June this year.under the programme health and security officials will go house to house and institutions to check for
the dengue mosquito breeding places and clean breeding places if they found any. .

Dengue Deaths Are On The Increase

During this year 50 Dengue Patients have died up to now according to the Director Of Anti Dengue Campaign Dr.Hasitha Thisera.out of this number 32 dengue deaths have been reported from Colombo District and 5 deaths from Gampaha District (Both Districts belongs to the western province) Dr.Thisera has said.throughout the last year 52 dengue deaths have been reported .

The total number of dengue patients reported during first six months of this year too exceeds the number of dengue patients reported through the first ix months of last year as well he has stressed,during January to June last year(2013) 16,866 dengue patients have been reported throughout the island and the total number of patients reported this year up to now is 18,339 .around 60% out of this number have been reported from the western province it has been revealed,

Last June was the month that a large number of dengue patients have been reported this year as 5479 patients have reported when comparing to the 2427 patients reported during June 2013.

Meanwhile Epidemiologists have said that the  studies have been revealed 48%  of the dengue mosquito breeding places in Sri Lanka are empty containers like yoghurt /ice cream cups disposed to the environment by the people.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sri Lankan Cricketers Sealed Their First Test Series Win Against England

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police To Ban Religious And Ethnic Hatred Rallies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Around 200-300 Dengue Patients reported Daily Throughout the Island

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1611 Dengue Patients Have Been Reported In June

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police Curfew Was Imposed In Aluthgama And Beruwala

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heaven Located At Abayaramaya Temple With Gods And Goddesses

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


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

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

                                                                                           
          

Buddagaya Temple Converted To A Colorful Lantern

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

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

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

Adverse Weather Conditions Have Disrupted The Life In Up Country Areas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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