"Glaucoma" Identified As The Major Cause Of Blindness In Sri Lanka

Out of the total number of Blind Population  in Sri Lanka 13 to 14 percent got blinded due to the eye disorder "Glaucoma" according to the Ophthalmologist Dr.Mrs.Muditha Kulatunga.The age group of Over 60 years  in Sri Lanka is more prone  of getting Glaucoma which has been described as  the "Silent Thief of Sight" due to the sudden blindness it caused  Dr.Kulatunga has stressed.

To avoid of getting the disease the age group of over 60 years should under go a Eye Test in every six months and the people of less then 60 years should under go a Eye Test at least once in every two years she has further added.According to Dr.Kulatunga if parents are having the Glaucoma the chance of their children getting the disease is 5 times higher then a normal person and those people whose blood relatives having Glaucoma are having 9 times higher chance  of getting the disease.

Speaking at  a Media Seminar held in Colombo this morning on "The International  Glaucoma Week" declared between 06th of March to 12th of March 2011, Dr,Kulatunga has said to mark the International Glaucoma Week"Colombo National Eye Hospital is launched a series of programmes to educate the people throught the Island on Glaucoma in collaboration with vision 2020 secretariat and the Sight Savers International ..A free eye testing camp for public is due to  be held in the Eye Hospital On  12th of March ,the final day of the Glaucoma week.

According to the statistics around 5 million people world wide are currently living with blindness due to the Glaucoma and this number is expected to rise by the year 2020 to 11.2 million.

Around 33 Displaced People Left To Be Re Settled In Jaffna

According to the Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya at the moment only 33 displaced  people belongs to Nine Families left  to be re settled in Jaffna Peninsula (Northern Sri Lanka).A Large number of Families lived in Refugee Camps are already settled in their home towns according to the Lieutenant Jayasuriya.

The De-Mining process carried out by the Army Engineers is already concluded the Army Commander has stressed.

Vehicle Of TNA MP Was Attacked

An unidentified Group attacked The Vehicle of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP of Jaffna S.Shritharan with a Grenade this evening   Anuradhapaura and Nochchiyagama areas ( Both in North Central Province) while he is returning to Colombo after visiting the North.

According to the TNA Party sources although the vehicle was damaged due to the attack MP Sritharan and his Security Personal were escaped without hurt.


 

Two Essential Injections Are Out Of Stock In State Hospitals And Pharmacies

It has been reported that two injections one using for "By Pass" Surgery and other one for Anesthesia are out of stock these days in State Hospitals as well as in Private pharmacies.The injection "Gentamycin" which is use for By Pass Surgeries are out of stock in State Hospitals and In Pharmacies since three months and and important Anesthetic Injection using for all surgeries  "Thiopentone Sodium" is out of stock in State Hospitals from sometime.
Besides the shortage of these injections State Hospitals are currently facing shortage of  essential drugs like "Metformine","Piriton"Paracetamol","Aludrox" and "Aspirin".Due to the shortage hospital doctors are prescribing patients to buy these drugs from Private Pharmacies.

Four Essential Drugs Are Out Of Stock In State Hospitals

Four essential drugs including the drug prescribed for Diabetes Patients to reduced blood sugar level "Metformin"are out of stock these days in most State Hospitals according to the Hospital Sources.The out of stock drug items are "Metformin","paracetamol","Penicillin" and "Piriton" according to the sources.

Both Out door(OPD) and Indoor departments in most of the State Hospitals not having these drugs from weeks according to the Pharmacists.Due to the shortage Government Hospital Doctors are prescribing patients to buy these drugs from private pharmacies they stressed.

DNA Nominated A Replacement For General Fonseka's Vacant Parliamentary Seat

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) today has  nominated their member Mr.Jayantha Katagoda to fill the vacant parliamentary seat of the DNA leader Retired General Sarath Fonseka who is now in prison.This decision was taken unanimously during the DNA Party meeting held today(05th) according to the Party Sources.

In previous occasion the member of the DNA Party Lakshaman Nipunaarachchi who received the second highest number of preferential votes after General Fonseka at the parliament elections for the Colombo District was named to fill the  Vacant Parliamentary seat of General however he refused to accept the offer even though his name was gazetted as the replacement.



According to the DNA even newly replaced Mr.Katagoda who received the third highest preferential votes for Colombo District refused to accept the offer the Part has unanimously decided that he should accept it.DNA also stated although the vacant parliamentary seat of General Fonseka filled with another one the party still believes the seat is belongs to General Fonseka who secured highest number of preferential votes for Colombo District during last parliamentary elections.Newly appointed Mr.Katagoda is scheduled to be sworn in as a MP before the Speaker on 08th of March.

Sri Lanka Vs Australia Match Was Abandoned Due To Heavy Showers

The ICC World Cup Cricket Match played between Sri Lanka and Australia which under way at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo was abandoned due to heavy showers fell to the grounds this evening and both the teams awarded one point each as the match ended with no result.

At the time when  the match was stopped Sri Lanka who elected to bat first after winning the toss  scored 146 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 32.5 overs with Skipper Kumar Sanagakkara 73 not out and Thilan Samaraweera 34 not out.

After elected to bat first  in a pitch favorable for batting Sri Lanka was badly placed when they lost their two openers Thilakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga for low scores.Former skipper Mahela Jayawardena's was run out at a time when he and skipper sangakakra tried to accelerate the Sri Lankan Scoreboard.However after Mahela's run out All Rounder Thilan Samaraweera joined with Sangakkara and put a valuable partnership to taken the Sri Lanka's score to 146 till  rain interrupted the play.

The Match which is a day night match declared as abandoned after the two referees inspected the pitch and the rainy condition .Due to the two teams awarded with one point each Both Sri Lanka and Australia now having 5 points each as Sri Lanka placed 2nd in their group "A" and the Aussies placed 3rd in the group.

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