Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners Called Off Their Scheduled Strike

The Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners Association has called off their planned two day  strike scheduled on today (09) and tomorrow(10) after the authorities have agreed to increase their fee rates as requested  the association has announced.


During the discussion held between   Petroleum Minister and Private Bowser Owners Association yesterday the minister has agreed to met their demand.

Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners to Resort Trade Union Action In Next Two Days

The Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners Association has threatening to  resort to trade union action on 09th (tomorrow) and 10th of April if their demand on increasing fee rates are not met by  Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) soon.According to Association they are going to suspend transporting of  fuel on those days if the demand is not met by then.

The secretary of the Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners Association Shantha Silva has said that following the recent fuel price increase their association had requested the CPC to increase their fees .But still not received a response from them he said.

If the demand is not met by the authorities in time ] 600 bowsers under the association will suspend the transporting of fuel on 09th and 10th of April as scheduled he stressed.

UPDATE-Health Services Trade Union Alliance Alleged Rs One Billion Financial Fraud During Purchasing Of Gloves

The Health Services Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA)has alleged that around One Billion Rupees financial fraud was occurred during purchasing of Normal and Surgical Gloves for Government Hospitals  last year (2011).According to the President of HSTUA Saman Rathnapriya around 0.95 billion rupees had spent for purchasing of these gloves for the hospitals in year 2010 and that amount has  increased to Rs.2 billion rupees last year due to the said fraud  he stressed.


This financial fraud was occurred during local purchasing of Gloves by violating normal tender procedure he had revealed.Although the tender of purchasing gloves for government hospitals has been awarded to a particular drug company last year they do not supplied the required gloves properly to the hospitals but supplied them to same hospitals through local purchasing system for higher prices ratnapriya has stressed.




Therefor the Alliance wants Health Ministry to probe in this huge financial fraud and bring those responsible for the fraud in to justice he said.The Health Services Trade Unions Alliance had  handed over a written appeal  on 29th of March to the Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena on this regard he further said.

An Essential Injection "Erythroprotien"Out Of Stock In Govt.Hospitals

An essential Injection "Erythroprotien" which has prescribed  for  Patients with Kidney Infections is out of stock at the moment in both Government Hospitals and Medical Supplies Division(MSD) according to Medical Sources.The said injection is very expensive in the private sector as one injection vial will cost more than Rs.3000 according to sources.

The Medical Supplies Division has already make an order to import the  said injections under the recommendations of Government Hospital Consultants it has been reported.

Live Debate On Whether Rs.7500 Is Enough For A 3 Member Family To Survive One Month

The Much awaited debate on Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena's claim that under present living conditions  Rs.7500 is enough for a family of 3 persons (Rs.2500 per person)to survive for one month by taking three meals per day is to be held tonight (03) live at a local private T.V Station in Colombo.Education Minister him self with Opposition MP Ravi Karaunanayake scheduled to participate this live debate which will be telecast over Derana T.V tonight from 9.45 p.m on wards.

After Minister Gunawardena has stated Rs.7500 is enough for a family of 3 to survive one month period several people including intellectuals,Opposition MP's  and ordinary people in the country  criticized the minister by saying under present living conditions it  is impossible for a family to live with the mentioned sum of  money for one month.As criticisms on his statement began to flow in Minister Gunawardena said he is ready to debate on the issue with anyone who have passed A/Levels with Economics and has a degree on the subject.

Three persons including the leader of New Leftist Front Dr.Wickramabahu Karunaratne,MP of Leftist JVP Sunil Handunetti and Opposition UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake were expressed their willingness to take the minster's challenge to debate on the issue .However Minister has selected Opposition MP Karunanayake to debate with him on the issue.

Government Hospital PSM'S To Resume Their Suspended TU Action By Next Week

The Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine had decided to resume their suspended trade union action withing next week if the health ministry has not given solutions for  their 10 service demands before  this Thursday (05th) a spokesmen to the council has said.

According to the spokesman the Joint Council had already informed this decision to the Ministry Of Health via a letter on Saturday (31st of March).The Executive Committee of the Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To The Medicine had unanimously decided to resume the trade union action which they have suspended two weeks back due to a court enjoining order.The enjoining order issued by Colombo District Court preventing Government Hospital Professions Supplementary To Medicine (PSM'S) by involve in continuous strike ended last Saturday.

Prices Of Cigarettes And Taxes On Liquor Increased

The prices of all brand of Cigarettes and taxes on all liquor products have been increased with immediate effect according to government sources.

Under this, prices of all Cigarettes will be increased by Rs.1 and Taxes imposed on imported and local liquor are increased by Rs.5 to 60 per liter  .The tax on imported Beer is increased by Rs.50 per liter while Tax on locally made Beer  by Rs.5 per liter.Tax on Hard Liquor is to be increased by Rs.60 per liter the sources added.