11 Sri Lankans Who Tried To Flee To Australia Got Arrested

Around 11 Sri Lankans were arrested at a lodge in Puttalam in North Western Province this morning as they were allegedly preparing to sail to Australia illegally Police sources said.Those who arrested are suspected as asylum seekers and some of them had told Police during  questioning that  they have paid around Rs.200,000 for alleged human traffickers who organized this illegal tour.

Sri Lanka Has Been Removed From UN "List Of Shame"

Sri Lanka has been removed from" list of shame' in UN Secretary Ban Ki Moon's Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict during 2011 it has been stated.Announcing the omission  UN Special Representative for Children And Armed Conflict Mrs.Radhika Kumaraswamy has said that removal came after Sri Lanka's successful completion of UN Security Council mandated action plans to end the recruitment and use of Children.

US Administration Exempted Seven Countries Including Sri Lanka From Iran Oil Based Economic Sanctions

The US Administration had last Monday exempted Seven  nations including Sri Lanka from economic sanctions after they have reduced oil imports from Iran.The seven countries exempted from economic sanctions are Sri Lanka,India ,South Korea,Taiwan ,Turkey Malaysia and South Africa.

While stating on this decision US Secretary Of State Hilary Rodham Clinton has said that lifting economic sanctions means that the banks and financial institutions of these countries won't be hit with penalties under US Law for a renewable 180 day period.According to US Secretary Clinton exemptions are proof that sanctions aimed at pressurizing Iran to come clean on their nuclear programme.

Short Supply Of Drugs To Government Hospitals?

There is a short supply in most of the essential medicinal drugs supplying  to Government Hospitals according to hospital sources.Due to this situation a patient who had received drugs for one month period previously will now only have received drugs required for two week period at once sources have added.The patient will receiving  remaining  drugs after drugs in possession are over.

Meanwhile essential drugs like Metformin,Atovastatine and Erithroprotien Injections 2000 iv are out of stock in many government hospitals it has been reported.

Strong Winds Damaged 46 Houses In Colombo

The  strong Winds which come  across this morning towards  Wellawatta and Dehiwala areas in Colombo have damaged around 46 houses in the area including the roof of fraud Investigations division of Wellawatta Police according to Disaster Management Center(DMC).

One Police Constable was injured  due to the falling of roof and admitted to Kalubowila Teaching Hospital for further  treatment DMC  sources have said.

Two Employees Attached To National Mental Health Institute affected With H1N1

Two employees attached to National Mental Health Institute at Angoda were identified as infected with  H1N1 (Swine Flu) according to health sources.Infected employees were transferred to Fever Hospital at IDH for further treatment sources added.

The two employees along with few others worked at ward 9 of the mental health institute suddenly fell sick during last few days and through a blood test the said employees identified as H1N1 Positives.The Ward 9 where these employees have worked was temporarily shut down since last Tuesday (07) as a precautionary measure.

Hambanthota Sea Port Began Commercial Operations

Sri Lanka's second largest Sea Port the Hambantota Sea Port began their commercial operations today (06th) by handling  a large shipment of 1000 Cars arrived from Chennai ,India this morning.The vessel "Asian Sun" carrying the shipment of Cars berthed at Hambanthota Port the sources added.

The first phase of constructing the port was completed with cost of  USD 360 million and was formally opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksha on November 2010.The second phase is expected to be finished by the year 2014 with cost of an additional  USD750 million.