National Cancer Control Programme To Oppose First Ever Are ca nut Factory In The Country

The national cancer control programme  has decided to oppose the  inaugurating  of first ever areca nut factory in Sri Lanka due to cancerous substance found in areca nuts, community physician attach to cancer control programme  Dr.Hemantha Amarasinha  has said.A proposal regarding inaugurating  of the said factory has been submitted to cabinet some time back dr.amarasinha added.

As areca nuts have proven as including substance caused oral cancer national cancer control programme had appealed to ministry of health to intervene in to this matter and pressurizing government to remove this proposal with immediate effect he stressed. Chewing of areca nuts is known as  one of the main causes for oral cancer.

According to cancer control programme India has now facing  oral cancer threat due to opening of 1000 areca nut factories throughout the country.Areca nuts are used when chewing betel leaves.

Oral Cancer Among Youth Is On Increae

Oral Cancer among Sri Lankan youth is on increase according to consultant attached to National Cancer Control Programme Dr.Hemantha Amarasinha.Chewing of betel leaves and are co nuts ,smoking and addiction  to liquor are identified as major risk factors that lead to oral cancer here.


Dr.Amarasinha has said that oral cancer is the number one cancer among sri lankan males while 6th  major cancer among females.even small children too are getting oral cancer he stressed.for an example a two and half year old child was became positive for oral cancer due to chewing of are co nut dr.amarasinha has said.

According to latest statistics available around 34 %  of Sri Lankan adult and youth population  addicted to chewing of betel leaves and majority are belongs to the age group of 35-44.

Four Provincial Councillors Lost Their Party Membership Of SLFP?

The Governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) has cancelled the party membership of 4 of their Provincial Councilors who are charged for rape and crimes with immediate effect the party sources said.There was a heated debate in  the country during last few weeks on  misbehavior of these accused Councillors.

The provincial Councillors who lost their party membership are Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman W.P. Sampath Chandrapushpa, Tangalle Municipal Council Member B.L. Anjana Kusum Ruwan, Akuressa Provincial Council Chairman S.H. Sunil and Akuressa Provincial Council Deputy Chairman Munidasa Gamage.

1500-2000 Oral Cancer Patients Reported Annually From Sri Lanka

Around 1500 to 2000 Oral Cancer Patients have been reported annually in Sri Lanka and daily 2 patients are dying due to this disease according to Oncologists.The main risk factors caused oral cancer in Sri Lanka are identified as Chewing Betel Leaves,Smoking and Liquor.

Oral Cancers among males are in increase in the country Oncologists have warned.According to them to avoid getting this cancer people should refrain from above risk factors.

GMOA Has Cleared Allegations Leveled Against Director General Of Helath services

Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has today (24) announced no fraudulent activity has occurred during purchasing of Rs.182 million worth surgical equipment to government hospitals as charged by some health trade unions.This was revealed after a special inquiry conducted by three member committee appointed by Executive Committee of GMOA the assistant secretary of the union Dr.Nalin Ariyaratne has said.

Addressing a special media briefing held in GMOA Office in Colombo Dr.Ariyaratne has said the three member committee has revealed  that tender procedure adapted for purchasing of above surgical equipment had met  required standards.

The Health Services Trade Union Alliance and few Health Ministry Officials have been involved in a mud slinging campaign against Director General Of Health Services(DGHS) Dr.Ajith Mendis by stating he should responsible for Fraud and irregular activities occurred when purchasing of Surgical equipment mentioned above.However some of the Powerful health trade unions including government medical officers association and public services nurses union convey their support to  DGHS on this issue.

"As DGHS is due to received a service extension before retiring from service on 06th of August this year some trade unions are trying to prevent his re appointment by slinging mud against him over fraudulent activities he has never committed" says a spokesman of 24 union Health Services Trade Union Confederation.

Meanwhile Health Ministry  Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake had  sent a letter to presidential secretary Mr.Lalith Weeratunge by stating that no fraudulent activity has occurred during purchasing of above equipment according to the initial investigations carried out  by Ministry's Special Investigations Unit.

Health Services Trade Union Confederation Invites Trade Union Alliance For A Debate

The president of Health Services Trade Union Confederation Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero has make an open invitation to leaders of Health Services Trade Union Alliance and it's allies for an open debate on  Rs.182 million corrupt deal  which the alliance said as occurred during purchasing of surgical equipment to government hospitals.

According to Muruththettuwe Thero those who are charged that there's a corrupt deal during purchasing of above equipment should come for the debate and try to prove that  without slinging mud on others.

Northern Provincial Government Docs To Strike Tomorrow(24)

Government Hospital Doctors in Northern Province are to launch an one day token strike tomorrow (24)morning requesting solutions for two demands according to Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA).A spokesman of GMOA has stated that Northern Province doctors are launching this strike by demanding immediate transfer to Jaffna Hospital director and conduct an inquiry on death threats received by doctor in Jaffna Hospital.

The one day token strike scheduled to be launched at 8 a.m tomorrow will continue till 8 a.m on Wednesday the spokesman stressed.Around 1000 doctors attached to 100 hospitals in the province will participate this strike GMOA sources said.