Voting Began In Three Provincial Council Elections

The voting to elect 108 members for the North Central,Eastern and Sabaragamuwa provincial councils are currently been progressed amidst few incidents.According to elections department sources the voting began 7 a.m this morning and will be concluded in 4 p.m this evening.the voters turnout reported as very low comparing to previously held provincial council elections.

Around 3073 candidates are contesting for the 108 seats in these three  provincial councils.

Patient Care Services In Provincial Hospitals Paralyzed Due To Delay Of Transfers

 The health services provided from provincial hospitals are  paralyzed due to  non implementing annual transfers of 6000 medical officers and 4 provincial health service directors according to government medical officers union (GMOA).If the authorities have not taken steps to intervene this matter and solving it withing next two weeks government doctors have  decided to launch a stern trade action GMOA sources said.

Due to laziness of some of the health officials ,these transfers are not implemented as yet sources added.

Tamil Community In Colombo Protested In Front Of Indian Emabassy

A large number of people mainly Tamil Community work in Colombo fort area today (06) have marched towards the Indian Embassy in Colombo and hold a protest campaign there against attack on Sri Lankan Pilgrims at Tamil Nadu.The protestors also handed over a petition against attack on Sri Lankan Pilgrims to the Indian High Commissioner.

Meanwhile due to this protest most of the shops in fort area were closed and a huge traffic was created in Galle Road in Col petty Area.

Chinese National Arrested For Swallowing Rs.1.8 Million Diamond

A Chinese national who has swallowed Rs.1.8 million worth diamond exhibited in a gem exhibition in Colombo got arrested by police today(05).The suspect who was alleged as swallowed the diamond was now in police custody.

The suspect came to see the gem exhibition held at Banadaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall(BMICH) these days with a fellow Chinese national and he  suddenly swallowed the diamond exhibited there sources added.soon after witnessing his act a businessman there informed this to police officers which lead to his arrest sources added.National Gem and Jewellery Authority has organized this exhibition.

Sri Lankan Group Of Pilgrims Was Attacked In Tamil Nadu-Nine Attackers Got Arrested

Seven buses carrying  pilgrims compromising 180 Sri Lankan nationals  to Trichy Air Port in Tamil Nadu State were  attacked this evening  by an activists belongs to a group called  Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam with pro-LTTE leanings.This is the second time that this group of pilgrims was attacked as the buses they traveled to Velankanni Christian Shrine near nagapattinam were blocked by   the same group yesterday (03).

Due to the harassment faced Sri Lankan pilgrims compromising 75 women and 36 children  were immediately taken to the Trichy Air Port by Sri Lankan embassy in Chennai today to send them back to Sri Lanka.However the said group stoned and attacked the seven buses and due to this Some Sri Lankans have received minor injuries according to reports.several buses got damaged during the incident and police arrested nine of the activists who attacked buses according to  Indian Media Reports.

Meanwhile Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry here has confirmed that no one in pilgrims hurt due to the said attack and they will arrive home safely.Ministry had earlier requested Sri Lankans who are visiting Tamil Nadu to be in alert over their safety as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalitha Jayram as well as some racist groups in the state made some anti Sri Lankan statements during last few days.Jayalalitha has yesterday requested state officials to send two Sri Lankan school soccer teams visiting Tamil Nadu back to Sri Lanka.

  

Supreme Court Recommended Authorities To Enrolled Additional Students To Universities

The supreme court has today (03) recommended education authorities to enrolled 4928 additional students to universities as a solution for A/L Z score issue per proposed by university grants commission(UGC).UGC has proposed four solutions regarding  Z score issue to the supreme court and the court has selected above solution as suitable one.

Meanwhile a fundamental rights case filed by 33 A/Level students against injustice they have faced due to Z score was taken up before three member bench headed by chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

74 Quality Failed Drugs And Surgicals Removed From Government Hospitals This Year

Around 74  drug and surgical items distributed among government hospitals island wide were removed after they were proven low in quality during last 08 months of this year it has been revealed.The removed list of low quality drug and surgical s includes Amoxacillin, lignocane hydrochloride gel.ultrasound transmission gel and anti venom serum  according to national drug authority sources.

Meanwhile president of professor senaka bibile memorial committee Dr.Jayantha Bandara has said that these low quality drugs still use in government hospitals although they have instructed to be removed from hospitals with immediate effect.  replying to this allegation of dr.bandara medical supplies division has said that they have instructed all government hospital directors and provincial health authorities to remove all those low quality drugs through a special circulars and it's their duty to act accordingly.

Most of those drugs and surgical s  have been instructed to remove during month of August.