Priavte Buses To Launch An Island Wide Strike After 15th Of February?

The private bus owners association has decided to launch an island wide strike without prior notice after 15th of february if the government failed to grant a price hike in bus fares else some kind of concession according to president of private bus owners association gamunu wijerathne.

Due to the  rising of fuel and motor spare part prices private bus owners needs  some kind of concession to avoid income loss he has stressed.

Supreme Court To Appoint A Fuller Bench On Case Of Chief Justice

The supreme court has today(06) decided to refer the case on challenging the appointment of Mohan Pieris as  chief justice to a fuller bench.supreme court has decided to appoint more than three judges to the fuller bench on this case according to the article 132(3) 11 of the constitution.

The case is scheduled to be summoned on 05th of March.

Medical Administrators Engaged In Private Practice Are In Increase

Around 25 Medical Administrators  are  reported as doing priavte parctice which is prohibited for them through a health ministry circular.a majority of these administrators are from southern province while some are attached to the health department sources added.

Some medical adminsitrators are reported as using their official vehicles for the  private parctice sources further said.

A Large Number Of Medical Officers Not Able To Apply For Annual Transfers ?.

Over 4000 medical officers island wide who are in the annual transfer list issued by the Ministry Of Health are facing severe difficulties due to the short period of time  given to them by  authorities to send applications.usually around  two month period has allocated 10 days are given for sending applications which is not enough at all according to provincial medical officers.

According to Helath Ministry Web Site medical officers entitled to this years's annual transfers should send their filled online applications by today(01) and a copy of that on line applciation should be  posted to the minsitry on or before 06th of February.however it's not possible for all medical officers to send these applications on line during the given period due to the lack of inernet facilities rural areas are having medical officers stressed.

A large number of medical offcers have phoned to the ministry today (01)and criticized the short period of time given to them for applying annual tarnsfers.

Severe Drug Shortage In Pharmacies

More than 200 medicinal drugs including life saving drugs are out of stock in both government and private pharmacies throughout the island these days causing severe hardships for patients purchasing drugs from pharmacies it has been reported.according to sources some of these out of stock drugs are not even available in government hospitals these days.

Due to the delay of supplying these out of stock drugs to pharmacies the drug shortage has become worse  pharmacists said.the available variety of drugs too are in  short supply.

Surgeries Postponed Due To Non Availability Of Schools For Doctors Children

Around 100 surgeries and 200-250 clinical checkups in government hospitals have been postponed today (28) due to the absense of some 200 MBBS Doctors including around 25 consultant surgeons who were gathered Colombo this noon to discuss on non availability of schools for their children.these doctors representing government hospitals in 11 districts hold a special discussion with Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) members on this issue.

Minor Cabinet Reshuffle Added Five New Ministers To The Cabinet

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakshe has made a minor Cabinet Reshuffle today(28) with ten  Cabinet Ministers,Six Deputy Ministers and two project ministers were sworn in at Temple Treas.Ministereal Posts of Power and Energy,Enviornment ,Investment Promotions,Eduction and Petroleum were changed and Parliamentarians  Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena,Jayaratne Herath ,Duminda Dissanayake ,Basir Segu Daud and Vijith Vijayamuni Soysa were newly appointed Ministers to the Cabinet.

The newly appointed ministers,deputy ministers and project ministers are as follows.


Ministers-
Susil Premajayantha – Environment and Renewable Energy Minister
Patali Champika Ranwaka – Technology, Research and Atomic Energy Minister
Pavithra Wanniarachchi – Power and Energy Minister
Anura Priyadarshana Yapa - Petroleum Industries Minister
Lakshman Seneviratne – Sugar Industries Minister
Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena – Investment Promotion Minister
Jayaratne Herath – Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation
Duminda Dissanayake – Educational Service Minister
Basir Segu Daud - Productivity Promotion Minister
Vijith Vijayamuni Soysa - Wildlife Conservation Minister

Deputy Ministers-
S.M. Chandrasena – Economic Development Deputy Minister
Susantha Punchinilame – Economic Development Deputy Minister
Faizer Mustapha – Investment Promotion Deputy Minister
M.L.A.M. Hizbullah – Economic Development Deputy Minister
A.R.M. Abdul Kader – Environment and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister
Sarath Kumara Gunaratne - Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Deputy Minister


Project Ministers-
Rohitha Abeygunawardena – Ports and Highways
Nirmala Kothalawala – Ports and Highway