GMOA To Strike Over Vacant Administrator Post At National Mental Health Institute

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) wants to appoint a suitable medical administrator for the  director post of National Mental Health Institute in Angoda which is vacant since last 10 years according to GMOA Spokesman Dr.Naveen De Soyza.if the health ministry has failed to appoint a suitable medical administrator for the vacant  post withing two weeks time government doctors will launched a trade union action he has stressed.

The director post at Angoda National Mental Health Institute one of the leading mental hospitals in Sri Lanka is vacant since year 2002 dr.soyza has said.

Most Of The Sri Lankans Are Prone To Non Infectious Diseases Due To Heavy Daily Consumption Of Salt

 Around 5000-6000 Sri Lankans  have died annually due to non infectious diseases like Hypertension,Heart Attacks and Stroke as a  result of heavy daily consumption of salt community physician Dr.Palitha Karunapema has revealed.according to Dr.Karunapema a Sri Lankan has consumed 16 grammes of Salt daily more than three times higher than recommended daily intake of 5 grammes of Salt per day.

Due to the heavy daily consumption  of Salt around 20-25% of Sri Lankan population has been reported as suffering  from hypertension and 38% of urban population too faced with this problem according to the latest survey conducted by Community Physicians of Sri Lanka.

Around 120,000 metric tonnes of Salt out of 150,000 metric tonnes  imported for Sri Lanka have using for human consumption he has stressed.Sri Lankans received the additional amount of Salt through pre prepared Meet ,Fish salted dried fish,various kinds of Sauces,soup cubes and fast foods like Pizza and short eats Dr.Karunapema has said.

If steps are   taken to reduced the daily consumption of salt of Sri Lankans to 5 grammes per day it will helpful to save lives of 5000-6000 people who are dying annually due to non infectious diseases as well as to reduced the risk of getting Strokes by 14% and  heart attacks by 9% community physicians said.physicians now named salt as white killer due to it's bad affects on human health.

In view of reducing the amount of salt taken by sri lankans daily, health authorities have declared this week as a national salt reduction week.

Former Chief Justice Has Asked To Appear Before Bribary Commission

Former Chief Justice Dr.Mrs.Shirani Bandaranaike was requested to appear before the commission to investigate allegations of bribery  or  corruption on 18th of March.she was requested to appear before the commission based on Parliamentary Committee's ruling  that Dr.Mrs. Bandaranaike was guilty of possession of unexplained wealth and misused of her powers which later lead her to an  impeachment on early January this year.

Former Chief Justice has denied the allegations.

Private Bus Fares To Be Increased By 7%

The Private Bus fares are due to increased by 7% with effect from 01st of April this year according to Private Bus Owners Association.however the minimum bus ticket fare of Rs.9 will be not increased the association has said.

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation To Investigate On LIOC Imported Stock Of Petrol

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation(CPC) has began a special investigation to find out  the standard of 16,000 metric tonnes of petrol imported by Lanka Indian Oil Company(LOIC) to the Tricomalee Harbor. the imported stock of petrol has arrived at Trincomalee Harbor yesterday  evening has sparked controversy on whether the stock is substandard or not according to petroleum corporation sources.

Meanwhile the trade unions have claimed that the imported stock of petrol confirmed as substandard during laboratory tests.

Severe Shortage Of Food Inspectors In Colombo Central Food Control Unit

Due to the severe shortage of Food Inspectors experienced by Central Food Control Unit of Colombo Public Health Department the inspection of food outlets and hotels withing Colombo Municipal Area not functioning at the moment according to Chief MOH Of Colombo City Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam.there's only one food inspector remained at the unit right now as 11 out of 12 required food inspectors worked there retired from their services in recent months  he has stressed.


Colombo Health Department has already trained 3 food inspectors but still the authorities not able to appoint them to the food control unit to avoid shortage it has been reported.

Asian Athletics Association Shifted Asian Grand Prix Tournament To Colombo

The Asian Athletics Association has decided to shift the third leg of Asian Grand Prix Athletics Tournament scheduled to be held in Chennai India on 12th of May to Sri Lankan Capitol Colombo due to the anti Sri Lankan Campaign launched  by some of the leading Politicians in Tamil Nadu these days.

Earlier Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalitha has instructed sports authorities in Chennai not to allow any Sri Lankan Athlete to participate this event earlier planned to be held in Chennai.however Asian Athletic Association has   denied to accept  her order and decided to move the championships to Colombo.

Meanwhile Indian Athletic Federation has now trying to shift this tournament to another venue in India according to indian media reports.