Railway Strike Scheduled For Today Called Off

The Railway Trade Unions have decided to called off the 48 hour Railway Strike  scheduled to be launched midnight today(28) following  discussions they had with transport authorities this morning.around 3000 railway workers including drivers,formans,station masters ,railway guards and signal controllers were to take part in this strike demanding a pay hike.

The Railways Professional Trade Union Alliance has today decided to suspend the strike following the discussions held with the secretary to Transport Ministry Dhammika Perera.

18 Low Quality Drugs Were Withdrawn From Government Hospitals During First Three Months

During first three months of this year 18  essential drugs and injections were withdrawn from Government Hospitals throughout the island as they were in low quality.Metformin,Salbutamol,Sodium Valporate are among the drugs withdrawn from hospitals according to sources.

These low quality drugs were tested at national drug quality assurance laboratory in Colombo.

175 Dengue Patients Were Reported From Colombo City In April

Around 175 dengue patients and 2 dengue deaths have been reported from Colombo City limits during month of April so far  according to Colombo chief medical officer Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasm.most of the dengue cases were reported from Borella,modara,mattakkuliya and central Colombo areas.

During first three months of this year 903 dengue patients were reported from City Of Colombo he has stressed.

Non Availability Of Essential Drugs And Issuing Of Low Quality Drugs Increased The Moratality Rate Of Non Commmunciable Diseases

A large number of  People suffering from non communicable diseases including  Diabetes and coronary heart diseases died in government hospitals due to the shortage of essential drugs and issuing of low quality drugs to them according to medical specialists.as the majority of essential drugs regularly not available in government hospitals doctors have prescribed patients to buy them in private pharmacies but due to the high cost of living condition in the country majority of these patients are not able to  purchase them specialists said.

As a result the status of their disease become worst and some are dying due to this one of the senior specialists attached to government hospital has said.due to the issuing of some low quality drugs for these patients make the situation worst he has stressed."health authorities should correct this situation and taken steps to supply essential drugs prescribed for non communicable diseases to all government hospitals and ensure that only high quality drugs will issue to the patients through pharmacies he further added.

Health Authorities Decided To Uphold The Release Of Low Quality Dhal

The Health Authorities have decided to uphold the  release of  25,000 metric tonnes of Dhal imported from Canada to the market after  it has been revealed that the stock of Dhal is contaminated with wastage.the said  stock of low quality Dhal is currently remained in Colombo Port and due to be destroyed soon according to the food control unit of Health Ministry.

The Food Control Unit has decided to take a legal action against the company which has imported the said stock of dhal according to Ministry sources.

Vehicle Registration Fees Increased By 10%

The proposed 10% increase of of vehicle registration fees due to be implemented with effect from 01st of March according to Commissioner General of Motor Traffic s.h harischandra.the commissioner has already informed all  provincial motor traffic commissioners on the increase of said fees .

The gazette notification regarding the increase of vehicle registration fees has been issued and it is due to be implemented in western province with effect from 01st of May this year.a 10% increase of vehicle registration fees is proposed through the 2013 budget proposals.

New President And Secretary Of Cricket Board Elected Uncontested

Jayantha Dharmadasa and Nishantha Ranathunge were elected for the posts of  president and secretary of Sri Lankan Cricket Board respectively this morning uncontested.the election of cricket officials scheduled to be held in 30th of March was postponed to 16th of April due to the controversy over nominations.

Earlier the nominations of MP Thilanga Sumathipala and former president of Sri Lankan Cricket Board Upali Dharmadasa to the post of president of cricket board were rejected by sports minister mahindananda aluthgamage.