Sri Lanka Went Through An Eight Hour Black Out

Sri Lanka had Experienced an 8 Hour long sudden Island wide Powercut and a Water Cut in some areas since early this morning due to a Technical Fault of  the Kelanithissa Power Plant in Colombo which is the Main Power Plant in the Island.Although the Ceylon Electricity Board restored the Electricity in the most parts of the Island by this Noon several Areas still without the Electricity and Water and Most of the Government Hospitals affected due to the  Water Cut.

Knady General Hospital in the Hill Country and the Polonnaruwa Base Hospital in North Central Province are the worst affected from this crisis as the Authorities forced to restrict the Surgeries perform in these Hospitals due to lack of Water.Even these Hospitals managed to continue their services without Electricity due to the Generators Thr Water Cut preventing the Normal Functioning of  Surgeries According to the Hospital Sources.Major Surgeries including the Bypass Surgeries were temporarily suspended from this morning at the Kandy General Hospital  and most of the Surgeries redtricted at the Polonnaeuwa Hospital too according to the Sources.

Meanwhile The Kalubowila Teaching Hospital too faced a Water Shortage this morning due to the Power Failure however things were  returned to normal as their Water Supply maintained by this noon.Almost all other State and Private Hospital  activities are functioning normal with the help of the Generatrors.

Pakistani Investigation Team In Sri Lanka To Probe Lahore Attack

A Pakistani Investigations Team arrived Sri Lanka to probe on the Sri Lankan Elements who were involved in the Terrorist Attack on Sri Lankan Cricket Team in Lahore on 3rd of March this year.According to the Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik the Team will inquire on whether there are Sri Lankan Links which involved in this attack.

The Invesitigations Team is due to stay in the Island for Two Weaks as the Duration of the Trip may have extended Minister stressed.Eight Persons were killed and 20 People including several key Sri Lankan Cricketers  got injured due to the Terrorist attack..

State Of Emergancy Extended For Another Month

The State Of Emergancy was extended for another Month by the Parliament this Evening with a Majority of 70 Votes While 82 Members were  Voted for the Emergancy and 12 Voted against it.The Main Opposition United National Party(UNP) was abstained from Voting and the Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) was not present at the time vote was taken.

300 IDP Families Released From The Camps

Around 300 IDP Families  including a Number of Expectent Mothers stayed at Settikulam Camp in Vavuniya were released this Morning.According to the Authorities out of the released IDP'S 275 were from Jafna District and the rest belongs to the Districts of Kilinochchi and Mulativue.

Severe Under Nutrition Status Of IDP Children Reduced

The Severe Under Nutrition Status of the Children under 5 years of age of the IDP Camps in the Manikfarm of Vavuniya District are reduced by 33 Percent during the  Five Month Period of May to September this Year according to the Dr.Firdosi Rustom the Residential Representative of WHO in Sri Lanka.The Reduction  of the Under Nutrition Level was achieved thanks to the Nutrition Programmes implemented by the Ministry Of Health in collaboration with the Family Health Bureau,The UNICEF and The World Food Programme Dr Rustom stressed.

He made these remarks during a Press Briefing held at the Health Ministry this evening.The UNICEF has granted a Sum of 2 Million US Dollers for the Nutrion Programme implemented for IDP Children in the North.

Elections Commissioner To Strict Over The Violation Of Election Rules

Sri Lankan Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayaka today said that there is a possibility of canceling the Polling at two Areas in The Hambanthota District on this Saturday's Southern Provincial Council Elections if the Authorities are not removing  the Election Posters and Cutouts immediately.Using of Election Posters and Cut Outs prior to an Election is  Banned by the Elections Commissioner.

Meanwhile Election Rallies  related to  the forthcoming Southern Provincial Councils which is to be held on this Saturday are due to end from Midnight tonight.

Health Ministry To Use BTI Bacteria For Three Dengue Risk Areas

Ministry Of Health is planning to use BTI Bacteria which use to kill   Dengue Lavae to the three Dengue prone areas in Sri Lanka  through Domestic Application and Aerial Spray.The Three identified Dengue Prone areas are Akurana,Kandy and Gampola in the Hill Country.

The proposed plan of using BTI Bacteria to curb Dengue Menace in the Country is already submitted to the Cabinat and waiting for an approval.The total estimated cost for using BTI Bacteria for the three risky areas identified is Rs 188.14 Million and it covers around 62,700 Houses in these areas.

The Domestic Application of the Bacteria will implemented in Mahanuwara and Gampola Areas and the both Aerial Spraying of Bacteria and Domestic Application will be launched in the Akurana Area.Addressing a Press Briefing to announce the using of the BTI Bacteria to the National Dengue Control Programme, The Deputy Director Gerneral Of Health Services (Public Health) Dr.P.Mahipala said to use the Aerial Spray  to the Akurana Area alone will cost the Government Rs.80.27 Million.BTI Bacteria is to be use in three identified areas for a period of one year and after reviewing it's success it will be used for other Dengue Risk Areas as well he stressed.