Group Of Buddhist Monks To Hold "Adishtana Pooja" In Dalada Maligawa To Free Former Army Commander

A group of Buddhist Monks are to held an Addhistana Pooja( a kind of meditation) in the premises of Sacred Dalada Maligawa of Kandy today demanding the release of imprisoned Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero said.He also said that President Mahinda Rajapaksha should pardon and free the Former Army Commander as he  saved the Motherland from terrorists.

Government To Shift Grade 5 Scholorship Exam To Grade 7

Education Minister Bandula Gunewardena said today that the Government is considering to shift Grade 5 Scholoship Examination to Grade 7.He further said that this is due to the Grade 5 Scholorship Exam gives undue stress to the mind of School Children.

Opposition Leader Requests President To Release Former Army Commander

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinha today made a written appeal to President Mahinda Rajapaksha to release Imprisoned Former Army Commander General Fonseka.He made this appeal when President visited the Parliament this morning.

National Petition Signing Campaign To Release General Fonseka Began

The National Campaign for Democracy today begun a petition signing campaign in Fort.Colombo to get  release  former Army Comander Retired General Sarath Fonseka.Majority of the Opposition Parties and their leaders attended the event and signed the petition.

The leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremasinha said all political parties should act together by putting behind their differences to release General Fonseka from the prison.

Bread Price To Go Up By Rs 3

Sri Lankan Bakery Owners Association today announced that the price of a loaf of 450 grammes Bread will increased by Rs.3 with the effect from midnight tonight.With this price hike the new price of the Bread will be Rs.46.

In last Month too the Price of  Bread goes up by Rs.3.

Venerable Sobitha Thero Along With 100 Buddhist Priests To Serve Rigourous Imprisonment If Former Army Commander Released

Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero(Bhuddist Priest) yesterday urged the Government that he along with 100 Buddhist Priests are ready to serve rigourous imprisonment if the former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka is released from prison..Addresing a press briefing organized by the National Bhikku Front in Colombo yesterday Ven.Sobitha Thero said it is a sad state that a War Hero who freed the country from the terrorists is giving rigourous  Imprisonment while rapists,Drug Dealers and Criminals who were sentenced to Jail in the past were given a  pardon.

He also said that former LTTE Members  like KP,Karuna and Pillayan are now living a luxury life even they were involved of killing thousands of innocent civilians in the past.Ven.Thero also urged the Sri Lankan Public to go to the Temples and lighting lamps and evoking blessings on behalf of  Former Army Commander.

Bakery Owners To Increase Bread Prices

The price of the Bread Loaf is to be increased during next week as the Flour Suppliers increased the price of a Kilo of Wheat Flour by Rs.8.33 All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association has announced today.However the Association did not revealed the amount of the price increase yet.

Bakery Owners Association already increased the price of a Bread loaf by Rs.2 few weeks back and now the Price of a Bread stands as Rs.42.

Poster Campaign Launched By JVP Against General Fonseka's Imprisonment Blocked

A poster campaign launched today  by the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna(JVP) against the imprisonment of former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka was blocked by the Police in five areas in Colombo District JVP Media Unit has announced.According to the media unit posters pasted in Hanwella,Awissawella,Maharagama,Borella and Wellampitiya areas were confiscated and torn off by the Police and several JVP members  who involved in putting up these posters were arrested.A three wheeler used to transport the posters also taken in to custody the unit further said.

General Fonseka Will Not Ask Forgiveness -DNA General Secretary

Although Government officials announced that the President Mahinda Rajapaksha will give pardon to the Imprisoned former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka if he personally appeal to the President the General Secretary of the Democratic National Alliance(DNA) MP Vijitha Herath said today that General Fonseka will not ask forgiveness from the President as he is innocent and not committed any crime.MP Herath also said that even Public is aware that General Fonseka is innocent on the charges leveled against him.

Retired General Fonseka was brought to the Walikada Prison last night with high security after President approved the Imprisonment sentenced to him by the Second Court Martial.Even DNA Members and party supporters went to Walikada Prison this noon General Fonseka's Wife Mrs.Anoma Fonseka  and her Sister were the only ones allow to see General.

General Fonseka Brought To Walikada Prison

Former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka who was sentenced to two and half years  Imprisonment by the Second Court Martial was sent to the Walikada Prison in Colombo yesterday night around 10.30 p.m.According to the media sources there were large number of people gathered in front of the Prison Premises including the wife of General Fonseka Mrs.Anoma Fonseka and the members of the Democratic National Alliance(DNA) which General Fonseka is the leader, to witness bringing Genral Fonseka to the prison.

He  was imprisoned in Navy headquarters during the two court martial trials.President Mahinda Rajapaksha last wednesday  approved the second court martial verdict given against General fonseka on imprisonment.

Meanwhile addressing a Media Briefing General Fonseka's Wife Mrs.Anoma Fonseka said yesterday that the decision given aginst his husband will nether deterred her or her daughters and stressed that this decision will give her strength to fight for her husbands rights.

50,000 New TB Cases To Be Reported Within Next 5 Years

Medical Specialists said that during next five years 50,000 new Tuberculosis (TB) Cases will be reported from Sri Lanka.These new cases will be in the age group of 15-54 which can contributing much to the local economy they stressed.

According to the Health Sources 9118 Sri Lankans infected with TB last year and it has been estimated that 89 out of 100,000 population in Sri Lanka are infected with TB annually.One third of the Global Population and 35 percent of the South East Asian Population reported as infected with the disease.

President Approved The Imprisonment Of Former Army Commander General Fonseka

President Mahinda Rajapakshe yesterday (29)approved the Second Court Martial Verdict against the former Army Commander, Retired General Sarath Fonseka to sentenced him two and half years imprisonment.According to the Government sources President who returned to the island yesterday after attending the 65th UN Summit held  in New York sentenced him two and half years imprisonment a six month less then the Court Martial Verdict which is to sentenced General Fonseka three years of Imprisonment.

The Second Cort Martial sentenced the former Army Commander General Fonseka three years imprisonment on a charge that he was chaired the Tender Board which carried out the Purchasing of equipment to the Military while he was the Army Commander.He was earlier charged that he favored his son in law danuna thilakeratne's company the Hi cop in USA while offering the Military Equipment Tender.However the Lawyer representing the Government later denied that general Fonseka favoured his son in law during the Tender Procedings.

When the sentence implemented General Fonseka who is also a MP in the Natioanl Parliament will loose his Parliamentary Seat.According to the first Court Martial Sentence he lost his official residence,the pension entitled to his Army Commander post and the all rankings he hold while he was in Army Commander's position.

Ministry Of Health To Take Legal Action Against Ilegal Drug Companies

l  Ministry Of Health has decided to take legal action against the Drug Companies which are supplying Drugs to the local market without getting registration from the  National Drug Authority.Ministry has already identified some Drug Companies who are selling their drugs through the Generic name not registerd in the Authortiy.

Sri Lankan Teanage Pregnancy Rate Is In Rise

It has been reported that the Pregnancy rate among teanage girls in Sri Lanka is 8 percent.These Pregnancies are one of the causes for the increase of illegal Abortions in Sri Lanka according to the Medical Specialists.

According to them more than 1000 illegal Abortions are performed throughout the Country daily and most of them are performed at illegal Abortion centres through the  non medical professionals.Most of the females who go to these centres for abortion ended up at Government and Private Hospitals for treetment due to the unhygenic equipments used for the Abortions which caused bleeding doctors stressed.

Rs.8 Billion Worth Gold Jewellery Belongs To Sri Lankan Financial Freudsters Found

The Criminal Investigations Unit(CID) today found Rs.8 Billion worth of undeclared Gold Jewelery deposited in a vault of a State Bank in Colombo belongs to the Ceylinco Group Chairman Lalith Kotelawela and his wife Cicily who are Business Tycoons involved in one of the largest Financial Frauds in Sri Lanka. Both Mr.Kotelawela and his wife are charged for cheating  thousands of depositors who saved millions of Rupees for higher interest rates  in the Golden Key Private Limited run by them.

Sri Lankan Epidemeologist Suggests Annual Dengue Symposium

Sri Lankan Epidemiologist Dr.Hasitha Thissera today suggested to held Annual Dengue Symposium in the view of reviewing the Dengue situation in the Country and to take measures to controlling the disease.Speaking at the Final day session of the 10th South East Asian Scientific Sessions of the International Epidemiology Association today Dr.thissera stressed the need to develop laboratory tests for the Dengue especially the Full Blood Count test.He also said  that the disease Dengue  is having a 50 year old history .

Health Minister To Reorganize The Health Ministry

Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena said today that he decided to Reorganize the structure of the Health Ministry by  January Next Year.Speaking at an International  Seminar held in Hotel Ceylon Continental in Colombo today Minister said that he decided to reorganize the Ministry because  it's a need of the hour.

1O9 Sri Lankans Die Daily Due To Heart Diseases And Stroke

As International Heart Day falls today it has been revealed that 109 Sri Lankans die daily due to the Heart Diseases and Stroke.According to the survey carried out by the Ministry Of Health 300-350 deaths occurred daily in Sri Lanka due to non communicable diseases and out from that number 109 deaths occurred due to these two diseases.

Meanwhile Sri Lankan National Stroke Association says that Diabetes,High Blood Pressure and Mental stress are the main causes for  getting Stroke and the Stroke is likely  to become the second highest killer disease  among Sri Lankans after Heart Diseases.

Chief Government Whip Informed The Parliament On Elections Commisioner's Retirement

Government Chief Whip Minister Dinesh Gunewardene today informed the Parliament that the Elections Commissioner Mr.Dayananda Dishanayake  will allowed to relinquish his duties soon .He also revealed that the Elections Commissioner has already retired from his post with the effect from 28th of January  2002 and he remained in his post up to now up on a request to stay till the Independent Elections Commission has set up under the proposed 17th Amendment to the Constitution.

Chief Government Whip also said that the proposed Independent Elections Commission will be set up soon under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.

Opposition Parties Protested Against Blocking General Fonseka To Enter Parliament

Two opposition parties today protested  against the blocking  of the Former Army Commander and the leader  of Democratic National Alliance(DNA) MP Sarath Fonseka  by entering the Parliament  in second successive day.The Main  Opposition United National Party (UNP) and the Democratic National Alliance appealed from the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksha in Parliament today to take a necessary action on this.
 Speaker was promised them to take an action regarding  this soon.General Fonseka was not allowed to enter the Parliament yesterday too and the opposition charged that the Security Force is behind this act.

102 Essential Drugs And Injections Are Out Of Stock At Govt.Hospitals

Government Hospital Sources revealed today that around 102 essential Drug Items and Injections are out of stock at the Hospitals and the Medical Supplies Division at the moment.According to the sources Essential anti biotic  Injections Cefuroximine,Ceptacidine and Gendamicine are among the out of stock items.

Delays of the tender procedure adapted by the Health Officials in  Previous administration is found as the main cause behind this drug shortage.

Ministry Of Health To Display Drug Prices In Front Of The Hospitals

Health Ministry has decided to display the Prices of an  Essential Drugs used in Government Hospitals in front of those Hospitals with the effect from 01st  of January next year.This aim to make patients and the Health Officials aware on the Prices of an essential Drug Items according to the Ministry Of Health.

Sri Lankan President Delivered His Speech At The United Nations

Delivering his Official speech at the 65th Session of the United Nations Assembly in New York today Sri Lankan  President Mahinda Rajapaksha has said that His Government defeated the most ruthless Terrorist Organization which terrorized the Civil Society few decades and now the Country is heading towards Development.President also stressed that Sri Lanka is hoping to enter amongst the Best 30 Business Countries in the World by the year 2014.

President further said that  Sri Lanka achieved  Most of the Millennium Development Goals set up by the United Nations Organization before the deadline.

Provincial Health Ministers Warned Shortage Of Doctors May Resulted The Closure Of More Than 18 Hospitals

Several Provincial Council Health Ministers today complained to the Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena that more than 18 Provincial Council run Hospitals are to be shut down soon due to not having a Single Doctor.

Addressing a Provincial Health Minister's Forum held at the National Blood Centre in Narahenpita,Colombo this morning  the Provincial Health Minister of the North Central Province Pahala Wijerathna Bandara said that more than 10 Hospitals in his Province facing a shut down due to not having a single doctor and several other Hospitals in the Province are running through the Doctors attached to the Main Hospitals of the Province due to the lack of Doctors.

There is a severe shortage of other Medical Professionals too at the Provincial Hospitals he stressed.He also said that this situation occurred  due to the delay of approving the Cadre of Medical Professionals for  the Provincial Hospitals.Speaking in the occasion the Health Minister and the Chief Minister of the Southern Provincial Council Shan Wijayalal de Silva has said that 08 Hospitals in the Matara District of the Province also facing a shut down due to not having a single doctor.He also stressed that the Operation Theaters of the Alpitiya Base Hospital in the province which has developed with the cost of Rs.500 Million were shut down since sometime back due to the shortage of Medical Professionals.

The Provincial Health Ministers of the Sabaragamuwa and the Eastern Provincial Councils too made similar remarks on the Shortage of Medical Professionals of their Provincial Hospitals.

Meanwhile the Deputy Director General of Health Services (Medical Services)Dr.Wimal Jayantha has said that the present cadre of Doctors are enough to cater the needs of the Patient treatment in the Government Hospitals and out of the 16,171 Doctors needed for the year 2010 ,9577 doctors are to be recruited for the Provincial Council Hospitals.

At the Conclusion the Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena has urged the Provincial Health Ministers to submit a detailed report on the shortage of Medical Professionals in their Hospitals by  07th of October.

Heavy Showers To Continue Another Two Days

The Department of Meteorology has announced today that the heavy showers prevails in the Country at present will continue  for another two days with Showers in the evenings.The cause of the Heavy showers is due to the disturbance in the Lower atmosphere according to the Met Department.

Sri Lankans Abroad To Protest For General Fonseka's Release

A series of protest rallies are to be held in three European Cities in coming days with the participation of Sri Lankans abroad to urge the Sri Lankan Government to release the imprisoned former Army Commander and the leader of the Democratic National Alliance(DNA)MP, Retired General Sarath Fonseka and the upholding of democratic principles in Sri Lanka  DNA has announced.According to the party sources the first of these rallies will be held in Milan in Italy on the 26th of September and the second one in Paris on 02nd of October and the third one in Rome on 03rd of October.

General Fonseka's daughter Apsara Fonseka,the DNA Parliamentarians Arjuna Ranathunge,Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Tiran Alles are due to participate these Rallies.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress To Remained In Opposition

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress(SLMC) today announced that they will remained in the Opposition despite the support they offered the Government to passed the much debated 18th Amendment recently.SLMC has further stated that their party will support the Government on the good moves taken which will be beneficial for the General masses.

Severe Drug Shortage Hit Cancer Hospital

More than twenty Essential Cancer Drugs including an expensive Intra Venus Injections are out of stock at the Colombo National Cancer Hospital these days as thousands of Cancer Patients getting treatment from the Hospital are suffering  due to this situation.Some of the essential Intra Venus Injections that are out of stock at the Cancer Hospital are very expensive and a vial of some of these injections costs between Rs.10,000 to Rs.15,000 in the Private Sector according to the Oncologists.

Doctors at the Cancer Hospital are recommending Cancer patients to buy these out of stock drugs from Private Pharmacies according to the Hospital Sources.

DNA Apealed The Public To Protect Their Leader General Fonseka's Rights

As the Second Court Martial Found Former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka guilty for the charges on violating tender procedures when purchasing Military Equipments while he was in office The Wife of the Former Commander told media today that she will not accepted any Justice from the President regarding the Military Court's ruling over his husband.

Meanwhile the Democratic National Alliance(DNA) Leaders today appealed the Buddhist Clergy,Government and Non Governmental Organizations and the people to come forward and protect General Fonseka's rights.General Fonseka will face a maximum punishment of three years in Jail under the second court martial ruling.Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinha today appealed the President not to approve the Military Court Judgment on General Fonseka as it will affect the General's  Parliamentary rights.

UNP MP To Make Representations On Behalf Of General Fonseka

Opposition United National Party(UNP) MP Dr Jayalath Jayawardene is scheduled to make representations on behalf of the Imprisoned Former Army Commander and the leader of the Democratic National Alliance(DNA) Retired General Sarath Fonseka before the Human Right Committee for the Parliamentarians  of the Inter Parliamentary Union on 02nd of October in Geneva.

Dr.Jayawardene is invited to the Conference by the organizers.