Sinhala And Hindu New Year Falls Today

Sinhalese and Hindus here and abroad celebrated their traditional New Year today (14th)  with traditional sweet meets and religious events.According to the astrology The new year dawn was at 1.06 p.m today marking the moving of the sun from Aries sign to Pisces which occurred once a year.At that time all Sinhalese and Hindus cooked Milk Rice and ate it along with other traditional sweet meets at the auspicious time 3.18 p.m.

As almost majority of the Sri Lankan people prepared milk rice and ate at a given time the festival brings solidarity and brotherhood among neighbors too as they exchanged the prepared food among them selves during this day.

"WISHING ALL MY BLOG READERS A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS SINHALA AND HINDU NEW YEAR"

Sri Lankan Sports Authorities Ordered The National Cricketers Who Are Attending Indian Premier League Tournment To Returned To The Country Before 05th Of May

Sri Lankan Sports Authorities on Tuesday have ordered all the National Cricketers who are representing the National Cricket Team who are now attending the lucrative Indian Premier League Cricket Tournament in India to return home at least on 05th of May to attending practice sessions ahead of the National Team's tour of England begins on 10th of May.

Altogether 11 National Sri Lankan Cricketers including the resigned Captain of  the Sri Lankan Team Kumar Sangakkara and his Deputy Mahela Jayawardena are currently playing for the IPL Tournament which is running up to 28th of May. However this order will not applied for the Ace Spinner  Mutttaia Muralideran who was already  retired from all forms of cricket except 20-20 ODI 's and attending the IPL as well.

The Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has said that he wants the National Cricketers to prioritize the national side over the lucrative IPL which is paying millions of dollars to the players.The Sports Ministry has decided to introduce new law that give permission for the National Players to play foreign tournaments that will not affect the  the official fixtures of National Cricket Team.

However the Ministry has not said how can they penalized the Players who are failed to attend Match Practices as required but it has learn t that those players likely to be dropped from the side.Sri Lankan National Cricket Team is due to leave for England on 10th of May for a Two Month Test and ODI Series.

Roof Of The Mahamodara Hospital ICU Collapsed

A roof of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)of Mahamodara Teaching Hospital one of the major hospitals in Southern Province was collapsed on last Sunday causing minor injuries to a Doctor worked at the unit according to the hospital sources.

The roof of the ICU was around 100 years old and this is the second time the roof was collapsed during this year sources added.The said roof was collapsed a month a go too and authorities repaired the roof at that time.

UN Special Committee To Hand Over Alleged War Crimes Report Against Sri Lanka

The United Nations special committee appointed to inquire on alleged  war crimes against Sri Lanka is due to hand over their report to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon today according to the foreign media reports.

However the media reports said that the report will not made public at that time ,perhaps it never will.UN Secretary General appointed a special panel last year to inquire on alleged war crimes against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan President Officially Decalred The Standard Time Of Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha has officially inaugurated the www.sltime.org few hours ago which displaying the official standard time of Sri Lanka.

After innaugurating the web site at his official residence the temple trees the president has stated that it will be mandatory to display this time as the official time of Sri Lanka.A special gazette notification authorizing the standard time is due to issue soon.

Public Warned Against Consuming Soft Drink Bottles Stored Out Side

The Colombo Public Health Department has warned the public on drinking  Soft Drink Bottles which are stored out side the shops exposed to the Sun Light as they might have become toxic .

The Colombo Chief MOH Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam has stressed that although Soft Drink Bottles should be stored in either inside a Refrigerator or in a cool environment out side, some Cafes,Hotels and Market Places stored them out side their premises which directly exposed to the sun light.Due to this situation the chemicals contained in these Soft Drinks inter act each other and produced a toxic substances which can harmful for human consumption he has  revealed.

Indian Government To Take Legal Action Against Black Listed Indian Drug Companies Supplying Drugs To Sri Lanka

The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Mr.Ashok.K.Kantha has today made a request from Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena to provide information on the list of Indian Drug Companies which were blacklisted by the health authorities here after found  responsible for creating a  drug shortage  in Several Sri Lankan Government Hospitals by supplying sub standard drugs and delaying the supplying of Drugs.

Indian Government will take a legal action against these Indian Drug Supplying Companies once received the full information on these companies the Indian High Commissioner has stressed.Mr.Kantha met the Sri Lankan Health Minister today at the Ministry premises.


Health Minister has announced on 29th of March that the Health Ministry will black list several Indian Drug Supplying Companies for providing sub standard drugs to the hospitals and due to delaying of supplying several drugs.One Indian Supplier who awarded the tender for supplying essential cancer drugs delaying the supply of those drugs since 13 months it has been revealed.

Meanwhile the Sri Lankan Health Minister is scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart in New Delhi by Next May to discuss this issue further.

29 Hotel And Cafe Owners In Colombo City Faced Legal Action Over Selling Unhygienic Food

During lat Month(March)The Public Health Department of  the Colombo Municipal Council has taken legal action against 29 Hotels and Catering Services operated within Colombo City over  selling Unhygienic Food to the consumers The Colombo Chief MOH Dr Pradeep Kariyawasam has said.

The legal action was  taken against these institutions following  the Laboratory Reports received by the Public Health Department on the range of unhygienic food items sold by them to the consumers.These food items including Rice,Chicken Gravy,Eggs and Saambar which  contained "E Colai" and "Salmonella" Bacterias.

Large Number Of Sri Lankan Cricket Fans Gathered In Colombo To Support Resigned Sri Lankan Cricket Captain And His Deputy

A Large number of Sri Lankan Cricket Fans gathered this evening to the Independence Square in Colombo and staged a peaceful demonstration to urge former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara and his Deputy Mahela Jayawardena to stay in their posts.

Both Sangakkara and Mahela were resigned from their posts few days back following the world cup finals.Currently they are in India to play for the Indian Premier League Tournament and Sangakkara captaining the Deccan Chargers Team and Mahela is captaining the "Kochi Tuskers Kerala" Team which also featured  the retired Sri Lankan Ace Spinner Mutthaia Muralideran.

A Four Member New National Cricket Selections Committee Has Been Appointed

A new four member National Cricket Selection Committee has been appointed by the Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage today three days after the previous National Selection Committee headed by Aravinda De Silva tendered their resignations to the Minister.

The New National Cricket Selection Committee is compromised with Former National Cricketers Duleep Mendis,Don Arunasiri,Brendon Kuruppu and Ranjith Madurasinha.The Previous Selection Committee compromised with Aravinda De Silva,Ranjith Fernando,Amal De Silva and Shabir Asgar Ali resigned on 06th of April.

More Then 5200 Sri Lankan Cricket Fans To Stage A Demonstration Tomorrow Urging Sanga And Mahela To Re Consider Their Resignations

More than 5200 Sri Lankan Cricket Fans are due to gather to the Independence Square in Colombo-07 at 3 p.m tomorrow to stage a peaceful Demonstration urging the resigned Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara and his Deputy Mahela Jayawardena to withdraw their Resignations.

Both Sangakkara and Mahela as well as the Sri Lanka's National Cricket Selectors headed by Aravinda De Silva step down from their posts following the loss of the ICC World Cup Cricket Finals concluded on  last Saturday.Although Sangakkara and Mahela insisted that they have resigned from their posts to groom a new leader for the National Cricket Team for the next World Cup scheduled to be held in New Zealand and Australia in 2015, there are speculations that due to the internal pressure which caused the loosing of the  final game which most Sri Lankans believe that the Team will win easily caused  them to resign from their posts.

16,900 Nurses Lost Their Voting Franchise In Tomorrow's Nursing Council Elections

Around 16,900 Nurses  lost their  franchise to  cast their votes at the first ever election to elect members to  the proposed Nursing Council which is due to be held tomorrow(09).These Nurses who are three fourth of the total number of nurses working in Government and Private Health Sectors lost their voting rights due to not getting registration of the Sri Lanka Medical 

Council (SLMC) according to the Health Ministry sources.

Only 7310 Nurses who had already received the registration of the SLMC will eligible to cast their votes to elect six members to the Nursing Council in tomorrow's elections the Ministry sources has confirmed.The reason for majority of nurses not receiving the SLMC registration is due to the non production of their Nurses Training Certificates issued by the Nurses Training Schools.It has been revealed that it take two or three years for a Nurse to received these certificates after the completion of three years Nurses Training due to the delay of issuing them .

Meanwhile the Government Nurses Union is having a different opinion of the issue as they stressed that it's illegal to not allowing majority of Nurses to cast their votes at the Nursing Council Elections and warned that  they will take this matter to the courts soon if the Health Ministry Officials not taken steps to allow these Nurses to cast their votes in tomorrow's election.

Sports Minister To Continue With Interim Cricket Board

The Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage today has said that the present Sri Lankan Interim Cricket Board  will remained unchanged .

Resigned Chief National Cricket Selector Aravinda De Silva Has Stressed That He was Not Influenced During The Selections

There has been no political interference for the any team selection activity while in office the chairman of the former Selection Committee Aravinda De Silva who has resigned along with other committee members yesterday said in his final Press Briefing held in Colombo today.

According to the Aravinda President Mahinda Rajapaksha was promised them to give a free handfor the selections before the world cup by saying that there will be no political or any other interferences for the selecting procedure .

He stressed that the rumours which says that he has resigned from the post due to an issue with President Rajapaksha were spreaded  mainly by the Indian Media and there was no truth in this.Aravinda has also said that he is happy to step down with a clear conscience knowing that there is no interference in to what he did.

National Cricket Selection Committee Members Have Resigned

The Four member National Cricket Selection Committee headed by Former Sri Lankan Batsman Aravinda De Silva has handed over their resignation letters to the Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage this morning.

The Selectors including Chairman Aravinda De Silva.Ranjith Fernanado,Amal Silva and Aswar Ali were handed over their resignation letters to the Minister.The resigned Selection Committee was appointed in 26th of May 2010.

Meanwhile the Chairman of the resigned Selection Committee Aravinda De Silva has said that they will make an official statement on their stand to the media by tomorrow(07th).

Deputy Captain Of Sri Lankan Cricket Team Mahela Jayawardena Too Resigned From His Post

Following the resignation of Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Kumara Sangakkara from One Day Captaincy his Deputy Mahela Jayawardena too handed over his resignation to the Sri Lankan Interim Board of Cricket today according to the Cricket Interim Board Secretary Nishantha Ranathunge.

The Cricket Interim Board Secretary has confirmed that Mahela agreed to hold the Deputy Captaincy of the Sri Lankan Team till the end of the World Cup.

He also said that the New Sri Lankan Cricket Captain and Deputy Captain will appointed within two weeks time.

Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara Resigned From One Day Captaincy

Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara has decided to resign from the Captaincy of  One Day and 20-20 Mini Overs Game Teams with immediate effect his manager has announced today.Sangakkra who lead the Sri Lankan Team during the recently concluded ICC World Cup Cricket Championships held in the sub continent handed over his resignation letter to the Sri Lankan Interim Cricket Board according to his Manager Charlie Austin.

Although he has resigned from One Day Captaincy he will resigned the Captaincy of the Sri Lankan Test Cricket Team after the forthcoming test series with England and Australia sangakkara's manager has confirmed.

Meanwhile In an official release issued by Sangakkara this evening he stressed that the decision of resigning from captaincy was taken even before the World Cup begins and he thinks that  it will help to groom a new captain for the Sri Lankan Cricket Team for the next Cricket World Cup scheduled in 2015.

However he stressed that he will be available for Captaining the National Cricket Team for the forthcoming England and Australian Tours if the Sri Lankan Cricket not selected a player yet to lead the test series against those teams.Referring on retiring from Cricket Sangakkara who is popularly known  as "Sanga" stressed that he will like to play cricket for another two or three years before retiring from the game.

Health Minister Instructed Officials To Local Purchase Expensive Cancer Drugs Due To The Supply Delay

Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena has instructed his officials  to local purchase the expensive Cancer Drugs for the benefit of the large number of Cancer Patients getting treatment at the Sri Lanka's only Government owned  Mharagama Cancer Hospital due to the delay of supplying them by the Foreign Cancer Drug Supplier who awarded the tender of supplying these drugs.

According to the Health Ministry Sources the Ministry has to spend Rs.35 billion if they are to local purchase out of stock cancer drugs from the Private sector.

The Foreign Supplier of these Cancer Drugs is an Indian Drug Company and they delaying the supplying of these drugs since March,2010 according to the sources.As a result there is a shortage of around 25 Cancer Drugs at  the Maharagama Cancer Hospital which the majority are to be supplied by the above supplier.

Doctors Warned The Public On Eye And Skin Ailments Due To Hot Weather Conditions

A very hot weather conditions will prevailed throughout the Island from 05th of April(tomorrow) till 15th of April as a result of the Sun moving closer to the earth according to the Meteorological Department.This hot temperature may have direct impact of getting Eye Disorders ranging Cataract to Blindness as well as Skin Diseases like Cancers according to the Medical Specialists.

According to the sources the Sun will directly visible over the areas of Dikwella,Kekanadura,Weligama and Midigama on tomorrow at 12.14 noon according to the Met Department.People are warned to wear quality Sun Glasses or to use an umbrella to prevent getting sun rays to the Eyes and the Skin.  while working under the sun shine.                                                                                                                                             

Consumer Affairs Authority Rejected The Price Increase Applications Of Milk Powder Companies

The Consumer Affairs Authority(CAA) has rejected all the applications produced by all Milk Powder Companies here to increase the Prices of Milk Powder the Chairmen of the Authority Rumi Marzook has said.

According to the Mr.Marzook the Consumer Affairs Ministry has removed the taxes imposed on Milk Powder few months back as a relief for the Milk Powder Companies."Therefore the Authority will not make any price increase of Milk Powder at the moment and may consider a price increase in future if the  Milk Powder prices  in the World Market goes up "Marzook has stressed.

ICC World Cup Runners Up Sri Lankan Cricket Team Received A Rousing Welcome On Their Return To The Country

Sri Lankan Cricketers who were the runners up in the concluded ICC World Cup Cricket Tournament in Mumbai, India returned home  this morning from Mumbai with amidst cheers from the Sri Lanka's Cricket Loving Public.The Cricketers were taken from Bandaranaike International Air Port to the Independence Square at Colombo-07 in a Parade while large number of people were greeted  them on their way.

At the Independence Square a media briefing was held followed by a Cultural P agent to greet the Cricketers.

Prices Of Litro And Laugfs Gas Cylinders Increased

In addition to the fuel price increase 12.5 KG Laugfs and Litro Gas Cylinders too have decided to increase their prices by Rs.238 with immediate effect.According to the new price increase the prices of 12.5 KG Cylinder of Laugfs and Litro Gases are Rs.1890.

The Prices Of Petrol And Diesel Are To Increase From Midnight To Night

The Prices of Petrol and Diesel have been increased with effect from midnight tonight the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced.

According to the new price increase the Price of Octane Petrol will be increased by Rs.10 per liter from Rs.115 to Rs.125 and 95 Octane Petrol will be increased from Rs.133 to Rs.143 per liter.The Prices of Diesal will goes up by Rs.3 per liter according to the CPC.

Vaas And Randiv To Flying To Mumbai To Night To Join Sri Lankan Crickrt Team

Two pace bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Suraj Randiv are due to leave Mumbai,India later today to join Sri Lankan Cricket Team to play the ICC World Cup Final on Saturday against India.Vaas and Randiv who are also all rounders as well likely to be replaced the injured all rounder Angelo Mathews and off spinner Muttaia Muralideran during the finals.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has approved the selection of these players for the Sri Lankan Team the Sri Lanka Cricket has announced.Sri Lanka's ace spinner Muralideran who already taken 534 wickets in One Day Internationals is to make his last appearance for the Sri Lankan Team on Saturday's Final.Although he took 15 wickets from the 8 matches Sri Lanka played at the World  Cup Tournament including the Quarter Finals and Semi Finals he was taking part these matches while afflicted with hamstring and groin injuries as well as side strain and Knee Injury.

All Rounder Angelo Mathews who is suffering from side strain occurred during the Semi Final against New Zealand in Colombo,last Tuesday is reported as in serious condition and likely to be replaced with either Vaas or Randiv.Vaas is also a member of the 1996 World Cup Winning Team as Murali retired from International Test Cricket last July and also considering retiring from One Days as well following not selected for the last 15 of the Sri Lankan Team.

ICC Named Umpires For The World Cup Cricket Finals

The International Cricket Council(ICC)today  has appointed the Autralian born Simon Tauffal and Aleem Dar as on field umpires for the ICC World Cup cricket finals scheduled to be work out in Wankhade Cricket Stadium in  Mumbai,India on this Saturday(02).

The ICC has also named New Zealand Born Jeff Crowe as the Match Referee for the match .Ian Gould is appointed as the third umpire for the match and Steve Davies as the fourth umpire.The ICC World Cup Cricket Final will be played between Sri Lanka and India.

Government Began A Probe On An Illegal Deal Of Rs.100 Million Worth Purchasing Of Wooding For Surgical

The Government has  began a high level inquiry on an illegal purchasing of Rs.100 million worth Wooding for Surgical for the Government Hospitals by the State Pharmaceuticals Cooperation taken place recently.This deal was handled without the permission of the Cabinet Tender Board as well as the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation Tender Board according to the Government Sources.

Although purchasing of over Rs.25 million worth items needed to get approved by the Cabinet Tender Board before purchasing it one of the higher officials of Pharmaceuticals Cooperation has illegally given the order to purchasing of  wooding for surgical to a local drug supplier and given orders to pay the supplier a letter of credit too it has been revealed.

However when the government has able to traced the facts on this deal the official who is responsible for this soon abolish the whole deal by suspending the letter of credit.However the first stock of wooding for surgical under this deal was arrived on 18th of March to the Medical Supplies Division and the Supplies Division has refused to accept the stock  as it's an illegal order health sources has  said.

Sri Lanka Beat New Zealenders And Sealed Their Place In The ICC World Cup Finals

Sri Lanka has today qualified for the ICC World Cup Cricket Finals scheduled to be play  in Mumbai ,India on this Saturday(02nd of April) with a cruising 5 wicket win over New Zealenders at the first Semi Final of the World Cup worked out at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo this evening in front of a large home crowd.

New Zealand won the toss and batted first in a perfect batting pitch but failed to live up to their expectations to get a big score as Sri Lankan Bowlers restricted them to a modest 217 runs off 48.5 overs.All Rounder Scott Styris was the highest run getter for the New Zealenders as he scored well compiled 57 runs from 76 balls.Martin Guptill made 39 runs off 65 balls.For Sri Lanka Off Spinner Ajantha Mendis and Seemer Lasith Malinga took 3 wickets each while Veteran Off Spinner Mutththaia Muralideran who made his final one day international appearance in Sri Lanka took 2 wickets.

When Sri Lankan openers Thilakaratne Dilshan and Upul Thranaga open the innings for Sri Lanka to chase 218 runs for win, everyone has expected them to repeat their powerful batting display against England two days back.However they were only able to put 40 runs for the first wicket  before Upul Tharanga was out for 30 runs.Thilakaratne Dilshan scored well compiled 73 runs and skipper Kumar Sangakkara scored 54 runs.When Sri Lanka is at 160 runs for the loss of one wicket three wickets fell within space of 9 runs.However the Middle order Batsmen Angelo Mathews and Thilan Samaraweera guided Sri Lanka to a 5 wicket win with 13 balls to spare.Skipper Sangakkara was adjudged as Man of the Match.

After the match Muralideran who is scheduled to retired from one day internationals after this world cup waved to the home crowd saying  farewell to Sri Lankans who supported him throughout his career.

This was Sri Lanka's third World Cup Final entry and two in a row and out of the previous two finals only able to win the World Cup in 1996 under the captaincy of Arjuna Ranathunge.In last world cup final worked out in Caribbean in 2007 Sri Lanka was beaten by Australia.The other finalist with whom Sri Lanka will clash in the Grand Final scheduled to be play in  Mumbai on Saturday will be decided in tomorrows Semi Final battle between India and Pakistan.

New Zealand Prime Minister Key Declined The Invitation Of Sri Lankan President To Watch World Cup Semi Finals

The New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has denied the invitation of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha to attend the ICC World Cup Cricket Semi Finals between Sri Lanka and New Zealand to be worked out in R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo tomorrow(29).A Spokesman of the New Zealand Premier's office said that the Prime Minister has to decline the invitation but not given any reasons for that.

Meanwhile Sri Lankan President' Media Office said that the New Zealand Ambassador In India will attend tomorrow's Semi Finals on behalf of  his Premier John Key.

Sri Lanka is to play with New Zealand in their Semi Finals tomorrow  the first of the two semi finals play under the ICC World Cup 2011.The winners of the match will played the winner of the Semi Final between India and Pakistan to be played in Punjab,India on Wednesday(30).The finals of the ICC World Cup 2011 is scheduled to play at Wankhade Stadium in Mumbai,India on 02nd of April.

President Mahinda Rajapaksha Invited New Zealand Premier To Watch ICC World Cup Semi Final In Colombo

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has today invited the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to watch the ICC World Cup Semi Final scheduled to held in R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo this Tuesday(29)

This is similar gesture as the Indian Premier Dr.Manmohan Singh too has invited their neighbor Pakistani President Asif Al Zardari and the Prime Minister of Pakistan to watch the second Semi Final of the ICC World Cup between India and Pakistan to be played in Mohali in Punjab,India on this Wednesday(30).

Sri Lanka qualified for the Semi Finals yesterday by beating England by 10 wickets in the match palyed in R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Out Played England In ICC World Cup Cricket Quarter Finals And Qualified For The Semis

Sri Lanka recorded a superb 10 wicket win over England in their Quarter Final ICC World Cup Day Night Match played at  R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo today and qualified for the semi finals to be played in the same venue against New Zealand on next Tuesday(29th).Both the Sri Lankan Openers T.M Dilshan and Upul Tharanga made an unbroken  opening partnership of 231 runs and reached the winning target easily with 63 balls to spare and with 10 wickets in hand.

T.M Dilshan Scored 108 runs off 115 balls with Ten  fours  and Two sixes and Upul Tharanga has scored well made 102 runs not out with Twelve  fours and one six .Earlier in the day the England Captain Andrew Strauss has won the toss and decided to bat first in the wicket which believed to be favorable for spinners during the night session.However Sri Lankan seemers and spinners were able to restrict the  English batting line up to a modest total of 229 runs  for the loss of 6 wickets with Jonathan Trott scored an unbeaten 86 runs off 115 balls for the English side.

Sri Lanka's veteran Spinner Mutththaia Muralideran got 2 wickets while spinners Mendis Dilshan,and seemers Mathews and Lasith Malinga got one wicket each.This Match was the 100th One Day International Played in the R.Premadasa Cricket Stadium.T.M Dilshan was adjudged as  Man Of The Match.

Health Minister Advised Officials To Take Legal Action Against 767 Tyre Shops And Bus Depots With Mosquto Breeding Places

The Health Minister Maithrepla Sirisena has instructed the officials of National Dengue Control Programme today to take legal action against 767 Tyre Retail Shops and Bus Depots who are running Mosquito Breeding Places in their backyards with immediate effect.

"These Tyre Shops and Bus Depots which are in the earlier occasions were issued notices and get cleaned in  raids carried out  during previous Dengue Control Weeks are not able correct their mistakes and continuously committing the same mistake by keeping Mosquito Breeding Places in their back yards" according to the Health Minister."Therefore no need to issue notices for them again and without a notice taken legal action against them "the Minister has advised the officials.

Drug Authority Has Temporarily Suspended The Selling Of "Apetamin- P" Syrup

The National Drug Authority has temporarily suspended the selling of "Apetamin-P" Syrup through Private Pharmacies Island Wide with immediate effect.The selling of above Syrup which is prescribed for children as well as adults for allergies and food appetite conditions suspended due to an insect was found from a bottle of " Apetamin-P" Syrup bought by a person  in Mahawa Area.

The person who bought the Syrup Bottle from a Private Pharmacy in Mahawa Area have seen the insect inside the bottle and immediately complained on this to the food and drug inspector in Kurunagala(North Western Province) for further action .Then the food and drug inspector informed the incident to the Drug Authority. The  bottle was sent for a laboratory test according to the Drug Authority sources .

President Has Appointed A New Elections Commissioner

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has appointed Mr.Mahinda Deshapariya as the New Elections Commissioner with the effect from tomorrow(25).The new commissioner will replaced the out going Elections Commissioner Mr.Dayananda Dishanayake.

President Rajapaksha Greets Opposition Leader For His B' Day And For Re Electing As The Party Leader

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has  greeted  the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinha today for his Birth day which falls today(24th) and for being re elected  as the Party Leader of Main Opposition the United National Party(UNP) again .

Opposition Leader Wickramasinha was re elected as the UNP Leader yesterday without a contest after weeks long leadership battle he was having with Hambanthota MP and the son of former President Late R.Premadasa,Sajith Premadasa.MP Premadasa who battled for the Leadership removed from the race during the working committee meeting of the Party held yesterday  and  accepted the Deputy Leader Post of the UNP and as the Deputy Leader  to the Opposition Leader in Parliament.

320 Govt.And Private Institutes Island Wide Who Are Having Mosquito Breeding Enviornment Were Issued Notices

Under the Island wide inspections carried out by the Ministry Of Health throughout yesterday(230 in Government and Private Institutuions to search Mosquito Breeding places Mosquito Breeding palces were found in 840 Institutes and the officials issued notices to 320 Institutes according to the Health Ministry Sources.

If those institutes who received notices will not clean up their places properly and destroying Mosquito Breeding Places withing two weeks time the Ministry has decided to take legal action against them the sources stressed.

Under this Inspection carried out as a part of the first ever National Mosquito Breeding Prevention Week declared by the Ministry, the Officials were inspected 9234 Government and Private Institutes and out of them 5267 Institiutes are found as most vulnarable areas for breeding mosquitoes according to the Ministry.

The first ever National Mosquito Breeding Prevention Week which began on 23rd of March and ends in 29th of March will implemented in collaboration with Anti Dengue,Malaeria and Fileria campaigns.

One Drug Supplier Delaying The Supply Of 18 Drugs To The Government Hospitals

It has been reported that the Health Ministry Officials had  handed over the Tenders of supplying 18 Essential Drugs to the Government Hospitals to a Single supplier and that particular Supplier is purposely delaying the supply of those Drugs and therfore created a drug shortage in the Hospitals.

According to the Health Ministry Sources the said Drug Supplier is delaying the supplying of these Drugs since six months .However the Ministry Officials did not take any measures to cancel the Tenders offered to the above supplier and hand over the Tenders to Different other good quality suppliers."according to them.Instead of braking the Monopoly created by this supplier in the Drug Supplying Trade ,Health Ministry Officials just help them to keep their Monopoly and worsening  the Drug Shortage in Government Hospitals" a Hospital Official has said.

"As a result the Patients in Government Hospitals are forced to buy these drugs from the Private Sector from their own expenses according to the Official.The only Cancer Hospital In Sri Lanka ,Maharagama National Cancer Hospital too faced a severe Drug Shortage due to the Supplier delaying the supply of 25 Cancer Injections since March 2010.

The First Phase Of Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Was Commissioned

 President Mahinda Rajapaksha was commissioned the First Phase of 300 Mega Watt Norochcholai Coal Power Plant this evening.Under the phase one the New Coal Power Plant will be generated 17 percent of national Electricity Requirement in the Country according to the Officials.

Draft Bill On New Pension Scheme For State Banks And Private Sector Employees To Be Presented Next Month

The Draft Bill on the proposed new Retirement Pension Scheme for workers in State owned Banks  Private Sector Employees and Migrant Workers  will be presented to the Parliament by Next Month President Mahinda Rajapaksha has said today in Parliament.The President visited Parliament today and delivered a speech there.

Government To Introduce Simplest Tax System In The Region

The Government intends to introduce a Simplest  Tax system in the region soon including of various Tax Systems International Monitory Cooperation  and Senior Minister Dr.Sarath Amunugama has said today in Parliament.The Minister has revealed this while presenting 9 Tax Bills to the Parliament.

Due To The Nato Air Strikes Sri Lankan Embassy In Libya Shut Down-Ambassador Recalled

Due to the NATO led Air Attacks in Libya ,Sri Lankan Government has temporarily shut down the Sri Lankan Embassy in Libyan Capital Tripoli and recalled the Ambassador Sudantha Ganegamaarachchi and the local Embassy Staff to Colombo the Ministry Of External Affairs has  announced today.

Sri Lankan Ambassador had  left Libya yesterday (21) night according to the Ministry Sources.According to the Ministry Sri Lankans still standard in Libya to the present crisis there will be bring back to the Country as soon as possible.

Ministry Of Health To Carry Out Island Wide Raids To Catch 7000 Quack Doctors

Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena today has instructed the Director General Of Health Services Dr.Ajith Mendis to launch a series of Island Wide raids to catch 7000 Quack Doctors who are illegally practicing Western Medicine throughout the Island.

Under the instructions of the Minister Ministry Of Health is scheduled to issue a special circular to All Provincial Health Directors and Provisional Health Directors instructing to carry these raids in their areas shortly.

According to a Health Ministry Spokesman Some of these 7000 Quack Doctors are previously working as Drug Dispensers under the Registered Government  Doctors.Some of these quacks displaying bogus Government Registered numbers as well as their personal telephone numbers as registered numbers according to the Ministry Spokesman.

It has been reported that these Quack Doctors even treating Dengue Patients and due to the wrong treatment they provided for them some patients ended up with Dengue Hemorrhage and Shock Syndrome conditions and admitted to Government Hospitals in critical condition."If this kind of patient died due to the critical condition  then the blame goes to the Government Hospital and the doctors there who treated that particular  patient not to those quacks "he said."Even these Quack Doctors are administering Dengue Patients various Drugs without doing preliminary  tests" he stressed.

Taking into consideration  this Medical Negligence of the Quack Doctors Ministry Of Health has decided to carry out raids island wide to catch these quacks and to punish them according to the law Health Ministry Spokesman has stressed.

Sri Lanka To Meet England In ICC World Cup Cricket Quarter Final Match Scheduled To Play Next Saturday

Sri Lankan Cricket Team who qualified for the Quarter Finals of ICC World Cup Cricket Tournament got underway in the Sub Continent will face England in their Quarter Final Match scheduled to play in R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium ,Colombo on next Saturday(26th of March).The quarter final opponents of the Sri Lankan Team was decided after today's Match between India and West Indies played in Chennai India where Indians won.

The Quarter Finals Schedule are as follows.

 The leaders of the Group "A" of the ICC World Cup Pakistan will meet the fourth placed West Indies of Group B at Dhaka,Bangladesh on 23rd of March 

Third Placed Australia in Group A will meet the Second Placed India of Group B at Ahamadabad,India on 24th of March
New Zealand who placed fourth in Group A will meet the South Africans who was the First in Group B in Dhaka ,Bangaldesh.on 25th of March


Sri Lankans who is placed second in the Group A will meet the third placed team of Group B England at Colombo,Sri Lanka on 26th of March

Sri Lankan Authorities Began Radiation Checks On Imported Containers And Vehicles From Japan

Sri Lankan Authorities has been taken steps to check the containers carrying Imported items from Japan and vehicles imported from there  to see whether they are  contaminated with  radiation released by the Fukushima Nuclear Plant.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority,Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority and the Sri Lanka Customs Department are jointly implement this programme in the view of protecting local people from radiation according to the Authorities.

Sri Lnakan Authorities last week checked the imported Stock of Nissan Motor Parts  from Japan to see whether it contaminated with radiation.The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority has also requested from those who returned from Japan after the Fukushima Nuclear Explosions to  check whether they are exposed to the radiation or not from the Authority if they wishes.

Meanwhile Japanese Authorities confirmed that food items Spinach and Milk in Tsunami hit Ibaraki Prefecture are contaminated with radiation.

Sri Lanka Beat New Zeeland By 112 Runs And Boost Their Confidence ForThe Quarter Finals

Sri Lankan Cricketers boost their confidence further for the Quarter Finals encounter by beating the News Zealanders from 112 runs  at the ICC World Cup Cricket Match played in Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai,India today.

After winning the toss Sri Lankan Skipper Kumar Sangakkara has decided to bat first in a perfect batting pitch and Sri Lankans able to score 265 runs for the loss of 9 wickets during their 50 overs.Skipper Kumar Sangakkara him self scored a superb knock of 111 runs  with 2 sixes.He was well supported by his Deputy Mahela Jayawardena who scored patient 66 runs and added 145 runs for the third wicket with Sangakkara.

Both Sangakkara and Jayawardena build the Sri Lankan Innings after  both openers Upul Thranga and Thilakaratne Dilshan were out forlow scores.After the pair dismissed Middle Order Batsman Angelo Mathews scored a useful 41 runs to take Sri Lankan Score to 265 runs.

When the New Zealenders came to bat to score 266 runs for win Sri Lankan seemers Nuwan Kulasekaera and Angello Mathews able to keep their run rate low through a tight bowling .However it was Sri Lankan Spinners that destroyed the New Zealend batting line up led by Sri Lankan Ace Spinner Muththaia Muralideran who got 4 wickets by conceding just 25 runs in 8 overs.He was well supported by the Spinner Ajantha Mendis who got 2 wickets and Thilakaratne Dilshan who got 1 wicket..

Sri Lankan Skipper who scored 111 runs and got two victims one caught and a stump by keeping wickets was adjudged as the Man of The Match


With this win Sri Lanka who completed their 6 matches in the preliminary round came to the front in the table of " Group A"with 9 points from 6 games.Even before today's game the Lankans already qualified for the quarter finals of  ICC World Cup.

The Governing UPFA Won Power Of The 205 Out Of 234 Local Government Councils

The Governing United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) won 205 out of the 234 Local Government Bodies where the elections held yesterday.The Tamil National Alliance (Illankei Thamil Arasu  kachchi-ITAK) won the second highest number of Local Government Councils that is 12 and the Main Opposition the United National Party(UNP) became third with 9 Government Councils.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress(SLMC) won 04 councils,The National Congress -02,Upcountry Peoples Front(UPF) 01 and an Independent Group has secured 01 Council.The Main Leftist Party Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) failed to secure the power of any Government Council according to the results.

However the voter turnout reported at the elections is low and only 45 percent out of the total number of eligible voters cast their votes in yesterday's elections.