An American And Two Sri Lankans Detained Under Cocaine Trafficking Charges

An American and two Sri Lankans who were attempted to export 53 Grammes of Cocaine to  America were detained at Katunayake International Air Port today by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) .After produced them before the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court the Magistrate has ordered the PNB to detained the three suspects under Cocaine Trafficking Charges till 23rd of August.

The Detainees were an American National ,his Sri Lankan Wife and another Sri Lankan who tried to get   released  first two suspects.

Import Taxes On B Anions,Potatoes And Garlic Increased

Import Taxes on Big Anions,Potatoes and Garlic are increased according to the Ministry Of Finance.The Import Tax on Big Anions increased by Rs.10 per Kilo Gramme,Potatoes by Rs.5 per Kilo Gramme and Garlic by Rs.15 per Kilo Gramme the Ministry  has announced.

UNP Reformist Group Holds A Protest Campaign Demanding the Change Of Party Leadership

Thousands of United National Party (UNP)supporters gathered at the Viharamaha Devi Park in Town Hall,Colombo this evening for a protest demanding  current UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinha to step down from the Party Leadership and hand over the position for Deputy UNP Leader Karu Jayasuriya.

The UNP Reformist Group led by the leader MP Sajith Premadasa and MP Dayasiri Jayasekera organized this protest and "Satyagraha" which is earlier decided to held in front of the United National Party Headquarters "Sirikotha"in Pitakotte this morning.However the Protest in front of Sirikotha was challenged when the Gangodawila Magistrate Court has today ordered the Police not allow anyone to Protest.Public Gathering or Procession in front of "Sirikotha:'.

While respecting the Court Decision the UNP Reformist Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has announced that the planned protest and "Satyagraha " has been shifted to Viharamaha Devi Park.Addressing the Rally Deputy Leader of the UNP MP Sajith Premadasa has said that the current leader should end the contract he is having with the Government to retain his Party Leadership and should resign from the leadership with immediate effect."Party needs a Change he has pointed out."It doesn't matter if he holds the Opposition Leader Post,What really matters is his resignation" he stressed.

Meanwhile there are reports that a pack contains "Wasps" found in side the Park where the rally was held.

Three People Killed Due To A Van-Car Accident

Three People were killed due to a Van -Car Accident occurred in Mahawita .Yakkala this morning according to the Police.

Consumer Affairs Authority To Take Legal Action Against 910 Errant Cement Traders

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has today said that they will take a legal action against 910 Cement Traders who have committed various offenses in the Cement Trade. The Offenses including the selling of Cement more then the required maximum retail price. Hiding Stocks of Cement and selling Cement under conditions according to the CAA.

The Maximum Retail Price of a 50 KG Cement Bag is Rs.750 according to the Consumer Affairs Authority.CAA has continued raids to apprehend errant Cement Traders .
















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A Tense Situation Occurred After Police Arrested 25 People In Connection With Attacking Police Jeep

A tense situation occurred when a large number of people were surrounded the Government Agent's (GA) Office in Kinniya, Trincomalee this morning, demanding the immediate release of  25 individuals arrested by the Police in connection with attacking a Police Jeep today.

The crowd including the residents of the area who gathered in front of GA Office are demanding the release of the arrested people and the removal of the Navy Camp situated tin Kinniya.Arrests were followed after a Group of people attacked a Police Jeep Parked near the Navy Camp this morning wounding two of the Police Officers inside the Jeep it has been reported.

Police Jeep came there to control the tense situation occurred after a violent attack to the Navy Camp last night by a group of people after seeing an alleged "Grease Devil" roaming the area entered the Camp.

Laugfs Gas Ltd .Seeks A Price Increase Of 12.5 KG Gas Cylinder

Laugfs Gas Limited has requested  permission from the  Ministry Of Cooperatives and Internal Trade a Price Increase  of  Rs.570 per their 12.5 KG Gas Cylinder according to the Ministry Sources.

An Unidentified Group Damaged Popular Sinhala Cinema Actress Late Rukmani Devi's Grave Tomb

An unidentified group had damaged the Grave Tomb of the Popular Sri Lankan Actress Late Rukmani Devi who was the First Sinhala Cinema Actress at the Periyamulla General Cemetery located in Negombo last evening (12)causing damage to the Security Fence surrounded her tomb and the monuments including her biography Negombo Police said today.

Police have arrested seven suspects in this regard and produced before the Negombo Magistrate Court and the Court ordered them to be  remanded till 15th of August (Monday).All name boards and board including Late Rukmani Davi's Biography established at the Grave except her Memorial got damaged during this incident according to the Police.The reason behind this action has not yet identified .

Late Rukmani Devi was the First Sinhala Cinema Actress and Singer who castes the main role of the First Sinhala Motion Picture "Kadawuna Poronduwa"(Broken Promise) screened in 1947.Since then  Rukmani Devi  has acted in large number of films till her tragic death occurred in Ja Ela ,Thudella on 28th of October 1978  while on her  way home after attending a Musical Show .She died on the sport after her Vehicle collided with a Petrol Bowser.She has known as the Nightingale Of Sinhala Cinema as she was having a gifted  beautiful voice  which gave her fame as a one of the greatest singers  ever produced by Sri Lanka.If u need more information on Late Rukmani Devi visit
http://emanthi-cinema.blogspot.com/

Internal Trade Minister To Rewarded The Public Who Are Supplying Information On Hidden cement

The Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando has announced to day that those who are providing information tips to the Consumer Protection  Authority( CAA) on people who are  responsible for hiding Cement will be rewarded.Also Ministry has said that they will pay 25 percent out of the total value of the Cement that recovers to the people who are providing  Information in this regard.

40 Percent Of Ice Cream Varieties Available in Colombo City Are Not Hygienic

Around 40 percent of the Ice Cream Varieties available in Food Parlors, Super Markets and Mobile Vans within the City Of Colombo are harmful for human consumption due to not storing them in  required temperature level the  Chief Medical Officer In Colombo Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam has said today.

Ice Creams should have stored in below  -18 degrees centigrade but most of the Centers where Ice Creams are  available are stored them in well over -18 degrees Dr.Kariyawasam has said.To save electricity these Centers are regularly switched off the power supply and Due to this the Ice Creams became a liquid and as a result  fungus and other germs will grow in that according to the Colombo Chief Medical Officer.

Therefore the  Public are alerted to check the status of an Ice Cream before  buying  it he said.Measurements are to be taken to go to courts against those who are selling unhygienic Ice Creams to the public  if necessary  he stressed.

Medical Supplies Division And Health Ministry To Destroy Expired And Low Quality Drugs

The Medical Supplies Division (MSD) and the Ministry Of Health have  jointly decided to destroy the Rupees Millions worth quality failed and expired drugs/surgical/Surgical Equipment stored in  MSD Stores since few years .According to the MSD sources around 300,000 "Pethidine" Injections Vials which were expired on 2009  and Hypodermic 19G,24 G and 25 G needles are among the Drugs/Surgical items due to destroy the MSD Sources revealed.

Although the MSD and the Health Ministry has decided to destroy the said expired and low quality drugs no supplier neither an official were punished for importing low quality drugs according to the sources.One Fifth of the space in MSD Stores have been  occupied by these low quality and expired drugs according to the MSD

OPD And Clinics Attached To Ambilipitiya Hospital Shut Down Due To The Shortage Of Minor Staff

The Out Door Patients Department (OPD) and the Clinics attached to  the Ambilipitiya Base Hospital in Sabaragamuwa Province are closed since this Tuesday (09th) due to the severe shortage of Minor Staff in these Departments.Due to this situation around 20,000 registered patients of the Hospital OPD Clinics and around 1000 patients who are getting OPD Treatment faced severe hardships Hospital Sources said.

There is a shortage of over 60  minor staff personal at the Hospital OPD the sources have revealed.

After several requests made by the Hospital Staff and the Trade Unions the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Health Ministry has sent 12 new minor staff members to the Ambilipitiya Hospital yesterday but the hospital authorities said this amount is not sufficient.Meanwhile the Hospital Staff of the Ambilipitiya Hospital staged a protest in front of the hospital this noon urging the authorities to re open the OPD and the Clinics after overcome the shortage of minor staff.

Sri Lankan Medal Winning Weight Lifter Chintana Vidanage Banned For Four Years

Sri Lankan Weight Lifter Chinthana Vidanage who was also a Commonwealth Gold Medalist has been banned for four years by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) for using banned substances according to the Sri Lanka Wight Lifting Federation (SLWF) sources.This Ban will effect from 13 of May 2011 the sources have confirmed.

Chintana was found positive for the banned substance "Methylhexaneamine" During the recently concluded Asian Championships.He won a  Gold Medal in 2006 Commonwealth Games held in Australia from the 63 KG Category and became Sri Lanka's First Gold Medal Winner in Weightlifting .

Vacant Administrative Posts Of The Health Minsitry And Hospitals Created Chaos In Health Administration

Due to the vacancies of around 20 Administrative Posts attached to the Ministry Of Health and affiliated Institutions the Administration of the Health Sector has become stand still according to the Health Trade Union Alliance(HSTUA).c

The President of the HSTUA Mr.Saman Ratnapriya has said that 12 Administrative Posts both Medical and Non Medical and 8 Hospital Director Posts are among these 20 vacant administrative posts.Even the Ministry Of Health has informed the Secretary of  Ministry Of Public Administration to  fill these vacancies but still not received a reasonable response in this regard he stressed.

The Director Posts of the Colombo National,Lady Ridgway,Castle Street   Maternity,Karapitiya,Galle,Kegalle,Kandy and Badulla are vacant since some time back according to the HSTUA.

Government Medical Officers Association Condemned The Health Authorities Failure To Take Action Against Errant Suppliers

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has today claimed that the Health Ministry should have revealed the details to the Public  on whether the Ministry has  taken any action  against the errant Health Ministry/State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Officers and the Suppliers of low quality Medicines worth Millions of Sri Lankan Rupees Imported for the Government  Hospitals.

Health Authorities are spending huge amount of money more than the allocated money to buy medicines of low quality GMOA has said.Although the Medical Supplies Division storing these low quality Drugs and Surgical s removed from the Hospitals in their stores still the authorities have failed to destroy these low quality Drugs and Surgical s or taken action against the errant suppliers according to the GMOA Spokesman.

Lasith Malinga And Upul Tharanga Recalled For The Sri Lankan One Day Sqaud

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has said today that the Sri Lanka's leading fast bowler Lasith Malinga and the Opening Batsman Upul Tharanga who was suspended for taking a banned substance during the ICC World Cup Cricket Tournament have been included for the Sri Lankan National One Day Squad for the ODI Series against the visiting Australians.

Both Players missed the concluded two 20 over matches held in Pallekale Stadium between Sri Lanka and Australia.

The First One Day International between Sri Lanka and Australia is scheduled to be conducted tomorrow (10) at Pallekale International Cricket Stadium of  Kandy District.

Speaker Was Facilitated In Parliament Today

The Speaker Chamal Rajapaksha was facilitated in Parliament today on his appointment as  Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association .

Meanwhile Government hands over a letter to the Speaker  requesting to setup a Parliamentary Select Committee to Draft a Political Solution to the National Issue.

State Of Emergency Passed With Majority Of 80 Votes

The State Of Emergency was passed today in Parliament with majority of 80 votes while 110 voted for and 30 voted against it.

Meanwhile  Prime Minister D.M Jayarathne has told Parliament today that the Government is considering on lifting  Emergency Regulations soon after  consultation with the National Security Council.

Only Blue And Black Pens Allowed For This Years A./L Examination

The Students who are Sitting for this years Advanced Level Examination are only allowed to use Blue and Black pens when  answering the Papers . Using of any other colored Pens and Pencils as well as highlighters ,Calculators and Mobile Phones with Blue Tooth facility are strictly prohibited according to the Education Ministry.

A Drug Banned By World Health Organization Issued To The Government Hospitals?

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has said today that a Certain Drug banned by the World Health Organization(WHO) and refused to accept by the Health Ministry Technical Evaluation Committee has been issued to the Hospitals last week despite the ban by Some of the Ministry Officials.An action will be taken against these errant Health Ministry Officials who are violated the Tender Procedure by issuing a Banned Drug for the use of Patients the Minister has stressed.

Addressing a Media Seminar held today at The Medical Research Institute (MRI) Auditorium in Colombo ,the minister has said that when there's a shortage of Drugs or a low quality drug  available in government hospitals everyone blames him and stressed that he's not an expert on Drugs ."The Experts who are sitting for the Drug Tender Board Meeting are responsible for this situation " the Minister has said.

160,000 Low Quality Intra Venous Sets Issued To The General Hospitals-Health Services Trade Union Alliance

Around 160,000 low quality Intra Venous Sets which are use to fix to the Saline Bottles were local purchased and distributed among majority of the General Hospitals throughout the island by the Medical Supplies Division (MSD)according to the Health Services Trade Union Alliance.The president of the Alliance Saman Ratnapriya has said today that  these Intra Venous Sets worth Rs.3.5 million were locally purchased by the MSD from a Chinese Medical Supplier on 2011-06-22 and Distributed among General Hospitals with a hole in every Intra Venous Sets pack  covered by a White Sticker.

As a product which manufactured through a Sterilization process the Intra Venous Sets pack cannot be with any hole as every pack should be free from all germs to ensure the safety for using for the patients Ratnapriya has stressed.However these packs are having holes which covered by a white sticker and when the sticker is removed the big hole was appeared he further added.

Some of the Doctors and Nurses already have informed to their Hospital Administrations that these Intra Venous Sets are not suitable for using for patients however still most of the hospitals received these low quality Intra Venous Sets still using them to give Saline for the patients Saman Ratnapriya has revealed.While  saying that there is a great health Risk created by  using of these low quality Intra Venous Sets for Patients,Ratnapriya appealed from the Health Minister to investigate on the Locally Purchasing of these Low Quality  Sets and revealed the findings to the public as soon as possible.

Nominations For 23 Local Government Councils To Be Gazetted Today

The Notification calling nominations for the 23 remained Local Government Councils to be gazetted today according to the Elections Department.Nominations are due to handover between 18-25 August the Department has said.

The Second Term Of Government Schools Ends Today

The Second Term of all Government Schools ends today (04)according to the Ministry Of Education.Schools will reopens on 05th of September except 41 schools which are the centers for marking Advanced Level Examination Papers.

More Then 100 Drugs And Surgicals Are Out Of Stock In Hospitals And MSD

More than 100 essential Drugs and Surgical Items are out of stock in Government Hospitals and in Medical Supplies Division(MSD) these days accroding to Hospital Sources.Among the Drugs and Surgical Items that are out of stock are Drugs prescribe for Diabetes,High Blood Preassure,Heart Diseases,Cholesterol ,Eye Diseases and Respiratory Diseases as well as Surgical Item Surgical Gloves sources have revealed.

Taking benefit from the situation most of the Government Hospital Doctors are getting used  to local purchase  Surgical Gloves which is out of stock at the moment for higher prices according to Hospital Authorities.

Meanwhile more than 100 quality failed Drugs and Surgical Items were withdrawn from the Government Hospitals during last 12 month period and that was one of the major causes for   current Drug Shortage prevails in the Country Medical Supplies Division(MSD) sources stressed.Health Minister Mailthripala Sirisena and few of the Health Ministry officials are currently in India to discuss on buying Drugs indirectly from the Drug Manufacturers in India.

37 percent Of The 65-74 Age Group Are Toothless.

Around 37 percent of the   Sri Lankan Population's   65-74 age group are not having a single tooth in their mouth according to the latest dental survey results issued by the World Health Organization(WHO).According to Dr.Jayasundara Bandara the Deputy Director General of Health Service (Dental Services) when the Sri Lankan population reached 60 years of age 25 percent of  the said age group are not having a single tooth in their mouth ..

Due to not protecting their teeth since child hood by brushing the teeth  twice a day,most of the above age group people are suffering from Tooth Decay due to not brushing their teeth properly Dr.Bandara had stressed.

GMOA Claimed That Sri Lanka Medical Council Ruining The Medical Education

Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) has today condemned the activities of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) by  stating that the members of SLMC ruining the Medical Education System in the Country.

Addressing a Press Briefing held at GMOA Office in Colombo this noon the Assistant Secretary Dr.Upul Gunesekera has said  that the Sri Lanka Medical Council has taken few wrong decisions including trying to give the Registration to some 60 Assistant Medical Officers(AMO) who got completed short post graduate training and concerning to reduced the pass mark of ACT-16 Exam faced by Foreign Medical Graduates from 45 to 40.

GMOA along with a special committee appointed to amend the Medical Services Act in a view to changed the SLMC Structure will work to change the face of SLMC Dr.Gunesekera stressed.

Sri Lankan Muslim Community To Begin Fasting For Ramazan Tomorrow

The Colombo Grand Mosque has announced today that the Fasting period for  Sri Lankan Muslim Community  in the view of Ramazan Festival will begin tomorrow as the new moon has been sighted .

State Pharmaceutical Corporation Need Rs.50,000 Million Additional Money Annually To Purchase Drugs Due To Corruption

Due to the Corruption and Fraud activities occurred during the  Tender Procedure and Technical Evaluations, The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) need to spend an additional Rs. 50,000 Million annually besides the allocated funds when  purchasing of  Pharmaceuticals,Surgical s  and Laboratory Chemicals for the Government Hospitals according to the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation sources.

The sources further say that the Ministry Of Health has given the amount they allocated last year to purchasing the required Drugs,Surgical s and Lab Chemicals for the Hospitals as Rs.15 Billion ,But due to the Corrupt Activities the real amount spending over this has multiplied.As the SPC need lots of money to spend on purchasing Drugs for the State Hospitals they have taken the Bank loans and as a result the SPC have to pay Rs.450,000  daily to Two of the State Banks as a interest which they are having over draft it has been revealed.

Meanwhile as a step to stop corruption and Fraud activities occurred in Tender Procedures and Technical Evaluations when purchasing of Drugs  the Ministry Of Health is planning to purchase the required Drugs directly from the Governments of India and Bangladesh the Ministry Source said.However the Pharmaceutical Experts have stated that the Ministry should have acted more responsibly than this when com batting against the Corruption in Pharmaceutical Industry as most of the Drugs imported from India and Bangladesh are facing quality failure problems.

These experts are also in the view that the Health Ministry Officials should try to stop these Corrupt practices occurred in Tender Procedures and clean the Tender System in whole without giving interim solutions to the problem.

President Instructed IGP To Conduct Full Scale Investigation On Assaulting Of Jaffna News Editor

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has today instructed Inspector General Of Police (IGP) N.K Illangakoon to conduct a full scale investigation and submit a report to him on the assaulting of the "Uthayan "News Paper's  News Editor G.Kuganathan the Presidential Media Unit has announced today.

The Uthayan" News Editor was brutally assaulted by an unidentified people with iron rods near his News Paper Office In Jaffna last Friday he is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital with serious injuries.

National STD/AIDS Campaign To Educate 4800 Sex Workers On HIV/AIDS Within Next 5 Years

National STD/AIDS Campaign along with the Global Fund launched a 5 year programme to educate sex workers on HIV/AIDS Prevention according to the Dr.Lilani Rajapaksha who is attached to National STD/AIDS Campaign.Under this programme 4800 identified sex workers throughout the country mostly in Colombo are to be provided information on how to prevent spreading of HIV/AIDS as sex workers are one of the main causes who can spread the disease in the society Dr.Rajapaksha has said.

Addressing a Media Seminar on HIV/AIDS held in Colombo she further added that there are around 40,000 sex workers in the country and most of them were educated on HIV/AIDS.Around 1000 sex workers annually attending the clinics conducted by National Sexually Transmitted Diseases/AIDS Campaign which is not sufficient she stressed.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wicremasinha Has Asigned MP Jayasuriya To United The Party

A day after the Deputy Leader of  Main Opposition  United National Party(UNP) MP Karu Jayasuriya has told that he has accepted the Party Leadership, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinha has said today that he has assigned  MP Jayasuriya to unite the party.

According to the Recently conducted Local Government Elections results the Main Opposition UNP lost  several of the Constituencies  which the Party holds  power.The Reformist Group in the Party is in view that
Current UNP Leadership is totally responsible for the Party's

Reformist Group Of Main Opposition UNP Has Invited Deputy Leader Of The Party To Take Over the Party Leadership

In a move to Introducing  Reforms to the Party ,Deputy Leader of the Main Opposition the United National Party(UNP) MP Karu Jayasuriya has agreed to take up the leadership of  Party on the request  made by the leader of Party's Reformist Group MP Sajith Premadasa.

Addressing a special press briefing held in Colombo today the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the leader of Reformist Group MP Premadasa has stated that MP Jayasuriya is willing to take over the Party Leadership.Meanwhile MP Jayasuriya issuing a special statement has said he is willing to take the Party forward with the co operation of Majority Party Supporters.

Rice Pack Suppliers In Colombo Failed To Register By 01st Of August To Face Legal Action

All Rice Pack Suppliers within the Colombo City Limits who are failed to register with nearest MOH Office by 01st of August will face legal action according to the Colombo Chief MOH Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam.There are 105 identified large scale and small scale Rice Pack Suppliers within Colombo City Limits Dr.Kariyawasam has said.

The Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council has ordered every Rice Pack Supplier in the City to register in MOH Offices by 01st of August and printed the Date and Time of packing ,the registered number and the Addresses of the suppliers in the Packs they are supplying.

Sri Lankan Economy To Loose 13 milliom US Dollars

The Press Trust Of India has today reported that Sri Lankan Economy will loose US Dollars 13 Million worth Development Assistance from USA if it not addressed the accountability issues raised by the Washington Administration .US House Of Foreign Affairs  Committee already has  passed a resolution to vote on such a ban if the government failed to address the accountability issues.

US Congress has adapted this resolution after the controversial film "Killing Fields "made by Ch annal 4 in Britain was telecast-ed at the US Congress Auditorium.

Governing Party Won 45 Out Of 65 Local Government Bodies In Yesterday's Election

The Governing United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) had won 45 out of 65 Local Government Bodies which the Elections were held yesterday(23).The Tamil National Alliance known as ITAK(Ilankei Thamil Arasakachchi) has secured 18 Local Government Bodies in the Northern Province  and the Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF) has secured 2 Government Bodies.

The Main Opposition the United National Party(UNP) and the leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) not able to secure a single Government Body during this election and the UNP it self lost several bodies in Colombo District which they hold power previously.

The polls were held in 65 Local Governmant Bodies in Northern,Central,Western and Southern Provinces and nearly 50 percent of the total eligible Voters casted their votes in yesterday's poll according to the Elections Department.

Three Train Apartments In Kandy Caught Fire

Three Train Compartments belongs to a Train in Kandy Railway Station caught fire to day destroying most parts of the Compartments.Fire Fighters were rushed in to the scene and attempting to douse the flames.

The Cause of the fire still not identified.

University Lecturers Suspended Their Trade Union Action

University Lecturers today have suspended their Trade Union Action   launched few weeks back  temporarily agreeing the interim solution introduced by the Government to increase their salaries The Federation Of University Teachers Association(FUTA) has announced.

The University Academic Staff including Lecturers resigned from their voluntary posts too by demanding a reasonable pay hike for them and threatening to withdraw from evaluation work of the Examination Papers of this years G.C.E Advanced Level Examination unless the government not able to meet their demand.

More Than 40 Essential Drugs Are Out Of Stock in Govt.Hospitals

More than 40 essential Drugs are out of stock at Government Hospitals these days according to the the president of  Health Services Trade Union Alliance(HSTUA) Saman Ratnapriya.Kandy General ,Maharagama Cancer,Karapitiya Teaching ,Kalmune Ashroff,Polonnaruwa and and Matara General are the worst affected hospitals in this regard and other hospitals too having a very short supply of Drugs Ratnapriya has said.

"Metformin" prescribed for Diabetes,"Atenelol" prescribed for High Blood Preassure,"Atovastatine" prescribed for Cholesterol ,Diclofenac Sodium",Glucometer Stripes,Dialysis Blood Lines and Gentamycine Eye Drops are among the out of stock Drug items he stressed.

The main reason for this Drug Shortage is the failure of Health Authorities on submitting the List of required Drugs for the Hospitals based on a Patients Survey according to Ratnapriya.Health Ministry should have taken steps to Submit the list of required Drugs for the Hospitals in time and minimize the waste and corruption in tender procedures to overcome the drug shortage problem in future he further added.

It has also been revealed that the Treasury has allocating Rs.14,000 million for purchasing of Drugs annually and this too not sufficient as this amount finishes around September each year Ratnapriya further added.

1988 Dengue Cases And 6 Deaths Were Reported From July

A total number of 1988 Dengue Cases and 6 Dengue Deaths were reported from the first 18 days of this month throughout the island according to the Epidemiology Unit.Out of the total number of Dengue Cases Reported majority were reported from Colombo and Gampaha Districts.


The Epidemiologists  warned the public to destroy Dengue Mosquito Breeding Places and clean their surroundings during this rainy season to avoid spreading of this deadly disease which claimed 93 lives so far throughout this year.

All Schools Located In Areas Where Local Government Elections Held To Be Closed On 22nd

All Schools which are located in the areas where the Local Government Elections are due to be held will be closed on 22nd of July according to the Ministry Of Education.Under this Isipathana College Colombo,Saint Andrews College in Puttalam,Gampaha Thakshila and Kagalu Balika will be closed the Ministry has announced today.

GMOA Claimed That The Majority Number Of Indian Docs In Sri Lanka Are Not Qualified

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has today claimed that the majority of visiting Indian Doctors who are serving in Private Hospitals of the country are not qualified Doctors.Stating the need to review the educational qualifications of these Doctors who are visiting Sri Lanka freely before giving  permission to serve in Private Hospitals.

Addressing a Press Briefing held in Colombo today GMOA Secretary Dr.Chandika Epitakaduwa has said today that there are around 100-200 Doctors currently working in Private Hospitals of Sri Lanka.If the Health Authorities fails to take any action against these low qualified Indian Doctors GMOA will take stern action against it Dr.Epitakaduwa has stressed.

President Says Certain Individuals Trying To Mislead People In Jaffna

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has said today that certain individuals are  trying to mislead the people in Jaffna by making  false statements while  their children living in foreign countries.Addressing a public gathering in Kayts in Jaffna Peninsula today targeting the forthcoming Local Government Elections  President stressed the need to take country forward without being deceived by false claims.

President Rajapaksha has also addressed the people in Tamil Language as well on the current development projects launched in North and East after ending decades old war in the Country.

TNA Threatning To Pull Out From The Elections Campaign In North -East

The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) has said today that they will pull out from the forthcoming local government elections scheduled to be held later this month if the harassment against the Party Members continues during their election campaign in North and East.

Former TNA Parliamentarian M.K Sivajilingem has said that their Party has faced severe difficulties while conducting their Election Campaign stating that it has brought to the notice of the Elections Commissioner.TNA has also requested the Elections Commissioner to bring Foreign Election Monitors observe the situation.

Hemasiri Fernando Appointed As The New Vice President Of Asian Olympic Council

Mr.Hemasiri Fernando Has been appointed as the Vice President of the Asian Olympic Council during it's Annual General Meeting held in Tokyo,Japan today.He was elected to the post uncontested.

He is also the current Chairman Of the National Olympic Committee and  Vice President of the Commonwealth Olympic Federation.

Police Arrested An Estate Superintendent Over The Murder Of Sri Lankan Actress

The Police has arrested an Estate Superintendent  this eve with connection for  the murder of former Cinema Actress Vinu Wettamuni.The said Actress was murdered by an unidentified person  February this year.

The Police also found a deeds belongs to the Actress from the Suspects House and suspects that a land issue may have been the cause of her death.

Former National Cricketer Romesh Ratnayake Has Appointed As Sri Lankan Cricket Coach

Former Sri Lankan All Rounder Romesh Ratnayake has been appointed as the New Sri Lankan Cricket Coach for the forthcoming Tour to Australia.He will full fill the Vacancy created by Australian Coach Stuart Law who was the  Coach for Sri Lankan Team's  recently concluded England Tour.

Law has left the team to takeover the Coaching of Bangladeshi National Cricket Team.

President Rajapaksha Has Condemned Mumbai Terror Attacks

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has condemned today's  Terrorist Attack in Mumbai and condoles the families of the victims.

 A series of explosions occurred in Mumbai during the rush hours today have killed around 17 people and injured 81 people according to the news reports.

Medical Administrators Association Protested Over The Illegal Apointment Of Director Post In Colombo National Hospital

Sri Lankan Medical Administrators today  have protested over an illegal appointment of  Deputy Director in Colombo National Hospital as the New Acting Director of the Hospital .This Appointment has made by the Ministry Of Health yesterday while the Ministry has already selected the suitable candidate to fill the vacant Director Post of  Colombo National Hospital which is  largest Hospital in the Country.

The Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr.(Mrs) Sujatha Senaratna has been appointed as  Acting Director of the Hospital while a Senior Medical Administrator have been already selected for the post through an Interview.Four Candidates Dr.Anil Jasinha,Dr.Ananda Gunasekera ,Dr.Amal Harsha De Silva and Dr.Sam Samarasinha were short listed for the interview on National Hospital Director Post after calling Applications for the above post in January this year.

Well Informed Sources have said that the Medical Administrators Association has already informed on this illegal appointment which they mentioned as a Politically  Influenced one to the Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) and the GMOA is due to meet during this week to discuss on the issue.

Sri Lanka's Elderly Population To Be Increased More Then Child Population By 2021

By the year 2021 the Elderly Population above 55 years of age will increase more than Child Population under 4 years according to the Department of Census And Statistics of Sri Lanka.The Statistics have clearly shows that the Elderly Population above the age groups of 55-59 and 60+ are in increase by the year 2021.

By the year 2041 the Elderly Population will increase further according to the Statisticians.Speaking at the Media Seminar held today at the Health Education Bureau in Colombo on World Population Day the Additional Secretary of the Ministry Of Health Dr,Palitha Mahipala has said that the Increasing number of Population may cause serious Health Problems in future.

The Global Population which increases by 3 infants per second will be 7 Billion by 31st of October 2011 he stressed.

Opposition Leader Pledged His Party's Support Towards The Govt.To Find A Political Solution For The National Issue

The Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinha has today said that his party the United National Party(UNP)  is ready to support the government to find a political solution to the national issue and to ease the  International Pressure on the Country.

Addressing a ceremony held today in Colombo to commemorate Former Minister V.K Sugathadasa the Opposition Leader stressed that the Main Opposition UNP will participate the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee Meeting to find a political solution.