Water Tariffs To Be Increased From 01st Of October

The National Water Supplies And Drainage Board has decided to increase Tariffs on water consumption  by 5% to 20% with effect from   0tst of October.under the new increase of water tariffs 0-05 units of water consumption will be increased by  Rs.12,  06-10 units by  Rs. 16, 11-15 units by Rs. 20,16-20 units by Rs. 40 and 21-25 units by Rs. 58.

President Rajapaksha Has Left India

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has left India this evening for an official tour.he is due to attend the  foundation stone laying ceremony of International Buddhist University due to build in Sanchi in Madya Pradesh.

During the visit President is due to hold bi lateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh , President Pranab Mukarjee and other higher officials of Indian Government.

Meanwhile DMK Leader M.Karunanidhi and MDMK Leader Vaiko were issued statements against president's visit.

Police Arrested Convener Of Inter University Students Federation

The Colombo Crimes Division  Police has arrested the convener of Inter University Students Federation Sanjeeva Bandara today for trying to hold a University Students Protest in front of Fort Railway Station by blocking the main road there.The police had earlier taken a court order from Fort Magistrate Court to prevent holding of any protest  blocking the main road .

Inter University Students Federation has organized a protest campaign in Fort Station this noon.

T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament 2012 Began With a Sri Lankan Win

Twelve Nation T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament 2012 has begun this evening at  Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium in Hambanthota(Southern Province) with a colorful opening ceremony.after the ceremony hosts Sri Lankans played the curtain raiser match with minnows Zimbabwe and Sri Lankans won the match by 82 runs .Sri Lankans scored 182/4 in their 20 overs while replying Zimbabwe Team has dismissed for 100 runs with 15 balls to spare.

A total number of 27 matches to be  played  under this world cup prior to the finals.The finals of the T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament will be held in 07th  of October at R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium Colombo.

Briabry And Corruption Commission Has Begun Investigations On Rs.8 Million Fraudulent Surgical Gloves Deal

The bribery and corruption commission has begun investigations on Rs.8 million worth fraudulent  deal when purchasing surgical gloves to Sri Lankan government hospitals this year according to chairman of the commission Retired Supreme Court Judge Jagath Balapatabandi.

Investigations on this deal begun according to complaint lodged to the commission in this regard by 24 union Health Services Trade Union Federation (HSTUF). according to the complaint made by HSTUF
it states that the gloves imported through the above deal were low in quality and the supplier was not registered in Sri Lanka.

The Trade Union Federation has also requested from Auditor General  to conduct an inquiry on this matter.

Container Imported From India Contaminated Radiation

A container load of stainless steal and aluminum products imported from India has been identified as exposed to radiation according to Atomic Energy Authority.Due to this distribution of above products had been halted with immediate effect and container is due to send back to India sources have revealed.

Health Officials Are Bribed By Some Drug Companies To Delay National Drug Policy

The implementation  of much awaited National Drug Policy getting delayed due to bribing of some higher health officials by certain drug companies according to Government Medical Administrators Forum.A higher official of Health Ministry was given Rs.5 million as bribe recently by certain drug companies to prevent implementing of the drug policy the forum has stated.

As a Drug Policy helps ordinary patients to purchase high quality drugs for reasonable prices authorities should have implement the policy without delaying it further a spokesman of the  medical administrator s forum  has stressed.

Over 180 Unqualified Indian Doctors Working As Medical Consultants In Sri Lanka-GMOA

There are over 180 unqualified Indian Doctors working as Consultant Doctors  in several Private Hospitals in Colombo City 
 according to Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA).due to this situation the life of patients who are getting treatment from  these doctors are at risk assistant secretary of GMOA Dr.Nalin Ariyaratne has said.

GMOA  now prepares to go  courts against these unqualified Indian doctors behalf of patients he stressed.while addressing a press briefing held at GMOA Headquarters in Colombo this noon Dr.Ariyaratne has said that after GMOA has revealed on these Indian doctors the owners of private hospitals which are employed them now seeking court"s intervention to retained them in those hospitals."Some Hospital owners are even influencing Health Ministry through politicians to allow these doctors to practice" he pointed out.

Meanwhile Ministry Of Health has decided to   implement a mechanism for  check qualification of foreign doctors before recruiting them to private hospitals.

Health Services Trade Union Federation Requested Government To Arrest A Trade Union Leader

The 24 union Health Services Trade Union Federation(HSTUF) has requested government to arrest Health Trade Union Leader Saman Ratnapriya immediately on charges of trying to block GSP+ concession to Sri Lanka and made anti Sri Lankan statements by attending a Tamil Diaspora meeting held in Kerala State of India.

The president of the union federation Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero and joint secretary Harendra Kuruppu have stated that Ratnapriya who is the president of Health Services Trade Union Alliance and newly formed Alliance Against Corruption and Fraud had  attended a Tamil Diaspora Meeting held in Samudra Beach Hotel in Kerala,India on August 2008 and made anti sri lanakn statements by saying Sri Lanka has no democracy and there are human rights violations.This was a violation of 6th amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution and we therefore  requested government to arrest him immediately "Venerable Muruththettuwe Thero stressed.

"Ratnapriya is not only violated sri lankan constitution but also trying to throw mud against honest officials like former director general of health services Dr.Ajith Mendis "he further added.

Sri Lanka Medical Council Removes Surgical Part From Doctors Duty?

Sri Lanka Medical Council has removed the surgical part from duties of MBBS(Bachelor Of  Medicine,Bachelor Of Surgery) Doctors through the Registration Certificate issued for them according to government doctors.Earlier when a MBBS Doctor has received the registration certificate from Sri Lanka Medical Council to practice here  it states that the medical practitioner  has lawfully qualified to practice medicine and surgery .but under the new registration certificate issued to MBBS Doctors it has stated that medical practitioner has  lawfully qualified to practice medicine only.

This decision to remove surgical part from duties of MBBS Doctors will affect the surgeries in hospitals as majority of surgeries performs in both government and private hospitals are handled by medical officers it self hospital sources said.Sri Lanka Medical Council has already amended the section 29  of Sri Lanka Medical Council Act to enable removing of the surgical part from doctors duty.

Due to this situation MBBS Doctors are now only able to perform surgeries under the supervision of medical consultants according to health sources.

Government Doctors Of Sabaragamuwa Province To Strike From 19th Of September

Government Hospital Doctors attached to Sabaragamuwa Province are to be launched a continuous  strike from 19th of this month (Wednesday) by demanding  Health Ministry to intervene and   implementing delayed transfers of 4 provincial health services directors the president of Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) Dr.Anurudda Padeniya has said.the transfers of  provincial health directors attached to north central,Uva ,sabaragamuwa and central  provinces got delayed due to some court cases filed by two
of   the transferred provincial health directors he stressed.

If the health ministry has failed to look in to this matter by 19th of  September the strike will spread to uva,sabaragamuwa and central provinces as well dr,padeniya said.

The provincial health directors of central and sabaragamuwa provinces challenging their transfers in courts although they have overstayed in these positions and due to this legal action the transfers of other provincial health administrators too got stuck he further added.

Voting Began In Three Provincial Council Elections

The voting to elect 108 members for the North Central,Eastern and Sabaragamuwa provincial councils are currently been progressed amidst few incidents.According to elections department sources the voting began 7 a.m this morning and will be concluded in 4 p.m this evening.the voters turnout reported as very low comparing to previously held provincial council elections.

Around 3073 candidates are contesting for the 108 seats in these three  provincial councils.

Patient Care Services In Provincial Hospitals Paralyzed Due To Delay Of Transfers

 The health services provided from provincial hospitals are  paralyzed due to  non implementing annual transfers of 6000 medical officers and 4 provincial health service directors according to government medical officers union (GMOA).If the authorities have not taken steps to intervene this matter and solving it withing next two weeks government doctors have  decided to launch a stern trade action GMOA sources said.

Due to laziness of some of the health officials ,these transfers are not implemented as yet sources added.

Tamil Community In Colombo Protested In Front Of Indian Emabassy

A large number of people mainly Tamil Community work in Colombo fort area today (06) have marched towards the Indian Embassy in Colombo and hold a protest campaign there against attack on Sri Lankan Pilgrims at Tamil Nadu.The protestors also handed over a petition against attack on Sri Lankan Pilgrims to the Indian High Commissioner.

Meanwhile due to this protest most of the shops in fort area were closed and a huge traffic was created in Galle Road in Col petty Area.

Chinese National Arrested For Swallowing Rs.1.8 Million Diamond

A Chinese national who has swallowed Rs.1.8 million worth diamond exhibited in a gem exhibition in Colombo got arrested by police today(05).The suspect who was alleged as swallowed the diamond was now in police custody.

The suspect came to see the gem exhibition held at Banadaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall(BMICH) these days with a fellow Chinese national and he  suddenly swallowed the diamond exhibited there sources added.soon after witnessing his act a businessman there informed this to police officers which lead to his arrest sources added.National Gem and Jewellery Authority has organized this exhibition.

Sri Lankan Group Of Pilgrims Was Attacked In Tamil Nadu-Nine Attackers Got Arrested

Seven buses carrying  pilgrims compromising 180 Sri Lankan nationals  to Trichy Air Port in Tamil Nadu State were  attacked this evening  by an activists belongs to a group called  Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam with pro-LTTE leanings.This is the second time that this group of pilgrims was attacked as the buses they traveled to Velankanni Christian Shrine near nagapattinam were blocked by   the same group yesterday (03).

Due to the harassment faced Sri Lankan pilgrims compromising 75 women and 36 children  were immediately taken to the Trichy Air Port by Sri Lankan embassy in Chennai today to send them back to Sri Lanka.However the said group stoned and attacked the seven buses and due to this Some Sri Lankans have received minor injuries according to reports.several buses got damaged during the incident and police arrested nine of the activists who attacked buses according to  Indian Media Reports.

Meanwhile Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry here has confirmed that no one in pilgrims hurt due to the said attack and they will arrive home safely.Ministry had earlier requested Sri Lankans who are visiting Tamil Nadu to be in alert over their safety as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalitha Jayram as well as some racist groups in the state made some anti Sri Lankan statements during last few days.Jayalalitha has yesterday requested state officials to send two Sri Lankan school soccer teams visiting Tamil Nadu back to Sri Lanka.

  

Supreme Court Recommended Authorities To Enrolled Additional Students To Universities

The supreme court has today (03) recommended education authorities to enrolled 4928 additional students to universities as a solution for A/L Z score issue per proposed by university grants commission(UGC).UGC has proposed four solutions regarding  Z score issue to the supreme court and the court has selected above solution as suitable one.

Meanwhile a fundamental rights case filed by 33 A/Level students against injustice they have faced due to Z score was taken up before three member bench headed by chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

74 Quality Failed Drugs And Surgicals Removed From Government Hospitals This Year

Around 74  drug and surgical items distributed among government hospitals island wide were removed after they were proven low in quality during last 08 months of this year it has been revealed.The removed list of low quality drug and surgical s includes Amoxacillin, lignocane hydrochloride gel.ultrasound transmission gel and anti venom serum  according to national drug authority sources.

Meanwhile president of professor senaka bibile memorial committee Dr.Jayantha Bandara has said that these low quality drugs still use in government hospitals although they have instructed to be removed from hospitals with immediate effect.  replying to this allegation of dr.bandara medical supplies division has said that they have instructed all government hospital directors and provincial health authorities to remove all those low quality drugs through a special circulars and it's their duty to act accordingly.

Most of those drugs and surgical s  have been instructed to remove during month of August.

Anuradhapura Hospital Doctors Launched A Token Strike

The Doctors attached to Anuradhapura General Hospital have launched a token strike since 8 a.m this morning (31) to protest against attacking of a hospital doctor by political group the government medical officers association (GMOA) has announced.The strike will continue till 4 p.m this evening.

As today is a poya holiday here in Sri Lanka OPD Clinics are not functioning in government hospitals including Anuradhapura Hospital ,but admissions and normal treatment and surgeries have been affected  due to this strike hospital sources said.

All Ceylon Health Services Trade Union Slammed Health Authorities Over Imporing BTI Bacteria

All Ceylon Health Services Trade Union has yesterday (29) slammed Health Authorities over their decision to import BTI Bacteria from Cuba to curb dengue mosquito larvae while a large stock of the said bacteria imported few years ago still remained in the shelves.Around 30,000 mili liters of BTI Bacteria were  imported from Cuba few years back.However only a small amount of them used to destroy dengue mosquito larvae in the country as dengue experts continuously urging  that the bacteria is not the  major weapon on curbing dengue menace .

However last week Ministry Of Health again has decided to import another stock of BTI Bacteria to air spray over dengue mosquito breeding places located in higher buildings withing city of Colombo .while criticizing the said decision the secretary of All Ceylon Health Services Trade Union Gamini Kumarasinha has said that importing BTI Bacteria again while recent stock still available in the country is a total waste of public funds and urged authorities to cancel the said decision.

Also he has requested the health authorities to revealed the real reason behind importing BTI Bacteria to the country at this stage.meanwhile locally developed BTI Bacteria too released to the Dengue Control Programme few years back.

2574 Dengue Patients Admitted To Ridgway Children's Hospital This Year

Around 2574 Dengue Patients were admitted to Lady Ridgway Children's Hospital for treatment during last 08 months of this year while 11 of them died hospital sources said today(29).Out of the total number of dengue patients reported majority were  transferred from outstation hospitals and all deaths occurred due to seeking late treatment or lapses in hospital treatment sources added.

CID Inquiring On Leaking Of Grade 5 Scholarship Examination Paper Prior To Exam

The criminal investigations department(CID) has been inquiring on whether there's a leek in examination paper prior to grade 5 scholarship examination  which was held throughout the island last Sunday(26)according to examinations commissioner w.m.j.n.j pushpakumara the inquiry is conducting due to the allegations made by several sections including some teachers trade unions who are stated  that the grade 5 scholarship exam paper was leaked before the examination.

Some teachers trade unions requested education authorities to annul the scholarship examination and re held it in a view of thousands of students who faced injustice  due to leak of examination paper.

Janitorial Service Tenders Of 54 Government Hospitals Gone Astray

A large scale financial fraud occurred during handing over janitorial tenders (cleaning services)of 54 Government Hospitals to private companies for 2012-2013 period it has been revealed,The fraud occurred when handing of said tenders to government hospitals vested to ministry of health at a cost of Rs.3 billion sources said.

A sum of Rs.12 million had exchanged as commissions during tender procedure which  3 of the powerful persons in the health ministry including a minister got involved sources further added.a sum of rs.3 billion spending for janitorial services is a total waste of public money which can be utilized to purchase out of stock drugs in hospitals health ministry officials said.as these tenders solely handled by higher officials of the ministry they do not even requested the service of a labor officer to calculate wages of laborers involved in janitorial service which is must according to labor laws officials have said.

Also due to improper way of handling these tender deals the companies who produced lowest bids and suitable for offering janitorial tenders were ignored.

The procurement committee which prepared  tender deals  put low wages for laborers  which were very low compare to Rs.633 minimum daily wage (for a 12  hour shift daily) recommended by labor department.Also the private companies who received the tenders after   produced highest bids have been reported as not paying   full amount of the salary of laborers and as a result some laborers attached to some janitorial companies who are cleaning hospitals launched a strike action by opposing this it has been revealed.

Muruththettuwe Thero Is In Warpath Against Health Ministry

The President of Health Services Trade Union Federation Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero has claimed that due to the poor administrative skills of  Health Minister, ministry itself has become a "paradise of cheaters"while declaring current health minister as a poor administrator ever appointed as health minister Venerable muruththettuwe Thero has said  that due to this situation there's no discipline in the ministry.

Eleven Drugs Are Out Of Stock In Karapitiya Hospital

Eleven essential drugs including Insulin Injections prescribed for  diabetes patients are out of stock in Karapitiya General Hospital these days hospital sources said."Atovasatatin",Enelapeil and Meformin  are among these out of stock drugs sources added.

Due to this situation patients are advised by doctors to buy these drugs from Private Pharmacies through there own expenses.

Janitor Service Tender Of Chilaw Base Hospital Handed Over To a Banned Company

Health Authorities have handed over a  janitor  service (cleaning service) tender of Chilaw Base Hospital ( 2012/2013 period ) to a private company which was banned by Presidential Special Investigations Unit for a sum of Rs.13,149,459 it has been revealed.The sum of money spent for this tender is not worth for a janitor service of a base hospital and it was a total waste of money the co secretary of Health Services Trade Union Federation Mr.Harendra Kuruppu  has claimed.

The tender which was offered to the said company on 26th of june 2012 was handled by 3 of the powerful officers at Ministry Of Health including a minister Mr.Kuruppu has said.The worth of the tender offered to above company is 5 times higher than the lowest bid produced by another company   he stressed.

All Universities Except Medical Faculties closed

Due to the ongoing strike action of University Lecturers higher education ministry has decided to close all university faculties except medical faculties till further notice.University Lecturers are in strike since 04th July demanding increase of their wages.This strike paralyzed the whole university education system as well as paper marking activities of G.C.E Advanced Level Examination.

Trincomalee Hospital Nurses In War Path Against Minor Staff

The nurses attached to Trincomalee General Hospital have launched a 4 hour strike today (20) to protest against issuing of nurses  uniform material to minor staff of the hospital as well.Due to the strike launched between 7.30-11.30 a.m this morning all hospital clinics,surgeries and patient care services in wards were paralyzed according to hospital sources.

Nursing Staff of Trincomalee Hospital who are angry over the move by hospital administrators on issuing nurses uniform material to minor staff says that they will continue this 4 hour strike daily from tomorrow (21) onwards till authorities correct their mistake.

Sacred Relics Of Lord Buddha Brought To Sri Lanka

The sacred "Kapilawasthu Relics"relics which are  portion of Lord Buddha's fragments of bones  were brought to Sri Lanka this morning from India.This is the first time these relics brought to Sri Lanka after 34 years and it will be displayed  to the public from today onwards at several temples in nine provinces of the  island.The relics are currently at Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya .

The relics which brought here from museum in New Delhi were received by Mahanayaka Theros and President Mahinda Rajapaksha at the Katunayake Banadaranaike International Air Port this morning.

Ramadan Festival Falls Today (19)

The Muslims in Sri Lanka are celebrating their religious Ramadan Festival ("Id Ul Fitr ") today(19). The Colombo Grand Mosque has declared today as Ramadan following yesterday's (18) sighting of new moon .

Doctors Strike Paralysed OPD's,Clinics And Routine Surgeries/Treatment In Govt.Hospitals

The OPD's ,Clinics,Routine Surgeries and treatment offered in Government Hospitals throughout the island were paralyzed yesterday due to the one day token strike launched by Government Doctors the hospital sources said.A large number of people who came to hospitals to get clinical treatment yesterday went home empty handed sources added.

The token strike will be continued till 8 a.m today(18).

Government Hospital Doctors launched this token strike as a mark of protest against the grenade bomb attack taken place at consultant surgeon Dr.Lalantha Ranasinha' s residence on last Thursday (16) .Dr.Ranasinha  is a strong campaigner against Malabe Private Medical College and member of  Disciplinary Committee of  the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and the grenade attack is  believed to be against his position on malabe private medical college .Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has said that the  strike was launched to urged authorities to prevent such attacks against doctors in future who are acting against low quality Private Medical Collages set up in Sri Lanka.

Government Doctors To Launch An Islandwide Token Strike Tomorrow(17)

The Government Hospital Doctors have decided to launch an island wide token strike tomorrow(17th) at 8 a.m in protest against a grenade attack on Dr.Lasantha Ranasinha's house in dehiwala this morning according to Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA).The strike is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m tomorrow morning and will be lasted till  8 a.m on Saturday  GMOA has stated.

Meanwhile the doctors attach to Colombo National Hospital have launched an one day token strike this noon as a protest against the attack.The strike is scheduled to end tomorrow noon.

The doctor subjected to grenade attack dr.ranasinha is strongly opposed Malabe Private Medical Collage and GMOA firmly believes that may have caused this attack.