PSM's Accused Health Ministry On Privatizing Free Diploma Courses On PSM'S

The Professions Supplementary To Medicine(PSM) have accused the Health Ministry for  trying to privatized the free government diploma training course conducted for PSM's.as a first step to privatizing the said diploma course health ministry has tried get course fees from the candidates who are applying for these courses according to the Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine.

'There are around 600 unemployed PSM Graduates who are still not received a government job and government will benefited if these unemployed graduates recruited to government service without a delay "the secretary of Joint Council Mr.Saman Jayasekera has said

.

GMOA Parent Body Announced The Dissolvement Of Colombo National Hospital Branch-Branch Union Denied To Accept The Decision

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has announced that  the Executive Committee of the association has decided to dissolve the Colombo National Hospital Branch Union of GMOA with immediate effect.this decision has taken following the one day token strike launched by Colombo National Hospital Branch Union of GMOA on Friday based on irregularities of Doctors Transfers without informing the parent union GMOA spokesman has said.

The said strike which has ended this morning was against  GMOA constitution the spokesman has said.however a spokesman of GMOA Colombo National Hospital Branch Union has revealed that under the GMOA constitution any branch union can go for a 48 hour strike without informing parent union.the Colombo National Hospital branch union  will not accepted the unlawful decision taken by GMOA exco yesterday to dissolve the branch union spokesman has said."only the general committee of GMOA can take a decision in this regard not the exco" he stressed.

Meanwhile the GMOA Branch Union Of Colombo National Hospital which met this noon has decided to launch a token strike again on Monday(04) by demanding to solve doctors transfer problem.the time is to be decided at the urgent meeting of hospital doctors scheduled to be summoned at 8 a.m on Monday.several other branch unions of GMOA have also decided to support the Strike action of Colombo Branch Union it has been reported.

One Day Token Strike Of National Hospital Docs Paralyzed Hospital Services

Due to the one day token strike launched by Doctors attached to Colombo National Hospital today(01)OPD Clinical treatment,routine surgeries and treatment were  paralyzed  and as a result thousands of opd and indoor patients have suffered according to hospital sources.

The one day token strike which started at  8  a.m today(01) is due to end at 8 a.m tomorrow(02).

Doctors are demanding the correction of irregularities in 2013 annual transfer list of doctors and suspending the decision taken by Health Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake to release 450 doctors based on out dated 2012 annual transfer list according to Colombo National Branch Union Of Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA).

Meanwhile the parent Body  of   Government Medical Officers Association has condemned this strike action today and said this strike is a clearly a violation of GMOA Constitution as the branch union has  not informed the parent union on strike.

Colombo National Hospital Doctors To Launch A Token Strike Tomorrow(01)

All Doctors attached to Colombo National Hospital has decided to launch a one day token strike from 8 a.m tomorrow(01) to 8 a.m on Saturday (02) by demanding solutions for  two demands.

Around 1000 doctors attached to Colombo National Hospital launching this strike by demanding correcting irregularities of  annual transfer list of doctors and suspending orders given by health secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathiake to release around 450 doctors based on out dated 2012 annual transfer list according to Colombo national  hospital branch of Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA)all  OPD (Out Door Patients Department) clinical treatment as well as  routine surgeries and treatment will not be performed during strike period while emergencies will be performed as usual branch union officials said.

If the solutions for two demands not given withing next two days national hospital doctors will launch a continuous strike from coming Monday(04) officials further added.

Supreme Court Suggests Reducing The Size Of Health Warning Pictures In Cigarette Packs

The Supreme Court today(28) has suggests Health Ministry and Ceylon Tobacco Corporation to settle health warning issue by reducing the size of health warning pictures proposed to be appeared in Cigarette Packs.Court has given both parties to settle this matter till 28th of March.

Tobacco Company has  filed a case against Health Ministry opposing the printing of health warning pictures in cigarette packs which earlier rejected by appeals court.

President Has Instructed Education Minister To Introduce Medical Fitness For School Sports Activities

President Mahinda Rajapaksha today(27) has instructed Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena to work out a system to subject students selected for sports activities to medical fitness first.president has instructed this following the death of a school girl who was collapsed and died yesterday (26)whilst participating the school sports meet .

The school girl reside in Mawanaella(Kandy District) was collapsed during running 5000 meter race at sports meet of her school  and was declared dead after she was admitted to the hospital.

As majority of skilled  Government Hospital Intensive Care Unit(ICU) nurses are applying hospital jobs in Canada and other western countries functioning of around 90 hospital ICU's are in question according to hospital sources.according to hospital authorities a group of ICU nurses have already left western countries to serve hospital ICU's there while a large number of skilled ICU nurses are participating IELTS English examination seeking  foreign employment.

This situation also worsen the severe shortage of nurses in government hospitals as only 24,000 nurses are employed in hospitals  while around 36,000 nurses needed to fill the vacancies.

Sri Lanka Protested Over Channel-4 Documentary

Sri Lanka has officially protested against screening of Channel-4 documentary "No Fire Zone-The Killing Fields In Sri Lanka"which is due to be screened this Friday during United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)meeting in Geneva ,Switzerland.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Switzerland Ravinatha Ariyasnha has protested the screening of above documentary through a letter sent to head of UNHRC in which he mentioned the documentary as contains a narrative that is "discredited, uncorroborated and unsubstantiated.

Two Died ,Seven Injured Due To A Lorry Accident

Two persons died and seven others were injured due to a lorry accident occurred on the Bandaragama-Piliyandala Road early this morning.two persons died upon admission to the Colombo South Hospital according to hospital sources.the accident has occurred when the lorry has skidded off the road at Kindelpitiya Junction in Bandaragama-Piliyandala Road.

All Cough Syrups Containing "Dextromethorphan"Suspended

According to the recommendation of World Health Organization(WHO) the Ministry Of Health has temporarily  suspended the usage of all cough syrups containing "Dextromethorphan"the ministry has announced today(23).

Prices Of Petrol And Diesel Increased

The prices of   90 Octane Petrol,95 Octane Petrol and Auto and Super Diesel were increased with effect from midnight yesterday(23) according to Ceylon Petroleum Corporation(CPC).according to the new price increase  a litre of  90 Octane Petrol was increased by Rs.3 (Rs.162) 95 Octane Petrol by Rs.3(Rs.170) Auto Diesel by Rs.6(Rs.121) Super by Rs.3 (Rs.145).

Government Doctors Wants Health Minister To Uphold Amendment On Removing Surgical Part From MBBS Degree

The Government Medical Officers Forum(GMOF) has informed the Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena today (21) that around 14,000 graded Medical Officers island wide will be withdrawn from their hospital services soon if the Health Authorities failed to uphold the amendment to the Sri Lankan Medical Ordinance on removing surgical part from MBBS(Bachelor Of Medicine Bachelor Of Surgery) Degree awarded to Graduate Doctors with immediate effect.

During the special meeting held between a 15 member delegation of  GMOF Doctors and Health Minister at the Health Ministry Premises this evening the doctors have pointed out that the amendment to the Medical Ordinance on removing surgical part from MBBS Degree should be withdrawn with immediate effect.

Also the team of doctors proposed a plan to give Grade 1 Promotions for the Grade 2 Medical Officers who have completed six years of service.

Cabinet Has Decided To Prohibit The Sale Of State And Private Land To Foreigners

The Cabinet has decided to prohibit the  outright sale of state and private land to foreigners Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has stated today(21).speeking at the cabinet press  briefing held in Government Information Department he has said the decision was taken during yesterday's Cabinet Meeting.

Government Has Recalled Sri Lankan Ambassador To Italy

The Government has recalled it's ambassador to Italy Mr.Asitha Perera with immediate effect following the complaints made against him by Sri Lankans living in Italy according to Sri Lankan Foreign Employment Bureau.

A large number of Sri Lankans living  in Italy are said to be  not happy over ambassador's  activities it has been reported..a group of Sri Lankans staged a protest campaign in front of Sri Lankan Embassy in Italy yesterday according to foreign media reports.

Government PSM'S To Launch Two Day Island Wide Strike This Week

The Professions Supplementary To Medicine(PSM's) attached to government hospitals have decided to launch two day island wide strike from 8 a.m Thursday(21) Morning till 8 a.m on Saturday(23) by demanding the implementation of circular issued by treasury on increasing their allowances.

According to Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine although treasury has issued the said circular on 27th of January this year recommending increasing of overtime,on call and emergency allowances the  health ministry continuously delaying the implementation of that circular without a proper reason."therefore we have no other option then going for a strike action "the secretary of joint council Mr.Saman Jayasekere has said.

PSM'S compromising government pharmacists,radiographers,medical laboratory technologists(MLT'S),physiotherapists and occupational therapists are due to participate this strike action while only emergency services due to be maintained during strike period.

Due to humanitarian reasons PSM'S attached to Lady Ridgway Childrens Hospital,De Soyza Maternity,Castle Street Maternity,Cancer and Sirimawo Bandaranaike Childrens Hospitals are not participating this  strike jayasekere has stressed.

Large Number Of Drug Varieties Out Of Stock In Government And Private Sectors

Around 20 drug varieties  in Government Hospitals and more then 200 drug varieties  in government and private pharmacies are out of stock these days according to health sources.due to this drug shortage patients are facing numerous difficulties sources added.

 This drug shortage occurred due to the delay of importing these drugs to the country sources further said.

New Captains Of Sri Lankan Test,ODI And T2O Cricket Squads Have Announced

All Rounder Angelo Mathews has been appointed as Sri Lanka's new Test and ODI Cricket Captain while new comer Dinesh Chandimal has been appointed as T20 Captain Sri Lanka Cricket has stated today (14).

New T20 Captain Dinesh Chandimal has been appointed as deputy capatain of both Test and ODI Squads while fast bowler Lasith Malinga has appointed as deputy capatin of the T20 Squad.

100 Nurses Dashed 100 Coconuts Against a Hospital Matron'

Around 100 nurses attached to Mahamodara Teaching Hospital(Southern Province) dashed 100 coconuts in front of gatabaru temple in deniyaya area this morning against matron of the hospital who they alleged  as behaving in a wicked manner.the group of nurses dashed the coconuts while they are on their way to work hospital sources said.


Meanwhile The Public  Services Nurses Union has decided to launch a continuous strike from this Tuesday demanding the removal of  said matron however suspended  the strike action till this Friday after health ministry officials have intervened in to the matter.

5000 Metric Tonnes Of Substandard Diesel Imported By LIOC Found Contaminated

Around 5000 metric tonnes of substandard diesel imported by Lanka Indian Oil Company(LIOC) has been rejected by Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited(CPSTL) pending further tests it has been reported. laboratory tests conducted on diesel samples taken  from the shipment of fuel had confirmed that they are substandard according to spokesman of CPSTL .

The contaminated stock of diesel was imported from a Singapore based company the spokesmen has stated.altogether LIOC has imported 40,000 metric tonnes of fuel which contained contaminated fuel.

Recently state owned Ceylon petroleum corporation has also imported substandard fuel which a large number of vehicles got damaged after using it.

ICC World Cup Cricket-Sri Lankan Women Cricketers To Take Australians In To Day's Important Match

Sri Lankan Women's Cricket Team which stormed the women's cricket world last week by beating top two teams in a row at the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup Cricket Tournament will take Australian Women's Cricket Team in today's super six match.after lost the first super six match to New Zealand Team  last Friday today's match is very important for the Sri Lankans to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.

Sri Lankan Women's Cricket Team has defeated world number one England Team and Indian Team during preliminary stages and seal their place at  super six round of the tournament first time in team's  16 year old history.the match between Sri Lanka and Australia is scheduled to be commenced in 9 a.m local time  at brabourne cricket stadium in Mumbai.

Ten Drug Varieties Are Out Of Stock In Govt.Hospitals

Around ten essential drug varieties  are reported as not available in government hospitals including karapitiya teaching hospital these days the hospital sources said.drugs prescribed for diabetes ,hypertension and cholesterol are among these out of stock drug items hospitals sources further added.

Nursing Staff Of Mahamaodara Hospital To Launch An Island Wide Strike

The Nursing Staff attached to mahamodara teaching hospital (southern province) has decided to launch an island wide continuous strike from next Tuesday(12) demanding the removal of matron of the hospital who has  accused as harassing the nursing staff .

According to the nurses in  hospital there were 3 inquiries conducted by health ministry alone against the said matron during last year based on the complaints made by public services nurses union.however the authorities have failed to implement a single inquiry  report the nurses stressed.nursing staff attached to the mahamodera hospital launched a three hour strike last Tuesday demanding the removal of  matron.

Priavte Buses To Launch An Island Wide Strike After 15th Of February?

The private bus owners association has decided to launch an island wide strike without prior notice after 15th of february if the government failed to grant a price hike in bus fares else some kind of concession according to president of private bus owners association gamunu wijerathne.

Due to the  rising of fuel and motor spare part prices private bus owners needs  some kind of concession to avoid income loss he has stressed.

Supreme Court To Appoint A Fuller Bench On Case Of Chief Justice

The supreme court has today(06) decided to refer the case on challenging the appointment of Mohan Pieris as  chief justice to a fuller bench.supreme court has decided to appoint more than three judges to the fuller bench on this case according to the article 132(3) 11 of the constitution.

The case is scheduled to be summoned on 05th of March.

Medical Administrators Engaged In Private Practice Are In Increase

Around 25 Medical Administrators  are  reported as doing priavte parctice which is prohibited for them through a health ministry circular.a majority of these administrators are from southern province while some are attached to the health department sources added.

Some medical adminsitrators are reported as using their official vehicles for the  private parctice sources further said.

A Large Number Of Medical Officers Not Able To Apply For Annual Transfers ?.

Over 4000 medical officers island wide who are in the annual transfer list issued by the Ministry Of Health are facing severe difficulties due to the short period of time  given to them by  authorities to send applications.usually around  two month period has allocated 10 days are given for sending applications which is not enough at all according to provincial medical officers.

According to Helath Ministry Web Site medical officers entitled to this years's annual transfers should send their filled online applications by today(01) and a copy of that on line applciation should be  posted to the minsitry on or before 06th of February.however it's not possible for all medical officers to send these applications on line during the given period due to the lack of inernet facilities rural areas are having medical officers stressed.

A large number of medical offcers have phoned to the ministry today (01)and criticized the short period of time given to them for applying annual tarnsfers.

Severe Drug Shortage In Pharmacies

More than 200 medicinal drugs including life saving drugs are out of stock in both government and private pharmacies throughout the island these days causing severe hardships for patients purchasing drugs from pharmacies it has been reported.according to sources some of these out of stock drugs are not even available in government hospitals these days.

Due to the delay of supplying these out of stock drugs to pharmacies the drug shortage has become worse  pharmacists said.the available variety of drugs too are in  short supply.

Surgeries Postponed Due To Non Availability Of Schools For Doctors Children

Around 100 surgeries and 200-250 clinical checkups in government hospitals have been postponed today (28) due to the absense of some 200 MBBS Doctors including around 25 consultant surgeons who were gathered Colombo this noon to discuss on non availability of schools for their children.these doctors representing government hospitals in 11 districts hold a special discussion with Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) members on this issue.

Minor Cabinet Reshuffle Added Five New Ministers To The Cabinet

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakshe has made a minor Cabinet Reshuffle today(28) with ten  Cabinet Ministers,Six Deputy Ministers and two project ministers were sworn in at Temple Treas.Ministereal Posts of Power and Energy,Enviornment ,Investment Promotions,Eduction and Petroleum were changed and Parliamentarians  Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena,Jayaratne Herath ,Duminda Dissanayake ,Basir Segu Daud and Vijith Vijayamuni Soysa were newly appointed Ministers to the Cabinet.

The newly appointed ministers,deputy ministers and project ministers are as follows.


Ministers-
Susil Premajayantha – Environment and Renewable Energy Minister
Patali Champika Ranwaka – Technology, Research and Atomic Energy Minister
Pavithra Wanniarachchi – Power and Energy Minister
Anura Priyadarshana Yapa - Petroleum Industries Minister
Lakshman Seneviratne – Sugar Industries Minister
Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena – Investment Promotion Minister
Jayaratne Herath – Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation
Duminda Dissanayake – Educational Service Minister
Basir Segu Daud - Productivity Promotion Minister
Vijith Vijayamuni Soysa - Wildlife Conservation Minister

Deputy Ministers-
S.M. Chandrasena – Economic Development Deputy Minister
Susantha Punchinilame – Economic Development Deputy Minister
Faizer Mustapha – Investment Promotion Deputy Minister
M.L.A.M. Hizbullah – Economic Development Deputy Minister
A.R.M. Abdul Kader – Environment and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister
Sarath Kumara Gunaratne - Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Deputy Minister


Project Ministers-
Rohitha Abeygunawardena – Ports and Highways
Nirmala Kothalawala – Ports and Highway

A Cabinet Reshuffle Is Due Tomorrow(28)

A cabinet reshuffle is due to take place tomorrow(28) morning with several ministries are expected to be changed the presidential media has announced.several new ministers are also expected to be appointed during this reshuffle sources said.

A new Prime Minister is also expected to be named due to the poor health of current prime minister D.M Jayaratne sources added.the current cabinet comprises of  9 senior ministers,49 cabinet ministers and 31 deputy ministers.

Health Ministry Temporarily Suspended Use Of "Meropenam"Injections After Glass Piece Was Found In One Vial

The Health Ministry has yesterday (24) ordered to temporarily suspend the use of life saving anti biotic injection vial "Meropenam" in  all government hospitals and pharmacies island wide after a glass piece contained injection vial  was found from  Marawila Base Hospital .the glass piece contained "Meropenam" injection vial was found on Wednesday which is due to expire in June this year.

This is the second occasion that a glass piece contained injection vial has found during last few weeks since a glass piece was found in "Cloxacillin" injection vial stored in south colombo teaching hospital on last December.the contaminated injection vial was belongs to the batch number 170340 of the stock of "Meropenam" injection vials imported from an indian drug company .

The  contaminated injection vial was sent to the national drug quality assurance laboratory for further tests .

Meanwhile the  circular of suspending the said injection vials was issued last evening to all government hospitals and pharmacies according to health ministry sources.also the ministry officials have decided to inform on this glass piece contained injection vial to the indian government,health minister and drug authorities as soon as possible according to a mutual agreement reached between sri lankan and indian health ministries.

New International Air Port To Be Open On March

The newly built Mattala International Air Port in Hambanthota District (Southern Sri Lanka)is scheduled to be  inaugurated on 18th of March 2013 the Minister Of civil aviation MP Priyankara Jayarathne has announced today (24) in Parliament.

Government Has Raised The Age Limit Of Hose Maids To Saudi Arabia As 25 Years

The Government has decided to raise the minimum age limit for females who are going to work in Saudi Arabia as house maids to 25 years.this decision has taken after the much criticized execution of Sri Lankan maid rizana nafeek who worked in saudi arabia on 09th of January after she was found guilty of killing an infant under her care .

Following her execution human right groups and women's organization both here and abroad pressurized  Sri Lankan government to re-considering the sending of  Sri Lankan females to Saudi Arabia as hose maids.

Island Wide Search operations To Tackle Quack Doctors

An island wide search operations are to be conducted  in first week of February to arrest  around 40,000  quack doctors  practicing throughout the country according to Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA).the police department is due to carryout these search operations with the assistance of ministry of health.

The police ha s already  set up an information office at Mirihana Police Station in view of  receiving information on quack doctors.

The ministry of health has also decided to tightened the laws related to punishing of quack doctors and according to ministry sources under the new law a quack will be received  minimum of 5 year imprisonment .

A Doctor Arrested For Selling Banned Drugs To His Patients

The Negombo Police has  arrested a MBBS Doctor today(20) who has sold banned pharmaceutical drugs to   drug addicts and running an abortion center near Negombo Area .this doctor has said to be sold Psychiatric Drug  "Sudole" which are widely used by some youth as an addictive drug without diagnosing the patients.the arrested doctor has also engaged in treating drug addicts it has been revealed.

The police has also found 15  national identity cards   belongs to men and women and a stock of banned drugs from  doctor's house .the identity cards believe to be belongs to women who came to doctor's abortion center seeking  abortions .

Bribary Case Was Filed Against New Chief Justice

A financial fraud  case was filed at Bribery and Corruption Commission this evening against the newly appointed chief justice Mohan Pieris according to the commission sources.a trade unionist attached to leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) vasantha samarasinha had filed this case against new chief justice by stating  he has made the government a loss of Rs.75 million  during his tenure of office as attorney general.

Dr.Mrs.Bandaranaike Declared She Is Still The Legitamate Chief Justice Of Sri Lanka

Although president Mahinda Rajapaksha has appointed a new chief justice this noon the 43rd chief justice of Sri Lanka Dr.Mrs.Shirani Bandaranaike has stated this evening that she is still the legitimate chief justice in the country as both supreme and appeal courts recently gave her the verdict that the impeachment motion passed against her by the government was an illegal one.

Speaking to the media while vacating her official residence at Colombo 7 this evening she has said that the main reason behind  vacating her  official residence is to prevent occurring any violence among public under present circumstances.Dr.Mrs.Bandaranaike has also said that she didn't take a single cent from public money neither done anything wrong during her 32 year old career  as charged in impeachment motion passed against her at Parliament last Friday . "although  justice was not with me today the truth will revealed in near future" she has stressed.

Earlier on Sunday Mrs.Bandaranaike has requested the inspector general of police to tighten her security soon after received the  removal notice from chief justice  post from president.however inspector general of police after considering the request has replied her that the police department only able to provide her security till 6 p.m today.due to the  growing concerns over her security  after  new chief justice was appointed the first female chief justice of sri lanka Dr.Mrs.Bandaranike has revealed that now the security of  her family lies on the hands of  general public.

Meanwhile several court cases scheduled to be hear on number 502 court room of supreme court complex were postponed today due to the absence of dr.mrs.bandaranaike who was scheduled to sit down on the bench of judges of these cases.

Mohan Pieris Sworn In As New Chief Justice

Former Attorney General Mohan Pieris had sworn in before president mahinda rajapakshs as Sri Lanka's 44th Chief Justice this noon after parliamentary council has  recommended him for the top judicial post.despite criticisms from  opposition parties and intellectuals on  the way  government has removed chief justice Dr.Mrs.Shirani Bandaranaike from the post mohan pieris sworn in at temple treas amidst tight security.

After sworn in ceremony the newly appointed chief justice has visited the Supreme Court complex this evening.however largest trade union of sri lankan lawyers the bar association of Sri Lanka boycotted the sworn in ceremony as previously announced.

President Nominated Former Attorney General As A Nominee For The Chief Justice Post

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has today (14)nominated former attorney general Mohan Pieris as his nominee for the post of chief justice to the parliamentary council government sources said.parliamentary council is to meet tomorrow(15) to appoint a suitable candidate for the chief justice sources further added.

Meanwhile  two opposition members representing the council were announced today that they will not  participating the council meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow to select a new chief justice.

Chief Justice To Remain In Her Post Despite Being Received The Removal Notice

Despite being   received the removal notice from the post from president yesterday Chief Justice Dr.Mrs.Shirani bandaranaike has not willing to vacate her post based on the decision made by the  supreme  court  declaring  the impeachment motion and parliamentary select committee report of it  as illegal.

Meanwhile Dr.mrs bandaranaike has  requested inspector general of police today (14)to tighten her security due to the present crisis occured between juiciary and executive it has been reported.mrs.bandaranike has also scheduled to sit on the judge bench which is set to hear cases next week sources revealed.

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has sent a removal notice to chief justice yesterday morning indicating her removal from the post stated as based on the request made by parliament to do so.an impeachment motion against chief justice was approved by the parliament  last friday with 155 parliamnetarians voted in favor and 49 voted against it presidential sources said.however the main opposition united national party and other opposition parties claimed that parilament has only approved a motion srequesting president  to appoint an independent committee to inquire on findings of parliamentary select committe on impeachment motion against chief justice but not to remove her from the post .

President Signed The Removal Notice Of Chief Justice

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has signed the removal notice of Sri Lanka's first female chief justice Dr.Mrs.Shirani Bandaranaike this morning ratifying  Parliament's vote to impeach her according to government sources.the removal notice was sent to the official residence of chief justice sources further added.

The Parliament has approved the findings of Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) which inquire on impeachment motion against chief justice Dr.Mrs.Bandaranaike with 155 parliament mp's voted in favor and 49 voted against it.

Many western countries including USA,UK and Commonwealth criticized Sri Lankan government on it's decision to impeach chief justice and appealed to hold a fair trial on impeachment.International Committee On Jurists too condemned the move.meanwhile the Bar Association Of Sri Lanka the biggest trade union of  sri lankan lawyers recently  vowed publicly that the association will not welcomed the new chief justice under present circumstance while lawyers collective has called all supreme court judges not to recognize newly appointed chief justice.

Meanwhile lawyers were engaged in several protest campaigns during last week opposing parliamentary debate on impeachment motion against chief justice by  stating according to supreme court's interpretation of sri lankan constitution parliamentary select committee has no authority to inquire on chief justice.

Impeachment Motion Against Chief Justice Has Passed In Parliament

The controversial impeachment motion against Chief Justice Dr.Mrs.Shirani Bandaranaike whas passed today(11) in Parliament after debated in two days with 155 MP's vote for the motion while 49 MP's voted against the motion.20 MP's were absent during the voting.the MP's of main opposition United National Party(UNP) and leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna walked out from walked out from the parliament during the voting.

 The resolution passed by parliament today is due to send to  the president for future course of action. 

Sri Lanka Recalled Ambassador To Saudi Arabia Over Rizan's Execution.

Sri Lankan Government has recalled it's ambassador to Saudi Arabia with immediate effect as a move to express the country's displeasure over the execution of Sri Lankan Maid Rizana Nafeek .Rizana was executed yesterday near Riyadh in Saudi Arabia despite the growing number of appeals from Sri Lanka and in other countries .

Heavy Traffic Reported In Colombo Due To Lawyers Protest

A heavy traffic was reported in entry roads to Supreme Court this morning due to protest campaign organized by lawyers regarding  the parliamentary debate on impeachment motion against  chief justice .

Meanwhile similar protest campaigns were conducted by several organizations throughout the city.

Government Professions Supplementary To Medicine To Launch 3 day Strike Tomorrow

Government Professions Supplementary To Medicine(PSM'S) have decided to launch an island wide three day strike from tomorrow (09) by demanding solutions to 10 of their service demands.the three day strike of government PSM's will commenced on 8 a.m tomorrow till 8 a.m on Saturday(12) according to Joint Council Of Government Professions Supplementary To Medicine.

The PSM'S compromising government pharmacists,radiographers ,medical laboratory technologists(MLT's),Physiotherapists and occupational therapists are launching this strike demanding 10 of their service demands including granting overtime,accidental and extra payments,granting communication allowance to PSM's,recruiting unemployed PSM  Graduates to state sector and implementing delayed promotions of grade 1 PSM  officers.

Due to humanitarian reasons PSM'S  attached to Castle Street Women's Hospital,De Soyza Maternity,Sirimavo Bandaranaike memorial children's hospital,cancer hospital,maharagama and blood bank will not participating tomorrow strike according to Joint Council.

Parliamentary Debate On Impeachment Motion Against CJ To Be Taken On Thursday And Friday

All  Political Party Leaders have today (07) decided to conduct the parliamentary debate on impeachment motion against Chief Justice Dr.Mrs.Shirani Bandaranaike on this Thursday(10) and Friday(11) while vote will be taken at 6.30 p.m on Friday (11)this decision was taken at a special meeting of the leaders of all political parties held at parliamentary premises today.

Met Department Warned Fishermen In Matara And Potuvil To Reftain From Fishing Due To Low Preassure Area

The Metereological Department has warned fishermen in coastal areas of Matara to Potuvil to refrain from going to sea these fays due to the low preassure area developed in bay of bengal.the low preassure area in bay of bengal is in 450 km of Potuvil and it may cause rough sea waves the department has added.

Due to the influence of low preassure area showers with gusty winds will continue throught the island furher met department has said.

Price Of A 12.5 KG Gas Cylinder Goes Up

The price of  a 12.5 KG domestic LP Gas Cylinder has increased by Rs.150 with effect from midnight tonight according to consumer affairs authority .according to the new price revision the price of a LP gas cylinder will be Rs.3396.

Gas Companies were earlier requested consumer affairs authority to increase the price of a gas cylinder.

Court Of Appeal Has Stated PSC Has No Legal Authority To Inquire On Chief Justice

The court of appeal today (03) has stated that a parliamentary select committee(PSC) has no legal authority to inquire on allegations against chief justice .the court has satted this by  reading out the Supreme Court intepretation on constitution.

This was revealed  when two petitions filed by Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayaka were taken up at the Appeal Court today.

The Appeal court further explained that allegations against a judge could only be investigated by an entity with judicial authority. If not the authority of the whole judiciary of the country could be threatened, the Court added.

PSC was established under the standing order 78(A) and the aforementioned order is not a law, the Appeal Court observed.

Court has stated that in order to inquire allegations the Chief Justice, Parliament needs to appoint and committee or an entity endowed with judicial authority.

Government And UNP Members Of Parliamentary Select Committee To Boycott Court Proceedings

Government Members as well as main opposition United National Party (UNP) members who were members of parliamentary select committee (PSC)which investigated impeachment charges against chief justice have decided not to appear before Court Of Appeal tomorrow(03) although received notices to appear in court.

However TNA and Jvp members who were in PSC have decided to appear before court tomorrow.