Fonterra Compnay To Withdraw DCD Contaminated Milk Powder Products From Market

Fonterra Company in Sri Lanka has decided to withdraw certain batches of their milk powder products Anchor and Anchor 1+ which confirmed as contaminated with agro chemical "Dyciadanmite"(DCD) with immediate effect according to company sources.company made this decision  following the directive issued by Director General Of Health Services Dr.Palitha Mahipala yesterday(08) he has urged the milk powder companies to  withdraw the contaminated batches of 4 imported milk powder products including  Anchor and Anchor1+ based on the research findings of Industrial Technology Institute(ITI).

Dr.Mahipala has  also appealed from all media institutions in the country to refrain from publishing milk powder advertisements until further notice due to the crisis situation occurred in milk powder industry here.

Meanwhile the Director General Of Health Services with Food Advisory Committee has issued the names and batches of DCD Contaminated milk powders in the market which should withdraw from the market.the DCD Contaminated milk powder products are as follows.
Anchor Full Cream Milk Powder (batch no.0605C0883) and Anchor One Plus (Batch no.107610163) manufactured by Fonterra-New Zealand  , Maliban Non-Fat Milk (batch no.13074A1) and Diamond Milk Powder (batch no. NW1F1PDX1)

Director general Of Health Services Has Instructed Provincial Health directors To Inspect Withdrawing Of Contaminated Milk

The Director General Of Health Services Dr.Palitha Mahipala has instructed all provincial health directors and regional directors as well as the Chief Medical Officer of Colombo to inspect  the withdrawing of  milk powders belongs to 3 milk powder companies that proved as contaminated with DCD Agro Chemical.the imported  milk powder products which are identified  as contaminated with  DCD  are Anchor.Anchor 1+.Maliban Non fat and Diamond milk powders .

Director General Of Health Services  has yesterday (07) ordered 3 milk powder companies namely Anchor-Fonterra,Maliban and Mudalige limited to withdraw their products from the local market following the research report issued by industrial technology institute  confirming the presence of DCD in them..

Court Of Appeal Has Issued An Interim Order Preventing Fonterra From Advertising Their Milk Powder Products

The Court Of Appeal has today (08) issued an interim order preventing New Zealand Milk Powder manufacturer Fonterra from advertising any of their milk powder products in both print and electronic media until  21st of August.court has issued this order after considering a petition filed by architect saliya samrasinha of Matale by stating that public is mislead due to the advertisements published and broadcast by  fonterra in print and electronic media  when a safety problem regarding imported  milk powder products arise in the country.

The petitioner has claimed in his petition that the Fonterra is advertising  their milk powder products as  100% safe  for consumption whenever a  news item appear those milk powders are contaminated with DCD agro chemical .this situation is not good for public and should avoid it the petitioner has said.

Health Ministry Has Ordered The Milk Powder Companies To Withdraw DCD Contaminated Milk Powder Products

The Ministry Of Health has today(07) ordered milk powder importers Fonterra,Maliban and Diamond to withdraw their milk powder stocks which found contaminated with agro chemical Dyciadanamite" (DCD) from the market with immediate effect.further ministry itself decided to send all samples of Milk Powder and other food items to local Industrial Technology Institute(ITI) instead of sending them to foreign labs.

According to the Ministry Sources the Food Advisory Committee which met yesterday evening has decided to restarted  the research on presence of DCD in all imported milk powders as well as on the presence of bacteria infected whey protein with immediate effect.if any of the imported milk powders found to be contaminated with DCD else bacteria infected whey protein the future action will be decided according to it ministry has stressed.

Meanwhile Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena has promised to the government medical officers association (GMOA) that all DCD Contaminated imported milk powders in the local market will be withdrawn and steps will be taken to promote liquid milk among public.

Director General Of Health Services Appealed All Media Institutions To Refrain Publishing/Broadcasting Milk Powder Ads

Director General Of Health Services Dr.Palitha Mahipala has today(07) appealed from the local print and electronic media to refrain from publishing and broadcasting  milk powder advertisements until further notice due to the misleading advertisements published by some milk powder companies in present crisis situation.

Director General Of Health Services has said through a press release issued to the media this evening that in a situation that reported an agro chemical Dyciadanamite"(DCD) and bacteria infected whey protein contained in some imported milk products few milk powders advertised not only mislead public it also becomes a threat to food safety in the country .therefor he appealed all heads of the media institutions to cooperate by refrain from publishing and broadcasting milk powder advertisements until further notice.

GMOA Has Condemned The Health Ministry's Delay On Withdrawing DCD Contaminated Milk Powder

Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) has today(06)again condemned the health ministry's delay on  withdrawing  the stock of imported milk powder which were confirmed as contaminated with agro chemical Dycianadamite (DCD) from local market .the milk by products produced  by those milk powder companies including cheese,yoghurt and ice cream too may have contaminated with DCD and authorities should inquire on that also he said.

Addressing a press briefing held in GMOA Office in Colombo this noon the president of GMOA Dr.Anurudda Padeniya has said that although the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) has confirmed from their research report issued on 26th of July that a four varieties of Milk Powder in local market are contaminated with DCD health authorities still trying to sideline the report behalf of milk powder comapnies.

"Some higher officials in the ministry itself were bribed by these milk powder companies to retain their milk powders in the market" he has stated. the GMOA President has appealed the health minister to take stern action against those who sidelined the ITI Report findings,GMOA has sent a written letter to the minister yesterday(05) by  requesting an impartial inquiry against  those ministry officials.

Over 1000 Unqualified MLT'S Employed In Private Hospitals

More than 1000 unqualified medical laboratory technicians(MLT) have been employed in private hospitals throughout the island according to government medical laboratory technicians association.due to these unqualified MLT's the laboratory tests done through  most of the private hospitals are not in good quality charged Saman Jayasekera a senior MLT working in  Colombo National Hospital.

"Health Ministry should have take action against these unqualified Private Hospital MLT's to ensure the  quality of lab tests performs in the private sector " mr.jayasekera has further said.

Thirty One Teeange Mothers Have Died Due To Complications In 2011-2012 -Dr.Deepthi Perera

Thirty One Teenage Mothers aged between 15-19 have died during 2011-2012 period due to the complications they have during pregnancies according to the Dr. Deepthi Perera the director (Mother and child care) of Family Health Bureau .it has estimated around 21,000 -22,000 teenage pregnancies may have occurred in Sri Lanka annually she has said. 

Out of thirty one teenage mothers died 20 deaths occurred in the year 2011 and 11 deaths in 2012 she has revealed while addressing a media seminar titled  "Preventing Teenage Pregnancies" held in Health Education Bureau today(05)

Due to the unwanted sexual behavior among section of teenagers 28 out of every 1000 teenage girls in the country become pregnant during the ages of 15-19 and this rate is 6.1 % form the total number of pregnancies occurred annually in Sri Lanka.the most number of teenage pregnancies have been reported from eastern province according to dr.perera.

Due to the teenage pregnancies health complications like high blood pressure,anemia and convulsions will occurred and there's a 50% chance of infants born to these mothers to be dead  from birth comparing  to those births of mothers aged between 20-29 according to the doctors.it has been reported around 60% of teenage mothers in the country are from rural families lives with poverty.

Giving good knowledge on reproductive health to the teenage girls under 14 years,giving continuous education for girls and a good relationship between parents and teenage daughters will help to prevent these unwanted teenage pregnancies dr,perera has further said.

Disaster Management Center Has Warned On Rough Seas With Strong Winds In Several Sea Areas

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) has warned that deep and shallow sea areas in from Puttalam to Potuvil via Colombo may be rough and dangerous with strong winds.the winds of those sea areas may increase to 60 -80 kilo meters per hour DMC has stated.

Meanwhile the meteorology  department has said that there will be  showers or thunder showers in sea areas of Puttalam to Hambanthota via  Galle and few other sea areas.

Health Minsitry Still Silence On DCD Contamination In Four Varities Of Imported Milk Powders

Although the  Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA)  has claimed on the contamination of  agro chemical "Dycianadamite"(DCD) in four varieties of imported Milk Powder available in  local market the Health Ministry seems to be keep on sticking to the so called Thailand lab report that said to be clearing those milk powders .both deputy health minister lalith dissasanyake and director general of health services dr.palitha mahipala were said that the the report received by the health ministry  from a laboratory in Thailand has cleared the presence of chemical DCD in imported milk powder available in local market.

However both have declined to comment   on the report issued by Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) that confirming the contamination of DCD Chemical in four varieties of imported milk powder. according to the ITI report issued on 26th of July the DCD chemical was found in four varieties of imported milk powder namely Anchor Full Cream Milk Powder,Anchor One Plus,Diamond Milk Powder and Maliban Non Fat imported from New Zealand and Australia.

GMOA Has Urged Health Ministry To Withdraw Stocks Of Imported Milk Powders In Local Market Contaminated With DCD Chemical

Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has urged the Ministry of Health to withdraw the stocks of four varieties of imported Milk Powder in the local market that contaminated with agro chemical "Dycianadamite"(DCD) and other milk products of those companies with immediate effect as it will become a threat to public health.the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) attach to Ministry of Tecnology,Research has issued a report last week confirming the four varities of said Milk Powders contaminated with DCD Chemical the assistant secretary of GMOA Dr.Nalin Ariyaratne has said.

If those milk powders contaminated with dcd then the milk products such as yoghurt,ice creams and cheese produced by those companies too contaminated with it as they too produced from cows milk dr.ariyaratne has revealed.

Addressing a press briefing held in Colombo ,dr,ariyaratne has said that it is puzzling why the ministry of health and it's officials still not take an action against milk powder companies imported the said contaminated milk powders although a research report of ITI confirms the contamination of DCD in them.Ministry of Health should take a legal action against these mill powder companies he stressed.

The DCD chemical has said to be contaminated cows milk of  dairy producers in some western countries including New Zealand as a measure of removing the threat to ozone layer by green house gas produced from urine of cows.as a result dairy producers adding dcd to grass eat by cows and it got contaminated with cows milk too scientists said.

According GMOA assistant Secretary Dr.Ariyaratne,the agro chemical dcd can cause infections in Nervous System,kidneys,livers and other important organs in human body and it should not contaminated in any food item as it considered as a toxic substance.

Meanwhile the authority of food in Sri Lanka director general of health services dr,palitha mahipala has said that he still not read the report issued by ITI regarding the dcd contamination of four varieties of imported milk powders in the market but a report issued by a laboratory in Thailand stated the imported milk samples sent to them were free of dcd.however none of the imported milk powders will issue to the market without testing them dr.mahipala has said.

According to the ITI report four varieties of imported milk powders in the local market tested by them contaminated with higher amounts of dcd chemical while two locally made milk powders tested were found no traces of dcd.the detailed research report was sent to ministry of health,the consumer affairs authority and the sri lanka customs for an action ITI has said.

Forty Six HIV/AIDS Positives And Seven AIDS Deaths Reported During April-June

Forty six HIV/AIDS positives were reported from the island and  7 AIDS patients died during April-June this year according to National STD/AIDS Campaign sources.with this number a total number of 90 HIV/AIDS positives were reported this year and 16 AIDS Patients died during that period the sources added.

According to UNAIDS it is estimated that around 4200 adults and children in Sri Lanka are living with HIV/AIDS virus at present .the male to female ratio among the HIV Positives reported so far is 1.5:1 .since the first HIV/AIDS Positive was reported from the island in 1987 so far around 1739 HIV Positives were reported throughout the island.

GMOA To Complaint The President On Administrative Failure Of Health Ministry

Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) has decided to submit a detailed report on Administrative failure of the Health Ministry to the president Mahinda Rajapaksha according to GMOA sources.the general committee of the GMOA which met yesterday (28) had criticized the administrative failure of the ministry highlighting the ministry's failure to implement annual transfers of government doctors effectively.

GMOA has now preparing a detailed report on administrative failure of health ministry and the report will be hand over to the president during August the media spokesman of GMOA Dr.Naveen De Soyza has said.according to dr.soyza health ministry has not only failed to implement annual transfers of doctors in time but also fails to implement several important policies including national drug and health policies.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party Has Rejected The Provincial Council Candidacy Of LTTE Media Spokesman Daya Master

The  Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) has rejected the application of former media spokesman of terrorist group LTTE ,Velayudam Dayanidi allias Daya Master to  contest  the forthcoming northern provincial council elections under the ruling coalition United Freedom Peoples Alliance(UPFA)according to the UPFA sources daya master not even received the membership of Sri Lanka Freedom Party although he has applied for the party's membership.

Meanwhile it has been reported that the Daya Master has inquired the higher authorities of SLFP on the rejection of his candidacy to contest forthcoming northern provincial council elections under the ruling coalition and the authorities are now discussing on the issue.

Two Mosquito Varities Eating Dengue Mosquito Larvae Found In Sri Lanka

Two varieties of Mosquitoes who are eating dengue mosquito larvae as their food were discovered by entomology assistant officers of Medical Research Institute(MRI),Colombo  after a year long research on them.the mosquitoes belongs to the  "Typomyia" mosquito variety were found firstly in Kalutara District and researchers say that these mosquitoes are not biting  humans and their main source of food is juices of trees including flowers .

According to a spokesman of Entomology Unit of Medical Research Institute, the researchers are preparing a plan to breeding  these two mosquito varieties naturally  in laboratory of MRI and release them to the environment to destroy dengue  mosquito larvae.for this researchers are expanding their research to find the ways of breeding these mosquitoes in large scale to combat dengue menace.

Withing this year researchers are hoping to breed these mosquitoes and release them to environment the spokesman has said.

One Of The Popular Opposition Anti Corruption Speeker Crossed Over To The Government

One of the most popular opposition MP's who have criticized  corruption activities of government Dayasiri Jayasekera has been announced today(24) that he will  resigned from parliament and cross over to the government in view of contesting the forthcoming wayamba(north western) provincial council elections .addressing a packed press briefing in Colombo this noon mp dayasiri has said that he made this decision due to the unwillingness of main opposition united national party's leadership on coming  back to power .party leadership shattered the hopes and dreams of it's supporters he has stressed.

MP Dayasiri who is one of the popular parliamentary speakers revealed so many corrupt deals in state sector has said during the briefing that he will join with the hands of president mahinda rajapaksha to guide government victory in the forthcoming provincial council elections.

MP Dayasiri has reported as meet the president today to announced his decision.

Several Parked Vehicles Have been Damaged Due To The Fallen Trees.

Several parked vehicles have been damaged due to the fallen trees and branches in several places around Colombo City this morning as a result of the  the strong winds prevailed during that time according to the fire brigade.the vehicles were damaged near the Colombo National Hospital,De Seram Place,CR and FC Grounds,Reid Avenue,J.D Fernando Road in dematagoda and  several other areas.however authorities have removed the fallen trees and branches the brigade has stressed.

A Business On Mixing Sleeping Tablets To Locally Made Liquor Toddy Has Been Revealed

The Investigations have revealed that the large consignment  of sleeping pills uncovered from a private pharmacy recently was meant to be used for manufacturing toddy (a locally made  liquor) according to Ministry Of Health.a consignment of sleeping pills worth rs.200,000 was recovered from a private pharmacy owner's house in Kosgama area during a raid carried out jointly by National Drugs Authority and Kosgama Police on last Friday.

According to National Drugs Authority the sleeping tablets were to mixed with toddy by a relative of the pharmacy owner.this has been revealed after the raid carried out in toddy distribution center in Kirindiwela area.an immediate investigation was launched after founding the consignment of sleeping tablets which can only be issued to the people under doctors prescription.

Meanwhile it has been revealed that the suspect who kept these sleeping tablets obtained them from a wholesale dealer in Colombo registered under the National Drugs Authority.Ministry of Health has already instructed to cancel the whole sale dealer's license with immediate effect and take legal action against him.

Patients Faced Severe Hardships Due To The Doctors Strike In Central Province

Thousands of patients in Central  Province were not able to received treatment today(19) due to the one day token strike launched by government hospital doctors in the province since this morning.government hospital doctors in central province launched the one day token strike opposing some statements made by governor of the Central Province Tikiri Kobbakaduwa over the doctors.

Sri Lankan Businessman Was Arrested In Katunayaka Air Port With Hidden Foreign Currencies

A Sri Lankan Businessman who is involved in motor spare parts business has been arrested by Katunayaka Air Port custom officers yesterday (15)night  as he tried to flee to Singapore by carrying 115,000 Euros and 21,000 Swiss Francs hidden  in his rectum custom officers have said.as custom officers suspected over the way the businessman was walking  they have arrested him and scanned him at negombo base hospital where the hidden money have been detected.

Muslim Congress To Contest Alone In Provincial Council Elections

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress(SLMC) has decided to contest the forthcoming provincial council elections alone SLMC has announced today(16)Muslim Congress is due to contest the elections in Northern,Central and North Western provincial councils.

TNA Has Nominated Former Judge As Their Chief Ministerial Candidate For Northern Province

The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) has nominated former Supreme Court Judge  C.V Vigneshwaren as their chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming  northern provincial council election.TNA leader R.Sampanthan has announced this decision at his office today(15).

Five Dental Cleaning Mechines In Maligawatta Dental Hospital Are Out Of Order Since Two Months

Five out of the six dental cleaning machines use in Maligawatta Dental Hospital were broken since two months caused hardships to many patients who got appointments for cleaning their teeth according to hospital sources.due to this situation awaiting list for cleaning teeth has expanded during last two months sources added.

Although informed on the situation health authorities still not able to repair the broken dental cleaning machines dental surgeons have said.

Health Trade Unions Appealed Authorities To Investigate On Low Quality Dextran-40 Saline

The Health Services Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA) has today appealed health authorities to investigate on the low quality "Dextran-40" saline bottles supplied to many government hospitals island wide while temporarily prohibited the using of them.HSTUA has few days a go revealed the details on importing of low quality Dextran-40 saline bottles contains white particles and by waste  to Sri Lanka from a Thai drug company.

Around 5000 Dextran-40 saline bottles were imported from Thailand on last February for the use of Dengue Patients-and other surgical patients.however few bottles contains white particles and by waste were found from  Kurunagala nd Homagama hospitals.although they seems to be in low quality health authorities still not taken any steps to testing them to ensure whether they are in low quality or not.

Private Bus Opeartors To Launch An Island Wide Continuous Strike From Midnight Tonight

The Lanka Private Bus Operators Association(LPBOA) has decided to launch an island wide continuous strike  from midnight today(10) by demanding several service demands including increasing   bus fares.meanwhile other private bus operators pledged that they will not participate for the strike.

However a large number of private bus owners belongs to the striking association Lanka Private Bus Operators Association .the president of LPBOA Gamunu Wijerathne has said that the bus strike will go ahead as planned as today's  talks on their demands with authorities have not produced any results.

Low Quality Dextran-40 Saline Bottles Were Distributed To Government Hospitals

The Low quality Dextran-40 Saline Bottles have been distributed among government hospitals island wide according to Health Services Trade Union Alliance(HSTUA).a large amount of by waste and white particles were found inside of several saline bottles the alliance has said.

The said saline is using mainly to treat dengue patients and patients with accidental injuries.

The dextran-40 saline bottles were imported from Thai drug company in February this year and 5000 saline bottles were imported as another 2900 bottles were in medical supplies division stores at that time  the president of HSTUA Saman ratnapriya has said during a press briefing held in Colombo today(08).

Ratnapriya has appealed the health authorities to investigate on this stock of low quality saline bottles and take a stern action against those who responsible for importing them.

No Sri Lankans Among The Injured In Mahabodhi Temple Blasts In India

No Sri Lankans were among the injured in the multiple bomb blasts of Mahabodhi Temple in India's Bihar State this morning according to Sri Lankan High Commission in India.a Buddhist monk and a pilgrim have been rushed to the hospital due to the bomb blasts in Mahabodhi Temple in Buddagaya occurred early this morning.

There's No damage to the temple shrine as the exploded bombs were of low density according to the foreign media reports.police have been investigating to arrest the culprits who were responsible for the attacks reports further said.

Meanwhile while condemning the terrorist attack on Mahabodhi Temple in Buddhagaya Sri Lankan government has requested sri lankan pilgrims to avoid visiting the temple shrine during next week due to investigations carried over on today's blasts.

Police Arrested Two Persons Transporting Rare Origin Leaves

The Police Special Task Force in southern province has arrested two persons today (06) who have transporting a rare origin of  "vallapatta' leaves which use to make most expensive perfumes in western countries  .the stock of leaves the two suspects transported weighing 4 kilos and 900 gram mes and  worth rs.73,500 according to police.

Eleeven Railway Trade Unions To Launch A 48 Hour Strike Tomorrow

Eleven Railway Trade Unions have decided to launch a 48 hour rail strike from midnight tomorrow(07) by demanding few of their service demands including a pay hike according to Railways Professional Trade Union Alliance.

The 3 hour discussion  held yesterday on  railway trade unions demands ended without a proper solution the alliance has said.

Government Professions Supplementary To Medicine Are To Launch An Island Wide Work To Rule Campaign

The Professions Supplementary To Medicine(PSM'S) attach to government hospitals are to launch an island wide continuous work to rule campaign from next Tuesday (09) by demanding solutions for five of their service demands according to Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine.

Government Hospital PSM'S are demanding solutions for five demands including recruiting unemployed PSM graduates to government hospitals and giving the delayed promotions of special grade PSM officers the Secretary  of  the Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine saman jayasekera has said.

Meanwhile A meeting on PSM's demands is scheduled to be held next Monday (08)between health ministry secretary dr.nihal jayathilake and PSM union officials on their demands at the Health Ministry.if the talks failed to address their demands the trade union action will continue he has stressed

The PSM'S compromising pharmacists,radiographers,medical laboratory Technologists(MLT's),physiotherapists and occupational therapists are to participate this work to rule campaign.

Sri Lankan Cricket To Inquire On Sri Lankan A Crickerter Who Tried To Open The Cabin Door Mistakenly During A Flight

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has today (03) instructed the retired senior superintendent of police(SSP) Lakshman De Silva to conduct an inquiry in to the incident involved by Sri Lankan A Cricketer and son of cabinet minister Keheliya Rambukwella ,Ramith Rambukwella taken place inside British airways flight to London on Monday night.

Rambukwella has said to be attempted to open the cabin door of the plane by thinking it as a  toilet door when the flight was at 35,000feet high reports said.he was said to be under influence of liquor during the  incident . rambukwella who has a apologized passengers and flight crew later  over the incident which they  have accepted in faith.both local and foreign media were given a wide publicity in to this incident.

All Children Under The Age Of One Year Scheduled To Be Immunized With Extra Measles Vaccine

The Epidemiology Unit has declared this Friday(05) as a "Special Measles Vaccination Day" on immunizing children of the age group 06-12 months (one year) with an extra measles vaccine  to combat the measles epidemic currently prevails in the island.

According to the epidemiology unit around 600 children infected with measles were reported during first six months of this year and its  5 folds more than  the number of child measles patients reported during last year.out of this number 60%  of patients were less then one year old epidemiologists said.
"due to this situation we have decided to declare this special measles vaccine immunization day " a senior epidemiologist has said.

At present measles vaccine is given to the children completed one year as a combined vaccine MMR(Measles,Mums and Rubella) and it's coverage among local children stands as 99-100% .however due to some reason those who received the MMR Vaccine too have developed measles he has stressed.

The Epidemiology Unit Of Sri Lanka has appealed mothers to bring their infants age between 06 to 12 months to the nearest MOH office on this Friday and  vaccinate extra measles vaccine to avoid spreading measles among local child population.