THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Around 100,000 Kilos Of Samolina Which Were Not Suitable For Consumption Found At A Store

The Officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority  have today(25) raided a Food Store In Kotahena Area (In Colombo Suburbs) and taken in to custody around 100,000 Kilos of Samolina prepared to be sold for consumers although they  were not suitable for human consumption .

The said stock of Samolina is  worth around Rs.8.5 million according to the Consumer Affairs Authority.The Officers of the Authority are planning to  take legal action against the store owner.

All Nurses Attach To Three Government Hospitals In Colombo To Launch A One Day Token Strike Tomorrow(26)

The Nursing Staff attach to the Colombo National Hospital,Eye Hospital and the Dental Institute have decided to launch a one day token strike tomorrow (26) by demanding solutions for two of their service demands according to the Sri Lanka's largest Nurses Trade Union, Public Services Nurses Union (PSNU).

Nursing Staff attach to the said three hospitals are schedule to launch their strike from 8 a.m tomorrow to 7 a.m on Friday the 27th of March Nurses Union has said.All the emergency services in these hospitals will be maintained as usual during the strike period PSNU has revealed.

If the authorities are not willing to give solutions for their demands further Government Hospital Nurses will launch an Island Wide Continuous Strike Action from 04th of April a spokesman of the PSNU has said.

PSNU is demanding the Health Ministry to grant a Professional Allowance of Rs.25,000 to all nurses and to implement the Circular issued by the Finance Ministry regarding paying of Overtime,Accidental and inventory allowances for nurses .The talks held between the Health Ministry Officials and the PSNU Members regarding these demands during the last two months have ended without any conclusion PSNU has stressed.

FRUIT SHAPED BUS STOP IN JAPAN FROM CREATIVE IDEAS

Police To Get A Court Order To Bring Back Fomer Minister Basil Rajapakshe To The Country

The Police Have decided to get a special court order to bring back the former Minister of Economic Development MP Basil Rajapakshe who is also   the brother of Former President Mahinda Rajapaksha to the country from United States to record a statement from him over the alleged financial frauds the Police Department has announced today(25).

The former Minister Basil Rajapakshe  who was also the then National Organizer of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party had left USA on 11th of January soon after his brother the former president has defeated in  the recently concluded presidential elections.There were several complaints against him filed at Bribery And Corruption Commission over his involvement in several large scale financial frauds it has been revealed.

Later he has resigned from the national organizer post of the Freedom Party by taking full responsibility of the presidential elections defeat of his brother the former president rajapakshe
.

Police Department To Ban Wearing Of Full Face Helmets From 02nd Of April

The Police Department has decided to re implement the ban of wearing Full Face Helmets by Motorcyclists with effect from 02nd Of April.Police Department has earlier announced that the banning of wearing full face helmets will be implemented from 21st of March,however per the instructions of Minister of Public Order John Amaratunge that decision has been temporarily suspended .

The decision to ban wearing of full face helmets by the Motorcyclists scheduled to be implemented   due to the number of crimes and robberies have done  by wearing full face helmets are in the increase according to the Police.Police have implemented this ban few years ago also however later that ban was removed due to some issues related to it.

The laws related to motorcycle helmets are include in the Special Gazette Notification No. 644/26 of (January 11, 1991) the Police Department has said.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

Government Nursing Officers Association Has Accused Some Medical Administrators In Health Ministry Blocking Minister's Decesions

The Government Nursing Officers Association  has today accused that a certain group of medical administrators in the Health Ministry has trying to block the decisions taken by the Health Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne by not implementing them and requested the Minister to take action against the said group.

According to the President of the Nursing Officers Association Saman Ratnapriya the group of medical administrators that blocking the minister's decisions are supporting the previous government and they have known as supported every corrupt decision taken by the previous regime.

The said medical administrators have already trying to avoid implementing the minister's decisions regarding the nursing appointments as well he has stressed.

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)Party To Oppose The Proposed 19th Amendment

Hela Urumaya Party Logo

While describing the proposed 19th amendment to the constitution as a constitutional coup to make the executive presidency a powerless post ,The Jathika Hela Urumaya(National Heritage Party) MP and Minister of Power and Energy of the present Government Champika Ranwake had vowed that his party will take every possible measure to defeat that amendment.

Minister Ranwake was the only Cabinet member that opposed the 19th amendment when it was approved by all other Cabinet Members at an Emergency Cabinet Meeting held last week.

While Addressing a Press Briefing held in Colombo today(24) Minister Ranawake has said that the aim of the proposed 19th amendment is to remove the powers vested to executive presidency such as power to dissolving the Parliament and appointing Judiciary members and to make the Prime Minister a more powerful person.

The new draft bill on the 19th amendment proposed that the executive president will be no longer the head of the government and president need to take the advise of the prime minister when  making every decision.However it stated that the president will continue as the chief commander of the security forces,The amendment also suggested to reduce the president's term of six years to five years Minister has further said.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya Party will not against the executive presidency and only against the arbitrary powers  that vested to the presidency he has said.

COFFEE CUP CAKE FROM CREATIVE IDEAS

Emir Of Qatar Arrived Sri Lanka For A Brief Tour

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Had arrived Sri Lanka this morning for a short official tour.During his visit the Emir is expecting to hold bilateral talks with Sri Lankan President and other officials in view of strengthening the ties between Sri Lanka and Qatar.

Emir Thani is scheduled to be depart from the country tonight.

Ninteenth Amendment Was Tabled At The Parliament

Sri Lankan Parliament

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution which includes the amending executive powers vested to the Executive President and establishing of Independent Electoral ,Police and Judicial Commissions was tabled at the Parliament by the Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha.

The Draft Bill on the 19th Amendment was passed at an Emergency Cabinet Meeting held on 15th March and a gazette notification regarding the amendment was issued later.Last week Public were requested to submit their ideas and proposals on the facts containing  in the amendment .

Bringing the 19th amendment to the Parliament and passing it is one of the promises made by current President Maithripala Sirisena's  election manifesto due to be implemented within 100 days.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

One Hundred Medical Specialists Had Left The Doctors Union

Around 100 Medical Specialists attach to the Government Hospitals have resigned from the membership of Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) last week by criticizing the Union's inability to getting solutions for their problems medical sources said.

Around 1700 Medical Specialist are  members of the GMOA at present  and they too have decided to resign from their membership of the Union step by step the sources have further added.

President Has Appointed A Special Presidential Task Force To Address Issues Of Minorities

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a Special Presidential Task Force under the chairmanship of the Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge  to address the issues of minorities and to find suitable solutions that would fullfil the aspirations of all the communities in Sri Lanka.

The special task force will go into the matter step by step and find solutions which everyone in the society can accept the President has said.

Nearly 11,000 Dengue Patients And 20 Dengue Deaths Reported From The Country This Year -Director Dengue Control Unit

Although manage to reduced the mortality rate among Dengue Patients ,around 20 Dengue Deaths have been reported during this year up to now according to the Director Of The National Dengue Control Unit Dr.Hasitha Thisera.During last year alone 97 Dengue Deaths have been reported throughout the Island he has said.

The majority of these patients belongs to the age group 20-40 he has stressed. Around 10,500 Dengue Patients have been reported this year up to the last weekend and the number is expected to be exceed the 11,000 mark during this week Dr.Thisera has said.

Addressing a Media Seminar on Dengue held at the Health Education Bureau in Colombo this morning to make Media Personal aware on the forthcoming National Mosquito Control Week declared from 26th of March to 01st of April ,Dr.Thisera has said that the disposed containers have been identified as the major  dengue breeding place through a survey.Around 40% out of the all dengue breeding places in the country are disposed containers he has revealed.

The national dengue control unit has planning to reduce the mortality rate among dengue patients to 0.01% from present rate of  0.04% Dr.Thisera has further said.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM WORDS OF WISDOM

President Had Suspended All Police Transfers With Immediate Effect

President Maithripala Sirisena has  suspended all the transfers  of Police Officers with effect from today(22). President had also appointed a three member committee with Secretary To The President the Inspector General Of Police and Secretary Of The Ministry Of Law and Order as members  to implement Police Transfers.

All future Transfers of the Police Department will be implemented only under the recommendation of this committee according to the President's Media Unit.

ELEPHANT PROCESSION

Former Army Commander General Fonseka Has Promoted To The Rank Of Field Marshal

The Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseks has been  promoted to the rank of Field Marshal Post by the President Maithripala Sirisena at a function held at the Army Headquarters this evening,General Fonseka who has lead  the army for  crushing  LTTE Terrorism from  the country has become the first ever military leader  recipient of this rank 

Main Opposition Party Joined The Government-11 New Cabinet Ministers Appointed

Presidential Secretariet

To mark the joining of the main opposition Party Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to the government ,President Maithripala Sirisena had appointed 11 new Cabinet Ministers,05 State Ministers and 10 Deputy Ministers from the Parliamentarians representing SLFP this evening.The new Ministers were sworn in before the President at the Presidential Secretariat.

MP'S Felix Perera,A.H.M Fowzie,S.B Nawinne,Reginold Coorey,Wijith Wijithamuni Soyza,Mahinda Amaraweera,Janaka Bandara Tennakoon,Piyasena Gamage,Sarath Amunugama,Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, and S.B Dissanayake have been appointed as New Cabinet Ministers.

MP'S Pavithra Wanniarachchi,Jeewan kumaratunge,Mahinda Samarasinhe,C.B Ratnayake and Dilan Perera were sworn in as the new State Ministers and MP'S Lalith Dissanayake Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena,Lakshman Seneviratne,Dayasritha Thissera,Tissa Karaliyadde ,Ranjith Siyambalapitiye,Sudarashani Fernandopulle,Shantha Bandara ,Jagath Pushpakumare
and Lasantha Alagiyawanne were sworn in as new Deputy Ministers.

Earlier today the Main Opposition Party SLFP lead by President Sirisena has decided to join the government.

From Words Of Wisdom

Sri Lankan Government Requested Indian Assistance To Trace US Dollars 2 Billion Allegedly Deposited In Dubai Based Bank By The Former President

Sri Lankan Government has requested India's Assistance in tracing US Dollars Two Billion said to be allegedly steeled and deposited in Three Accounts of National Bank In Dubai by the former President Mahinda Rajapakshe and his family according to government sources.

According to the Sri Lankan Government One family member of the former President has allegedly deposited US Dollars 1.064 Billion in one of the accounts while another two persons had deposited US Dollars 500 million each in another two separate accounts.The government approached United States also to assist on the investigations conducting to trace this huge amount of money.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

CWE Authorities Have Recovered Unsold Non Essential Items Worth Rs.35 Million From The Outlets

The authorities of  the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment(CWE) now  known as Lanka Sathosa Limited have recovered non essential consumer goods worth around Rs.35 million  that distributed  to it's outlets island wide and stored  during  the previous government.These items including Toilet Cleaning Liquids,Germ Killing Soaps and Mosquito Coils found  as  non selling items which even not in the consumer goods list of the CWE ,officials have said.

According to the CWE Sources among the stock of non essential items found in CWE Stores there were 60,000 bottles of Harpic Liquid,33,000 bottles of Lysole,Dettol Soaps numbering 150,000,15,000 Bottles of Dettol Liquid ,24,000 Mosquito Coils and 7000 bottles of Mosquito Spray.There were a Bundle Pack promo of 1 Harpic ,1 Mortein and 1 Lysole coupled with one Kilo Gramme of Sugar of around 12,000 nos had been sold to CWE last year but failed to sold majority of them it has been revealed,The Promo Packs coupled with Sugar have been priced as Rs.560 per pack but only able to sold 400 upto date  out of the 12,000 nos bought by CWE ,the
sources have  added.

Former Elections Commissioner Has Passed Away

The former Elections Commissioner Chandranande De Silva has passed away this morning at the age of 78 it has been announced.Mr.Silva who had served as  Defense Secretary as well passed way at his Rajagiriya residence according to his family sources.

FROM WORDS OF WISDOM

General Secretary Of The Sri Lanka Freedom Party Was Questioned Over The Losses In Petroleum Corporation

The General Secretary Of the main opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa was questioned today(20) by the Police Special Investigations Unit in connection with the Rs.35 million losses occurred at Sri Lanka Petroleum Corporation during his tenure as the Minister Of Petroleum Industries in the previous regime.

MP Yapa was summoned to the Police Special Investigations Unit this morning to record a statement regarding the losses occurred at  the  Petroleum Corporation.

Charges Filed Against Former Minister Sajin Vaas At The Courts

The Commission Of Investigate Allegations Of  Bribery Or Corruption has today(20) filed charges against the former Minister and Parliamentarian Sajin Vaas Gunawardena at the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court on  declaring assets.These charges have been filed under the section 9 of Declaration Of Assets and Liabilities Law of No1 Of 1975.

The former Minister Gunawardena was summoned several times by the Bribery Commission during last few weeks regarding the allegations
leveled against him at the Bribery Commission. 

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM WORDS OF WISDOM

Around 40% of The Dengue Mosquito Breeding Places In Colombo City Are At Construction Sites-Colombo Chief MOH

Building Construction Sites in the  Colombo City are identified as the large scale Dengue Mosquito Breeding places in the City According to the Chief Medical Officer In Colombo Dr.Ruwan Wijemuni.The majority of the Dengue Breeding Places in the city around 40% out of the total number of Dengue Mosquito Breeding Places are at these construction sites Dr.Wijemuni has stressed.

Around 1500 such Building Construction Sites in Colombo City which are currently underway are at risk of becoming large scale dengue breeding places due to the in proper  way of maintaining these sites he has said.

In  view of this situation the Public Health Department of the Colombo Urban Council has decided to conduct an emergency meeting with around 200 Construction Firms handling the  construction work of the  mentioned sites ,the Engineers,Technical Officers and the Supervisors attach to these construction sites by  tomorrow(20) morning to find ways to minimize the dengue mosquito breeding in construction sites dr.wijemuni has revealed.

Around 743 Dengue Patients and 2 Dengue Deaths  have been reported form the Colombo City during last 19 days of this month he has further said.

Former Army Commander To Be Promoted To Rank Of Field Marshal

 Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka has been promoted to the Rank of Field Marshal  which is the highest honor in the Military by the President Maithripala Sirisena with effect from 22nd of March the President's Media Unit has announced.

The former Army Commander whose military rankings were removed by the previous regime will becomes the First Sri Lankan Military Officer to received this honor.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY-MAKE YOUR LIFE MORE MEANINGFUL

President To Dissolve The Parliament And Holding General Election After The Constitutional Reforms

President Maithrpala Sirisena has said today(18) that he will dissolve the Parliament and the General Election will be held only after the proposed Constitutional Reforms were implemented.Addressing  the Media Institution Heads during a break first meeting held today (18) hosted by the President himself he has said that the conducting  of a general election is one of the key promises made  by him during the presidential  elections campaign and he will fulfill that promise soon.

The President has said that the date for the General Election will be decided soon after the Constitutional Reforms were enacted .

However both the United National Party (UNP)lead by Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha and leftist Janatha Wimulthi Peramuna(JVP) are on the view that the Parliament should be dissolved by 23rd of April and General Election should be held afterwards.The term of the current Parliament will be ended on 23rd of April this year.

Sri Lanka Is At TB Risk Due To The Unidentified 4000 TB Patients Living In The Society-Dr.Samaraweera

There's a Great Risk of spreading Tuberculosis(TB) Island wide  through the unidentified
4000  TB patients found as living in Sri Lanka according to Dr.Sudath Samaraweera the Deputy Director Of National Programme Of TB Control And Chest Diseases.

Addressing a Media Seminar On TB held at the Health Education Bureau In Colombo this morning Dr.Samaraweera has said that within next five years Sri Lanka will be  treating around 50,000 TB Patients and majority of them belongs to the productive ages.Around two third of these Patients will be males above 15 years old he has stressed.

By the end of last year(2014) for Sri Lankan Population of 100,000 there were 46.5 TB Patients and 43% of these patients have been reported from the Western Province Dr.Samaraweera has stressed.

Continuous Cough lasting 2 to 3 weeks,Cough with Bleeding ,Breathing Problem and Chest Pain are the main symptoms of TB and it cant' be correctly identified through a Chest X Ray which most of the chest physicians are recommending to their patients Dr Samaraweera has said." TB patients can correctly identified through a sputum test " he has revealed.

Meanwhile the Chest Physicians have said that within next 20 years Doctors will treat around one billion TB Patients globally,At the moment 59% out of the total number of TB Patients that reported annually have been reported from 8 Asian Countries while majority are from India it has been revealed.

Health Officers Belongs To Seventeen Categories Are To Be Launched An Island wide Strike On 26th

Government Hospital Nurses and 16 categories belongs to Professions Supplementary To Medicine(PSM'S) and Paramedicals have decided to launch an Island wide token Strike on 26th of March(Thursday) by demanding DAT(Disturbance,Availability and Transport)Allowance according to the Joint Confederation of Nurses-PSM'S And Paramedicals .

The Executive Committee of the Joint Confederation which met today have decided to launch this token strike which was postponed from last Thursday(12).According to the Co-Convener of the Confederation Saman Ratnapriya as both the Health and Finance Ministries have not able to grant a fair solution for their demand the trade unions attach to the Joint Confederation have no other option than going for a strike,The Strike will be commenced from 7 a.m on Next Week Thursday and will be concluded on Friday on 7 a.m.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM WORDS OF WISDOM

Former Secretary Of Economic Development Ministry Has Been Questioned On Financial Irregularities

The former secretary to the Ministry Of Economic Development Dr.Nihal Jayathilake and the Director Of People's Leasing and Finance P.Kudabalage have been questioned today(17) by the Federal Bureau Of Investigations(FBI) over the financial irregularities occurred in Divi Naguma Development Department comes under the Ministry.

The former Secretary Of The Ministry Of Economic Development Dr.Jayathialke was appointed to the post on 29th of May 2014 and he has served as the Secretary to the Ministry Of Health previously.

LIFE

Gazette On 119th Amendment To The Constitution Has Been Released

The Gazette Notification on Reforms to the Constitution as 19th amendment  including of removing several powers vested with the Executive Presidency has been published and public are requested to submit their ideas and suggestions withing two week period the Government Information Department has announced.

Central Bank Governor Will Go On Leave Until The Inquiary Completed-Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha has made a special statement this evening in Parliament by stating that the Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendren will go on leave until the investigation on the controversial Central Bond Issue which he was alleged as involved in  is completed.

Both the leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) and the opposition parties have been requested the Central Bank Governor over the last few weeks to temporarily step down from his post to pave the way for an impartial inquiry on the bond issue.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

Gazette Notification Of Draft Bill On Constitutional Reforms To Be Issued Today

The Cabinet today(15) has decided to gazette the Drat Bill provided for Constitutional Reforms including the much talked about re instatement  of the 17th Amendment and transfer the Executive Powers of the Executive Presidency to the Parliament and the Cabinet.This gazette is scheduled to be issued midnight tonight.

The Gazette on Constitutional Reforms is scheduled to be presented to to the Parliament soon  for approval .

Under the Draft Bill Providing for Constitutional Reforms, the President will not able to dissolve the Parliament after a one year and the President will not able to be elected to office  more than two terms .The proposed Independent Commissions including the Police and Elections to be appointed under the constitutional reforms.

It has been learnt that the powers vested to the Current Executive Presidency to dissolving the Parliament too will be removed and the provisions provided under the constitution for avoiding taking legal action against the President too proposed to be removed.However the President will remain as the commander of all forces and the powers of appointing the Cabinet and acting as the head of the Cabinet will be remained with the president.

The Cabinet Meeting held today(15) was chaired by the President Maithripala Sirisena.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

Total Number Of Dengue Patients Reported This Year Has Exceeds 10,000

The total number of Dengue Patients reported from Sri Lanka during last two and half months now exceeds 10,000 according to the Sri Lanka Epidemiology Unit.From 01st of January to 14th Of March this year a total number of 10,323 Dengue Patients have been reported throughout the Island the Epidemiology Unit has stated.

The majority of these patients were reported in January and the number stands as 6276 patients.In February 3652 Dengue Patients have been reported throughout the island while in this month 395 patients have been reported up to now.

The majority of the Dengue Patients reported this year have been found from Colombo District and the number stands as 2989.

Police Have Arrested More Than 13 Kilos Of Heroin From A Prawn Farm?

The police have found more than  13 Kilo Grammes of Heroin this morning from a Prawn Farm situated in Madurankeliya Area it has been reported. Mundalama Police Officers have raided this Prawn Farm on an information received by them and taken into custody a stock of heroin weighing more than 13 Kilos and 500 grammes Police Sources have said.

During this raid three Persons attached to the Prawn Farm got arrested on suspicion.However the suspects have told the police that the stock Police have taken into  custody was not Heroin but a chemical substance using to breed prawns.The Police have sent the sample of the suspicious stock to the government analyst for further investigations it has been revealed.
.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Majority Of Transgender Persons In Sri Lanka Do Not Have National Identity Cards To Prove Their Gender-A Survey Result

There are around 8000 Transgender (Males converted  to females/Females converted to Males) persons in Sri Lanka at the moment according to a latest survey result.The majority of these Transgender Persons do not have Identity Cards to show their gender and are facing numerous difficulties when they are going to common places like banks for their work according to the Director of HIV And Advocacy Unit Of Sri Lanka Family Planning Association Ms.Madusha Disanayake.

Addressing a Media Seminar held today at the Sri Lanka Family Planning Association Headquarters in Colombo this morning On HIV And Sexual Orientation ,Ms.Disanayake has said that due to the discrimination these transgender persons are going through some of them are turned to Prostitutes as they have no chance of working in their working places freely.

The rights of these Transgender Persons should be ensured  and they should be allowed to live in the society as other human beings she has stressed.As countries like India and Pakistan have issued Identity Cards for Transgender Persons in their countries under the third gender category Sri Lanka too should taken steps to issue Identity Cards for these persons she has said.

These Transgender Persons who lives in Sri Lanka are vulnerable to getting HIV/AIDS due to their involvement in the Sex Trade Ms.Dissanayake has revealed.

Transgender is an Umbrella term for persons whose gender identity,gender expression or behavior does not conform o that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned  at birth.(From Google).

AWAITING FOR? FROM WORDS OF WISDOM

Former LTTE Womens Sea Tiger Wing Leader Jeyaganesh Murugesu Pakeerathy Was Released On Bail

The Former leader of the the Sea Tiger Wing of the LTTE Jeyaganesh Murugesu Pakeerathy who was arrested by the Terrorism Investigations Division at the Katunayake Air Port while trying to leave the Country for France has been released today(13) by the Colombo Additional Magistrate.As the Terrorism Investigations Division is planning to file  indictments  against the former LTTE Women's Sea Tiger Wing Leader the Attorney General has instructed the authorities to release her on bail until then.

Jeyaganesh Murugesu was released on Rs.200,000 personal bail by the Colombo Additional Magistrate today and was ordered to handover her passport to the court.She was also ordered to appear before a Police Station once a week.

The Former Women's Sea Wing Leader has arrived Sri Lanka on 09tth of February and reported as stayed at a house in Dharmapuram in Paranthan Area.