HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

IT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR AND A NEW DECADE.THE YEAR 2011 BEGINS FEW HOURS AGO WITH NEW EXPECTATIONS AND HOPES.

WISHING MY BLOG READERS A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR FILLED WITH JOY AND HAPPINESS ALWAYS.

Gas Prices To Stay Normal

Minister Of Internal Trade Johnston Fernando has said today that there will be no hike in the Gas Prices from midnight today even one gas company requested a Rs.235 gas price hike.To keep gas prices unchanged government has decided to remove all taxes imposed on gas cylinder he stressed during a press briefing held in Colombo today.

Government To Offer Salary Increment For Semi Government Employees

Government has announced today that they will give the salary increment offered to the Government Employees from the Budget Proposals to Semi Government Institute Employees as well with effect from 01st of Januray 2011.Government has also decided to increase the Cost of living allowance given to Semi Government Employees from Rs.600.

Cabinet Spokesman Said That UN Panel Will Received Visas To Testify Before LLRC Commission

Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rmabukwella has said today that Government has decided to issue visas for the United Nations Panel appointed to probe on alleged war crimes against Sri Lanka for only to testify before the government appointed Lessons Learnt And Reconciliation Commission(LLRC).

Addressing a Cabinet Briefing held today he has stressed that the by issuing visas UN Panel will not allow to conduct their own investigations whatsoever under any circumsatances.

Ministry Of Health To Received New Stock Of AH1N1 Vaccines Soon

Ministry of Health to received 500,000 stock of AH1N1 Vaccines through the World Health Organization(WHO) in coming weeks according to the Ministry Sources.The Stock of 1.5 million AH1N1 Vaccines received last year are due to get expired on 31st of December this year.

Meanwhile the Ministry Of Health has planned to use the old stock of AH1N1 Vaccines which are  due to expired in few days time to vaccinate pregnent mothers and the devotees arrived at Kataragama Religious site these days.

President Mahinda Rajapaksha Extended The Price Relief Formula For Electricity Consumers By 30 Units

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has today instructed the officials of Ceylon Electricity Board(CEB) to extend the price relief formula offered to the electricity consumers to 120 units from  90 units which has earlier stated.President Rajapksha has earlier announced during his 2011 Budget Speech that a 8 percent tariff hike will be imposed on electricity consumers who are using more then 90 units of electricity.

However the Schools,Hospitals and Religious Centers are excluded from that tariff hike.According the Power and Energy Ministry 4.2 million electricity consumers will not subjected for a 8 percent traffic hike after the 120 unit price formula plan implemented.

2500-3000 Teen age Pregnancies Annualy

Out of the Total number of annual pregnant Mothers reported from the Island 2500-3000  are girls below the age group of 16 according to the health sources.These girls are not in a condition to handle their  pregnancies and it may cause serious health problems to both the mother and children according the sources.

Ministry Of Health To Instruct Shop,Transport And Telephone Booth Owners To Clean Their Premises To Prevent H1N1

Ministry of  Health has decided to advise all the Shop,Common Transport Services  and Common Telephone Booth owners to clean their apartments including the Stair Cases   by using Germ Killers in order to prevent the spreading of H1N1 INFLUENZA among the community.It has been reported that so far around 340 H1N1 infected people were reported from the Country and there were 25 deaths.

Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena today instructed the Health Ministry Officials to take all precautionary measures to prevent the possible out break of H1N1 in the country.

Over 30,000 People Affected Due To Floods In Eastern Province

The Disaster Management Centre has said over 30,000 people in Batticloa and Trincomalee Districts belongs to Eastern Province were affected  due to the prevailing Floods out there.More then 650 people are sheltered in 6 camps at Batticloa according to the Centre.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS "

As Millions of Christians around the world are celebrating  X mas today I wish my Blog Readers "A MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH FULL OF HAPPINESS"

Transport Ministry To Increase SLTB Buses During Christams Season

According the Transport ministry Sri Lanka Transport Board(SLTB) Buses run in the roads will be increased to 5000 during this week for the comfort the  increased number of passengers in this Cristams Season.A new hotline telephone number is also established for public to make complaints regarding Bus and Train Service delays.

Export Earnings And Import Expenditure Increased During First Ten Months Of This Year

According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka export earnings of the Country  during  first ten months of year 2010 has been increased by 13.2 percent with earnings worth US Dollars 6,505 million .Meanwhile the Importing Expenditure rose by 8.4 percent as the Country spent US Dollars 1131 million to Import essential items.

Medical Supplies Divison Temporarily Suspended Supplying Of Medicines To The Hospitals

The Medical Supplies Division(MSD) has  temporarily suspended the supplying of medicines to  State Hospitals during the period of  20th to 29th of December due to their annual year end stocks survey according the Supplies Division sources.However during this period steps have been taken to supply the life saving and urgent drugs to the Hospitals upon their request the sources added.

Imported Stocks Of Chicken And Eggs Due To Arrive This Eve

Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando has said that the imported stocks of Chicken and Eggs for the festive season are due to reach the Country this eve and they will be distributed to market from tomorrow.These stocks are imported to the Country to control the skyrocketing prices of Chicken and Eggs.

Meanwhile Internal Trade Minister has also stated that an imported shipment of Coconuts from Kerala is due to arrive the Country within next few days.This shipment too imported to the Country to control the ever rising prices of Coconuts in  local market.

Lessons Learnt And Reconciliation Commission To Hear Representations Of UN panelists

As Sri Lankan Government has decided to facilitate the visit of UN Panelists who are probe in alleged war crimes against Sri Lanka the Lessons Learn t And Reconciliation Commission(LLRC) will hear their representations according to the Commission's sources.

The Commission has also stated that they will follow the normal procedures after hearing the representations of the UN Panelists.

A Part Of The Galle Road In Colombo Caved In For The Second Time

A part of the Galle Road near Roxy Cinema Hall in Wellawatta (in Colombo) caved in again today after it caved in on 04th of May in the year 2007.Due to this Road Traffic which lasted few hours occurred in the area this noon according to the sources.

The Road was under repairs after it was first caved in.

Junior Medical Adminstrators/Consultants Feared Over The Service Extensions Of Their Senior Counterparts

Junior Medical Administrators and Consultants working in Outstations feared that they will not able to get transfers to  the State Hospitals in Colombo and Suburbs from some time as Some Senior Medical Administrators  attached to  Major Hospitals in Colombo who reached the retirement age applied for service extensions.

According to the Health Ministry Sources Few Medical Administrators who are already reached the retirement age of 60 applied for service extensions already.It has been reported that if these Medical Administrators getting the requisite Service Extensions a group of senior consultants working in Colombo based state hospitals who also reached the retirement age  too planning to apply for Service Extensions.If such a thing happened Junior Consultants working in outstation hospitals will not able to get transfers to Colombo from some time the Health Ministry sources stressed.

The sources further added that some senior Medical Administrators who are closed to retirement age already begun to go after Cabinet Ministers to get some political backing to extend their service period.

Power And Energy Minister Critcised the Proposed Visit Of UN Expert Panel

The Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has strongly opposing the proposed visit of  Expert Panel appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to investigate alleged war crimes against Sri Lanka.The UN Expert Panel members are due to visit Sri Lanka and give the evidence before Lessons Learnet and Reconciliation .

Health Ministry To Charge A Treetment Fee From Alochol Related Non Communicable Disease Patients From 01st Of January

The Ministry Of Health has decided to charge a fee from all the patients who are admitted to the State Run Hospitals for Alcohol realted Non Communicable Diseases as a Treetment fee with effect from 01st of January 2011.The aim of this move is to deter the Alochol use amongst the public according the Ministry Sources.

Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena has already submitted a Cabinet Paper to the Cabinet in this regard according the sources.

It has been reported that the Government has spend Rs.90 million annualy to treet Non Commuinicable Diseases like Stroke,Heart Diseases,Diabetese,Kidney Diseases and High Blood Preasure and majority of these Patients got the Disease due to Alcohol Consumption.

Around 80 percent of the Non Communicable Disease Patients reported from Sri Lanka are belongs to the age group of 40 -55 sources further added.

Plantation Company To Sell Coconuts For Cheep Prices To The Colombo Residents

Plantation company in Chilaw has decided to sell Coconuts to the residents of Colombo and the suburbs for cheep prices during this festive season.According to the president of the Company Dr.Sunil Jayasekera they will sell the coconuts Rs.32-35 per nut to the residents in mentioned areas.

At present Coconuts are selling for Rs.44-60 per nut in  the Open Market.

Sri Lankan Air Lines Commenced Their Flights To London

Although Heath row Air Port in London not commenced their daily routine flights to other destinations after  temporarily shut down it due to the heavy snow fall yesterday Sri Lankan Air Lines commenced their Flights to London this morning.After the Heath row officials announced the shut down of the Air Port yesterday Sri Lankan Air Lines too suspended their flights to London.

However even the Heath Row Air Port not commenced their routine flights Sri Lankan Air Lines announced that they commenced their flights to London.

World Bank MD Assured Of Giving More Financial Aid To Sri Lanka

The visiting Managing Director of the World Bank Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has pledged to increase the loan opportunities to the Sri Lankan Government as the Country is seeking 500 Million US Dollars worth financial aid from World Bank for post war economic recovery.

Okonjo-Iwealawho who  has ended her two day visit to Sri Lanka yesterday said that Sri Lankan Government sought 500 Million US Dollars financial assistance for the year 2011 even the country has not yet finalized the projects to fund from that money.

UNP Says There Are 9000 Political Prisoners In The Country

Parliamentarian Lakshman Kirialla of the main opposition United National Party(UNP) has said today that according to the Reports of the United Nations(UN) there are around 9000 political prisoners including former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka who is in prison at the moment.

Addressing a Prize Giving Ceremony held in Kandy today MP Kiriella has stated that he hope that these Political Prisoners will be freed at the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi Ceremony(An Event Related To Buddhism) 

UN Expert Panel To Visit Sri Lanka And Meet LLRC Commission.

United Nations Expert Panel appointed by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon  to  probe war crimes allegations against Sri Lanka is to visit the country and meeting with  officials of Lessons  Learned and Reconciliation  Commission according to the UN Sources.

Meanwhile speaking on the decision of the UN Expert Panel to visit Sri Lanka Minister Wimal Weerawansha has said that the government should not allowed the expert panel to visit the Country.He also said that Sri Lanka'n government should not give any space for the Panel to visit country.

No One Applied For Main Posts Of Main Opposition UNP-Opposition MP

According  to  parliamentarian of the main opposition United National Party(UNP)Joseph Micheal Perera no one from the Party applied for any of  top five  posts so far even the Party Constitution changed during UNP Convention last week,

UNP Parliamentarian has said that there will be a contest if any one applied for these posts.

British Foreign Secretary Dr.Fox Postponed His Visit To Sri Lanka

British Foreign Secretary Dr.Liam Fox who is due to visit Sri Lanka during this weekend to deliver a memorial speech at the commemoration Ceremony of former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister late  Laxman Kadiragamer  postponed his visit temporarily.According the his officials the visit of Dr.Fox was postponed due to he is planning to stay longer period in Gulf as he planned to visit there.

Although Dr.Fox is due to arrive here on a private visit he is planning make an official visit by next year according to the sources.

Meanwhile according to the Ministry Of External Affairs Sri Lanka will make an arrangements to welcome Dr.Liam Fox in his future visit.

Government Decided To Import Coconuts From Three Asian Countries With Immediate Effect

The Government has decided to import Coconuts from three Asian Countries with immediate effect to control the sky rocketing price of Local Coconuts the Internal Trade Ministry has announced today.According the Ministry the Government has decided to permit the Coconut Development Board and Local Coconut Importers to import Coconuts from Malaysia,Kerala-India and from Indonesia before the festive season to control the prices of local coconuts.

The Price of a Local Coconuts  now stands as Rs.44-50 per nut.Although Coconut Development Board Selling Coconuts Rs.30 per nut through a mobile service within the Cities it has not been reached to many people it has been reported.

Coconuts are one of the three major Exported products in the Country since decades.

All Government Hospital Docs In Uva Province To Launch A Token Strike Tomorrow

All Government Hospital Doctors attached to Uva Province will commenced an one day token strike from 8 a.m to 4 p.m tomorrow(16) requesting to fill 101 medical officer vaccancies in the province with immediate effect according to the Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA).

During the strike period doctors will only perform an emergancy treatment and surgeries the GMOA has said.

Health Ministry Says No Need To Fear On Taking H1N1 Injections

Health Ministry has urged the public that  no need to fear at all on taking H1N1(New Influenza) Injections donated to Sri Lanka by the World Health Organization(WHO)  as mentioned by a certain group as the injection vials are expired in end of december this year and february next year.

In responding to a question raised by a group doctors throgh the media regarding expiring of some of these vials in december this year the Ministry officials said that out of 1.5 million injection vials received by Sri Lanka only a section of those vials are expiring in 31st of December and these vials too can used till the expiry date without any problem.
Sr Lanka has received these H1N1 I njection Vials made in Australia last year and already distributed them to all special clinics of government hospitals and MOH Offices to inject special groups.

Health Minister Failed To Submit Proposal Against The Bribed Provincial Councilors

BHealth Minister Maithrepala Sirisena was not able to submit the proposal to the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party on sacking three bribed Provincial Councilors yesterday due to  indefinite cancellation of the Central Committee meeting of  ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP).

Ministry sources  added that the Minister will submit the proposal when the Central Commitee of the SLFP meets again.

Government Offered Tax Concession For State Employees On Imported Vehicles

Government has offered the State Employees a 50 to 70 percent import duty   reduction over the brand new Imported vehicles worth up to US Dollars 25,000 with effect from tomorrow(15).The maximum Capacity for imported petrol and diesel vehicles to entitled this concession are 2000 cc and 2600 cc respectively.

Health Minister Submitted A Proposal To Sack Three Provincial Councilors Over A Bribe Case

Health Minister and the Secretary of the Ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) Maithrepala Sirisena  has submitted a proposal today  to the Central Committee of the Party to sack  three Government Provincial Council Members who were taken bribes from Sanitary Laborers to offer jobs .According the Health Ministry sources these Three Provincial Councilors were taken Rs.375,000 as bribes from three Sanitary Laborers and the Health Minister has  received the documents regarding the incident.

Meanwhile it has been reported that  the accused Provincial Councilors tried to contact Health Minister via Phone in last few days  to apologize over the incident and failed to reached him

" Any Party Member Can Become The UNP Leader Due To The New Constitution"-MP Sajith

The main contender for the leadership of the Main opposition United National Party (UNP)Hambanthota MP Sajith Premadasa has said today that due to the new constitution adapted by the Party yesterday anyone even an ordinary member of UNP can be elected for the Party Leadership.

Addressing a Media Brifing in Colombo he stressed that under the new party constitution anyone can be elected to the top five posts of the Party through a secret ballot.

Opposition Leader To Bring One Million People To Colombo On 26th Of January

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinha has said today that he will bring one million people to Colombo in 26th of January next year to protest against the dictatorship rule.Addressing a media briefing held this morning at the Party headquarters in Colombo he stressed that by supporting the approving of new party constitution he has done his duty to the Party and thanked everyone who supported to make the Party convention held yesterday a very successful one.

MP Sajith Wants To Lead The Main Opposition UNP Towards Victory

MP Sajith Premadasa of the main opposition the United National Party(UNP)  said today during the Party Convention that he is willing to lead the Party towards victory with the support of everyone.He also stressed that every Party Member should break free from the defeated mentality and come forward to direct UNP towards the triumph.

The Hambanthota(Southern Province)MP Premadasa who is also the son of former President R.Premadasa is one of the strongest candidates hoping to become the leader of UNP. 

New Constitution Of The Main Opposition United National Party Approved

The new party constitution of the main opposition United National Party (UNP)proposed by Party Members was approved at the Special Convention which is now underway at the UNP Head Quarters in"Sirikotha"Pitakotte(Colombo Suburbs).

The  new constitution was earlier approved by the Party's Working Committee.
the much debated Special Convention began at 9 a.m this morning and will continue till 2 p.m.

Colombo National Hospital OPD Docts Staged A Strike Against Attacking A Fellow Doctor

Doctors attached to OPD of the Colombo National Hospital launched a Strike this morning to protest against attacking their fellow doctor by a certain group and later in the eve suspended their trade union action after police arrested the suspects.

OPD Doctors of the National Hospital refrained from admitting and treating the patients following the assault.

Police Arrested 55 KG Of Brown Suger Contained In Side Potatoes

Police Narcotics Division today arrested 55 Kilo Grammes of "Brown Suger"  hidden inside Potatoes and stored in a Container at the Colombo Harbour.

According the Police Narcotics Division they have arrested the Pakistani Businessman who sent this Container to Sri Lanka while he was reside in a Hotel in Colombo.Police also arrested a Sri Lankan Businessman and two of his supporters in connection with this drug racket.

Police believed the worth of these Drugs is more than Rs.2.5 million.

Health Minister Attacked Sri Lankan Ambassadors Abroad-Urged The Need To Change Them

Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena has said today that it is the time for Sri Lankan Government to decide whether  to change   Sri Lankan Ambassadors who are appointed to  Foreign Countries at present or not due to their lack of efficiency and laziness."It has been proved that most of these Foreign Ambassadors went abroad  to have fun and due to their personal commitments rather then to fulfill  the duties vested to them by the Sri Lankan Government " he stressed.

Addressing a Function held at the Health Ministry premises this morning to accept  Rs.33 million worth Medical Equipments donated by Australian Government to Sri Lanka, Minister has said that if Sri Lankan Ambassadors done their duty well Sri Lanka is now in a highest position in an International Level.

Most of the Sri Lankan Ambassadors now attached to  Foreign Missions in Eurpean Countries are there to enjoy the perfect weather conditions prevails there and they should have prevent  the protests held in London by the LTTE Supporters opposing SrI Lankan President's visit there if they fulfill their duties he further added.

Nearly 160,000 Displaced And 400 Houses Completly Damaged Due To Rainy Weather

Due to the floods caused by rainy weather prevails in the country these days nearly 160,000 people have been displaced so far according the Disaster Management Center.Disaster Management Center sources has said that 5 people died and 10 injured due to the accidents occured following the floods.

Nearly 11,000 displaced are now located at 59 centers situated Island Wide.Nearly 400 houses were completely damaged and 5000 houses partly due to the rainy weather.

Inter Univrersity Students Federation Convener Granted Conditional Bail

Colombo High Court today granted conditional bail to  the imprisoned convener of the Inter University Students Federation Udul Premarathna and advised him to refarin from pasting students posters and attending rallies.

While granting Rs.50,000 cash  and Rs.500,000 peronal bail Colombo High Court barred him of attending  activities in the Students Movement and warned that if he found violating this order will arrest and remand him again.

Nursing Staff Of Selected Hospitals To Stage A One Hour Walk Out Tomorrow

Nursing Staff of all General,Teaching and Basic Hospitals Island wide is to stage an one hour walk out from their services between 11.30 a.m to 12 noon on tomorrow(09) and hold a "satyagraha"(Fasting) campaign in front of these Hospitals according to the Government Nursing Officers Union.

According the Union President Saman Ratnapriya Nursing Staff launching this trade union action demanding solutions for 07 of their service demands including  giving the  25 percent allowance entitled for academic staff to Nurses as well and giving Nursing Staff a 5 day working weak.

Meanwhile the largest Nursing Trade Union of the Country the Public Services Nurses Union President Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero has said that their Union will not participate the said trade union action tomorrow.

Sri Lanka To Boycott Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony To Support China

Sri Lanka joined hands with 19 other countries including China to boycott the Nobel Peace Prize cermeony due to held this friday(10th) in Oslo,Norway according to the External Affairs Ministry sources.The Nobel Peace Prize of this year is won by the jailed Chinese disident Liu Xiaobo.

With the inclusion of Sri Lanka  Twenty Countries including China decided to boycott the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony  to support Chinese Boycott of the event.According to the sources 58 Countries who are having High Commissions in Oslo are invited for this event.

Parliament Suspended For 10 Minutes

Parliamentary session was suspended for 10 minutes this morning following a tense situation occured after Government Minister Susil Prem Jayanth raised a question again on Deputy Leader of the main opposition United National Party Karu Jayasuriya's statement he made for a weekend news paper regarding alleged war crimes.

Around Thousand Para Medics Launched A Protest In Front Of Health Ministry

Around 1000 para maedics held a protest campaign in front of the Health Ministry in Colombo today for three hours and suspended it after the Director General Of Health Services Dr.Ajith Mendis promised them to solve seven of their demands soon.The convener of the Para Medics Front which represents nine catagories of Para Medics Mr.Najith Sumanasena has said that they will commenced a stern trade union action if their demands are not met  by the Health Officials within two weeks time.

Around 15,000 Cancer Patients Reported From Sri Lanka Annually- 25 Percent Are Breast Cancers

Around15,000 Cancer Patients are reported from Sri Lanka annually and 25 percent ofthese patients are suffering from Breast Cancer according to the National Cancer Control Programme sources.The 5000 deaths occurred annually due to the Breast Cancer can be prevented if these Cancer identified in the early stages according the Programme.

Five PSM Catagories To Hold A Protest Tomorrow

Five categories belongs to  Professionals Supplementary to Medicine(PSM) are  to conduct a protest campaign in front of the Ministry Of Health in Colombo at 10 A.M tomorrow morning demanding solutions for their service demands.Government Pharmacists,Radiographers,Medical Laboratory Technologists(MLT's),Occupational Therapists and the Physiotherapists are scheduled to participate this protest.

Eight Opposition MP's Handed Over A Motion To The Speaker On Govt. Allegations

Eight MP's of the main opposition United National Party(UNP) were handed over a motion to the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksha to day to  ascertain  whether the allegations leveled by the Government MP's against the Opposition MP Dr.Jayalath Jayawardena are true or not.

Leftist Leader Wickramabahu's Supporters Were Attacked

Some supporters of leftist leader Wickramabahu Karunaratna who made a controversial speech at the Tamil Diaspora meeting in London were attacked by a group today when they went to Katunayaka International Air Port to great his arrival.Mr.Karunaratna arrived the Island this evening and lodged a complaint to the Police afterward regarding the incident.

Sri Lanka's Diarrheal Deaths Minimized To Zero Thanks To "JEEVANI"

The annual deaths occurred due to Diarrhea is zero in Sri Lanka after the Island Nation has introduced the "JEEVANI" Oral Dehydration Solution in 1985 according to the Consultant Epidemiologist of the Epidemiology Unit Dr.Sudath Pieris.

Addressing a Media Seminar held in Colombo today regarding the Weak on Water Safety Dr.Pieris has said that before the introduction of "JEEVANI" 5000 Diarrhea deaths have been reported annually.The" JEEVANI "solution is recognized as a perfect solution for Diarrhea by the World Health Experts.