Jayantha Katagoda Sworn In As New MP Replacing General Fonseka's Vacant Parliamentary Seat

Mr.Jayantha Katagoda a  member of the Democratic National Alliance(DNA) lead by imprisoned former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka  ,sworn in as a New MP in Parliament  replacing   the vacant seat of General Fonseka.Mr.Katagoda was Sworn in before the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksha this evening.


On last Saturday DNA has unanimously  nominated Mr.Katagoda as the replacement for their leader General Sarath Foneseka's vacant seat in the Parliament .The new MP who was also an Actor and Businessman was received third largest number of Preferential Votes during last Parliamentary Elections behind General Fonseka and Lakshamn Nipunaarachchi who refused to accept the replacement earlier.

60 Dengue Patients Were Reported From Colombo City During The March

 Around 60 Dengue Patients and 02 Dengue Deaths had been reported from the Colombo City during the first 08 days of  this Month(March) the Chief Medical Officer in Colombo Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam has said today.

According to Dr,Kariyawasam out of these 60 Dengue Patients reported from the City of Colombo 20 were from Stace Road in Grand pass area.One out of the two Dengue Deaths reported is also from the Stace Road according to him.It has been reported that around 3500 people lives in 550 shanty houses attached to each other at Stace Road and they are not only prone to Dengue but other diseases like Tuberculosis and Fileria as well.

"There is a garbage canal in the area  and dengue mosquito breeding places like damaged Tyre s  and leaked water "the Colombo Chief MOH stressed.

Due to the spreading of dengue is in rise, People in the area are advised to destroy Dengue Mosquito Breeding Places and clean their home and garden surroundings to prevent the spreading of the disease.

"Glaucoma" Identified As The Major Cause Of Blindness In Sri Lanka

Out of the total number of Blind Population  in Sri Lanka 13 to 14 percent got blinded due to the eye disorder "Glaucoma" according to the Ophthalmologist Dr.Mrs.Muditha Kulatunga.The age group of Over 60 years  in Sri Lanka is more prone  of getting Glaucoma which has been described as  the "Silent Thief of Sight" due to the sudden blindness it caused  Dr.Kulatunga has stressed.

To avoid of getting the disease the age group of over 60 years should under go a Eye Test in every six months and the people of less then 60 years should under go a Eye Test at least once in every two years she has further added.According to Dr.Kulatunga if parents are having the Glaucoma the chance of their children getting the disease is 5 times higher then a normal person and those people whose blood relatives having Glaucoma are having 9 times higher chance  of getting the disease.

Speaking at  a Media Seminar held in Colombo this morning on "The International  Glaucoma Week" declared between 06th of March to 12th of March 2011, Dr,Kulatunga has said to mark the International Glaucoma Week"Colombo National Eye Hospital is launched a series of programmes to educate the people throught the Island on Glaucoma in collaboration with vision 2020 secretariat and the Sight Savers International ..A free eye testing camp for public is due to  be held in the Eye Hospital On  12th of March ,the final day of the Glaucoma week.

According to the statistics around 5 million people world wide are currently living with blindness due to the Glaucoma and this number is expected to rise by the year 2020 to 11.2 million.

Around 33 Displaced People Left To Be Re Settled In Jaffna

According to the Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya at the moment only 33 displaced  people belongs to Nine Families left  to be re settled in Jaffna Peninsula (Northern Sri Lanka).A Large number of Families lived in Refugee Camps are already settled in their home towns according to the Lieutenant Jayasuriya.

The De-Mining process carried out by the Army Engineers is already concluded the Army Commander has stressed.

Vehicle Of TNA MP Was Attacked

An unidentified Group attacked The Vehicle of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP of Jaffna S.Shritharan with a Grenade this evening   Anuradhapaura and Nochchiyagama areas ( Both in North Central Province) while he is returning to Colombo after visiting the North.

According to the TNA Party sources although the vehicle was damaged due to the attack MP Sritharan and his Security Personal were escaped without hurt.


 

Two Essential Injections Are Out Of Stock In State Hospitals And Pharmacies

It has been reported that two injections one using for "By Pass" Surgery and other one for Anesthesia are out of stock these days in State Hospitals as well as in Private pharmacies.The injection "Gentamycin" which is use for By Pass Surgeries are out of stock in State Hospitals and In Pharmacies since three months and and important Anesthetic Injection using for all surgeries  "Thiopentone Sodium" is out of stock in State Hospitals from sometime.
Besides the shortage of these injections State Hospitals are currently facing shortage of  essential drugs like "Metformine","Piriton"Paracetamol","Aludrox" and "Aspirin".Due to the shortage hospital doctors are prescribing patients to buy these drugs from Private Pharmacies.

Four Essential Drugs Are Out Of Stock In State Hospitals

Four essential drugs including the drug prescribed for Diabetes Patients to reduced blood sugar level "Metformin"are out of stock these days in most State Hospitals according to the Hospital Sources.The out of stock drug items are "Metformin","paracetamol","Penicillin" and "Piriton" according to the sources.

Both Out door(OPD) and Indoor departments in most of the State Hospitals not having these drugs from weeks according to the Pharmacists.Due to the shortage Government Hospital Doctors are prescribing patients to buy these drugs from private pharmacies they stressed.

DNA Nominated A Replacement For General Fonseka's Vacant Parliamentary Seat

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) today has  nominated their member Mr.Jayantha Katagoda to fill the vacant parliamentary seat of the DNA leader Retired General Sarath Fonseka who is now in prison.This decision was taken unanimously during the DNA Party meeting held today(05th) according to the Party Sources.

In previous occasion the member of the DNA Party Lakshaman Nipunaarachchi who received the second highest number of preferential votes after General Fonseka at the parliament elections for the Colombo District was named to fill the  Vacant Parliamentary seat of General however he refused to accept the offer even though his name was gazetted as the replacement.



According to the DNA even newly replaced Mr.Katagoda who received the third highest preferential votes for Colombo District refused to accept the offer the Part has unanimously decided that he should accept it.DNA also stated although the vacant parliamentary seat of General Fonseka filled with another one the party still believes the seat is belongs to General Fonseka who secured highest number of preferential votes for Colombo District during last parliamentary elections.Newly appointed Mr.Katagoda is scheduled to be sworn in as a MP before the Speaker on 08th of March.

Sri Lanka Vs Australia Match Was Abandoned Due To Heavy Showers

The ICC World Cup Cricket Match played between Sri Lanka and Australia which under way at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo was abandoned due to heavy showers fell to the grounds this evening and both the teams awarded one point each as the match ended with no result.

At the time when  the match was stopped Sri Lanka who elected to bat first after winning the toss  scored 146 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 32.5 overs with Skipper Kumar Sanagakkara 73 not out and Thilan Samaraweera 34 not out.

After elected to bat first  in a pitch favorable for batting Sri Lanka was badly placed when they lost their two openers Thilakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga for low scores.Former skipper Mahela Jayawardena's was run out at a time when he and skipper sangakakra tried to accelerate the Sri Lankan Scoreboard.However after Mahela's run out All Rounder Thilan Samaraweera joined with Sangakkara and put a valuable partnership to taken the Sri Lanka's score to 146 till  rain interrupted the play.

The Match which is a day night match declared as abandoned after the two referees inspected the pitch and the rainy condition .Due to the two teams awarded with one point each Both Sri Lanka and Australia now having 5 points each as Sri Lanka placed 2nd in their group "A" and the Aussies placed 3rd in the group.

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Sri Lanka Vs Australia Match -Sri Lanka Won The Toss And Elected To Bat First

Sri Lankan Skipper Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and decided to bat first against Australia short while ago.The match 20th ODI Match of the ICC World Cup is due to commence in few minutes time at the R,Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka included Three Spinners namely Muththaia Muralidaren ,Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis for today's Match.

A packed crowd are there in the stadium right now to witness the Sri Lanka vs Australia Match which is a repeat of the Last World Cup Final in 2007.

Sri Lanka To Meet Australia Tomorrow In A Thrilling World Cup Encounter Repeating Last World Cup Final

Last World Cup Runners Up Sri Lankan Cricket Team  is due to  meet the World Champions Australia  tomorrow(05) in Colombo in their Group "A" Match of the ICC Cricket World Cup   a repeat of the Last World Cup Final.The Match a Day Night game will be commenced at 1.30 p.m local time in the R.Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo.

According to the Sri Lankan Skipper Kumar Sangakkara Sri Lanka will likely to play with three spinners in tomorrow's game which is crucial for the Sri Lankans as they seeking to win this years World Cup.Sri Lanka is having match winning spinners like Muralideran ,Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis supported by part time spinners Thilan Samaraweera and T.M Dilshan.

This Match will be a Acid Test for both the teams as the critics  rated the match as a battle between two supremos  who are firm favorites to win this years World Cup .

Sri Lanka the 2007 World Cup runners up will be compromised a balanced side with both spin and  Pace bowlers and the strength of the Aussies are their pace attack  according to skipper Sangakkara.

While addressing the media today at the R.Premadasa International Stadium he stressed that the Sri Lankan team will focus on the win against the Aussies not the toss of the coin.He however said that wining the toss is an important factor but not decisive factor to wining the match.

Sri Lankan batting line up is long as number 7 slot including the hard hitting opener Thilakaratne Dilshan ,Skipper Sangakkara,Mahela Jayawardena and all rounder Angelo Mathews and the mix combination of pace and spin attack will provide them an additional advantage as they played in their home ground.

According to the critics Sri Lanka's pace man in form Lasith Malinga and Off Spinner Mutthaia Muralideran will be a real test for the strong Aussie Batting line up lead by their skipper Ricky Ponting.Australian Skipper Ponting too point out that tomorrow's battle is a tougher one for his side as the Sri Lankan Team is a not an easy team to beat especially in their home country.

Tomorrow's Encounter is also an  important one for Sri Lanka as a win here will secure them  a berth in the quarter finals.Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan last Saturday by 11 runs however is in the second place of their group "A" headed by Pakistan  with 4 points after wining the matches against Canada and Kenya.

President Rajapaksha Requested Libyan Leader To Restore Peace In Libya

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has today requested the Libyan leader Colonel Maummar Gadaffi to restore peace in the troubled country  as soon as possible.According to the Sri Lankan President's Media Unit this request has been made by the President Rajapaksha during a telephone conversation he had with the Libyan leader.

Colonel Gadaffi had phoned the president Rajapaksha the Media Unit further stated.

Ministry Of Health Reveals The Truth Behind The Drug Shortage In State Hospitals

It has been revealed that due to the poor co ordination between the Chief Pharmacists of Hospitals and the Drug Supplying authorities have been caused an Artificial Drug Shortage within most of the State Hospitals these days the Ministry of Health has stated.According to the Ministry Officials  the Director of the Kiribathgoda Hospital which is functioning under the Western Provincial Council has  informed the Health Ministry yesterday that some 20 drugs are out of stock at the Hospital ,however when checked it has been revealed that a large stock of these 20 so called out of stock drugs are there in the stores of the Medical Supplies Division as well as in the Regional Drug Supplying Store.

While investigating the matter further the Ministry Officials have found that the Chief Pharmacist of the said hospital has  not informed the regional Drug Supplying Store about the list of out of stock drugs in the hospital in time and even the hospital director not know that these drugs are available at the regional drug store.

Health Ministry To Setting Up A National Drug Standard Regulatory Authority Soon

The National Drug Standard Regulatory Authority which can  ensure  the quality standards of Drugs imported to the Country will be set up soon according to the Health Minister Maithrepala Sirisena.Speaking at the inauguration of the National Health Exhibition at the Bandaranaike International Memorial Hall in Colombo this morning the Minister has said that he will implement the National Drug Standard Regulatory Act by mid this year which enables the functioning  of proposed Drug Regulatory Authority.

Under such Authority Sri Lanka will able to import and supply the good quality drugs for the Government Hospitals he has stressed.

Colombo Chief MOH Instructed The Hotel/Rest And Cafetraia Workers To Under Go A Annual TB Test

The Colombo Chief Medical Officer Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam has instructed all small and medium scale Hotel/Restaurant and Cafeteria owners in the City of Colombo to get their workers checked for Tuberculosis(TB) at the Colombo Chest Clinic at least once a year as the reports have been revealed that most of the TB Patients report from the Colombo City are Hotel Workers.

Dr.Kariyawasam has said that if the Colombo City Hotel Workers are under going a TB Check once a year it will help to reduced the spreading of TB to other places in great deal..

Dr.Kariyawasam has already made Annual Medical Test a compulsory for all Hotel and Restaurant workers in the city with effect from last January to ensure the hygiene of the food that consumed by the people.He also instructed the Hotel,Restaurant and Cafeteria owners to introduced a suitable uniform for their Workers from the Chefs  to Stewards to ensure the hygienic condition in these places.

55 Sri Lankans Evacuated From Libya To Return Island Soon

Around 55 Sri Lankans who are currently in Malta and Cyprus after being evacuated from Libya are due to arrive Sri Lanka soon according to the Foreign Employment Bureau.

A group of 33 Sri Lankans evacuated from Libya are in Cyprus and 22 are in Malta taken there by their employers through a special Charted Air Line soon after the uprising of Libya began according to the Bureau.

Professions Supplementary To Medicine Hold A Black Protest Campaign In Front Of The Health Ministry

The   Professionals attached to Government Professions  Supplementary To Medicine(PSM)  staged a Black Protest campaign by wearing Black Caps and holding Black Flags and Posters in front of the Ministry Of Health in Colombo today demanding  to fulfill six of their service demands.

The large number of Professionals belongs to the PSM compromising Government Pharmacists,Medical Laboratory Technicians(MLT),Radiographers,Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists representing majority of Government Hospitals island wide have been taken part this two hour protest campaign held from 12 noon to 2 p.m today.The protesters arrived to the Ministry Of Health Premises from the Bandaranaike Building of the Colombo National Hospital which is situated nearby the Ministry.

The Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine has said that they will launch an island wide two day sick note campaign in 08th and 09th of March if the Health Authorities failed to give reasonable solutions for six of their service demands including the delayed Grade 1 Promotions of the PSM and the 25 percent special allowance granted to the Academics through the 2011 budget proposals to PSM as well.

Laugfs Gas Price To Be Increased

The price of the 12.5 kg Laugfs Gas Cylinder is due to increase by Rs.96 with the effect from today.According to the Consumer Protection Authority with the increased price the new price of the Laugfs gas cylinder will be Rs.1652.

Five Member Team Began Investigations On Kfir Jet Crash

A five member team led by Air Vice Marshal Kapila Jayamapathi is investigating in to the Kfir Jet crash which occurred yesterday in mid air of  Warana area according to the Air Force sources.Air Force has also decided to grounded the Kfir Jets till the ongoing investigations on  Jet Crash concluded.

According to the Sri Lankan Air Force the decision behind the grounding of Kfir Jets till the Investigations concludes is to evaluate the technical records of the Jets.The Kfir Jets due to participate the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Air Force which was held today , not participated due to this decision.

Meanwhile according to the post mortum report submitted by the Negambo Judicial Medical Officer(JMO) Dr Channa Perera the Pilot Flight Lieutenant Monath Perera who was killed due to the Kfir Jet Collision of  yesterday was suffered a heart attack in the Sky.The Post Mortum report was handed over to the Air Force Today.Earlier it has been reported that the Pilot had ejected him self from the Air Craft at the time of the Crash and believed his Parachute was not opened at that time..

Two Dengue Deaths Were Reported From Colombo City

Two Dengue deaths were reported yesterday from the Colombo city the Chief Medical Officer of Colombo Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam has revealed.According to Dr.Kariyawasam out of these two deaths one victim  was a 55 year old person reside in Wellawatta area in Colombo City and he died while receiving treatment at a Private Hospital yesterday.

The second death was reported in Ridgway Children's Hopsital in Borella and the victim was a 8 year old boy reside in Stace Road.With these two  deaths the total number of Dengue deaths reported from Colombo City this year risen to 6.

Sri Lanka Recorded An Easy Win Over Minnows Kenyans As Paceman Malinga Destroy Kenyan Batting Lineup

Sri Lankan Cricketers defeated the minnows Kenyan Cricket Team by 9 wickets  in their third ICC World Cup Cricket Match Played at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo today.After wining the toss Kenyan Skipper Jimmy Kamande decided to take first lease of the pitch which is perfect for batting.

However the Kenyans only managed to reach 142 runs all out in 43.4 overs due to the fine bowling performance by Sri Lankan Pace Bowler Lasith Malinga who got 6 Kenyan wickets with the cost of 38 runs in his 10 overs.Due to the Malinga's deadly yorkers Kenyan Batsmen were struggled to getting runs and only Brothers Co Obuya and Do Obuya managed to score half centuries in the match.

Lasith Malinga who played his first Match of this years ICC World Cup after been rested in the first two matches Sri Lanka played against Canada and Pakistan displayed a brilliant piece of bowling performance with a hat trick to restrict the Kenyans to a moderate score.In reply Sri Lanka reached the target within 18.4 overs with Opener Upul Tharanga has scored 67 runs and T.M Dilshan scored quick fire 44 runs.

With this win Sri Lanka who now won two out of the three matches played lead the Group "A" with 4 points followed by Australia and Pakistan who won two matches each they were played.

Drug Authority To Instruct Cosmetic Producers And Importers To Display The Registered Number In Their Products

The National Drug Authority has instructed the importers and Local producers of Cosmetics to display their Cosmetic registered number issued by the authority  in the wrapper of  cosmetic product.

Due to the  number of patients coming to the Local Hospitals suffering from side effects like skin cancers,pimples and allergic conditions  due to the using of sub standard Cosmetic Products  are in increase, Drug Authority has decided to implement  above law according to the Drug Authority sources.

One Pilot Killed Following a Kfir Jet Crash

One Pilot was killed and another civilian got injured when two Kfir Combat Jets collided each other at Warana area in the Gampaha District(Western Province)during a rehearsal for the 60th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force this morning.According to the Air Force Flight Lt.Mohan Perera was killed during the crash and other flying officer Squadron Leader Vajira Jayakody is survived although his Kfir Jet collided with the other one.

Meanwhile President Mahinda Rajapaksha visited the crash site at Warana immediately after the news broke out.The Roads near the rehearsal site was closed at the time of the crash.