12,000 G.CE O/L Students Failed All Their Subjects

While admitting that the first place of G.C.E Ordinary Level 2011 Examination goes to a female student of Visakha Collage,Colombo ,Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena has said that  little more than 12,000 students who sat for G.C.E Ordinary Level Exam 2011 failed  all their subjects.

The Examination  Results of 463 O/L  Students were suspended due to various reasons the minister has stressed.

16 Drugs And Surgicals Including Saline Out Of Stock At Karapitiya Hospital

Around 16 essential Drugs and Surgical s including life saving Saline are out of stock these days in one of the largest government hospitals of Southern Province the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital according to hospital sources.Due to this shortage the Hospital Doctors are prescribing patients to buy out of stock drug items from private sector the sources added.

The out of stock drugs at Karapitiya Hospital including Diabetic Drug 'Metfomin', Pressure Tablet "Atenalol",Cholesterol Drug "Atovastatin" and "HCT' .Sometimes these drugs have not seen in Private Pharmacies as well causing further trouble for patients  hospital sources said.

Ceylon Workers Congress Leader Thondaman Resigned From His Ministerial Portfolio

The leader of Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) and Minister of Live Stock and Rural Community Development Mr.Arumugam Thondaman has resigned from his Ministerial Portfolio this evening.His resignation letter was sent to President Mahinda Rajapaksha however the President was not accepted his letter the sources said.

The CWC Leader tendered his resignation due to the re appointment of his Ministry Official whom he had sacked from his post recently it has been reported.Mr.Thondaman has also handed over his official vehicle to the authorities following his resignation

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GMOA Members Tabled A No Confidence Motion Against Their President

The Negombo Branch of Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) had tabled a no confidence motion against  GMOA President Dr.Anuruddha Padeniya during their Monthly General Committee Meeting held yesterday (25) according to committee  members.One of the senior members of GMOA General Committee had revealed that the tabled no confidence motion against Dr.Padeniya was unanimously prepared by all members of GMOA Negombo Branch .

The motion was tabled by charging GMOA President of not addressing the burning issues of Government Doctors including the increasing of  proposed Disturbance,Availability And Transport Allowance (DAT) and other allowances of Doctors.Without addressing these issues Dr.Padeniya has working according to  his personal agenda by supporting the government the members stressed.

However when the Negombo Branch of GMOA has tabled the said no confidence motion, a tense situation occurred and  Dr.Padeniya along with few of his close aides left the conference room before voting of the motion began GMOA sources said.The several members of GMOA Working Committee too have expressed their displeasure during the meeting on how the union functioning at the moment the sources said.

Representatives of around 70 branches out of 90 Branches attached to GMOA were present during yesterdays meeting held at GMOA Headquarters in Colombo- 07.

Health Ministry Banned Visits Of Medical Reps.To Government Hospitals

The Ministry Of Health has banned Medical Representatives belongs to  Private Drug Companies by entering Government Hospitals and promoting their drug products among st Medical Consultants with immediate effect.Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Ravindra Ruberu had issued a circular  in this regard recently according to Ministry Sources.

The decision behind this move is to stop medical reps.by promoting expensive drug products among st medical consultants as it may cause consultants to  prescribed those drugs for patients.Their presence in government hospitals disrupts consultants work too the ministry sources further said.Earlier Health Ministry has allowed medical reps to enter government hospitals during lunch hour daily .

US Sponsored Draft Resolution On Sri Lanka Was Passed With Small Majority

The controversial United States and European Union sponsored draft resolution against  Human Right Violations in Sri Lanka was passed today (22) at United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC)  meeting held in Geneva,Switzerland with majority of 9 votes.24 countries were voted for the resolution including neighboring India while 15 countries voted against it.

It has been reported that after Indian Government has decided to go against their neighbor due to the pressure of Tamil Nadu Political Parties allied with government, several countries who didn't expect to support the resolution earlier had changed their  stand.

The countries who were supported the US Sponsored Draft Resolution on Sri Lanka were Austria,Belgium,Benin,Camaroon,Chile,Costarica,Czech Republic,Guatamala,Hungary,India,Italy,Libya,Mauritius,Mexico,Norway,Nigeria,Peru,Poland,Republic Of Moldova,Romania,Spain,Switzerland,United States Of America and Uruguay.The Countries who voted against the resolution by supporting Sri Lanka were Bangladesh,China,Congo,Cuba,Ecuador,Indonesia,Kuwait,Maldives,Moritania,Philippines,Qatar,Russian Federation,Saudi Arabia,Thailand and Uganda.

Voting Of US Sponsored Human Rights Resolution Against Sri Lanka To Be Take Place

The voting of the US Sponsored Human Rights Resolution against Sri Lanka is scheduled to take place in coming days at Human Rights Council in Geneva,Switzerland according to foreign media reports..India has already expressed their support for the Resolution while Sri Lankan Government urged their Indian Counterparts to re consider their decision on supporting resolution against Sri Lanka.


 

Minor Staff Sick Note Campaign Paralyzed Government Hospital Services

vicesMost of the Government  Hospital Services including OPD Clinics,Routine Surgeries,Kitchen Activities,Sanitary Care and Indoor Patient Care were paralyzed today (21) due to the sick note campaign launched by Hospital  Minor Staff Although the Paralyzed Hospital Services were maintained by an Army Officers to some extent majority of patients underwent severe hardships due to the sick note campaign it has been reported.

The Joint Trade Union Alliance compromising 11 hospital minor staff unions organized this sick note campaign.A large number of government hospital  minor staff workers also  hold a protest campaign in front of Lipton Circle this noon by demanding solutions for 8 of their demands

PSM'S Suspended Their Island Wide Strike Action After Received Court Enjoining Order

The Government Hospital Professions Supplementary to Medicine (PSM'S)who are in strike since 13th of march suspended their trade union action this morning following the receiving of enjoining order issued by Colombo District Court restrained their strike action.According to president of Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine Harendra Kuruppu their council received the court order this morning and it led to suspend the week long island wide strike.

When commenting on  said court order he stressed that the council will act according to advise of their lawyers.

As four professions belongs to PSM'S reported to work today the paralyzed Hospital services due to strike returned to normalcy the hospital sources said.

Government Hospital Minor Staff To Report Sick Leave Tomorrow (21)

The Minor Staff attached to all government hospitals are to launch a one day sick note campaign   tomorrow(21) demanding solutions for 08 of their service demands a Joint Committee Of Trade Unions compromising 11 minor staff unions has announced.The Minor Staff members who are reporting sick not leave are   due to held a mass protest campaign in front of Lipton Circle around 12 noon  tomorrow (21).

 

 

Health Ministry Claims On A Hospital Death Due To PSM Strike While Strikers Denied The Incident

The Ministry Of Health  has claimed today (20) that a patient who was getting treatment at Colombo National Hospital had died due to the delay of medical tests caused by on going strike of Professions Supplementary To Medicine( PSM).However Ministry has failed to give exact details on the deceased patient and the cause of the death.

Meanwhile The Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine has denied Ministry's claim on that a patient in government hospital died due to their strike while admitting that there is no possibility for such an incident as they are carrying out life saving services at all government hospitals during strike.The president of Joint Council Mr.Harendra Kuruppu has said the the claim was false and baseless one.

Professions Supplementary To Medicine To Continue Their Strike Till Demands Are Met

The Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine which represents four Government Hospital Professions who are in strike at present has today (20)decided to continue their 8 day old strike till their demands are met by authorities.

The Joint Council which has not called off their strike even the Colombo District Court yesterday ordered them to do so through an enjoining order, conducted a general assembly at Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo this noon and decided to Continue  strike, the secretary of the Council Saman Jayasekera has said.Two Heart Patients filed the case in District Court requesting called off the strike which caused severe hardships for government hospital patients.However the Council said that they still didn't received the court order and when does they will responding to it accordingly.

Earlier Around 1000   Government Pharmacists,Radiographers,Medical Laboratory Technicians(MLT),Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists belongs to Professions  Supplementary To  Medicine hold a mass protest in front of Ministry Of Health this morning urging authorities to give solutions for their demands.

The protesters were  gathered near Colombo National Hospital around 11 a.m and march towards Ministry Of Health where the protest was held.Due to this protest one side of the two way Road in front of Ministry was blocked as protesting professionals occupied a part of the  road.A huge traffic was seen around 30 minutes due to this.

Meanwhile the Island Wide Continuous Strike launched by PSM'S held today as well paralyzing issuing of medicines for indoor and outdoor patients,performing of C.T Scan/X Ray Tests and Physiotherapy Treatment offered by Government Hospitals.The treatment of ICU's as well as Routine Surgeries too affected as the strikers withrdrawn emergency services from hospitals.Thousands of Indoor and Out Door Patients are suffering due to this strike.However life saving services of all government hospitals  are carried out as usual the Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine has announced

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PSM's Extended Their Hospital Strike

The Government Hospital Professions Supplementary To Medicine(PSM) who are in strike at the moment in Government Hospitals have decided to extend their trade union action to Sirimavo Bandaranaike Children's  Hospital at Peradeniya and Central Blood Bank in Colombo with effect from tomorrow(19th)According to Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine secretary Mr.Saman Jayasekera the PSM's in these institutes were not join their strike earlier on humanitarian grounds.

However as The Health Ministry is not interested to giving solutions for their service demands the PSM's have decided to extend their action he stressed.Striking PSM's throughout the island wide will arrived Colombo on this Tuesday (20th) to hold a mass protest campaign near the Ministry Of Health he further added.

Meanwhile the Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine has stated that due to sending Blood Test Samples and X Ray and C.T Scan Tests to Private Sector as a result of the on going PSM Strike  the National Hospital in Colombo alone need to spend Rs.700,000 daily for the Private Sector to get done above tests .

Colombo National Museum Was Robbed

Several  items with historical value were stolen from National Museum in Colombo by a group of thieves who have entered  Museum last night according to Cinamon Gardens Police sources. Several Gold Coins,Rings and a Sword displayed in second floor of the Museum  are among  stolen items the sources added.

Due to the investigations carried out on this robbery the National Museum is closed till tomorrow(18th) police sources further said.

Government Hospital PSM'S Re Launched Their Strike

The government professionals  of supplementary to medicine (PSM) have  relaunched their suspended island wide strike this morning after the talks held yesterday (15th) between  their trade union officials  and Health and Treasury authorities over the PSM'S 10 service demands ended up without a proper solution.The PSM compromising government pharmacists,Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT's),Radiographers,Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists relaunched their strike action  around 8 a.m today by withdrawing even emergency services at  government hospitals according to sources.


Due to this strike issuing of drugs to opd and indoor patients ,performing blood and urine tests and taking x rays and CT Scans in government hospitals are halted and tens of thousands of patients are under went severe hardships according to hospital sources.


Earlier The Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine who  launched an  island wide continuous strike action on Tuesday(13) had temporarily suspended their strike action  yesterday morning to facilitate the talks held with authorities . 
 

Colombo High Court Judge Acquitted Gen.Sarath Fonseka From Hi Corp Case

The Colombo High Court Judge today(15) acquitted and dismissed all the charges leveled against imprisoned former sri lankan army commander General Sarath Fonseka from the Hi Corp Case filed against him by stating that general fonseka cannot be sentenced twice for the same offense.

The former army commander has  already sentenced under Hi Corp case.

The 25 page judgment of High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksha has stated that according to the law and judicial procedure in the country accusing a person twice on the same offense is unjustified and therefore retired general sarath fonseka acquitted from above charges.However the court fixed a trial against general fonseka's son in law Danuna Thilakaratne who was also charged in the same case scheduled to be heard in absentia on 03rd of May.

Sri Lankans Swallowing 45-50 million Paracetamol Tablets Per Month

A study has found that Sri Lankans are swallowing 45-50 million Paracetamol Tablets per month according to the  secretary to the Health Ministry Dr.Ravindra Ruberu.Due to the large amount of Paracetamol swallowed by Sri Lankans several cases of poisoning  paracetamol have also been reported  as a result of taking overdose Dr.Ruberu has said.


Due to this situation the Ministry Of Health has instructed all government hospital directors to examined the exact amount of paracetamol tablets need per patient in government hospitals and issued the tablets accordingly he stressed.

3 Out Of 13 Infant Deaths At Mahamodara Teaching Hospital PBU Due To Bacterial Infection

The inquiry  report issued on 13 infant deaths reported from the premature baby unit(PBU) of one of the leading government hospitals in southern province the Mahamodara Teaching Hospital has stated that only 3 infant deaths out of 13 deaths occurred due to Bacterial infection and other 10 infants died due to natural causes of their illnesses.

Addressing the media on the report findings today (13th) at health education bureau this morning the health ministry secretary Dr.Ravindra Ruberu has said that the specialists who conducted the inquiry stated in their  report that the deaths of 6 infants caused by  critical condition they were in.However the health secretary has failed to revealed what caused the spreading of bacteria in the PBU of Mahamodara Teaching Hospital and the state of the unit at present.However he stressed that the bacterial infection of this kind can be occurred in any PBU in the world and it's not an extraordinary thing to happen.



The PBU of Mahamodara Teaching Hospital was closed on 09th of March following the deaths of 13 infant deaths reported during last two months suspected as may have due to a bacterial infection.The Ministry of Health was appointed a group of specialists to investigate on the incident and the group concluded the inquiry and handed over their report to director general of health services dr.ajith mendis yesterday (12th).

PSM Strike Paralyzed Government Hospital Services

Due to the Continuous Island Wide strike launched by Professions Supplementary To Medicine (PSM) attached to Government Hospitals today (13) the functioning of Outdoor Patients Department (OPD) Pharmacies,Path Labs,X Ray/C.T Scan Units and Physiotherapy Units were paralyzed and hundreds and thousands of patients faced severe hardships according to  hospital sources.

Due to the closure of above units runs by Professions Supplementary To Medicine compromising Government Pharmacists,Radiographers,Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT'S),Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists the distribution of Medicine ,performing of blood,urine samples and x ray/c.t scan tests were halted and only emergency services at Intensive Care Units (ICU'S) are functioning normally the sources said.

PSM'S are on strike demanding solutions for 10 of their service demands including increasing of their allowances and giving delayed promotions for their senior service personal,A discussion held between the members of Joint Council of Professions Supplementary To Medicine and  Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Ravindra Ruberu held yesterday regarding these demands was failed completely according to the union.

Government Hospital PSM'S To Launch Island Wide Continuous Strike Tomorrow (13)

The Professions Supplementary To Medicine (PSM) attached to Government Hospitals have decided to launch an Island Wide Continuous Strike from tomorrow (13th) demanding acceptable solutions for their 10 service demands.According to General Secretary of Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine Mr.Saman Jayasekera they hold around 7 discussions with Government Officials during last few months but failed to received any favorable response on their demands.

Around 5000 Professions Supplementary To Medicine Officers compromising Government Pharmacists,Radiographers,Medical Laboratory Technicians(MLT's), Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists are due to join this strike which commenced at 8 a.m on Tuesday morning while the PSM's attached to  Lady Ridgway Children's,Castle Street Women's ,De Soyza Maternity and ,Maharagama Cancer Hospitals are refrain from strike due to humanitarian reasons he stressed.

GMOA To Take Trade Union Action Against Not Increasing DAT Allowance

The Central Committee of  Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA)has  scheduled to meet tomorrow(11) noon to decide their  future trade union action against not increasing the Government Doctor's Disturbance and Transport Allowance (DAT)by Rs.14,000.The GMOA wants to increase Doctors Disturbance And Transport Allowance to Rs.29,000 from current position Rs.15,000.

Cooperatives Minister Wants Price Control For Infant Milk Powder While Milk Powder Companies Halted Their Milk Food Supply For Next Month

The Minister Of Cooperatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernando had instructed the Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman to bring a Price Control Mechanism for Infant Milk Powder at earliest.

Meanwhile Milk Food Companies have stated that they have temporarily canceled the orders on importing Milk Powder to the country for next month as government failed to response their request positively on price revision of Milk Powders.The Companies said that the Milk Food Stocks they have now will be sufficient only for this month.

Due to the rising prices of Milk Powder in International Market as well as due to depreciation of sri lankan rupee there are no other option than increasing the price of imported milk powder the Milk Powder Companies said.They also said that the Companies bears Rs.37 loss per a kilo gramme of Milk Powder due to not revising the Milk Powder prices.