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Knowledge-based economies in ancient civilizations like India and Sri Lanka, have become part of our historical traditions. To promote this, former Indian president and eminent scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will be coming to Sri Lanka this month to deliver the keynote address at an international energy conference on the theme “Energy for a knowledge [...]
It’s official: Glyphosate import is banned
The Finance Ministry has promulgated regulations banning the import of glyphosate, allowing the Customs Department to destroy or re-export any new consignments that arrive in the country. The gazette notification, signed by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and dated June 11, 2015, is issued under the Import and Export (Control) Act. “We can confiscate consignments of [...]
Eight pregnant women among 24 flu deaths
The outbreak of a flu caused by H1N1 virus has killed 24 people, including eight pregnant women, and is spreading, a senior health official said yesterday. The Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit Senior Registrar, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, said the Southern Province had been the worst affected with two pregnant women from Karapitiya and Balapitiya succumbing to the [...]
20 in hospital after Queen’s birthday dinner at Colombo hotel
At least 20 people fell ill, after a five-star hotel dinner on Friday night to celebrate the 87th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, officials said yesterday. They said the affected invitees were rushed to private hospitals and 15 of them were in intensive care. The dinner organised by the Sri Lanka United Kingdom Society took place [...]
Demand detailed bills from private hospitals
Private hospitals will be compelled to issue detailed bills to in-house patients from November 1, the Government has decided.Failing to issue detailed bills will enable the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to file action against the hospital, CAA Director General J.M.A. Douglas said. Mr. Douglas said that a gazette notification vesting the CAA with power to [...]
An uphill battle for weary war veterans
Disabled soldiers, some lacking arms or legs, have for the past 15 years often been forced to carry their daily water needs uphill from kilometres away because the housing scheme they are settled in has uncertain water supply and lies at the end of an unmade road. The 13 families of these disabled heroes, who [...]
Where are we heading? Some points to ponder
Certain happenings in the country can be brought back into the mainstream of governance. But it is not always the case. Some practices have got so ingrained in the public sector that even if we get a highly efficient head of the department, we cannot change things. I wish to draw the attention of the [...]
Central Bank plans structural reforms
The Central Bank is planning far reaching structural reforms to strengthen and streamline legal tender, risk management, supervision of banks and financial institutions, and management of an international reserve, utilising its nearly 1,500 staff. A Legal and Compliance Department was re-established this week to advise the bank on legal issues and to represent it in [...]
Vihanga wins Gratiaen prize 2014
Vihanga Perera was awarded the prestigious Gratiaen Prize 2014 on Friday (2 June) for his collection of poetry ‘Love and Protest’. The Gratiaen Prize founded by Michael Ondaatje in 1992 is awarded every year for outstanding literature in English written by a resident of Sri Lanka. A judging panel chaired by Dr. Sonali Deraniyagala, comprising [...]
Fishing ‘war’ in Negombo
A ‘war’ among fishermen is sure to dent Negombo’s reputation as the ‘Fishing Capital’ of the Western Province. The rot began to set in with villagers prohibiting fish caught in other areas from being dried on Negombo beaches. Following this ban, only fisherman from Negombo are now allowed to dry their salted fish on these [...]
20A is flawed: Here is the solution
The news of the cabinet approval of the 20A raises three key questions: Q1. Are small parties protected? Q2. Can the small party problems be solved? Q3. Do the present reforms adhere to international best practices? I will show that small parties are not protected and that the reforms fail to adhere to international best [...]
Kotte’s new warriors in defence of the lost kingdom
Protected and held up to the admiration of both locals and foreigners are the ancient cities such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa far from the hub of Colombo. It is, however, ironic that the one-before-the-last kingdom of this country, a stone’s throw from the bustling metropolis of Colombo and part of the capital of Sri Jayewardenepura-Kotte is [...]
As NMRA takes shape, drug companies go for the kill again
As nominations are finalised for the appointment of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority to regulate the pricing and prescription of medicines in Sri Lanka, multinational companies are pushing the Consumer Affairs Authority to bring back a price formula which was withdrawn two years ago. It is learnt that drug company lawyers have had talks with [...]
NASTA hero Dengue’s Lankan nemesis
As intermittent rains bring forth the spectre of dengue, and fear grips people, especially parents, in an office off Kitulwatte Road, adjoining Kanatte, steady and solid has been the research on this dreaded disease. This is the reason why on the night of the prestigious Science and Technology awards being presented by none other than President [...]
Immediate infusion of Rs 500m to resuscitate crisis-hit Negombo Hospital
Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry has pledged an immediate Rs. 500 million to the crisis-hit Negombo General Hospital, where patients were evacuated two weeks ago after its seven-storey building was deemed unsafe. The funds were to build temporary facilities and also for repairs. While the funding was promised by Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, at a meeting [...]
Family of 5 arrested for financial house heist
A family of two women and three men were taken into custody yesterday in connection with a daring day-light heist on a private finance house in Panadura that took place earlier this year, police said. They said the suspects were apprehended at a safe house in Kosgoda-Balapitiya, about three months after the heist. Two pistols [...]
State hospitals cannot ‘test’ patients in private labs: Health Ministry
Government Doctors will be prohibited from prescribing medical tests at private laboratories from next week, said a senior Health Ministry official. Health Ministry Secretary Dr D.M.R.B. Dissanayake told the Sunday Times that this measure was being resorted to, to curb malpractices that are rampant in State hospitals, where patients seeking government healthcare are often advised [...]
Roar of approval for capital punishment
Ninety per cent of people in the street approve of President Maithripala Sirisena’s proposal to reactivate capital punishment to contain the rising crime rate. Civil society and anti-drug addiction groups disagree, pointing out that the death penalty alone would not deter crime nor reduce the smuggling of drugs into the country. While many argued that punitive [...]
Falling rupee brings headaches for importers and consumers
Prices of essential consumer items including dhal, rice, tinned fish and large onions have risen with the rupee’s depreciation against the dollar. The rises come despite government efforts to keep prices low. Wholesale traders in Colombo warned of more increases in coming weeks. “Due to the depreciation of the rupee against the dollar we are left [...]
North on Red Alert against drug menace, alcohol abuse among youth
In order to overcome the drug menace and the excessive consumption of alcohol in the Province, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) joined hands with the Northern Provincial Council (NPC). Consequent to a directive from President Maithripala Sirisena, a formal meeting between NPC Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran and NDDCB officials was held in Colombo early [...]
Overseas bound female labour on the decline: CB report
There has been a sharp decline in women leaving for overseas employment, mainly to West Asia, while their male counterparts are steadily increasing, recent statistics reveal. Central Bank figures show female migrant workers of all categories declined by 138,312 in 2012 to 118,033 in 2013 and 110,489 in 2014. There was also a sharp decrease of [...]
Man allegedly stabs retiring colleague in revenge at farewell party
A 21-year-old employee of the Colombo National Hospital who allegedly stabbed a hospital overseer on his retirement party, was remanded until next Wednesday. Suspect Roshan Bandara from Polonnaruwa had hidden in the toilet on the day of the party and was communicating with a friend on the movements of the overseer, and allegedly stabbed him in [...]
La Ceylonians’ leader Noel Ranasinghe’s funeral today
The funeral of veteran singer and songwriter Noel Ranasinghe takes place at the General Cemetery Borella (Christian section) at 5 pm today. The cortege leaves residence 18/5, 1 Cross Street, Pagoda, Nugegoda, at 4 pm. Noel, who created a new style of singing with trademark sarongs, straw hats and calypso music with a local flavour in [...]
NCP Council House Leader remanded
The Anuradhapura Acting Magistrate, Nadee Akash Corera yesterday remanded until tomorrow House Leader of the North-Central Provincial Council Ananda Sarath Kumara, in connection with the alleged fraud of Rs. 1 million. The suspect was charged with the alleged misappropriation of funds during the distribution of corrugated sheets in the region. He was produced in courts [...]
MSG: The ‘other’ taste that makes a difference
In the eye of the storm is monosodium glutamate (MSG), with the international jury over the years being sharply divided whether it is good or bad. While some international experts have given MSG, a flavour-enhancer, a clean bill of health, others have condemned it as causing serious illness. Sri Lanka has been pushed into looking closely [...]
Macabre trade in medical devices
The waiting area of Cath Lab 1 (catheterisation laboratory) at the National Hospital is crowded with relatives of patients undergoing angiogram tests, their faces clouded with worry. In the middle of the lab, large bags of medical devices lie open with their owners walking in and out as they please. Every day when angiogram tests [...]
Conjunctivitis cases higher than last year
Cases of the eye infection, conjunctivitis, are being reported in many cities, particularly in Colombo, with more than 100 patients being seen every day at the National Eye Hospital. The infection rate is higher than at the same time last year. “We have allocated a separate ward to treat the infected people to prevent transmitting to other [...]
Abdul Kalam to preside over international conference on energy and power this month
Former Indian President and scientist Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is to preside at the international power and energy conference, titled “Energy for a knowledge based economy”, to be held in Colombo on June 26 and 27. On June 8 Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka officially invited Dr. Kalam for the conference at the Delhi [...]
Expensive parts stolen from modern vehicles at Hambantota Port
A mass-scale racket to steal components, spare parts and accessories from Japanese vehicles imported to Sri Lanka through the Hambantota harbour is being investigated by ports officials and importers. According the Vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) Secretary Keerthi Gunawardana, for every 1000 vehicles arriving at the Hambantota Port, they have found around 300 [...]
Tough steps to get EU fishing ban lifted
With the aim of getting the European Union ban on fish exports lifted by the end of this year, the Government is to increase penalties for illegal fishing methods used by local fishermen, Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday. He said penalties would include confiscation of vessels, if they were found to be engaged in [...]
If FCID is illegal why did Basil R. volunteer a statement to it?: PM’s Counsel
Counsel appearing on behalf of Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been cited as a Respondent in the Fundamental Rights (FR) application filed by former minister Basil Rajapaksa, on Friday told court that the former minister should have refrained from going before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) if he thought it was an [...]