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The government will reduce duty and levies imposed on imported sanitary pads, State Minister for Women and Child Affairs Geetha Kumarasinghe said. The Minister told Parliament today that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered authorities to reduce ports and airport development levy, cess levy and customs duty imposed on pads. “Once the levies are reduced, the prices of sanitary napkins will come down. Meanwhile we will encourage and promote local manufacturers as well,” Ms. Kumarasinghe. She said a local manufacturer has assured to provide a packet of pads for Rs. 150 for school girls. At present the price of a packet is sold between Rs.300-500.
Several opposition MPs raised concerns over the prices of sanitary pads highlighting that school girls are staying back at home during periods unable to afford pads. Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella also said they are looking to get the support of Indian entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganathan aka Pad Man to manufacture pads here.
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Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today that the suspect in the rape of a lady doctor at the Anuradhapura teaching hospital has been identified as an army deserter and he will be apprehended shortly.
Police have arrested the suspect connected to the sexual assault on a female doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital today morning in Galnewa.
The Dutch Public Prosecutor suspects two companies of paying bribes in the construction of hospitals in Sri Lanka, according to an investigation by FD, the Dutch financial newspaper.
The Minister of Power, Kumara Jayakody, stated that in the future, internationally funded projects, such as power projects, will only be carried out through government-to-government (G2G) agreements and competitive procurement.
The Government today tabled in the House the Report of the Commission to Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Unlawful Places of Detention and Torture Chambers in the Batalanda Housing Scheme.
Israel, a major player in the global diamond and jewellery trade, has invited Sri Lankan gem and jewellery businessmen and designers to collaborate with Israeli diamond traders.
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