Sri Lanka raises alarm over rising Colorectal Cancer cases

Published

4 months ago

March 6, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka has raised concern over a significant increase in Colorectal cancer, with 3,000 patients reported, the Health Ministry said.

According to Globocan 2022 data, the number of new cases of colorectal cancer worldwide is around 1.9 million, with the number of deaths exceeding 900,000.

The Community Health Specialist of the National Cancer Control Programme, Dr. Hasarali Fernando said that early identification of the symptoms of this disease can often lead to a complete cure.

Fernando highlighted that risk of colorectal cancer increases with age, especially after 50, and with smoking and alcohol consumption.

Meanwhile, Colorectal Surgeon, Dr. Wasantha Wijenayake stated that by 2040 around 3.5 million patients will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

“After the age of 40, about 50% of people may have polyps, which are growths in the colon or rectum. But not all polyps cause cancer, only about 4% of them can become cancer,” he said.

Wijenayake said that the process takes 5 to 10 years and during this time the identified polyps can be removed and the disease controlled.

Furthermore, he said that one out of 23 males and one out of 26 females are at risk of developing colorectal cancer.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

3 ex-DMT officials including ex-commissioner, arrested

Published

4 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

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Former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasingha and two other former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into vehicles that were illegally registered with the Department of Motor Traffic without receiving proper clearance from Sri Lanka Customs, CIABOC said in a statement.

According to CIABOC, former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe has been arrested for granting approval to issue a number plate for a jeep.

Additionally, a former Assistant Director of Information Technology at the department and a clerk have also been taken into custody for facilitating the illegal data entry and executing it.

The suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

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Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.

News

Nishantha Wickramasinghe remanded again (Update)

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

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Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been remanded till July 15 by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

(Previous news 2025 July 01,12.15pm.)

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,