News

46 die of cancer every day in SL: NCCU Director

Published

1 year ago

February 1, 2023

editor

Some 46 people die of cancer every day in Sri Lanka out of the 105 cancer patients who are detected daily, the National Cancer Control Unit (NCCU) Director Dr. Ishani Fernando said today.

She told a news conference at the Health Promotion Bureau in line with the World Cancer Day which falls on February 4, a total of 38,229 new cancer patients were detected in 2020 and 16,691 out of them died due to the disease.

She said it was observed that females were prone to get cancer whereas the mortality was high among the males.

“A total of 20,395 females and 17,834 males were diagnosed with cancer in 2020. 50 percent of the patients who are diagnosed with cancer die,” she said.

When asked about the drug shortage for cancer patients, the Director said there was a shortage of drugs and added that a mechanism was in place to obtain the drugs where drugs are purchased through the World Health Organization (WHO). “That process also takes about six months,” she said.

Dr. Prasad Abeysinghe, Oncologist and Cancer specialist of the National Cancer Institute said there was a tendency of specialists including radiologists who migrate for foreign training to remain in those countries without returning to Sri Lanka for practice.

He said it was a serious concern which should be addressed soon and added that the government should have a plan to encourage them to return and practice here.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

Royal pardon for 44 Sri Lankans in UAE

Published

4 hours ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

Forty four Sri Lankans who were in different prisons across the United Arab Emirates have been pardoned by a Royal order.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates has formally conveyed to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi that these Sri Lankan prisoners received pardon by the Royal order on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, April 2024.

These forty four Sri Lankans who have received the Royal pardon will be repatriated to Sri Lanka by the Government of the United Arab Emirates in due course. The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi will collaboratively coordinate with the United Arab Emirates Government authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka to ensure their safe repatriation.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi Udaya Indrarathne wishes to extend his deep appreciation to the Government of the United Arab Emirates, and its Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior for making arrangements to pardon these Sri Lankans. The Embassy of Sri Lanka appreciates the empathy and generosity shown by the leadership of the UAE in this regard.

(MFASL)

News

Weather advisory for high waves issued

Published

4 hours ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

The sea areas along the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota may see a rise in the swell waves today (3) approximately 2.5 m – 3.0 m height and wave period around 12s-16s, according to the Department of Meteorology.

Nearshore water areas off the coast that stretch from Kalpitiya to Matara to Galle and Colombo are likely to see surges as a result of swell waves.

Choppy seas are expected in offshore areas extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

It is recommended that the fishing and naval communities exercise caution when conducting their operations in the above-water regions and were further requested to be on alert on future forecasts released by the Met. Department.