News

10,000 Tuberculosis patients found in SL during a year!

Published

2 years ago

March 15, 2023

editor

Around 10,000 Tuberculosis (TB) cases are reported in Sri Lanka during a year, says Chest Specialist – Dr. Bodhika Samarasekera.

He said this to journalists yesterday (14) while joining a TB awareness program held at the Health Promotion Bureau.

Dr. Samarasekera says that if TB is not treated on time, it could even lead to death.

He also said that since this is a disease transmitted airborne, there is a risk of it spreading to healthy persons as well. He explained that germ-laden phlegm droplets are added to the air when infected patients cough, sneeze, laugh and talk, and healthy persons are infected by breathing in these germs.

Noting that a cough lasting over two weeks, mild fever at night, weight loss, excessive night sweats, loss of appetite and blood mixed phlegm are the main symptoms of TB, health experts urge the public to go to a nearest chest clinic to get tested for free without delay, if such symptoms persist.

News

Immunoglobulin case : Keheliya to be indicted next week

Published

6 hours ago

June 3, 2025

editor

The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and other suspects linked to the alleged import of substandard human immunoglobulin will be indicted before a three-judge High Court bench next week.

The Former Health Minister was arrested in early February 2024 and remanded over the alleged import of substandard human Immunoglobulin injections.

He was granted bail after seven months by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

He is charged with alleged complicity in the procurement of substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin.

(newswire.lk)

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

News

ASPI hits new all-time high

Published

6 hours ago

June 3, 2025

editor

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a positive note today (June 03), with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) reaching an all-time high of 17,214.39, marking an increase of 234.50 points (1.38%). Similarly, the S&P SL20 Index also recorded an all-time high, rising by 96.36 points (1.91%) to close at 5,131.28.

Total market turnover amounted to LKR 7.37 billion, with 271.94 million shares traded. Market breadth reflected a positive sentiment, with 139 gainers and 77 losers contributing to the overall movement of the ASPI.

The previous record of 17,193.80 points was set on February 18, 2025.

Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 has climbed 108.53 points (2.1%) to reach 5143.45 points at the close of trading.

News

Draft Bill to recognize sign language as official communication medium

Published

6 hours ago

June 3, 2025

editor

The Cabinet has granted approval to proceed with finalizing a draft bill to recognize sign language as an official medium of communication in Sri Lanka.

The cabinet paper was tabled by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment. The initiative aims to ensure full societal participation and equal access to information for the deaf community.

The move builds on earlier policy approval granted in 2010 to accept sign language formally, with subsequent Cabinet decisions in 2017 and 2021 directing legal drafting of the bill.