News

11 rabies deaths reported in SL this year

Published

9 months ago

August 15, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka has reported a total of eleven (11) deaths due to Rabies so far this year, the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit said.
Senior Registrar of the Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana said most deaths had been caused due to the public’s lack of awareness of Rabies, a viral disease that can be spread through the bites and scratches of an infected animal.

Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana said, however, the authorities have been able to reduce the number of deaths due to Rabies by half compared to last year.

“11 deaths have been reported so far this year due to the necessary medical treatment not being followed properly. 300 state hospitals are equipped with Rabies vaccines. In case of a more severe bite, the related vaccine is also given in about 100 hospitals,” he said.

Stating that these vaccines are provided free of charge, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana advised the public to seek immediate medical attention if bitten by a rabies-infected animal.

Providing further details on the infection, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana said Rabies is usually transmitted by the bite of a rabies-infected animal or if an animal with rabies licks an existing wound.

He further said it can also be absorbed through the mucous membranes around the eyes, nose, mouth and genitals without injury.

Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana added that Rabies infection symptoms appear between three weeks and three months, and hospitals are providing vaccines to infected persons irrespective of the period the symptoms occurred.

(newswire.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Transport ministry displeased over train strike

Published

5 minutes ago

May 17, 2025

editor

The Transport and Highways Ministry has expressed their displeasure over the sudden train strike launched by the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU).

A communiqué by the Ministry states that the strike was launched based on two demands – promoting Station Masters every 05 years and halting measures for new recruitments.

The communiqué further noted that Cabinet approval was granted at the beginning of this year for 909 recruitments to the Railways Department, which included 106 new Station Master positions.

Accordingly, the Ministry expressed its dissatisfaction over the sudden strike as steps had already been taken to address their demands.

The Ministry also raised doubts whether the union might be attempting to pursue other objectives by launching such a strike, thereby inconveniencing the public.The Ministry further notes that they would not hesitate to take all necessary measures to intervene and ensure the smooth railway operations.

News

Ranil slams CIABOC submissions as ‘misleading’

Published

14 minutes ago

May 17, 2025

editor

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has strongly denied claims made by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), asserting that court submissions referencing him are misleading and legally flawed.

A statement issued in this regard by Mr. Wickremesinghe’s office is as follows :

Related News :

CIABOC refutes Ranil’s claim

News

Lower gravity in Southern SL, linked to higher life expectancy!

Published

31 minutes ago

May 17, 2025

editor

Emeritus Professor of Demography at the University of Colombo – Indralal de Silva, states that Sri Lanka’s Southern Province – reported to have the lowest gravitational force in the world – also exhibits a notably higher life expectancy among its residents.

He notes that this unique geographical factor could be promoted to boost tourism and investment in the region.

Among Sri Lanka’s 09 provinces, the Hambantota and Matara districts in the south have recorded the highest life expectancy rates. According to recent NASA data, one contributing factor is that the lowest gravitational pull on Earth has been measured in this southern region and the nearby eastern Indian Ocean near the Maldives.

Given this, Prof. Indralal suggests promoting the Southern Province as a destination for wealthy international visitors, encouraging long-term residency options for foreigners, and attracting foreign investment into industries that could benefit from the region’s unique low-gravity environment.

He particularly emphasizes that it would be timely to promote ‘Wellness Tourism’ – especially among European travelers – by promoting a blend of Ayurvedic, Western, and traditional Sri Lankan medical treatments.

These insights are based on Sri Lanka’s life expectancy data secured on male and females for the years 2000-02 and 2011-13.

(Source : Silumina)