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1,327 HIV cases found from checking donated blood samples!

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Kurunegala Teaching Hospital’s Consultant STD specialist, Dr. Chithran Hathurusinghe said 1,327 AIDS patients have been reported in the country in 2023 after checking donated blood samples.

Dr. Hathurusinghe said while participating in the North Western Province AIDS Prevention Programme organized on the occasion of the National AIDS Prevention Day.

Dr. Hathurusinghe commenting further said the prevalence of AIDS in the country has increased by 27 percent in 2023.

“It is very unfortunate that young people between the ages of 15 to 29 years are affected by this disease. Since 2003, the spread of HIV AIDS has been gradually increasing. 1,327 such infected persons have been identified from donated blood samples alone.

“We have identified a method to eliminate this disease by 2030. If we detect the disease in the first instance, we are able to refer about 95 percent of these patients for treatment. We can be successful if 95 percent of these patients can reduce the disease virus to zero.

However, we are at the limit of 82 percent in identifying such patients, as of now.

“Not only people infected with AIDS but also victims of social diseases such as syphilis have been discovered during blood donation activities.

“As medical professionals, no matter how hard we try to prevent these diseases, it is of no use unless we get the necessary political support for it. Political support is necessary for such a programme to be successful,”she said.

National STD and AIDS Prevention Programme Director Specialist Dr.Vindya Kumarapeli also spoke on this occasion.

Directors of Kuliapitiya, Chilaw Hospitals, STD Specialists, Probation and Child Protection Department Officers, Medical Officers of Health, Community Medical Specialists, top-ranked Police Officers, Regional Education Directors and other senior officers of the Education Division, including officers of voluntary organizations working on AIDS prevention activities and a large number of people attended this event.

(Daily News)

(This story, originally published by Daily News has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Eight individuals claim ownership rights to Jaffna’s Presidential Palace

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A recent investigation by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing has uncovered that the so-called ‘Presidential Palace’ in Jaffna was constructed before the government had fully secured legal ownership of the land.  

The property, consisting of eight residences, was developed during the administration of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, while the land acquisition process was still underway. 

Urban Development Authority (UDA) Chairman Eng. L.B. Kumudu Lal confirmed the findings in an interview with weekend paper.  

“The construction of the five houses—often referred to as the ‘Presidential Palace’—was carried out before the legal acquisition process was finalized. We are now working to complete the remaining legal formalities,” Lal stated.  

The disputed land, located in Kankesanthurai, spans approximately 30 acres, with buildings occupying around 15 acres. 

The Sri Lankan military undertook the construction between 2010 and 2015, at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.5 billion.  

According to the UDA Chairman, ownership disputes are expected to be fully resolved by the end of 2025. Once cleared, the government plans to open the property to investors for redevelopment into a project that benefits the local community.  

The investigation highlights that the construction proceeded despite pending legal challenges—a process that has taken nearly a decade to resolve. However, officials remain hopeful that the remaining issues will be settled within the next year, paving the way for a more publicly beneficial use of the site.  

As the legal process nears completion, the future of the controversial property may soon shift from a symbol of political excess to a resource for Jaffna’s development.  

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Fishing boat capsizes off Tangalle, Two fishermen missing

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Another boat accident has been reported in seas off Tangalle.

According to the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), a total of six fishermen were onboard the vessel when it met with an accident off the coast of Paravi Wella Beach in Tangalle.

Four of the fishermen have been rescued while two others remain missing.

Steps have been taken to locate the missing fishermen.

Meanwhile, three other boat accidents were reported yesterday in seas off Galle, Kalutara and Hikkaduwa.

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SSP Shani Abeysekara appointed as CID Director

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Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shani Abeysekara has been appointed as the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), police say.

The appointment has been made with the approval of the National Police Commission (NPC).

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