News

50 undergrads found positive for HIV!

Published

1 year ago

October 26, 2022

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About 50 undergraduates have been infected with HIV in the first nine months of 2020, Dr. Rasanjali Hettiarachchi, Director of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme said.

The total number of HIV positive people detected this year is 342 including four school children and two Buddhist monks.

Dr. Hettiarachchi said the number of people infected with the virus has doubled compared to last year.

The first HIV positive case in the country was detected in 1987. Dr. Hettiarachchi said that about 20 members of clergy including monks and priests of other religions were among the infected people reported so far.

She said 4,404 infected people have been reported since 1987 out of which about 1,000 have died and about 2,300 people are seeking treatment. However, according to estimates, about 3,700 more infected people need to receive medical treatment.

She said about 1,500 HIV infected people are unaware that they have contracted the virus and many people who have unprotected sex with them can contract the virus.

Dr.Hettiarachchi said that such infections can be prevented by talking openly about sex related matters with children.

She also said that the parents and guardians should pay more attention to the youth.

News

Parliament votes to debate VAT bill today

Published

16 mins ago

December 11, 2023

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The Sri Lankan Parliament has voted to debate the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill on today (Nov. 11).

The ruling party proposed that the VAT (Amendment) Bill be taken up for debate today, following the third reading of the appropriation bill.

However, as the opposition rejected the government’s move, the Speaker of parliament decided to call for a vote on whether the VAT (Amendment) Bill will be taken up for debate today.

Accordingly, a vote took place shortly after 9:30 am, with 92 votes in favour, 41 votes against and 01 abstention.

Earlier, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in a statement announced that they will vote against the VAT Bill.

News

Kataragama chief custodian & grandson missing during Tiran’s visit

Published

51 mins ago

December 11, 2023

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The chief custodian (Kapu Mahattaya) of the Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya and his grandson (who is currently the custodian in charge of the Devala store room), have disappeared from Kataragama, reports say.

Last week, the Attorney General instructed to arrest the duo over a 38-pound gold offering that had gone missing from the Devalaya. The offering had been made by the wife of former underworld leader – Angoda Lokka.

Accordingly, the chief custodian – Dhurandara Somipala Ratnayake and his grandson – Saman Priyantha or Chuti Kapu Mahathaya, who is in charge of the temple’s storeroom, are to be arrested.

Meanwhile, the duo had not turned up when the Acting IGP – Deshabandu Tennakoon and Minister of Public Security – Tiran Alles had visited the Kiri Vehera and Kataragama Devalaya on Dec. 09 for religious observances.

Only 03 other custodians had been present at the Devalaya during that time.

A custodian had informed higher officials that the duo had recently left for another province, with plans to appear in courts through lawyers’ intervention and amid political support.

News

Consumer Protection Act to be amended to prosecute rice hoarders

Published

56 mins ago

December 11, 2023

editor

The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) is to be amended in a bid to prosecute rice hoarders, reports say.

The current provisions of the CPA only allows officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority to inspect and prosecute persons and institutions who sell at higher prices.

It does not empower the CAA officers to prosecute persons hiding rice or other foodstuffs or to inspect such places.

This has been discussed at a Cabinet meeting and the state owned ‘Daily News’ reports that necessary amendments of this Act will be submitted to the Cabinet next month.

(Source : dailynews.lk)