News

50 undergrads found positive for HIV!

Published

3 years 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

Tenders called for e-NIC project

Published

3 minutes ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Digital Economy Affairs in Sri Lanka has said that Tenders have been called from Indian companies to develop Sri Lanka’s new digital National Identity Card (e-NIC).

Deputy Minister – Eranga Weeraratne stated that a 04 month period will be given for this process.

The Deputy Minister added that the new digital NIC is expected to be issued by mid-2026.

In January, Weeraratne had clarified that the government has decided to cover half of this cost through assistance from India to meet the financial burden.

News

Public consultation on renewable energy sector kicks off today

Published

19 minutes ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that a public consultation will be held today (July 02) to identify challenges faced by renewable energy developers in Sri Lanka.

The Commission stated that oral submissions from stakeholders will be gathered from 8.00 am – 4.00pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

The public consultation is being held under the powers granted to the Commission by Section 17 of the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission Act, No. 35 of 2002.

Meanwhile, President of the Solar E P C Association (SEPCA) – Dr. Shyam Pathiraja has said that many stakeholders are expected to present their views on the crisis in the renewable energy sector.

On a related note, National People’s Power (NPP) MP – Ravindra Bandara claimed that the current government has not imposed any restrictions on renewable energy production.

Entertainment

Court order issued against ‘Eh Yaye’ song

Published

50 minutes ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The Commercial High Court has issued an interim injunction order, preventing popular artistes Romaine Willis and Mass Ramli Miskin (DJ Mass) from performing, reproducing and distributing the song ‘Eh Yaye’.

Colombo Commercial High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando issued the order after the Plaint filed under the Intellectual Property Act by popular singer Corrine Almeida.

The case also alleges that the musical composition and the lyrics of the song ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the song ‘Api Natamu’.

Naming Willis and DJ Mass as defendants, the plaintiff Corrine Almeida had also stated that she is the owner of the copyright and economic rights to the musical composition and lyrics of her song titled “Api Natamu”.

The plaintiff instituted action in terms of the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003 alleging that the musical composition and the lyrics of ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the ‘Api Natamu’ song.

(Source : Dailymirror.lk)