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)

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended the progress review meeting of the Ministry of Energy this morning (Oct. 15).

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pointed out that, similar to other countries where the energy sector holds a prominent position, Sri Lanka too has given the energy sector a leading role, and he also mentioned that the Ministry of Energy is one that generates revenue, and with higher earnings, there are societal discussions about possible irregularities.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that during this Presidential election, the people had voted with expectations, and he is committed to fulfilling that mandate.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted that the public has placed their trust in a new political tradition due to dissatisfaction with the old political culture, the economic problems they face, and their dissatisfaction with the performance of the public service.

The President mentioned that the public believes corruption, fraud, and mismanagement are behind the country’s economic collapse, and that the people have given this mandate to prevent these issues. He further stated that he would protect the trust placed in him by the people to stop corruption and fraud across the public sector, and urged public servants to fulfill their responsibilities properly.

The President further stated that public wealth must be protected like religious property, and no one has a legitimate right to subject that wealth to fraud or corruption.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the commitment of the current public servants is essential to create an efficient and effective public service that satisfies the citizens, and he is ready to take every step necessary to achieve this.

The President emphasized that public servants must act with responsibility and accountability to fulfill the structure, goals, and expectations of this mandate, and stated that his political leadership team is prepared to provide the necessary leadership for this.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further noted that he stands by every public action taken in the public’s interest within the boundaries of official duty and will not hesitate to take necessary action if improper acts are committed.

A detailed and extensive review was conducted regarding the current projects in the energy sector and those scheduled for implementation over the coming years.

Further discussions were held on how to achieve the goals of the energy sector over the next three years, as well as the short-term and long-term relief that could be provided to the public.

Professor Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy; Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board; Engineer K.G.R.F. Comester, General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board; and Janaka Rajakaruna, Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited, along with several officials from the Ministry of Energy, participated in this event.

(President’s Media Division)

A 53-year-old man was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman in the Ruwanwella area, Matara, today (15). 

The victim, traveling in a three-wheeler, was attacked by an assailant who arrived in a car and opened fire using a pistol, according to the police.

Preliminary investigations are ongoing, and while the motive remains unclear, police have noted that the victim had been involved in vehicle seizing. 

Matara Police continue to search for the suspects responsible.