News

Anesthesiologist at Embilipitiya Hospital leaves without notice

Published

2 years ago

September 6, 2023

editor

The only consultant anesthesiologist at the Embilipitiya District General Hospital had left the hospital without prior notice, it was reported.

Life-saving surgeries including caesarean operations at the hospital have been halted as a result.

Sources said that Dr Udayanthi Nanayakkara, the consultant anesthesiologist had not reported to duty since last Friday (01), and the hospital management had tried to contact her, but she was not contactable.

However, sources said the higher-ups of the hospital had received a WhatsApp message from the parents of the doctor on Monday (04) stating that the consultant would not be reporting to duty.

Though the higher-ups of the hospital reached the parents to ask for the whereabouts of the daughter, the parents had not provided any specific information.

Furthermore, the patients who are to undergo surgeries like Caesarean sections and complicated surgeries are sent to the Teaching Hospitals in Ratnapura and Karapitiya due to the unavailability of the consultant anesthesiologist.

A top health official also said despite the need for two consultant anesthesiologists at the Embilipitiya Hospital since it is a District General Hospital, the post of consultant anesthesiologist had been vacant for about three months.

An anesthesiologist who was previously in this hospital had gone abroad in October last year and then another anesthesiologist had gone abroad in April, 2023.

They have not returned to Sri Lanka so far.

Almost 200 in-house patients are admitted to Embilipitiya District General Hospital for treatment on a daily basis and 9,144 surgeries have been performed in 2022 alone.

News

Japan grants US$ 2.5 mn. to SL to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The Government of Japan has granted USD 2.5 million to Sri Lanka to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms under a 3-year project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-corruption Mechanism.

Japanese ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Akio Isomata and UNDP resident representative in Sri Lanka – Ms. Azusa Kubota, in the presence of Justice Minister – Harshana Nanayakkara, launched ‘The Project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-Corruption Mechanism’

The three year initiative is supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by the UNDP Sri Lanka, working in close collaboration with the (CIABOC) and the Ministry of Justice.

The project aims to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in governance and business practices through effective and institutionalised preventive mechanisms in the public and investment promotion sectors, strengthen institutions to enhance corruption related investigative processes, improve coordination with stakeholders and ensure quality of prosecutions, empower citizens to effectively mobilise against corruption and enhance social accountability.

The project also seeks to engage and empower youth, children and journalists to actively contribute to the fight against corruption and promote a culture of integrity.

News

3 ex-DMT officials including ex-commissioner, remanded

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasingha and two other former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into vehicles that were illegally registered with the Department of Motor Traffic without receiving proper clearance from Sri Lanka Customs, CIABOC said in a statement.

According to CIABOC, former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe has been arrested for granting approval to issue a number plate for a jeep.

Additionally, a former Assistant Director of Information Technology at the department and a clerk have also been taken into custody for facilitating the illegal data entry and executing it.

The suspects were produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and were ordered to be remanded until July 08.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

5 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.