News

Another shortage of essential medicines in hospitals: GMOA

Published

2 years ago

January 30, 2023

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At least 140 types of essential medicines are completely out of stock in state hospitals, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said .

GMOA Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said Cetirizine, Paracetamol, basic drugs prescribed for flu and breathing difficulties, simple antibiotics and painkillers are unavailable at government hospitals.

A patient from the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle said that medicines for cancer cannot be found anywhere. Meanwhile, another patient who visited the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital said the doctors give prescriptions to buy medicines from pharmacies. “We don’t have enough money,” she said.

Private pharmacy operators also pointed out that medicines are in short supply. The All Ceylon Medicine Distributors Association alleged that the Government has failed to import essential medicines.

Source: Newsfirst

News

“Reports of Wijepala – Nissanka meeting, fake”

Published

10 hours ago

April 18, 2025

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The Public Security Ministry has denied media reports claiming that the Public Security minister – Ananda Wijepala had met Nissanka Senadhipathi.

The Minister’s media secretary had clarified this in a letter to Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya.
Adding that the neither the Minister or a representative had ever met Senadhipathi as claimed, the letter calls for proper investigations into the fake news and legal action against those responsible.

News

Special allowance for policemen on duty at ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’

Published

14 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

A special transport allowance and a combined allowance will be provided to police personnel assigned to ensure the safety of devotees attending the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Siri Dalada Vandanawa) in Kandy, the police said.

The measure has been taken over the instructions of the Acting IGP, in consideration of the fact that these police personnel will be on continuous day and night duty for over 10 days, away from their regular stations and incurring additional personal expenses.

News

Ravi K’s Bill to repeal Online Safety Act, gazetted

Published

14 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

The Bill to repeal the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, and other regulations concerning the Act, has been gazetted.

The Online Safety Bill was passed by a majority vote in Parliament on Jan. 24, 2024.

The Bill that has been gazetted was submitted by opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake.

On Feb. 28, 2025, MP Karunanayake submitted a private member’s Bill to the Parliament Secretary-General, aiming to repeal the controversial Online Safety Act.