News

‘Around 50,000 working in spa establishments’

Published

1 year ago

January 5, 2024

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A youth population of around 50,000 are working in massage centres, which are being run as spa establishments, the State Minister of Indigenous Medicine – Sisira Jayakody said.

He has said this during a media briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre yesterday (Dec. 04).

The minister said that there are around 6,000 such establishments around the island which are registered only with the relevant provincial LG institutions and not with the Department of Ayurveda.

The Minister also announced a significant step toward reducing healthcare costs by exempting Ayurvedic products, medicines and industries related to indigenous medicine from Value Added Tax (VAT). The decision aims to make traditional medicine more accessible to the public.

Additionally, the State Minister mentioned that the cabinet has granted approval for the establishment of a special bureau dedicated to addressing issues affecting native doctors and ensuring the sustainability of the indigenous medicine system.

News

2 injured in Kotahena shooting

Published

8 hours ago

May 16, 2025

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A man and a woman have been injured in a shooting incident in the Kotahena area this evening (May 16), police said.

Both victims were hospitalised for treatment.

News

Arrest warrant issued against Mahindananda

Published

8 hours ago

May 16, 2025

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An arrest warrant has been issued against former Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage over the ongoing investigation into the importation of Chinese fertilizer.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court issued the warrant on a request by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), after Aluthgamage failed to appear before the Commission as summoned on May 14.

Earlier, on May 14, a motion seeking anticipatory bail on behalf of his counsel was filed with the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, requesting that the matter be taken up on May 16. The Magistrate ordered that the motion be heard on May 19.