News

Cancer treatment in Galle Teaching Hospital disrupted

Published

2 months ago

April 25, 2025

editor

Radiation treatments at the cancer unit of the Galle National Hospital in Karapitiya are facing a standstill after the Linear Accelerator device at the unit has been out of order since April 23.

According to the Government Radiological Technologists Association (GRTA) President – Chanaka Dharmawickrama, the malfunction is due to a malfunctioning of the Chiller established at the unit. Linear accelerators and chillers are often used together in medical settings, particularly for radiation therapy. Chillers help maintain the optimal temperature for the linear accelerator, which is crucial for its operation and the accuracy of treatments. The cost of such a Chiller is nearly Rs.800 million, reports say.

Due to this being the only Linear Accelerator device in the Southern Province, a large number of patients are seriously affected.

There are 10 Linear Accelerator devices in hospitals in Sri Lanka. There are 05 in Apeksha Hospital, 02 at Kandy Hospital, and one each at the Galle Hospital, Jaffna Hospital and Batticaloa Hospital.

The GRTA points out that 04 out of these 10 Linear Accelerators are currently out of order with the main reason being the improper maintenance of temperature and humidity conditions in the units the devices are housed in.

The GRTA warns that frequent breakdowns caused by poor maintenance of environmental controls, have shortened the machines’ lifespan and led to repeated treatment disruptions.
The association warns that continued neglect of repairs will jeopardize both the machines’ longevity and the ability to provide uninterrupted treatment for patients.

Ongoing machine failures are causing further delays, forcing cancer patients to wait several months for radiation treatment.

Private sector treatment for cancer patients could cost between Rs.500,000 and Rs.1.7 million, an amount beyond the reach of most Sri Lankans.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

2 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.

News

Nishantha Wickramasinghe remanded again (Update)

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been remanded till July 15 by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

(Previous news 2025 July 01,12.15pm.)

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,

News

Seat belt compulsory for bus drivers from today

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that starting today (July 01), it will be mandatory for all bus drivers to wear seat belts, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Under the MotorTraffic Act, bus drivers are legally required to wear seat belts, but a rise in accidents due to drivers ignoring this rule has prompted the authorities to re-enforce it.

Police confirmed that action will be taken against drivers who fail to comply.

Seat belts to be made mandatory for all passengers in expressways

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has also stated that wearing seat belts will be made mandatory to all passengers of light vehicles travelling on expressways from August 01, 2025.

Meanwhile, wearing seat belts will also be mandatory to all passengers of all vehicles on expressways from September 01, 2025.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake also confirmed the directive while speaking to media this morning (July 01) during an inspection tour at the Colombo Central Bus Stand.