News

CCTV cameras purchased for Immigration Dept. 6 years ago yet to be installed

Published

1 year ago

April 10, 2024

editor

The CCTV camera system that had been purchased at a cost of Rs. 2.1 million to be fixed inside the premises of the Department of Immigration and Emigration had been in storage for six years without being installed, the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) revealed.

The revelation came when the Department of Immigration and Emigration was recently summoned before COPA under the chairmanship of State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna.

It was further revealed that while the CCTV system had been purchased in 2017, not all of the equipment needed for installation of the system had been purchased. The officials who were responsible for this purchase have since been transferred.

The COPA Chair noted that some officials in such institutions were reluctant to install CCTV cameras in their institutions. COPA ordered the Department to take immediate steps to install the CCTV system within the institution’s premises under the direction of a committee headed by an additional secretary to the Ministry of Public Security.

COPA also drew attention to the fact that the issuance of e-passports had been delayed by four years though the process commenced in 2020. Officials informed the Committee that the procurement process for the e-passport system was in its final stages. COPA instructed the Department to take immediate steps to expedite the process of setting up the e-passport system.

(sundaytimes.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

8 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

8 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.