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CNH to pay Rs.120mn from outstanding electricity bill!

Published

2 years ago

July 28, 2023

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The Colombo National Hospital (CNH) had received Rs. 120 million from the Ministry of Health yesterday (27) to pay its electricity bill which is around Rs.130 million.

The ‘Aruna’ newspaper revealed yesterday that seven hospitals, including the CNH, have outstanding electricity bills amounting to Rs.160 million.

A discussion was held among Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and senior officials of the ministry regarding the situation and it was decided during the meeting to grant funds to settle electricity bills.

Dr. Saman Rathnayake, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has given the assurance that the electricity will not be disconnected for the next two months in any hospital.

Speaking to the media in Kandy, he said that this assurance has been given according to an agreement made by the Minister of Health and the Secretary of the Ministry of Health with the CEB Chairman.

The CEB earlier decided to cut off power supply to the Colombo National Hospital, the National Dental Hospital, De Soysa Maternity Hospital, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, National Eye Hospital, National Institute for Nephrology Dialysis & Transplantation in Maligawatta and Castle Street Hospital for Women for not settling bills worth over Rs.160 million.

(Aruna)

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Weather advisory for severe lightning & heavy rain

Published

2 hours ago

April 22, 2025

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The Department of Meteorology has issued a warning for strong lightning and heavy rain in several parts of the country, effective until 11:00 pm today (April 22).

Thundershowers accompanied by intense lightning are expected this evening and tonight in the Eastern, Uva, Central, and Northern provinces, as well as in the Hambantota and Polonnaruwa districts.

Temporary strong winds may also occur during these storms.

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Police appoints committee to study PCOI report on Easter Sunday bombings

Published

3 hours ago

April 22, 2025

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Sri Lanka Police have appointed a four-member committee to study the final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

According to Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga, the committee is headed by a Senior DIG, Asanka Karawita.

The remaining members consist of the DIG in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Director of the CID, and the Director of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID).

He added that several more sub-committees have been appointed under the purview of the main committee.

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Pope Francis’s funeral on April 26

Published

5 hours ago

April 22, 2025

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Pope Francis’s funeral will take place on Saturday (April 26) at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST, 08:00 GMT), the Vatican confirms.

The funeral will take place outdoors in front of St Peter’s Basilica.

The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the service.

At the end of the funeral, Re will deliver the final commendation – a concluding prayer where the Pope will be formally entrusted to God – and the body moved to St Mary Major for the burial.

The Vatican has also released images of Pope Francis in an open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand.

He will be taken to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning (April 23), where his casket will remain until burial for the public to pay their respects.

The Pope’s coffin will be there until the burial for the public to pay their respects.

His body is currently laid out in a coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy.

The pontiff’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics across the globe. From South Sudan to Argentina, Poland to the Philippines.

(BBC News)