News

Company behind rejected eye lenses secures fresh Tender!

Published

1 year ago

February 27, 2024

editor

A company that had recently imported a stock of cataract lenses that were subsequently rejected, has secured a fresh Tender to import another 70,000 lenses, reports say.

The previous stock imported by the company – PTC Holdings (Private) Limited, was rejected as the lenses had lacked the required specifications.

They company has bid to provide a cataract lens at Rs. 9,000 to the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) of the Health Ministry. A cataract lens obtained by the Osu Sala costs around Rs. 30,000, reports add.

It is also learnt that the MSD is being increasingly pressured to accept the rejected stock of lenses, which has been imported from India. However, in a backdrop of the case concerning the controversial procurement of substandard human immunoglobulin vials, MSD officials are reluctant to do so.

On their website, PTC Holdings (Private) Limited has named Mr. Gihan Beneragama, Mrs. Gimhana Wickramasurendra and Mr. Jaliya Wickramasurendra as their Director Board members.

Mr. Gihan is the son of Dr. Hemantha Benaragama, former director of the National Medical Regulatory Authority.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2025

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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

10 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.