News

Dilrukshi released from all charges

Published

1 month ago

August 9, 2023

editor

The Public Service Commission of Sri Lanka has reportedly decided to release from all charges the former Director General of the Bribery Commission, Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, who is under suspension of service.
Wickramasinghe was interdicted and sent on compulsory leave by the Public Service Commission following a tape recording of a telephone conversation being uploaded on Youtube and broadcast over sections of the media in September 2019.

The telephone conversation had taken place between Wickramasinghe and Avant-Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi, reportedly related to a question of legal procurement, while the former Solicitor General was at a dinner with former Minister Vajira Abeywardena.

The Public Service Commission of Sri Lanka has decided to release Wickramasinghe from all charges based on the previous reports issued by experts from Moratuwa University and the Government Analyst Department.

The expert reports claim that the tape recording of the telephone conversation had been edited and doctored.

At the time of the incident, Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe was serving as the Deputy Additional Solicitor General to the Attorney General’s Department.

It is also reported that Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe who is currently in retirement is to receive her salary arrears and necessary privileges going forward.

(NewsWire)

News

Number of rabies deaths on the rise

Published

19 mins ago

September 21, 2023

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The Ministry of Health said that the number of people who have died from rabies has increased in the last few years.

Dr. Heshan Guruge, medical officer of the Anti-Rabies Division, said that the lack of knowledge about rabies as well as the bites of animals other than dogs have led to the increase in these deaths.

Dr. Guruge expressed these views while attending a discussion held yesterday (20) at the Health Promotion Bureau in conjunction with the World Rabies Day on September 28.

“When studying the human deaths that happened in the last few years due to rabies, we can see that a number of animals other than dogs have bit them. In some cases, it is not even possible to know who the animal is. Several people who had passed out after being drunk had been bitten by some animal. After a few days, the symptoms of rabies develop. Several such incidents were reported in the last two or three years. Proper first aid should be given in case of any animal bite. Wash the wound with soap and water. If you have alcohol at home, an iodine solution like betadine, surgical spirit, or an antiseptic liquid like hydrogen peroxide, you can use it. Then go to a hospital. If we do this, we can eliminate rabies from Sri Lanka,” he said.

Don’t get closer to new pets for two weeks

Meanwhile, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, community specialist of the Epidemiology Unit, said that 12 people have died due to rabies in 2023 so far.

He said that there is a risk of contracting rabies from the bites of all mammals.

The Anti-rabies Unit said that 25 to 30 people die from rabies every year.

The Epidemiology Unit requested the people not to get closer to pets such as dogs and cats for 14 days after bringing them home.

Arrangements should be made to vaccine the dogs against rabies before a period of four weeks has passed.

When bitten by a dog, the area should be washed and cleaned with soap for ten minutes, and after that it is important to seek medical treatment immediately.