News

Govt. to maintain 6-month safety stock of medicines

Published

5 hours ago

May 14, 2025

editor

The Sri Lankan government has decided to maintain a safety stock of medicines to mitigate the ongoing shortages in the country.

Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijayamuni stated that this move is in response to recurring issues such as tender cancellations and the rejection of medicine consignments following quality inspections.

These problems have been key contributors to medicine shortages in recent months.

According to Dr. Wijayamuni, the planned emergency stockpile will be sufficient to meet the country’s needs for a period of six months.

To ensure a stable supply, the government intends to directly import medicines through agreements with the governments of countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the United States.

Dr. Wijayamuni further explained that by maintaining such a buffer stock, the additional expenses currently incurred by purchasing medicines from the open market can also be reduced significantly.

He added that a Cabinet paper will be submitted shortly to formalise and implement this initiative.

(News 1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Gary Anandasangaree appointed Public Safety Minister of Canada

Published

11 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

editor

Sri Lankan-born Gary Anandasangaree has been sworn in as Canada’s new Minister of Public Safety under PM Mark Carney’s cabinet.

A former Minister of Justice and Crown–Indigenous Relations, Anandasangaree will now oversee national security, emergency preparedness, and border protection.

“As I step into this new role, I am grateful to Prime Minister Mark Carney for his trust. I am ready to work with my Cabinet and Caucus colleagues, our partner organizations, and all orders of government to unite, secure, protect, and build Canada,” he has Tweeted.

As I step into this new role, I am grateful to Prime Minister Mark Carney for his trust.

I am ready to work with my Cabinet and Caucus colleagues, our partner organizations, and all orders of government to unite, secure, protect, and build Canada.
— Gary Anandasangaree (@gary_srp) May 13, 2025

News

Court grants leave to proceed with petition against MP Archuna

Published

20 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

editor

The Court of Appeal has scheduled June 26 as the date to consider the petition seeking the revocation of MP Ramanathan Archuna’s parliamentary seat.

The petition was taken up today (May 14) before a bench comprising Justices Mayadunne Koraya and Mahen Gopallawa.

The court ordered that the petition be called again on June 26 for confirmation.
The petition was filed by social activist Oshala Herath, requesting legal intervention regarding the MP’s parliamentary position.

News

Train services operate as usual from today

Published

27 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

editor

Starting today (May 14), train services will operate as usual, according to the Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union of Sri Lanka Railways.

Due to a shortage of train drivers and their leave requests, about 23 train services were canceled over the past 02 days, affecting key routes like the Main, Coastal, Puttalam, and Kelani Valley lines.

The Railway Drivers Association claims that the cancellation of trains is primarily due to the government and the administration’s failure to address the long-standing shortage of railway drivers.