News

HIV cases increase among SL youth

Published

5 months ago

November 28, 2024

editor

The National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP) of the Ministry of Health has said that the number of HIV cases among the Sri Lankan youth, has increased.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau, Director of NSACP and Specialist in Community Medicine, Dr. Vindya Kumarapeli has revealed that 15% of the HIV cases reported last year were young people aged between 15 and 24 years.

She attributed the use of mobile phones and modern technology to find partners, as well as the lack of proper sex education, as causes for this.

“Especially when looking at the data available on the young people, 15% of new patients are between the ages of 15 to 24. When we look into this further, we see that the reason for this is seeking partners through various modern technologies including mobile phones, or not getting proper sex education. Things like addiction to certain drugs contribute to an increase in new infections among young people,” she added.

News

Special allowance for policemen on duty at ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’

Published

3 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

A special transport allowance and a combined allowance will be provided to police personnel assigned to ensure the safety of devotees attending the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Siri Dalada Vandanawa) in Kandy, the police said.

The measure has been taken over the instructions of the Acting IGP, in consideration of the fact that these police personnel will be on continuous day and night duty for over 10 days, away from their regular stations and incurring additional personal expenses.

News

Ravi K’s Bill to repeal Online Safety Act, gazetted

Published

3 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

The Bill to repeal the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, and other regulations concerning the Act, has been gazetted.

The Online Safety Bill was passed by a majority vote in Parliament on Jan. 24, 2024.

The Bill that has been gazetted was submitted by opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake.

On Feb. 28, 2025, MP Karunanayake submitted a private member’s Bill to the Parliament Secretary-General, aiming to repeal the controversial Online Safety Act.