News

Island on Maussakale reservoir & adjoining land leased for lux hotel project

Published

3 months ago

June 28, 2023

editor

Cabinet approval has been granted to lease out a land adjacent to Maussakale Reservoir and a small island located in the same reservoir for a luxury hotel project.

United Arab Emirates Capital Investment LLC has submitted a project proposal to acquire the said land which are currently in the custody of the Ceylon Electricity Board, on a long-term lease basis.

The project will see the building and running of a luxury hotel complex by using USD 25 million as a direct foreign investment.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal made by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotion to allocate those lands to the said company on a long-term lease basis to implement the proposed project by obtaining the agreement of the relevant institutions.

News

Number of rabies deaths on the rise

Published

1 hour ago

September 21, 2023

editor

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.