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Keheliya says no proper definition for ‘substandard medicine’

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2023

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The Health Ministry officials have said that 80% of the imported medicines have been received from India even after the time of the Indian Credit Line has lapsed.

The officials made these remarks at the meeting of the Consultative Committee on Health held at the Parliamentary complex recently (19).

When MP Sanjeewa Edirimanna inquired about the issue, the officials said that they are using medicines imported under the Indian Credit Line in the recent past and added that people would have died due to lack of medicines if the necessary actions were not taken by relevant departments to import medicines.

Meanwhile, Minister Rambukwella revealed that the drug which caused the death of a young woman at the Peradeniya Hospital has been used on 12 other patients in the same ward.

“Some 167,000 vials of the particular medicine have been used by various hospitals within this year. This medicine was registered in Sri Lanka in October 2013,” he said.

He said the allegations of substandard medicines being used cannot be accepted as there is no official definition to rate any medicine as of inferior quality.

Responding to a query by MP Tissa Vitharana as to whether Sri Lanka follows the pharmaceutical policy of Professor Senaka Bibile, Minister Rambukwella said the government follows that policy.

MP Vitharana pointed out that the government should call for tenders to purchase medicines which the country needs annually straight away rather than calling for tenders several times during the year.

Issues related to hospitals at the district level, vacancies of officers, lack of medicines and equipment were also discussed at length at the meeting.

News

Fmr. minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa arrested

Published

4 hours ago

January 22, 2025

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Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

According to the Police Media Spokesperson, he has been arrested for allegedly misappropriating Rs. 6.1 million in flood relief aid in 2014.

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A country can’t progress through laws & regulations alone – President

Published

4 hours ago

January 22, 2025

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized that a country cannot progress solely through laws and regulations and highlighted that tradition is a vital component of a nation.

President Disanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka has accomplished a remarkable mission through the traditions built on Buddhism and that it is the responsibility of everyone to safeguard these Buddhist traditions and pass them down securely to future generations.

The President expressed these views during a discussion held today (22) at the Presidential Secretariat on the 74th Upasampada Vinaya Karma’ ceremony of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya.

The President, recalling the historical significance of the Upasampada Vinaya Karma, a major ceremony in Buddhism, stated that the cessation of ordained monks (Upasampada Bhikkhus) would mean the dissolution of the Buddhist institution itself. He emphasized the importance of preserving these ancient traditions and carrying them forward with honour.

The national Upasampada Vinaya Karma ceremony, organized biennially by the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya, is scheduled to take place from June 30 to July 5, 2025, at the Punyawardhanarama Viharaya in Vijithapura, Palugaswewa, within the Udakukkhepa Sima Malakaya.
This grand ceremony, which will ordain over 250 novice monks (Samanera), will be conducted under state sponsorship.

As the government considers the national Upasampada Vinaya Karma ceremony, which is held every two years, a dignified task, the President instructed officials to ensure that all necessary facilities are provided without any shortcomings.

The discussion was attended by prominent figures, including the Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thero, the highest prelate of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya of the Sangha ancestry of Mahavihara; Most Venerable Professor Aththangane Rathanapala Nayaka Thero, Supreme Judicial Leader of Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya; the Anu Nayaka Theros, Most Venerable Waleboda Gunasiri Thero and Most Venerable Ankumbure Premavansa Thero; along with the Maha Sangha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage; former High Court Justice and Governor of the North Central Province Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri; Chairman of the Rāmañña Nikayarakshaka Sabha and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya; Secretary of the Rāmañña Nikayarakshaka Sabha and former Member of Parliament Lasantha Alagiyawanna, among others.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Women MPs’ caucus discuss on setting common minimum age for marriage

Published

4 hours ago

January 22, 2025

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The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka, chaired by Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, has discussed several legislative reforms, including a proposal to establish a common legal minimum age for marriage across all communities of the country.

Meeting on Jan. 21, the caucus had discussed the need to amend existing marriage laws as well as to correctly define a “child” in alignment with international standards to enhance child protection. efforts in Sri Lanka.