News

Keheliya says no proper definition for ‘substandard medicine’

Published

2 months ago

July 25, 2023

editor

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

Landslide warnings extended

Published

9 hours ago

September 30, 2023

editor

The Department of Irrigation says that the water levels in the Kelani River and Attanagalu Oya are rising to levels that requires attention.

Director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department S. P. C. Sugeeshwara says that the Gin, Nilwala and Kalu Ganga remain at the flood level.

Many roads in the vicinity of the rivers have been inundated.

S. P. C Sugeeshwara warns that people should refrain from further using the rivers.

The landslide warnings issued to seven districts have also been extended, due to the prevailing weather conditions.

The Met Department predicts that the heavy showers in the South West will continue.

Heavy showers of about 75 mm can be expected in some areas.

News

“SLPP Leadership can change if needed”

Published

11 hours ago

September 30, 2023

editor

Former President Mahinda Rajapaska yesterday said that there should be a change in the leadership of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), if the need arises.

When the former President was asked about the veracity of the news on social media about imminent change of the SLPP leadership, said that he is not aware of any change in the leadership.

The President was speaking to the media after calling on Mahanayake Thera of the Rammanya Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Makulewe Sri Wimala Thera at the Vidyawasa Pirivena in Meerigama yesterday.

Commenting on the impending regulations on social media, the former President said that there are pros and cons in the social media. “I don’t have any issue with the social media,” he said.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also visited the Sacred Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya and participated in religious activities. The Former President also met Chief incumbent of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkitha Thera and received his blessings.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, the former President said that he is physically fit despite social media reports to the contrary.

(dailynews.lk)