News

Nearly 1 million Sri Lankans suffer from malnutrition

Published

1 year ago

July 20, 2023

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Nearly 1 million children under the age of five and women in Sri Lanka suffer from malnutrition, a survey conducted covering all the nine provinces has revealed.

According to the survey, the number of malnourished people across the country is 971,888, including 300,746 children under the age of five and 671,142 women, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said in Parliament.

The Western Province recorded the highest number of malnourished citizens including 85,847 children and 196,197 women.

Meanwhile, 30,393 malnourished children and 126,976 malnourished women were reported in the Central Province while 37,032 children and 79,254 women were reported in the Southern Province.

The Minister said that there are 47,765 children and 68,763 women suffering from malnutrition in the North Western Province and 19,067 children and 38,869 women in the North Central Province.

In addition, there are 18,278 children and 46,175 women in Uva province and 17,180 children and 54,394 women in Sabaragamuwa province who are suffering from malnutrition.

News

Arsenic contaminated tinned fish stock to be re-exported

Published

2 hours ago

October 12, 2024

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A consignment of canned fish, containing the toxic heavy metal ‘Arsenic’, has been found from the Customs storage complex in Orugodawatte.

In a statement, the Department of Government Information says that the consignment in five containers amounts to USD 215,000.

The toxic canned fish was inspected by the Secretary to the Ministries of Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, and Irrigation Prabath Chandrakeerthi yesterday (Oct. 11)

Mr. Chandrakeerthi has said that measures will be taken to re-export the stock instead of being destroyed in Sri Lanka.

“These canned fish were imported in May 2022. This contains toxic heavy metal ‘Arsenic’ beyond the stipulated weight level. Therefore, it is unfit for human consumption. It has been notified as usable as animal feed. As it is unfit for human consumption it clearly cannot be used as animal feed as well,” he said.

Further investigations are underway.

News

Luxury vehicle confiscated after CIABOC probe

Published

2 hours ago

October 12, 2024

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The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the confiscation of a luxury vehicle seized by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage issued the order following a request made by CIABOC.

It is revealed that the vehicle, a Mitsubishi Montero jeep, belongs to a businessman from the Badulla area.

Investigations had uncovered that the vehicle was imported using falsified information provided to the Customs, resulting in the government being defrauded of more than Rs. 55 million in taxes.