News

New post for Chandima Weerakkody

Published

1 month ago

August 14, 2023

editor

MP Chandima Weerakkody has been appointed as the President of the Sri Lanka-United Kingdom Parliamentary Friendship Association on Aug. 08.

The meeting to elect office bearers for the Sri Lanka – United Kingdom Parliamentary Friendship Association of the Ninth Parliament was held at the Parliament under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.

Acting High Commissioner of United Kingdom in Sri Lanka Mrs. Lisa Whanstall was present at the meeting as the Chief Guest. The Deputy Speaker – Ajith Rajapakse, Ministers and Members of Parliament and the Secretary General of the Parliament Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera were also present.

State Minister – Diana Gamage as well as MPs Muszhaaraff and Ashok Abeysinghe were appointed as the Vice Presidents of the Friendship Association. MP M. A. Sumanthiran and MP Harshana Rajakaruna, were appointed as Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively, while MP Sagara Kariyawasam was appointed as Treasurer.

Speaking at this occasion, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said that he would like to express his gratitude for all the support given to Sri Lanka through the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom for seven decades. Furthermore, he also expressed gratitude for providing opportunities for Members of Parliament and Parliamentary staff through seminars, workshops and study tours through the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).

Addressing those present the Acting High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka, Mrs. Lisa Whanstall said that the United Kingdom is happy to support Sri Lanka through multilateral organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the United Nations to overcome the economic crisis.

Also, she added that she is ready to work with other lenders and the Government of Sri Lanka to restore debt sustainability.

Speaking, MP Chandima Weerakkody expressed his gratitude for appointing him as president. He also stated that through this he hopes to further strengthen and develop the relations between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka.

News

Number of rabies deaths on the rise

Published

2 hours 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.