News

No decision on non-approval of doctors’ foreign leave – Minister (Update)

Published

1 year ago

August 16, 2023

editor

Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella has stated that despite certain claims, no decision pertaining to non-approval of foreign leave for doctors has been made yet.

However, the Minister had noted that a discussion is due to be held with the health sector trade unions focusing on how Sri Lanka can retain its doctors, despite the ongoing situation.

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference this morning (16 Aug), Secretary of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Dr. Haritha Aluthge urged that the government take measures to resolve the issues faced by doctors, prior to imposing certain restrictions on them such as the non-approval of foreign leave.

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(Previous News : August 16, 2023 12.36pm)

No leave for specialist doctors to travel overseas

The Health Ministry has decided not to approve leave for doctors in fields with a limited number of specialists, including anaesthesiologists, to go overseas.

Ministry Secretary Janaka Shri Chandragupta said that several areas where there is a severe shortage of doctors in the health service have been identified by now.

If they travel abroad without notifying the ministry, the secretary said that they will be fired followed by necessary further actions.

The number of doctors specialising in certain fields in Sri Lanka is very limited, and the health sector faced several crises as a result of specialist doctors going overseas in recent days.

The Health Secretary said over 600 doctors have gone overseas for specialist training, and 300 of them are due to return this year.

He said the current shortage of experts in some fields will be resolved to some extent once these doctors return.

Meanwhile, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) recently said that 274 specialist doctors have left the country during the one-year period that ended on May 31.

The GMOA said 842 graded medical officers have also left the country during this period.

(Newsradio)

News

Cost reflective price for MPs’ daily meals proposed

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

editor

Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake said yesterday that a cost reflective price between Rs.2,500 and Rs.3,000 will be proposed for meals including breakfast, lunch and evening tea for Members of Parliament.

He stated that the proposal is scheduled to be presented to the House Keeping Committee of Parliament today and that a proposal will also be presented to the Cabinet in the future.

“MPs will have to pay Rs.3,000 for their meals including breakfast, lunch and evening tea. The price of meals for others will also be increased,” he added.

(dailynews.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Probe into clearing of 323 red-tagged containers – Dy. Minister

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

editor

Deputy Minister of Economic Development – Prof.Anil Jayantha Fernando yesterday (Jan. 22) admitted in Parliament that 323 containers with red tags have been released through the green channel by the Sri Lanka Customs.

In response to a question raised, the Deputy Minister said that an investigation will be launched into the incident.

He said there have been occasions where red-tagged containers have been released after being scanned and during some occasions, containers had been released through the green channel even without being scanned.

“We never know whether there have been investigations into those incidents,” he said.

(Excerpts : dailynews.lk)

News

Suspect arrested over alleged online train tickets racket

Published

3 hours ago

January 23, 2025

editor

The Kandy Divisional Crimes Unit has arrested a 37-year-old suspect involved in an alleged major racket involving ‘e-Tickets’ sold for up-country trains including to Ella.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested yesterday (Jan. 22) in the Suduhumpola area of the Kandy Police Division.

The suspect, a resident of the same area, was found in possession of 21 ‘Odyssey’ train tickets purchased online, Rs. 130,670 in cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal sales, 130 notepads documenting previous transactions, and a mobile phone.

Police suspect the individual profited from reselling train tickets, targeting foreign tourists. The suspect has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiries.

On January 20, the CID had informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that they have launched an investigation into the ticket scalping, which was raising serious concerns.

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