News

Paediatric ward at Anuradhapura Hospital closed down

Published

2 years ago

March 31, 2023

editor

The Paediatric Ward at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has been closed down, owing to a lack of staff.

Accordingly, sources claimed that the paediatric ward attached to the Univeristy Professor’s Unit was closed down owing to the fact that all three paediatricians who worked at the hospital migrated.

Thus, all doctors, nurses and patients who were attached to the children’s ward have been transferred to different wards by way of an internal circular issued within the hospital.

Meanwhile future patients will also be referred to two different wards.

Meanwhile, the relevant sources also revealed that students of the medical faculty of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka are currently unable to receive any clinical training owing to the closure of the ward.

Another group of doctors at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital are also reportedly readying to depart from Sri Lanka, sources claimed, while the Government Medical Officer’s Association (GMOA) raised concerns that the residents within the district are now facing rather catastrophic circumstances.

Speaking on the situation, the GMOA noted that they had given continuous warnings in the past that such a concerning situation would arise if such arbitrary taxes were imposed amidst an environment that was already not suitable for professionals.

News

PNB seize over Rs. 280 mn. in biggest drug money bust

Published

9 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) has seized a stash of currency notes amounting Rs. 283 million.

It is said that this is the largest amount of cash ever confiscated from a drug trafficker in Sri Lanka.

The banknotes were recovered from a residence in Kurunegala during a search operation. 18 grams of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine), a double-cab, and a van were also seized during the raid.
According to police, the money allegedly belongs to a suspect who is currently in prison.

The suspect was presented before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court and the Magistrate has granted permission for authorities to detain and further interrogate him.

News

Energy Ministry differs on electricity tariffs (Update)

Published

9 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

Hours after the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced a 20% average reduction in electricity tariffs effective from midnight today (Jan. 17), the Energy Ministry has stated that the tariff revision would be implemented only upon receiving approval from the Finance Ministry.

In a media release, the Ministry has said that the proposals should be first officially received and thereafter they would need Finance Ministry advice.

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(Previous News : January 17, 2025 3.05pm)

Electricity tariffs slashed by 20%

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided to slash electricity tariffs by an overall average of 20 percent.

The tariff reduction will affect all consumer categories and will come into effect from midnight today (Jan. 17).

The PUCSL’s proposed reductions are as follows;

Domestic tariff – reduced by 20%
Places of worship – reduce by 21%
Hotels – reduced by 31%
Industries – reduced by 30%
Government Institutions – reduced by 11%

Electricity tariffs reduction (Domestic)

0-30 units reduced by 29%
31-60 by 28%
61-90 by 19%
91-180 by 18%
More than 180 by 19%

BIZ

SL – China currency swap agreement, renewed

Published

9 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the People’s Bank of China, in December 2024, successfully renewed the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement signed in 2021, for a period of another three (03) years, under the terms and conditions stipulated in the original agreement.

The CNY 10 billion (approximately USD 1.4 billion) currency swap facility reflects the financial cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.

Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, signed the agreement on behalf of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, while Mr. Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, signed on behalf of the People’s Bank of China.

(CBSL)