News

PHIs suffer without test kits

Published

3 months ago

July 10, 2023

editor

The Public Health Inspectors (PHI) have been greatly inconvenienced since they have not been provided with the kits to carry out on-site tests, Public Health Inspectors Association of Sri Lanka (PHIASL) Treasurer W.D. Roshan Kumara said.

The PHIs alleged that they have not been provided with any on-site test kits in a decade.

Since the test kits for checking iodine levels in a packet of salt have also not been provided, food samples have to be sent to laboratories incurring a large cost.

Even though they have been instructed to check the temperature of the refrigerators during raids, they have not even been given a thermometer to check the temperature. Some Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Offices have only one thermometer.

The PHIs pointed out that there are on-site test kits in other countries to even test for aflatoxin in coconut oil and a large amount of expenses can be saved if such kits are provided to PHIs in Sri Lanka.

They said that there is no option but to dissolve the food samples in water and send the suspicious samples to the laboratories for pigment testing.

The PHIs further said that if there are facilities to send the suspicious samples to the laboratories after conducting preliminary testing, it will be possible to reduce the congestion in the laboratories and reduce the cost.

News

Landslide warnings extended

Published

4 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

6 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)