News

PHIs suffer without test kits

Published

11 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

Liquor shops closed

Published

36 mins ago

May 20, 2024

editor

All liquor shops across the country will be closed on May 23 and 24 in view of the Wesak festival, the Excise Department has announced

In the Matale city limits the liquor shops will be closed from May 21, 22, 23 and 24th as the State Wesak festival is being held in Matale this year.

News

RW expresses condolences over Iranian President’s death

Published

38 mins ago

May 20, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that Sri Lanka is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and other senior Irani officials.

“I express my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the government and the people of Iran. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of President Raisi and his entourage,” the President said in a X message.

Sri Lanka is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and other senior Irani officials. I express my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the government and the people of Iran.…
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) May 20, 2024

News

Chief prelates call to grant a presidential pardon to Gnanasara Thera on Vesak Day

Published

41 mins ago

May 20, 2024

editor

Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Ramanna Nikaya, and the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha have urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to grant Ven. Gnanasara Thera a presidential pardon on Vesak Poya day.

In a letter to the President, the Chief Prelates noted that Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera was sentenced to four years in prison on March 28, 2024, after being found guilty of causing discord during a media discussion about the Kooragala Rajamaha Vihara in 2016.

They point out that the Thera had also taken steps to alert authorities about extremist activities in society, helping to prevent the spread of some extremist groups in Sri Lanka.

As a result, several potential extremist conflicts in Sri Lankan society were averted, the letter adds.