The 05 PHIs who had recently inspected the kitchens at the well known ‘Avenra Garden’ hotel in Negombo, have been summoned to the Katana police, ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ learns.
Mr. Upul Rohana, Upul Rohana, President of the Public Health Inspectors’ Association, says that the management of Avenra Garden Hotel has created a conspiracy based on false allegations leveled against Public Health Inspectors.
He pointed out that the hotel management is in hot water over the offense of storing cooked and uncooked food in the same refrigerator, an offence they had committed for the second time.
A similar raid was conducted in the hotel kitchen 02 months ago with the same fault found, he notes.
Cooked food and uncooked food such as meat had been stored in the same freezer and those food items were subsequently destroyed. The management was not prosecuted but was given a warning. he added.
Mr Rohana points out the inspection of the Avenra Gardens Hotel is a part of a series of raids being conducted in the wake of the festive period.
All star class hotels are subjected to such raids but all have bowed down to the law instead of leveling baseless allegations against the PHIs and lodging police complaints by attempting to take up the might of politics in a disgusting manner, he said.
Noting that no one from the hotel management had even signed the necessary documents despite the elapse of 45 minutes since they were informed to do so, the management had instead gone on to intimidate the officiers not to file a police case.
As an association, maximum legal measures will be taken against hindering the officials involved in the raid as well as levelling false allegations against them, Mr. Upul Rohana further notes.
The Union of Postal and Telecommunications Officers says postal services will operate as usual today (May 31).
Secretary Manjula Jayasundara stated that striking union members returned to work from yesterday (May 30) afternoon, and distribution of over 2,000 delayed mail bags has begun.
This strike, launched over 10 demands including delays in recruitment, has reportedly drawn the attention of the relevant authorities.
Leading expert in Allergy, Immunology and Molecular Medicine – Professor Chandima Jeewandara has recommended handwashing and mask wearing for individuals feeling unwell, stating that it would be key in mitigating the spread of Covid-19.
On a X thread, Prof. Jeewandara had shared this advice as the new COVID-19 variant – NB.1.8.1, is causing a rise in cases worldwide.
“The symptoms associated with NB.1.8.1 are broadly similar to earlier COVID-19 strains, including sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches, and nasal congestion. Notably, hoarseness has emerged as a common symptom distinguishing it from earlier variants,” Prof. Jeewandara has said.
“Current data suggests that NB.1.8.1 does not lead to more severe illness compared to previous variants. Most infections are mild, especially among vaccinated individuals,” he adds.
“While the emergence of NB.1.8.1 is notable, there is currently no cause for alarm. Continued vigilance and adhere to public health guidelines MOH,” he further notes.
The first consignment of imported coconut milk under the Government’s raw material importation programme is scheduled to undergo clearance and laboratory testing today (31), as part of a coordinated initiative by the Plantation Industries Ministry.
This initiative, approved by the Cabinet, aims to supply essential raw materials to industries linked to the coconut sector, aiming to reduce domestic coconut prices and support local manufacturers. The consignment currently under clearance includes products equivalent to 200 million coconuts. They are in the forms of frozen coconut milk, coconut milk powder and chunked coconut with testa (non-copra), imported as part of the programme initiated in March 2025. The stock will be used primarily in the coconut milk powder industry, which has been facing raw material shortages. The Plantation Industries Ministry expects this move to reduce the pressure on local coconut supplies and contribute to a drop in retail coconut prices.
(dailynews.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)