News

Risk of JN.1 Covid-19 epidemic, minimal – MoH

Published

11 months ago

December 26, 2023

editor

The Health Ministry had stated yesterday (Dec. 25) that the risk of an epidemic in Sri Lanka due to the new COVID-19 sub variant – JN.1, is minimal.

A statement by the MoH notes that the Medical Research Institute has been instructed to carry out genetic tests to assess the risk of the JN.1 sub variant spreading and accordingly the necessary research is being carried out.

“While current evidence suggests the additional public health risk posed by JN.1 is low, we must continue to track the evolution of these viruses to tailor our response,” the Ministry said.

In recent weeks, the JN.1 Covid-19 sub variant has been reported from several countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that there is a tendency for this sub variant and other respiratory diseases including influenza to affect those regions, with the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

The MoH states that tests conducted in Sri Lanka over the last few months have shown COVID-19 cases are minimal.

Experts say that the chances of these respiratory diseases spreading can be greatly reduced by wearing masks in crowded places, washing hands frequently, maintaining distance, and maintaining cough and sneeze etiquette.

The MoH has further advised that people over the age of 60, people with chronic diseases, and pregnant women are at increased risk of complications if they suffer from respiratory diseases, so those people should be especially careful.

News

President holds talks with ITAK MPs

Published

11 hours ago

December 4, 2024

editor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Parliamentarians from the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) today (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the discussion, the ITAK MPs brought to the President’s attention the longstanding challenges faced by the people in the Northern and Eastern regions.

Parliamentarians Sivagnanam Shritharan, Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, Shanmugam Kugathasan, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, Gnanamuthu Srineshan, Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran, Elayathamby Srinath, and Thurairasa Raviharan also attended the meeting.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Govt. policy statement passed in Parliament sans vote

Published

11 hours ago

December 4, 2024

editor

The resolution on the Statement of the Government Policy presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament on November 21 was passed unanimously in Parliament today (Dec. 04) without a vote.

The debate on the Statement of the Government Policy was held as a two-day debate from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm yesterday (Dec. 03) and from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm today.

BIZ

W.M. Mendis’ liquor manufacturing license to be suspended

Published

11 hours ago

December 4, 2024

editor

The liquor manufacturing license issued to W.M. Mendis & Co. Limited will be suspended from tomorrow (December 5) due to their failure to pay Rs. 5.7 billion in excise taxes and surcharges, the Excise department said.

Accordingly, as per the provisions Excise Ordinance Act, the Commissioner General of Excise has ordered to suspend the liquor manufacturing license issued to W.M. Mendis & Co. Limited effective from tomorrow.

The department further stated that measures have been taken to suspend the liquor manufacturing process from tomorrow (December 5) and to not renew the other licenses issued to the company from December 31 onwards if the company continues non-payment of tax arrears and surcharges.