News

Rs.20mn worth pen & bags bought for e-Grama Niladhari project discarded

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2023

editor

It was revealed that gel pens, customized file covers and bags worth over Rs. 20 million (22,180,800) purchased in 2021 for the e-Grama Niladhari project implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs have not been distributed and discarded.

This e-Grama Niladhari project is being implemented by utilizing Central Bank funds.

It was revealed that 400,000 black gel pens, 21,000 customized file covers and 21,000 bags made of leather have been piled up without distribution.

The amount spent to buy this stock of pen is over Rs.5.3 million while over Rs.16 million has been spent on file covers and bags.

Rs.167 million worth of papers have been purchased from the Government Printing Department to collect data manually in five districts under the e-Grama Niladhari project. The gel pens have been purchased to use on these papers. It was also revealed that the tender to scan the data filled in these papers is Rs.254 million.

This project was scheduled to be implemented from 2021.

(Aruna)

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.