News

Rs.500 million extra to be paid to import antibiotics!

Published

1 year ago

April 25, 2023

editor

The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association (MCPA) called on the President to launch an immediate investigation into the move to purchase an antibiotic by paying Rs.500 million extra.

During a news briefing held in Colombo yesterday (24), Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa of the MCPA said that a shortage of antibiotics has been created due to the disagreement between the minister and officials.

Currently, he said a tender has been called for the purchase of a stock of 2.5 million vaccines belonging to the Cefuroxime category.

He said the Health Ministry is acting in a suspicious way and it seemed that an invisible hand is influencing the awarding of the tender to the company that offered to buy it at 75 cents each instead of the company that offered to buy it for 25 cents.

Although nearly 90,000 vaccines have been purchased through the companies that have offered to provide drugs at a low cost, he asked why the tender board had recommended the company that has suggested higher prices by questioning the quality of the company that has provided vaccines at a lower cost.

“After this questionable transaction, it was reported that a request has been made to the Procurement Appeal Committee of the President’s Secretariat to give the recommendation,” he said.

“If the minister is attempting to award tenders at a higher price instead of referring the relevant recommendation to the Cabinet and implementing it, the President should directly intervene and investigate this transaction,” he also said.

Meanwhile, the doctor said that the Health Minister and the officials of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) had previously stated that when purchasing emergency drugs for Sri Lanka, there was no time to scientifically check the quality of the drugs and that they were going to purchase the drugs only by checking the documents.

News

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

Published

6 hours ago

April 25, 2024

editor

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles told the police today that eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin and not to be afraid to use weapons.

He made these remarks while participating in the passing out parade at Katukurunda STF Training camp.

“Eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin. Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing and we stand by you,” the minister said.

“The police officers who had undergone the training know what to do. They know everything that is needed. If this team is not enough, another police motorcycle team will be established. We have a goal. All the police officers know what that goal is. I just want to go for that goal. I have done everything, including salary increases for all of you. I only expect you to go for the goal,” the minister further said.

The passing out parade of a team of 100 police personnel who underwent special training at the Katukurunda STF camp to go after criminals operating in the Western and Southern Provinces was held with the participation of the Minister, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, STF Commandant Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara and the Western Province Senior DIG.

These trained 50 motorcycle teams commenced anti-underworld duties yesterday.

The team was given two weeks special training to respond to incidents involving gunmen committing crimes on motorcycles and take necessary action against them.

(dailymirror.lk)

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

News

Public urged to use only Immigration Dept’s webpage for e-visa

Published

6 hours ago

April 25, 2024

editor

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has urged the public to apply for e-visas exclusively through the official Home Page of www.immigration.gov.lk.

In a bid to streamline visa processing and combat fraudulent activities, the Department rolled out a new visa methodology effective from April 17, 2024. This marked the termination of visa applications through the ETA website.

However, concerns have arisen regarding unauthorized websites impersonating the official platform www.srilankaevisa.lk, leading unsuspecting applicants to fall victim to scams, the Department notes.

News

Duminda appointed as SLFP’s Acting Gen. Secretary

Published

6 hours ago

April 25, 2024

editor

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) faction led by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has appointed MP Duminda Dissanayake as the party’s Acting General Secretary.

He was appointed during the politburo meeting convened by the faction backing Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva this evening (April 25).

On Wednesday (24), the Colombo District Court issued an injunction preventing MP Sarathie Dushmantha Mithrapala from functioning as the General Secretary of SLFP and implementation of the decisions taken by him as the SLFP Acting General Secretary.