News

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

Published

1 month 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

List of professionals whose IRD registration is compulsory

Published

51 mins ago

June 1, 2023

editor

A gazette notice has been issued making it compulsory for those engaged in several fields such as medical, engineering, law, accounting and banking to register with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) from today (01).

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued this gazette as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.

According to the relevant gazette, the people who are required to register with the IRD are listed below.

1. Practitioners registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC)

2. Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka

3. Members of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka

4. Members of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka

5. Members of the Association of Professional Bankers

6. Members of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects

7. Members of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka

8. Attorneys-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka

9. Individuals who have registered their businesses in Divisional Secretariats

10. Individuals who are in possession of vehicles registered (other than three-wheelers, motorcycles and hand tractors) in Motor Traffic Department

11. Individuals who have purchased or acquired, by virtue of Deeds Transfer, of any immovable property in Sri Lanka

12. Employees whose monthly contribution from both employee and employer to any Provident Fund is more than Rs. 20,000

13. Any individual who obtains approval for a building plan from a Local Authority

14. Any other individual who receives payment of Rs. 100,000 per month or Rs. 1,200,000 for a 12-month period for providing any services in Sri Lanka

In addition, all persons who have completed the age of 18 on 31 December 2023, or who will turn 18 on or after 01 January 2024, will also be subject to this new provision.

News

Upcountry train services disrupted

Published

1 hour ago

June 1, 2023

editor

Train services along the upcountry railway line were disrupted due to a rock slip on the railway line between Haliela and Uduwara Railway Stations this morning (01), the Railways Department said.

Passengers said that while the Udarata Menike train was travelling from Badulla to Colombo at 5.45 this morning, the driver saw the collapsed earth mound and immediately stopped the train preventing a major accident.

The Railways Department said that the restoration of the railway line is currently being done.

News

Annamale complains to IGP against Kassapa Thera!

Published

2 hours ago

June 1, 2023

editor

Social activist Kandasamy Annamale Sujith Priyantha alias Sujith Annamale has lodged a complaint to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) yesterday (31) saying that he and his family members have received death threats due to a statement made by Balangoda Kassapa Thera.

The complaint made by Annamale said;

“In a press conference held today (31/05/2023), Balangoda Kassapa Thera said, “Who helped from within the Aragalaya? Sujith Annamale… Sujith Annamale is the one who helped. Therefore, the CID should arrest them as soon as possible and produce them in court. If not, all the Buddhist monks behind me will take it to the street. We will not allow the Buddhist culture of this country to be destroyed.”

Annamale said that due to this statement, the life and property of his family members could be at risk.

“Therefore, please look into it and conduct a proper investigation as soon as possible and ensure the safety of my life and my property,” he said.

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