News

School-based leprosy screenings to be stopped

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2023

editor

Anti-Leprosy Campaign Director Dr. Prasad Ranaweera said that they have decided not to conduct screedings for leprosy in schools in the future.

He said the move was taken after paying attention to the mental health of the children. However, he said the screenings and tests conducted in other venues and contact-tracing would be continued.

“More than 80% of the children have non-infectious leprosy. When we try to identify such a child as a leprosy patient, that child will suffer mentally when being examined at the school. People fear when we detect a child with leprosy. We do not reveal the identity of the child but in very rare cases, the child may be identified separately.”

“The anti-leprosy campaign of the Ministry of Health decided that we will not visit the school if we found a child with leprosy. We would only do it under special circumstances and very carefully. In general, we won’t do it,” he said.

News

Derailment disrupts train operations on upcountry line

Published

43 minutes ago

June 27, 2025

editor

Train operations on the upcountry railway line have been disrupted after a train derailed at the Rambukkana railway station today (June 27).

The derailed train was travelling from Colombo to Rambukkana.

Accordingly, train services along the upcountry Line have been suspended, and alternative transportation arrangements are being made.

Meanwhile, efforts to re-rail the derailed train are underway.

News

‘Krrish’ case to be taken up again on Sep. 26

Published

2 hours ago

June 27, 2025

editor

The Colombo High Court has ordered the re-convening of the case filed by the Attorney General against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa on September 26.

The case pertains to allegations that Rajapaksa received Rs. 70 million from the Indian company ‘Krrish’ under the pretext of promoting the game of rugby.

Rajapaksa, appeared before the court when the case was taken up today (June 27).