News

Several trains cancelled due to strike

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2023

editor

Several train services have been cancelled today due to the strike launched by the Sri Lanka Railways Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union since midnight yesterday (11).

According to the Sri Lanka Railways, about 20 train journeys scheduled to run this morning have been cancelled.

Railway Traffic Deputy General Manager M.J. Idipolage said that several trains coming from Chilaw, Ganewatta and Aluthgama to Colombo as well as several short train journeys scheduled to run from Colombo have been cancelled this morning.

However, he said that trains are arriving from Rambukkana, Polgahawela, Kandy, Maho, Kurunegala, Galle and Avissawella.

S.R.C.M. Senanayake, the Secretary of the Union said that the strike was launched based on an issue related to salary increments.

“Railways engine driver grade has had an issue of no pay code for years. Therefore, there is an issue related to promotions in our grade. Everything has come to a standstill due to lack of recruitment procedure as a result of lack of pay code. Two groups in the engine railway service face grave inconveniences. They continue to pressurise our union to back this. Accordingly, our union informed the President, Prime Minister, Minister of Transport and General Manager of Railways two weeks ago. We had to take trade union action since we have not received a proper answer so far. Only two train yards halted operations today. If there is no answer in the future, all the drivers will join the strike,” he said.

News

Number of rabies deaths on the rise

Published

1 hour ago

September 21, 2023

editor

The Ministry of Health said that the number of people who have died from rabies has increased in the last few years.

Dr. Heshan Guruge, medical officer of the Anti-Rabies Division, said that the lack of knowledge about rabies as well as the bites of animals other than dogs have led to the increase in these deaths.

Dr. Guruge expressed these views while attending a discussion held yesterday (20) at the Health Promotion Bureau in conjunction with the World Rabies Day on September 28.

“When studying the human deaths that happened in the last few years due to rabies, we can see that a number of animals other than dogs have bit them. In some cases, it is not even possible to know who the animal is. Several people who had passed out after being drunk had been bitten by some animal. After a few days, the symptoms of rabies develop. Several such incidents were reported in the last two or three years. Proper first aid should be given in case of any animal bite. Wash the wound with soap and water. If you have alcohol at home, an iodine solution like betadine, surgical spirit, or an antiseptic liquid like hydrogen peroxide, you can use it. Then go to a hospital. If we do this, we can eliminate rabies from Sri Lanka,” he said.

Don’t get closer to new pets for two weeks

Meanwhile, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, community specialist of the Epidemiology Unit, said that 12 people have died due to rabies in 2023 so far.

He said that there is a risk of contracting rabies from the bites of all mammals.

The Anti-rabies Unit said that 25 to 30 people die from rabies every year.

The Epidemiology Unit requested the people not to get closer to pets such as dogs and cats for 14 days after bringing them home.

Arrangements should be made to vaccine the dogs against rabies before a period of four weeks has passed.

When bitten by a dog, the area should be washed and cleaned with soap for ten minutes, and after that it is important to seek medical treatment immediately.