News

SPC incurs Rs.190 mn. loss due to defective medicines

Published

2 years ago

April 11, 2023

editor

The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) of Sri Lanka has suffered a loss of over Rs.190 million in 2020 and 2021 due to quality failure, expiration and damage of some of the medicinal drugs purchased, a report issued by the National Audit Office said.

According to the report, a stock of medicinal drugs worth more than Rs.210 million from the medicinal drugs purchased as of January 1, 2021 was either expired or damaged.

The Audit Office said that out of the medicinal drugs purchased by the SPC in 2021, a stock worth nearly Rs.130 million has been identified as defective, expired and damaged.

It said that more than Rs.20 million is yet to be collected from the suppliers for a stock of medicines worth over Rs.40 million which were identified as defective in 2020 and 2021.

In the meantime, the SPC had kept 28 containers related to 28 indents imported in 2021 and 2022 in a private warehouse for six months from August 20, 2021 to February 21, 2022. The SPC has paid more than Rs.48.2 million for the warehouse, but this additional cost incurred by the corporation had not been reimbursed from the Medical Supplies Division.

The audit report showed that the SPC had to store these stocks of medicines in a private warehouse due to the lack of storage facilities in the Medical Supplies Division’s warehouse complex.

This audit report was attached in the 2021 Annual Report of the SPC which was recently submitted to Parliament.

(Newsradio)

News

PC suspended for WhatsApping confidential police info

Published

3 hours ago

May 15, 2025

editor

.A constable attached to the Parliamentary Security Division has been suspended for allegedly sharing confidential police information through a WhatsApp group, violating official protocols.

According to Police Headquarters, the suspect had been operating a WhatsApp group under the name “CRTM / RTM message No. 3” on his personal phone without authorization from senior officers.

Investigations revealed that several members of the group were civilians or unaffiliated with the police, and that sensitive internal communications meant for police personnel were shared with unauthorized individuals.

The SSP, Director of the Parliamentary Security Division, has suspended the constable for breaching discipline by irresponsibly disclosing confidential police matters to outsiders.

News

DMT holds “Vehicle tuning dansala” for Vesak

Published

3 hours ago

May 15, 2025

editor

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has organized a special “vehicle tuning Dansala” to be held today and tomorrow (May 15 and 16) in front of its head office in Narahenpita.

In an official statement, the department noted that old motorcycles and three-wheelers – comprising the majority of Sri Lanka’s vehicle population – often lack systematic maintenance due to economic constraints, leading to harmful emissions.

The initiative, organized for the third time by the DMT’s Motor Vehicle Emissions Trust Fund, aims to address this issue.

Free tuning services for motorcycles and three-wheelers will be provided at the dansala, with support from some of Sri Lanka’s most experienced vehicle technicians.

Through this effort, the DMT hopes to improve fuel efficiency, reduce unnecessary fuel expenses, and minimize harmful emissions.

News

New conditions for bus imports from Jan. 2026

Published

3 hours ago

May 15, 2025

editor

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation – Bimal Rathnayake has announced that the government will implement new regulations for the import of public transport buses starting January next year.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday (May 14), the Minister stated that under the revised guidelines, only buses meeting modern safety and quality standards will be approved for import.

He further stated that the Ministry of Transport will begin inspections to ensure all public transport vehicles currently in operation comply with required safety and operational standards.