News

Sri Lanka achieves Hepatitis B control

Published

9 months ago

January 17, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka and Maldives have achieved hepatitis B control, the World Health Organization announced today after an expert panel verified that the two countries have had consistently high coverage of hepatitis B vaccine doses in infants and a low prevalence of the deadly disease, corroborated through serological surveys conducted recently in both countries.

“I congratulate and commend Maldives and Sri Lanka on their achievement which once again demonstrates the earnest efforts being made by the health leaders and officials, health workers and the people of these countries towards health and well-being of communities,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia.

The Expert Panel for Verification of Hepatitis B Control in WHO South-East Asia Region reviewed childhood immunization data from Maldives and Sri Lanka that showed consistent over 90% coverage with Hepatitis B vaccine doses provided during infancy for past many years. The experts also reviewed the findings of national surveys conducted among children in 2022-2023, in these countries.

“Based on the evidence presented to it, the Expert Panel concluded that the standards required for verification of Hepatitis B control have been met in both these countries and hence recommended that this important public health target has been achieved in Maldives and Sri Lanka”, said Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat, chairperson of the Regional Expert Panel for verification of Hepatitis B control in South-East Asia.

The two countries join Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand, who achieved the same feat in 2019.

News

Defence Ministry recalls civilian firearms

Published

9 hours ago

October 4, 2024

editor

The government has announced the temporary recall of all firearms issued to civilians by the Ministry of Defence.

In an official statement, the Ministry directed all license holders to return their firearms and ammunition to the Commercial Explosives’ Storage Facility in Welisara by November 07.

The Defence Ministry further stated that the firearms will be returned after a review and assessment of the necessity to retain them.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Bandula not to contest Gen. election

Published

12 hours ago

October 4, 2024

editor

Former Minister of Transport and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardene says he has decided not to contest at the upcoming General elections.Speaking to media, he told that he had been in politics for more than 20 years representing the Homagama electorate and that he functioned as a Deputy Minister and as a Cabinet Minister and rendered the maximum possible service to the people in his capacity.He also revealed plans to produce another movie while continuing his further education in the upcoming years.

News

Port access elevated highway to be completed by December

Published

13 hours ago

October 4, 2024

editor

The Ministry of Transport and Highways has announced that the construction of the Port Access Elevated Highway is scheduled to be completed by December.

The Ministry stated that approximately 90% of the construction work has already been completed.

This project, which began in September 2019 with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank, has an estimated total cost of USD 300 million.

The 5.3-kilometer-long, four-lane elevated highway will connect the Ingurukade Junction to the New Kelani Bridge and extend over the columns to Galle Face and the Port City.

Upon its opening, this highway is expected to significantly alleviate the heavy traffic congestion currently experienced in Colombo.

(News 1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)