News

Sri Lanka logs highest HIV cases in single quarter

Published

4 weeks ago

August 29, 2023

editor

According to the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, Sri Lanka has recorded 181 new HIV cases, reflecting a nine percent increase compared to the previous quarter in 2023, which saw 165 cases. The second quarter ranges from April to June.

This also represents a significant 39 percent increase compared to the second quarter of 2022, which had 130 cases.

Out of the cases reported in the second quarter, 26 males and three females fall within the age range of 15-24, while the remaining cases are individuals above 25 years old.

The male to female ratio of reported HIV cases in 2023 stands at 8.1:1.

Furthermore, the second quarter has reported 13 deaths related to HIV/AIDS.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has officially reported 10 HIV cases among the transgender community, while a total of 3,968 males and 1,379 females have contracted HIV thus far since 2009.

According to Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana, Director of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, there has been a significant rise in HIV cases in 2023.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Dr. Vidanapathirana stated that a total of 346 HIV cases have been reported this year, marking a noticeable increase compared to the previous year.

Dr. Vidanapathirana also expressed concern that the number of cases may continue to rise in the coming months.

She attributed the increase to several factors, including the expansion of testing capacity, a lack of knowledge about sex education among the public, risky sexual behaviors, and a failure to take necessary precautions.

“It is crucial for individuals to be aware of the risks associated with HIV and to take appropriate measures to protect themselves. The National STD/AIDS Control Programme continues to work towards raising awareness and providing necessary resources to combat the spread of HIV,” she added.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

Fmr. SDIG gets 5-yr. jail term

Published

2 hours ago

September 25, 2023

editor

The Ratnapura High Court has sentenced former Senior DIG Lalith Jayasinghe for five-year imprisonment for intimidating Kahawatte OIC not to arrest MP Premalal Jayasekera over a shooting incident.

Ratnapura High Court also ordered the convict to pay a fine of Rs. 20,000.

The shooting incident took place during the 2015 Presidential election campaign.

News

Notice on issuing revenue licenses in WP

Published

5 hours ago

September 25, 2023

editor

The Department of Motor Traffic has decided to temporarily suspend the issuing of revenue licenses in the Western Province due to a system update.

According to the department, the services will be unavailable from this Wednesday (September 27) to next Monday (October 02).

The Motor Traffic Department said in a statement that vehicles of which revenue licenses are expiring from Tuesday, September 26 can be renewed until October 10, without fines.

Meanwhile, the online service for revenue licenses was temporarily suspended from midnight yesterday (September 24) and will remain so until Friday, October 06.

The department added that the temporary service suspension was due to an update on the system maintained by the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka.

News

CID ordered to hand over Schaffter’s remains to family

Published

6 hours ago

September 25, 2023

editor

The Colombo Additional Magistrate has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to hand over the remains of late businessman Dinesh Schaffter to his family as postmortem examinations have been concluded.

The specialist doctors’ committee appointed to compile a report on Schaffter’s death had informed the courts that the relevant investigation activities have been concluded, and that the remains of the late businessman can be released.

Furthermore, Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya, also pointed out that the five-member expert committee headed by Prof. Asela Mendis, which was appointed by the court to compile a report on Schaffter’s death has informed the court that their judicial investigations have been completed.

Accordingly, the Additional Magistrate, who stated that the expert committee has requested the court to issue an order for the release of Schaffter’s remains, ordered the CID to hand over the body to his family under the supervision of Prof. Clifford Perera and Judicial Medical Officer P.R. Ruwanpura.

Later, the case was also ordered to be recalled on October 09, 2023.

(Source : adaderana.lk)