Sri Lanka raises alarm over rising Colorectal Cancer cases

Published

2 months ago

March 6, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka has raised concern over a significant increase in Colorectal cancer, with 3,000 patients reported, the Health Ministry said.

According to Globocan 2022 data, the number of new cases of colorectal cancer worldwide is around 1.9 million, with the number of deaths exceeding 900,000.

The Community Health Specialist of the National Cancer Control Programme, Dr. Hasarali Fernando said that early identification of the symptoms of this disease can often lead to a complete cure.

Fernando highlighted that risk of colorectal cancer increases with age, especially after 50, and with smoking and alcohol consumption.

Meanwhile, Colorectal Surgeon, Dr. Wasantha Wijenayake stated that by 2040 around 3.5 million patients will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

“After the age of 40, about 50% of people may have polyps, which are growths in the colon or rectum. But not all polyps cause cancer, only about 4% of them can become cancer,” he said.

Wijenayake said that the process takes 5 to 10 years and during this time the identified polyps can be removed and the disease controlled.

Furthermore, he said that one out of 23 males and one out of 26 females are at risk of developing colorectal cancer.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

CBSL presents Financial Statements and Operations Report 2024 to President

Published

25 minutes ago

April 29, 2025

editor

The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) – Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, officially handed over the Financial Statements and Operations Report 2024 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (April 29).

A copy of the report was also presented to Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Several senior officials from the Central Bank were present at the occasion.

(President’s Media Division)

News

30 injured in a bus accident in Beliatta

Published

56 minutes ago

April 29, 2025

editor

30 persons have been injured in a head-on collision between a private bus and a SLTB bus near the Hettiarachchi bend in the Beliatta police division today (April 29).

Police said that the injured have been admitted to the Tangalle and Beliatta hospitals.

Further investigations are underway.

News

Millions lost due to Kompanna Veediya flyover construction delay

Published

2 hours ago

April 29, 2025

editor

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation – Bimal Rathnayake yesterday (April 28) visited construction site of the flyover being built from Baladaksha Mawatha near the Kompanna Veediya Police Station to Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, in Colombo, to inquire about the cause of its delay.

He pointed out that the government has been compelled to pay over Rs.400 million to contractors as delay charges and a significant daily loss of Rs. 500,000 is being incurred.

The flyover has been planned to be built from Baladaksha Mawatha near the Slave Island Police Station to Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, in Colombo.

Accordingly, 06 police residential quarters had to be removed, and as a result, the project was delayed for about 02 years.

According to the Transport Ministry, it was informed during the inspection tour that steps will be taken to promptly remove the police residential quarters, which have caused the delay.

Stating that the matter must be resolved immediately, the minister has instructed the relevant officials to ensure that the construction of the flyover is completed by the end of this year under any circumstances.