Water released from Samanala Wewa to Udawalawe

Published

1 month ago

August 8, 2023

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The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said that the release of water from the Samanala Wewa to the Udawalawe Reservoir commenced at around 2.30 am today (08).

It said that 120 megawatts are being added to the national grid while the water is being released into the Udawalawe Reservoir at a maximum capacity of 42 cubic meters per second.

The CEB said the water level of Samanala Wewa was recorded as 13% this morning.

CEB General Manager Rohan Seneviratne said that until yesterday (07), there was minor electricity production from the Samanala Wewa due to the lower levels of water in the lake.

However, based on a request made to release more water to the farmers, the production of electricity will be increased from today and more water will be released from the reservoir.

The general manager said that since there is no use of releasing water without being properly utilised, the water will be released by generating electricity.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Power and Energy said that they will have to purchase emergency power from the privately-owned power plants due to the decision to release water from the Samanala Wewa.

Accordingly, a capacity of about 100 megawatts will have to be purchased from Matara and Embilipitiya power plants in the future, a senior official of the ministry said.

Number of rabies deaths on the rise

Published

2 hours ago

September 21, 2023

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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.