News

CMLS President warns of impending drug shortage

Published

4 years ago

2022/01/11

By Rathindra Kuruwita

There might be a shortage of about 80 essential drugs as health officials were finding it difficult to purchase them due to the current foreign exchange shortage, College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President, Ravi Kumudesh told The Island yesterday.

Kumudesh said letters of credit had not been opened for medicine supplies for 2022. Although the country was in a crisis, the health officials were unconcerned, Kumudesh alleged.

“Usually. the preparation of estimates is done in January and usually the final estimates are done by August. Letters of credit have to be opened fast, for it takes a few months for the shipments to arrive here. By this time, usually, we would have started the process of storing the shipments of medicines we had received,” he said.

However, the letters of credit to purchase medicines have not yet been opened. Thus, the medicine purchasing process has been delayed by four months, he said.

“We are managing so far because a number of medicines were used less in 2021 due to the pandemic. However, if the government does not take necessary steps we will face a crisis within a month or so. When I look at the data and plans presented by health officials, I am surprised by their lack of concern. Maybe, there is a hesitancy on their part to present accurate statistics,” Kumudesh said.

Kumudesh said that at least USD 40 million was needed to procure the required medicinal drugs, but the government had allocated only USD 4 million. “The Finance Ministry said that they could provide necessary funds to buy medicines through the issuance of Sri Lanka Development Bonds.

“Given our reputation globally, I don’t think we should have high hopes. The government must provide adequate funds, immediately if the impending crisis is to be averted,” he said.

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Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/27

Priyan

A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.

To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.

The donation was presented on Wednesday (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Chief Inspector Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.

[Presidents Media Division]

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

Published

17 hours ago

2026/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry
of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft

Published

17 hours ago

2026/04/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sajith

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.

Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.

The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.

The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.

He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.