News

Disruption to tobacco prevention project: PHIs demand inquiry against DDG

Published

3 years ago

2022/06/16

By Ifham Nizam

The Public Health Inspectors’ Union of Sri Lanka has demanded an inquiry against Deputy Director General (Public Health Services) Dr. S. M. Arnold with regard to intentional disruption of tobacco cessation and prevention activities conducted by the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA).

Public Health Inspectors’ Union President Upul Rohana, writing to the Secretary to the Ministry of Health on 06 June 2022, with the letter reference number PHIU/GEN/PRE/2022/34, asked for the inquiry allegedly on the grounds that Deputy Director General (Public Health Services) had not permitted Public Health Inspector T. G. S. L. Prakash, to contribute his expertise to a project conducted by the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol to establish 362 smoke free zones in Sri Lanka with the support of the World Health Organization.

Prakash is working as a Public Health Inspector at the Principal Public Health Inspectors’ Unit, under the supervision of Deputy Director General (Public Health Services) at the Ministry of Health and doubles as a resource person for National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohols’ projects on tobacco cessation in Sri Lanka since 2015.

The PHIs Union claims that Mr. Prakash has done several studies on establishing smoke free zones in Sri Lanka and innovated a 10-step process for establishing smoke free zones here. The WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) promotes smoke-free cities as an effective tobacco control strategy to ensure protection of the public from secondhand smoking.

From 2015 to November 2019, there were 253 smoke free zones established in 102 Medical Officer of Health divisions in 20 districts of the nine provinces. The pandemic took its toll on the project.

Therefore, NATA attempted to re-establish smoke free zones in the country. However, the Public Health Inspectors’ union of Sri Lanka claimed that Dr. Arnold, Deputy Director General (Public Health Services) intentionally disrupted these tobacco cessation and prevention activities; therefore, need an inquiry and preventive measures.

Dr. Arnold was not immediately available for comment.

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Severe traffic reported on Ella-Wellawaya road due to inclement weather

Published

3 hours ago

2025/04/16

Priyan

Police urge motorists who intend to use the Ella – Wellawaya Road to use alternative roads as there is a severe vehicle congestion due to inclement weather condition.

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We should start working collectively to rebuild the country -PM

Published

5 hours ago

2025/04/16

Priyan

The oil anointing ceremony for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held on April 16 at the historic Rajamaha Viharaya in Kolonnawa, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Following the chanting of pirith, the oil anointing ritual was carried out at the auspicious time of 9:04 a.m., by the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Kolonnawa Dhammika Thero.

Speaking after the ceremony the Prime Minister said that:

“The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most important festivities in our country. It is a celebration with our families, reflecting our traditions and customs while strengthening the ties.

This festival leads the path for renewing unity, love, and bonds stronger. These values enrich a country. Development of a country is not limited by one-dimensional; a true development includes spirituality, relationships, and connections. The reason why we uphold these customs in such ceremonies is to remind ourselves of the significance and to pass on their value to future generations.

Therefore, today marks a significant day. Throughout this week, we came together and engaged in various activities. Followed by, the next event will mark the leaving for employment at the auspicious time and we should start working collectively to rebuild the country.

I wish everyone a New Year that is prosperous, peaceful, joyful, full of strengthened relationships, and most importantly, safe for all.”

The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, Divisional Secretary to Kolonnawa Priyanath Perera, Municipal Secretary Nelum Kumari Gamage, and the residents of the area.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts today [16]

Published

14 hours ago

2025/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 16 April 2025

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

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 table below 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.