News
Docs petitions challenging decision to enforce retirement at 60: Verdict on Nov 17

By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Court of Appeal is to announce, on 17 November, its verdict on the early retirement of medical specialists. Specialist doctors said on Monday (13) that 176 of them have submitted Writ Petitions opposing the Cabinet’s decision to enforce the retirement of medical specialists at the age of 60. It was pointed out that the Health Ministry had previously extended the service age of medical specialists in the State to 63 years.
However, a circular from the Health Secretary stated that the decision on the retirement age of medical specialists would only be effective until December 31, 2024.
According to insiders, there is a justifiable expectation among medical specialists for an extension of their service due to factors such as the ongoing brain drain causing a decline in medical practitioners.
The shortage of medical specialists is a significant concern for ensuring equal service provision across all State hospitals. Various issues, including the economic crisis, taxation, delays in placement upon their return, challenges with children’s schooling, and the less-than-ideal treatment of medical specialists upon their return from abroad, have led many to opt for overseas service.
Doctors claim that there are currently 790 vacancies for specialist doctors. There are only 1,985 specialists actively serving in government hospitals.
“Previously the shortage was about 450 doctors. Estimates show that about 3,000 medical specialists are needed by 2024 to ensure satisfactory service in state hospitals. If the proposed retirement age rule is implemented, 305 specialists, including 70 who will turn 63, will be compelled to retire, further reducing the number of medical specialists in service,” a doctor said.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Latest News
“Census of Population and Housing 2024” Report Presented to the President

The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
Business
Central Bank Presents Annual Economic Review 2024 to President

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
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