News
Govt. under fire for decision to postpone non-urgent surgeries
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The government’s decision to postpone non-urgent surgeries, at the state-run hospitals, have placed a moral burden on health professionals, health sector trade unionists say.The announcement was made by the Ministry of Health yesterday.
Meanwhile, health unions claim that they have been warning that there are shortages of drugs, medical equipment, and chemicals used in labs, for almost two years.
Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Physicians’ Union Alliance for Medicine and Civil Rights said the government decision endangered patients’ lives and added a moral burden on health professionals.
JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) committee member, Dr, Nalinda Jayatissa said that widespread corruption, at the Health Ministry, was one of the reasons for the health crisis. He called upon the government to take action to eliminate corruption at the Health Ministry.
“Even at a time like this, corrupt deals are cut with the political authority’s blessings. A few months ago, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella visited the factories of Indian pharmaceutical producer, Kausikh Therapeutics, along with the NMRA’s Chief Executive Officer. This is a company blacklisted for producing substandard pharmaceuticals,” he said.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill to amend the State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975
By Cabinet decision dated 2025-12-01, policy approval was granted to amend the definition of the term “animal” in the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 by including, pigs, goats, and sheep, in addition to cattle and buffaloes, within the interpretation section of the act.
In accordance with the said approval, the Legal Draftsman has drafted an Amended Bill in all three languages, and the clearance of the Attorney General has also been obtained.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the
resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to publish the draft Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
The Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre, comprising 11 floors, has been constructed with the assistance of the Government of India with the objective of serving as a hub for cultural activities in Sri Lanka and expanding bilateral cooperation for the promotion, preservation, and fostering the cultural heritage of Jaffna.
In accordance with the approval granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2022-02-21, a Joint Management Committee has been appointed to make decisions relating to the affairs of the said cultural centre, in terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed for the operation of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre.
According to the provisions of the aforementioned MOU, upon completion of the construction of the project, the cultural centre should be transferred to the Jaffna Municipal Council through the Government of Sri Lanka.
Following such transfer, the relevant parties have reached an agreement to establish a ‘trust’ for carrying out the management activities of the centre. The Attorney General’s clearance has been received for the draft trust deed prepared for that purpose.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to establish the trust to continue the management activities of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975 to be amended
Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 amended
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
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