Seven books authored by Ven. Dr. Boralesgamuwe Pemaratna Thera, Viharadhikari of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya, including his doctoral dissertation titled “Buddhist Greeting Practices, Offerings and Rituals on the Basis of the Dharma,” will be launched at a ceremony on Monday (6).

The event is scheduled to be held at the auditorium of the National Library and Documentation Services Board in Colombo 7.

Six other books authored by Ven. Dr. Pemaratna Thera—Sithata Denea Budubana, Vas Viseema and Katina Pinkama, Vruksha Vandanaven Bodhi Vandanawata, Pirith saha Sathi Piritha, Pudapoojawala Abhichaeawidiwala Dharamaya ha Manochikithsamaya Padanama, and Daham Lipi Saranaiya—will also be released at the same ceremony.

A schoolboy riding a motorcycle to a big match was killed and the pillion ride was critically injured in a head-on collision with a bus at Balagolla, Kandy, yesterday (2).

The victims, two prefects of St. Sylvester’s College, were on their way to the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium to watch the annual cricket match between St. Sylvester’s College and Vidyartha College, Kandy.

Police said the motorcycle, travelling from Kandy towards Pallekele, had collided with a private bus plying from Madugalle to Kandy.

One of the students died on the spot while the other sustained severe injuries and was admitted to the Kandy National Hospital.

The driver of the bus has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Further investigations are being conducted under the direction of Officer-in-Charge of the Balagolla Police, Chief Inspector E. I. S. K. Ilangasinghe.

By S K Samaranayake

Sri Lanka has introduced its first national guideline series on the use of oxygen in government hospitals under the patronage of Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

The initiative, prepared by the Ministry of Health with the support of UNICEF, aims to standardise the use of oxygen in patient care while strengthening the technical knowledge of medical administrators, specialists and other health professionals.

According to the Health Ministry, Additional Secretary (Medical Services) Kumara Wickramasinghe led the compilation of the guidelines, which were formally handed over to Minister Jayatissa.

Parallel to the launch, a series of training programmes has been initiated with 100 health professionals, including specialist doctors, expected to receive training. They will in turn train staff at district and provincial levels to ensure uniform practices across hospitals.

Addressing the launch event in Colombo recently, Minister Jayatissa said the government spends a considerable sum annually on oxygen for hospital services and noted that the new guidelines and training programmes would help improve the quality and organisation of patient care.

He also said oxygen production units had already been established at the Tissamaharama Base Hospital, Avissawella District General Hospital, Udugama Base Hospital and Kegalle District General Hospital, meeting local requirements while supplying surplus oxygen to other hospitals.

The event was attended by Emma Brigham, Abner Daniel , senior officials of the Health Ministry, hospital directors, provincial and regional health directors, representatives of medical faculties and specialist doctors.