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UNICEF funds installation of oxygen generation plant at Tissamaharama

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Health Secretary inspecting a batch of gas cylinders (pic courtesy Health Ministry)

… to meet requirement of all SP and Moneragala hospitals

Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Maheepala recently opened an oxygen generation plant at the Tissamaharama government hospital. UNICEF has provided the funding required for the project.The Health Ministry spokesman said that the new facility, built at a cost of Rs 50 mn, could meet the oxygen requirement of all government hospitals in the Hambantota district.

The official said that this was in line with instructions issued by Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana with a view to improving overall health sector facilities in the provinces.

Dr. Pathirana replaced Keheliya Rambukwella as Health Minister in Oct, 2023, in the wake of the disclosure of massive health sector corruption.

According to the official, the new facility could produce enough oxygen to fill 900 jumbo cylinders of oxygen a month whereas the total requirement of the Hambantota district government hospitals was 250 jumbo cylinders. Revealing that the monthly requirement of Tissamaharama hospital had been 53 jumbo cylinders of oxygen, the official said that the Tissamaharama hospital spent Rs 300,000 on liquid oxygen.After having met the requirement of Hambantota district hospitals, the surplus would be allocated to hospitals in the Galle, Matara and Moneragala districts, he said.

With the installation of an oxygen generation plant at Tissamaharama, the total number of such facilities has been increased to five. Earlier oxygen generating plants were provided to Nawalapitiya, Avissawella, Udugama and Kegalle hospitals.

Dr. Maheepala assured the top management of Tissamaharama hospital that Rs 30 mn for development of the hospital and Rs 50 mn to procure an endoscopy machine would also be provided.



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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala 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 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.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

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RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.

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