News
About 375 specialist docs have left SL in 12 months

By Shiran Ranasinghe
Work in most hospitals have been severely affected by the migration of over 375 specialist doctors and thousands of healthcare staff, and drug shortages, doctors claim.About 50 per cent of doctors who are abroad to receive higher medical training to become specialists have informed that they have no intention of returning to the country.
So far, the hospitals in Kilinochchi, Anuradhapura, Tangalle, Hambantota, Mullaitivu and Dehiattakandiya are the worst affected and many clinics and other facilities provided by these hospitals have come to a standstill.
Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) media spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said that some hospitals would have to be closed down. About 1000-1500 doctors had left the country and no one had any idea about the number of nurses and other health staff who have left the country, he said
“This is a sad state of affairs and there are several reasons why health staff are leaving the country. One is the high taxes and another is the political and economic instability. They are also stressed out because they can’t treat patients due to medical shortages. Most of the doctors spend their day calling people and cajoling philanthropists to help them secure medicine for their hospitals,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the two catheterisation machines of the Kandy hospital has broken down, placing the lives of some of the 8024 patients who are in the waiting list in jeopardy.
Head of the government radiologist union, Chanaka Dharmaratne said those machines were vital to treat heart patients. “One machine at the Kandy General Hospital is out of order while the other needs immediate servicing. These are important and expensive pieces of equipment that are vital in treating and identifying heart ailments,” he said.
A private hospital will charge about 100,000 rupees for the use of catheterisation machines and about one million rupees to introduce a stent, he said.Dharmaratne said that there are many drug and equipment shortages in the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children too.
Gampaha General Hospital Director, Dr. Himali Wijegunasekera said that they rely heavily on philanthropists to deal with the severe drug shortage in hospitals. She added that frequently needed drugs to treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes are in short supply as well. Doctors at the hospital had given a list of drugs that are in short supply to the hospital development authority to circulate among philanthropists.
said they were planning to set up five paying wards at the hospital. There were about 2,400 medical specialists in the country. 285 were to retire soon after turning 65 and around 375 had left the country in the past 12 months, she said said.
News
Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.
The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.
The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.
Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.
The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.
News
Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

By Saman Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.
“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”
Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.
“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”
Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.
News
SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.
The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.
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