News
ACMOA: 5,000 more docs planning to migrate
By Rathindra Kuruwita
About 2,000 doctors had left the country during the past two years, All Ceylon Medical Officers’ Association (ACMOA) General Secretary Dr. Jayantha Bandara said on Wednesday (16). Now about 5,000 more doctors were planning to leave the country, Dr. Bandara said.
“There are many reasons why professionals are leaving the country. Instead of addressing the concerns of doctors, the government is threatening to blacklist them and arrest them at the airport,” he said.
Dr. Bandara added that most professionals were worried about their future. “They are also troubled by high taxes and low pay,” he said.
“Most doctors are now compelled to do 24-hour shifts. We are only paid for 10 hours. There are many other factors that drive them away. There is a severe shortage of pharmaceutical drugs, and most healthcare staff spend time looking for medicines for patients.”
Dr. Bandara said all doctors unions were unhappy about the government’s decision to take legal action against medical professionals who left the country without the approval of the Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella.
Secretary to the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) Dr. Haritha Aluthge said that the Secretary to the Ministry of Health had issued a circular stating that they will not approve leave for medical specialists, if there were only a limited number of them available in Sri Lanka. They included anaesthetists, he said.
“These unilateral actions will only make people angry. If people want to, they can leave without applying for leave and that is already happening,” he said.
Recently, the only specialist anaesthetist at the Hambantota Hospital left the country without informing the relevant officials.
The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.
The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.
Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.
The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.
Latest News
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026
Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.
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
Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).
The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.
Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:
01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)
02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)
03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)
04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See
05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan
06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait
Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.
INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts
US, Iran exchange threats as fragile ceasefire set to expire
Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake
Tilak ends Mumbai Indian’s losing streak with 45-ball century
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm
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