News
GMOA warns of impending crisis in health sector due to exodus of professionals
BY Rathindra Kuruwita
The government’s actions were forcing thousands of health professionals out of the country and it would become impossible to manage the healthcare sector, Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) spokesman, Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said.
“There is already a crippling shortage of medicine, and hundreds of doctors have left the country for economic reasons. I don’t know how many other healthcare professionals have left the country. How can we maintain the system at this rate? The government doesn’t care,” he said.
Dr. Wijesinghe said they had been engaged in continuous discussions with the government on resolving issues in the health sector. The government has always tried to evade responsibility by pointing the finger at the IMF, he said.
“During a meeting with the President, we were asked to discuss these issues with IMF officials. This is not a positive attitude,” he said.
Dr. Wijesinghe said that whenever serious problems arise, the government tries to downplay the issue by making absurd claims and by trying to divide the people.
“For example, a large number of people, who are not affected by the tax reforms, have stood with us. And the government and its lackeys are laughing at these selfless people for fighting for another group. We are not taking union action because of taxes alone,” he said.
Dr. Wijesinghe said that the people of the country have made enormous sacrifices and 47 unions have come together to fight the unjust social and economic policies of the government because the government has shown no consideration to the grievances of the people.
Federation of University Teachers’ Association FUTA Spokesperson, Charudatta Ilangasinghe said that they do not believe the government’s claim that the economy is recovering.He said that a lot of university students are uncertain about their future.
“Despite what the government is saying, the ground realities are quite worrying. Sri Lankan people deserve to live in a country where they are not plagued by anxiety all the time,” he said.Ilangasinghe claimed that the government has not shown any consideration to the plight of the people, and this is why there are continuous strikes.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
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