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Local drug producers welcome creation of State Ministry for pharmaceuticals manufacture

Published

6 years ago

2020/08/14

The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (SLPMA) has welcomed the creation of a new State Ministry for pharmaceuticals manufacture as a crucial positive step towards the strengthening of the local pharmaceuticals industry.

The Association, in a statement issued soon after the swearing in of the new cabinet and State Ministers, emphasised the importance of its contribution to the nation and local manufacturers to ensure the availability of essential pharmaceuticals and expressed its confidence in the government’s vision for the nation.

SLPMA President Sanjaya Jayaratne, who is also Chairman of Navesta Pharmaceuticals (Pvt.) Ltd., said: “The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association warmly welcomes the new government headed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. We look forward to working with Minister of Health, Pavithra Wanniarachchi and State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation Prof. Channa Jayasumana as we work towards a robust local pharmaceuticals industry.”

Prof. Jayasumana was accommodated among the State Ministers as a representative of Viyathmaga, a civil society organization established by Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the onset of his presidential campaign.

Members of the Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association have actively reinvested over Rs. 15 billion over the past five years on capacity building and market expansion, setting up new plants and upgrading current facilities to enhance the manufacture of a wider range of medicines and infrastructure for the Sri Lankan market and for export. Currently holding 15% of the local pharmaceuticals market, the SLPMA aims to help the country by increasing the production of world-class pharmaceuticals locally to provide quality cost-effective medicines to all Sri Lankans. As the official body for local pharmaceutical manufacturers, the SLPMA holds frequent dialogues on matters concerning the development of the industry with key stakeholders.

Further commenting on the new government, Jayaratne said, “As the representative body of local manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical products, we warmly welcome the establishment of a State Ministry for Pharmaceuticals by the newly elected government. This highlights the importance the state places on a self-sufficient local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in the country and is an encouragement to the industry. The association will work towards strengthening ties with the government and expanding on our contribution to the national healthcare sector by expanding on the guaranteed buy back agreement for local pharmaceuticals currently in effect. The SLPMA has always stood for quality affordable pharmaceuticals and will support the government secure the highest quality medicines for the most affordable prices.”

The establishment of the first privately owned Pharmaceutical Manufacturing facility in the year 1956 marked the beginning of the Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (SLPMA). In the six decades since, its membership has grown to fifteen entities including multinational pharmaceutical companies, established local Conglomerates, innovative new ventures and the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC). The Association recently held its 55th Annual General Meeting held recently at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Sanjaya Jayaratne was elected President at the meeting, while Kalana Hewamallika, Chairman and Managing Director of Gamma Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd and Interpharm (Pvt) Ltd was elected Vice President of the Association.

The SLPMA is an affiliated trade association coming under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and comprises those members who are solely involved in the manufacture and distribution of medicines in Sri Lanka. The SLPMA Secretariat is based at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and can also be reached on (011) 5588836.

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya extended

Published

12 hours ago

2026/02/14

Priyan

The landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation have been extended till 0600 hrs on 15th February 2026.

Accordingly,
The Level II [AMBER] warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Walapane and Nildandahinna in the Nuwar Eliya district and the
Level I [YELLOW] warning issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pathadumbara in the Kandy district have been extended.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and Badulla and Nuwara-Eliya districts

Published

13 hours ago

2026/02/14

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 11.30 a.m. 14 February 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 14 February 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Badulla and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 1.00 p.m. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.

The 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.

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Teacher recruitment examinations will be conducted in accordance with the relevant court decisions – PM

Published

22 hours ago

2026/02/14

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the forthcoming two teacher recruitment examinations will be conducted in accordance with the relevant court decisions pertaining to the ongoing legal proceedings and further noted that, taking into consideration the requests received, steps have been taken to make a request to Court’s approval to revise the conditions of the effective date of degree completion.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a meeting held at Monaragala Royal College to brief education authorities of the Monaragala District on the new education reforms.

Under the new education reforms, Smart Boards will be provided to 132 schools in the Monaragala District as part of the program to equip secondary schools with modern technology. As a symbolic step under this initiative, Smart Boards were presented to 10 secondary schools under the Prime Minister’s patronage. This program is being implemented with the intervention of the Digital Task Force operating under the Prime Minister’s Office. It was also emphasized that a new digital policy, formulated with special attention to child protection, will be introduced in April.

As part of her visit to the Monaragala District on the 13 th of February, the Prime Minister observed the implementation of the new learning methodologies introduced for Grade One under the new education reforms. She visited Kumbukkana Sri Shanmugam Tamil Maha Vidyalaya and Maduruketiya Maha Vidyalaya in Monaragala to observe the educational activities of Grade One students.

Considering the increase of student numbers and the development of infrastructure facilities, the Prime Minister also approved a proposal submitted by the School Development Society to rename Maduruketiya Maha Vidyalaya as Monaragala Dharmaraja Maha Vidyalaya.

Teachers briefed the Prime Minister that the new education system, supported by revised workbooks and activity-based learning methods, has proven to be effective, with students participating enthusiastically.

Addressing education officials further at the meeting held at Monaragala Royal College, the Prime Minister stated:

“Although this will not provide a complete solution to the existing teacher vacancies, these examinations can offer considerable relief. According to the Court’s previous determination, the effective date of degree completion had been set as 30.06.2025. However, considering numerous requests and following the cabinet approval we have sought Court’s consent to revise this date. We will act in accordance with the decision granted.

Funds allocated for school infrastructure must be utilized transparently and in line with proper planning, and progress must be reported accordingly. We cannot move forward by dividing ourselves along national, provincial, rural, or urban lines. As education authorities, you must make swift and accurate decisions based on correct data.

Further, discussions are already underway within the Piriven Committee of the Ministry of Education to develop Piriven education and to address the issues faced by Piriven teachers.”

The event was attended by the members of the Maha Sangha, Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade and Commerce R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ajith Agalakada, Uva Provincial Education Secretary Nihal Gunarathne, and several officials from the education sector.