News

Nearly 350 specialists among over 1,000 docs who migrated since 2022 – Parliament

Published

2 years ago

2023/12/19

Sahan Weerasooriya

Champika

… many face severe difficulties abroad

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on State Financial Strategy (aka Committee on Ways and Means), tasked with inquiring into affected sectors, has revealed that since January 1, 2022, at least 1,198 doctors have migrated.

Among them were 348 specialists, the committee chaired by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, the leader of Eksath Janaraja Peramuna said.

The Parliament appointed the Sectoral Committee on State financial strategy in late March 2023.

During Dec 13 proceedings of the Committee, involving senior representatives of professional associations, it transpired that over 1,500 doctors, including specialists, had migrated since the onset of the crisis in early 2021.

The Committee was also told of the closure of 20 rural hospitals and the vulnerability of 400 more hospitals and units due to dearth of qualified staff.

Members of the Committee, MPs Ashok Abeysinghe, S.M.M. Musharaff and Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda participated in the proceedings whereas non-members Anupa Pasquel and Dayasiri Jayasekra participated with the permission of the Chairman.

Referring to the banking sector, the Committee said that by June 2023 approximately 1,500 had migrated and by Sept 30, 2023 that figure doubled and the situation would worsen by end of this month.

The Committee and associations reached consensus that the salary issue and the increase in tax burden weren’t the only push factors. They agreed that overall economic vulnerabilities and uncertainty experienced by children contributed to the crisis situation.

During the proceedings, it transpired that some of those who had migrated since 2021 weren’t able to secure suitable employment and are experiencing difficulties today.

The number of CEB engineers who migrated during 2022 was placed near 100.

Professionals associations questioned the rationale in targeting them against the backdrop of the failure on the part of the government to collect taxes, penalties and interest due from various companies and individuals.

They asked whether the government wanted to collect taxes only from those who earned a fixed monthly income.

The Committee was also told how even arrears payments reimbursement of money spent on post graduate degrees, too, were subjected to tax.

At the onset of the proceedings, lawmaker Ranawaka explained measures taken by his Committee to streamline tax collection and instructions and directives issued to Inland Revenue Department, Customs and Excise.

MP Ranawaka told The Island that those responsible for revenue collection seemed to be pursuing their own agenda, regardless of further deterioration of the situation.

All News Advertisement

Related Topics:Featured MP Patali Champika Ranawaka

Up Next

SC ruling in respect of FR case: Ex-BASL Chief wants govt. to examine Acting IG’s case

Don't Miss

Jaffna schoolgirl clinches coveted title at Indian reality TV show

Click to comment

Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.30 noon 12 March 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 12 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 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.

Latest News

Nasa spacecraft weighing 1,300lb due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

The two Van Allen Probes were launched in 2012 [BBC]

A Van Allen Probe spacecraft weighing more than 1,300lb (600kg) is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere almost 14 years after its launch, Nasa says.

The spacecraft is projected to re-enter around 19:45 EDT (23:45 GMT) on Tuesday the US Space Force predicted, according to Nasa, though there is a 24-hour margin of “uncertainty” in the timing.

The Van Allen Probe A, which launched in 2012, is expected mostly to burn up as it travels through the atmosphere, though some components may survive.

The space agency said there is a one in 4,200 chance of being harmed by a piece of the probe, which it characterised as “low” risk.

The spacecraft and its twin, Van Allen Probe B, were on a mission to gather unprecedented data on Earth’s two permanent radiation belts.

It was not immediately clear where in Earth’s atmosphere the satellite is projected to re-enter. The BBC has contacted Nasa for further detail.

Nasa and the US Space Force have said they will monitor the re-entry and update any predictions.

The mission, which was originally designed to last two years, went on for almost seven. It ended after the spacecrafts ran out of fuel and were no longer able to orient themselves toward the Sun.

The probes flew through rings of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field from 2012 to 2019, in order to study how particles were gained and lost, per Nasa.

Those rings, called the Van Allen belts, shield Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms and streaming solar wind, which are harmful to humans and can damage technology.

The mission made significant discoveries, including the first data that show the existence of a transient third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity, Nasa said.

Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.

[BBC]

News

PM Visits the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, on 11 March 2026, and held bilateral discussions with Yvonne Pinto, Director General of IRRI, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the field of rice research and sustainable agricultural development.

During the meeting, discussions centered on rice cultivation in Sri Lanka, including the key challenges faced by Sri Lankan paddy farmers. The Prime Minister highlighted issues affecting the sector such as productivity constraints, climate-related impacts, and the need to support farmers through improved agricultural practices and technological innovations.

Both sides also discussed the importance of introducing modern techniques and research-driven approaches to rice cultivation in order to enhance productivity and ensure long-term food security. In this regard, IRRI shared insights on ongoing global research initiatives aimed at improving rice varieties, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

The discussion further focused on the potential for expanded collaboration between Sri Lanka and IRRI, particularly in areas such as research partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for Sri Lankan agricultural institutions and farmers. The Prime Minister emphasized Sri Lanka’s interest in strengthening cooperation with IRRI to support the development of the country’s rice sector and to improve the livelihoods of paddy farmers.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of science-based agricultural innovation and international collaboration in addressing food security challenges and enhancing sustainable rice production in Sri Lanka.