News
NHSL stops most lab tests; officials, private sector make a killing
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), Colombo, has stopped most of the biochemical tests due to the non-availability of the reagents, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) Ravi Kumudesh told The Island yesterday.
“Most patients are asked to get these tests done in private labs. A number of senior officials at the NHSL are connected to private labs. Therefore, they have no interest in sorting out the reagent shortage,” he said.Kumudesh said the Health Ministry had not been officially notified about the reagent shortage at the NHSL.
“Among the tests that are not conducted are ALT, AST, Bilirubin, Creatinine, Cholesterol, HDL, ALP Protein, Magnesium, Calcium, Amylase and TSH. These are very common tests. Even the Emergency and Essential Services Laboratory can only conduct a few tests. These tests are done using reagents produced at the NHSL,” he said.
The CMLS head said that the shortage of reagents was not due to shortage of funds. Some influential officials wanted laboratory tests done by the private sector while others allowed a few companies to control the reagent market, he said.
“These officials want to purchase some reagents that are not even registered with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority. There are some companies, registered with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority that can supply reagents at a low price. However, powerful officers insist on the products of their pet companies. Because of this artificially created shortage, the public is suffering,” he said.
Kumudesh said that 60 million dollars remained in the Indian credit line for medicine. Instead of buying reagents from India, some officials want to buy ‘branded’ products, Kumudesh said.Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath, contacted for comment, said that there might be shortages of reagents at the NHSL, but supplies would be replenished shortly.
News
Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.
She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.
The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations. 
The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.
Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.
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