News
Only ophthalmic surgeon attached to Karapitiya hospital leaves country
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Those who seek treatment at the eye ward of the Karapitiya hospital have been greatly inconvenienced due to the migration of the consultant ophthalmic surgeon.
The doctor, who was the only ophthalmic surgeon attached to the ophthalmic surgical unit, has left the country
Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, said that a number of top doctors had left the country and that the Health Ministry should look into the worsening crisis.
Secretary to the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), Dr. Haritha Aluthge, said an MRI machine at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has broken down.
“The MRI scanner has been out of order for about three months. Doctors are now sending patients to Colombo and Kandy for scanning. People from Jaffna also come to Anuradhapura hospital, and they now have to travel to Colombo and Kandy,” he said.
The President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS), Ravi Kumudesh, told The Island that the private sector charged approximately Rs. 75,000 per MRI scan.
“The hospital has a contract with the company that sold the MRI and therefore the machine can be fixed. However, those in charge prefer to refer patients to the private sector,” he said.
Kumudesh said that there were long waiting lists as only 11 MRI scanners were functioning at the state-run hospitals in the country.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Lanka Premier League draft set to take place on March 22
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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