News

PCR testing can be increased by 300% overnight, say govt. Medical Lab Technologists

Published

5 years ago

2021/06/11

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘No additional machines, personnel required’

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President Ravi Kumudesh yesterday disputed a Health Ministry claim that that PCR testing could not be increased in the short run.

Kumudesh said that there was no immediate need for more PCR machines, and the ones already available could be used to conduct more tests if the Health Ministry so desired.

“With the existing machines and the personnel handling them, we can easily increase PCR testing by 300% overnight,” Kumudesh said.

Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath claimed at a press conference yesterday that although there was a demand for increasing PCR testing, that task could not be carried out so easily.

He said there would have to be more PCR machines and more specialised personnel such as medical Laboratory Technologists and microbiologists, for PCR testing to be ramped up. There were not enough PCR machines,he said.

However, when the CMLS President was asked for comment, he said if the Health Ministry was keen to conduct more tests, the available PCR machines and personnel were sufficient.

Kumudesh said that some existing PCR machines could not be operated for want of reagents.

“None of the state-run medical labs are operating at full capacity. The facilities can operate 24 hours a day and there are facilities and personnel to carry out the task. All our members are willing to work longer hours given the pandemic situation,” Kumudesh said.

There was no shortage of PCR machines in the world market as countries like China that produce them were open and if the Health Ministry wanted to acquire them, it could do so easily, the CMLS President said.

Kumudesh said his association’s request that rapid antigen tests be conducted on suspected COVID infected OPD patients had gone unheeded. The delays in PCR tests conducted at state institutions had impeded surgical and medical procedures there, he said.

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Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lankan leopard cubs can be found at the Wild Africa exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (Straits Times)

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.

The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.

The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.

The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

*Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)*

A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)

Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.

(Straits Times)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories

Latest News

Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics

Published

3 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.

The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

20 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491