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Student of leading school at Ratnapura charged Rs 20 per puff of e-cigarette from schoolmates

Published

2 years ago

2024/03/12

By TKG Kapila

Commissioner General of Excise M.J. Gunasiri said yesterday that his Department had received a complaint that a student in a popular school in Ratnapura had charged other students Rs. 20 for one puff of an electronic cigarette.

The student concerned had taken an e-cigarette to school and shared it with others, within the school premises, Gunasiri said, adding that they had launched an investigation into the complaint.

He said that there was a rapid spread of electronic cigarettes in rural areas.

Gunasiri said so after inspecting a stock of e-cigarettes worth around Rs. 500,000, which had been recovered during raids conducted in Gampaha and Ja-Ela yesterday (11).

Gunasiri said that investigations had revealed a high use of e-cigarettes among school students and individuals below the age of 40 years, mostly in Colombo, Gampaha, and Panadura areas, and areas with a large population.

E-cigarettes are being sold and distributed via online platforms and they are mostly designed as smart watches, pen drives, power banks, and fragrant bottles. The authorities are facing difficulties in identifying e-cigarettes as they do not consist of the components of a normal cigarette but instead smell like various fruits, such as mango, orange, and cherry.

Each E-Cigarette consists of 50,000 to 60,000 puffs and can be utilised at any moment until it runs dry, while it is powered by being recharged electronically, he said, adding that investigations have revealed that electronic cigarettes are entering Sri Lanka via the Katunayake Airport, Colombo Port, and other sea routes.

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Related Topics:Commissioner General of Excise M.J. Gunasiri E-Cigarette

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Let’s build a new Sri Lanka upholding harmony, mutual respect by protecting the religious and cultural rights of others- PM

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/15

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya in her ThaiPongal day message, called upon all Sri Lankans to build a new Sri Lanka upholding harmony, noble qualities such as mutual respect and the protection of the religious and cultural rights of others.

The full text of the PM’s message:

“I extend my heartfelt greetings to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and abroad who celebrate the ThaiPongal festival, marking a pride tradition that expresses gratitude for the dignity of labour and the protection bestowed by nature.

This noble festivity manifests the world the inseparable bond between human life and nature. We are all creations of nature. There is no path we can take in defiance of nature or beyond it. In that sense, showing respect and gratitude in return for the blessings we receive from nature can be regarded as one of the highest human virtues.

As a nation, we stand today at a decisive turning point. We bear the collective responsibility of steering the country towards a “new era of revival” by bringing about a transformation in attitudes through policy and structural reforms. As a government we have accepted this responsibility and embarked with determination on a new year dedicated to the advancement of our nation even amidst numerous challenges,

As the saying goes, “We can place rice on our plate only if the farmer steps into the mud,” the commitment we make today for the future prosperity of the country is akin to preparing fertile fields in anticipation of a bountiful harvest. This ThaiPongal festival, which honours and expresses gratitude to nature, serves as a guiding light in nurturing citizens enriched with cultural values.

On this ThaiPongal Day, let us all resolve together to build a new Sri Lanka upholding harmony, noble qualities such as mutual respect and the protection of the religious and cultural rights of others.

I sincerely extend my wishes that all the hopes and aspirations of the Tamil people celebrating ThaiPongal may be fulfilled, and that this new beginning may bring happiness and prosperity to everyone.”

News

Ambassador of the United States of America to Sri Lanka pays farewell call on PM

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/15

Priyan

Ms. Julie Chung, Ambassador of the United States of America to Sri Lanka, paid a farewell call on the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on the 14th of January, marking the conclusion of her tenure in Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister warmly welcomed the Ambassador and expressed sincere appreciation for her service and significant contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the United States during her tenure. The Prime Minister conveyed special thanks to the Government of the United States for the timely assistance extended to Sri Lanka during the emergency situation following Cyclone Ditwah.

Ms. Julie Chung expressed her gratitude to the new Government of Sri Lanka for the cooperation, support, and spirit of mutual understanding extended to her throughout her tenure, and reaffirmed the continuity of partnership between the two countries.

During the meeting, discussions were held on ongoing cooperation under the Fulbright Scholarship Programme and the United States Peace Corps Programme, with both sides emphasizing their value in fostering strong people-to-people ties and long-term collaboration.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Jayne Howell, Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Menaka Nayyar, Counselor for Public and Cultural Affairs, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General of the Europe and North America Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Pramuditha Manusinghe, Director of the Europe and North America Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Doctors threaten strike

Published

21 hours ago

2026/01/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

The Executive Committee of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has set a 10-day deadline for the NPP government to implement the agreement reached between them and Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa recently.

The GMOA yesterday (14) declared that the decision to launch a countrywide strike on 23 January had been taken at the EC meeting held on Tuesday (13).

GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa said his Association had resorted to trade union action in the recent past against the failure on the part of the government to address their grievances through the 2026 Budget. However, the GMOA called off such trade union action after Dr. Jayatissa, in writing, assured that the Cabinet approval would be obtained to create a special category of public service as Sri Lanka Health Service to accommodate all categories of doctors and increase the doctors’ DAT (Disturbance, Availability, & Transport) allowance, resolve transport issues in terms of the 22/99 circular, transform additional allowance to a permanent allowance and resolve issues surrounding the research allowance.

The GMOA blamed Minister Jayatissa and the Health Ministry for the developing situation. (SF)