News
UNICEF funds installation of oxygen generation plant at Tissamaharama
… to meet requirement of all SP and Moneragala hospitals
Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Maheepala recently opened an oxygen generation plant at the Tissamaharama government hospital. UNICEF has provided the funding required for the project.The Health Ministry spokesman said that the new facility, built at a cost of Rs 50 mn, could meet the oxygen requirement of all government hospitals in the Hambantota district.
The official said that this was in line with instructions issued by Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana with a view to improving overall health sector facilities in the provinces.
Dr. Pathirana replaced Keheliya Rambukwella as Health Minister in Oct, 2023, in the wake of the disclosure of massive health sector corruption.
According to the official, the new facility could produce enough oxygen to fill 900 jumbo cylinders of oxygen a month whereas the total requirement of the Hambantota district government hospitals was 250 jumbo cylinders. Revealing that the monthly requirement of Tissamaharama hospital had been 53 jumbo cylinders of oxygen, the official said that the Tissamaharama hospital spent Rs 300,000 on liquid oxygen.After having met the requirement of Hambantota district hospitals, the surplus would be allocated to hospitals in the Galle, Matara and Moneragala districts, he said.
With the installation of an oxygen generation plant at Tissamaharama, the total number of such facilities has been increased to five. Earlier oxygen generating plants were provided to Nawalapitiya, Avissawella, Udugama and Kegalle hospitals.
Dr. Maheepala assured the top management of Tissamaharama hospital that Rs 30 mn for development of the hospital and Rs 50 mn to procure an endoscopy machine would also be provided.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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