Colombo, Jan. 1 (Daily Mirror) - With the imposition of the new VAT from today, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has decided to revise its fuel prices with effect from midnight yesterday. Accordingly, a litre of Lanka Petrol 92 Octane (Rs. 346) has been increased by Rs. 20, and its new retail price will be Rs. 366. A litre of Lanka Petrol 95 Octane Euro 4 (Rs. 426) has been increased by Rs. 38, and its new retail price will be Rs. 464. A litre of Lanka Auto Diesel (Rs. 329) has been increased by Rs. 29, and its new retail price will be Rs. 358. A litre of Lanka Super Diesel 4 Star Euro 4 (Rs. 434) has been increased by Rs. 41, and its new retail price will be Rs. 475. A litre of Lanka Kerosene (Rs. 247) has been reduced by Rs. 11, and its new retail price will be Rs. 236.
Posts
Colombo, Dec 31 (Daily Mirror) - Approximately 600 complaints are lodged annually, involving health staff, including doctors, Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana revealed. He made these remarks at a ceremony held at Peradeniya Teaching Hospital recently. The Health Minister addressed concerns over the consistent influx of complaints related to medical negligence in the health sector. Expressing his concern, the minister highlighted that this year's complaint figures mirrored those of the previous year, raising questions about the sector's commitment to patient welfare. During the ceremony, he underscored the pivotal role played by hospital staff, particularly doctors, in delivering quality healthcare. However, Minister Pathirana pointed out that a thorough analysis of patient complaints had uncovered numerous mistakes, emphasizing the urgent need for heightened dedication from health sector professionals. As the health sector grapples with challenges, Mi
UK, Dec 31 (BBC) - A Sri Lankan-origin pioneer of location-tracking technology has been appointed OBE in the King's New Year Honours. Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan, who founded Cambridge company PervasID, devised a real-time location tracking system used by NHS trusts, hospitals, aircraft manufacturers and retailers. He is among 105 people in the East honoured for their exceptional contribution to their communities. He said he was "absolutely over the moon, thrilled" to receive the award. Dr Sithamparanathan is recognised for services to innovation technology and the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) subjects in education. He said it was "a great honour and testament to the hard work and innovation of the entire team". In hospitals, his system uses electromagnetic fields to track surgical instruments, ensuring they are decontaminated and sterilised properly, and available in the right place at the right time. Retailers hav
Colombo, Dec 30 (Daily Mirror) -Minister of Health Dr Ramesh Pathirana has urgently requested a comprehensive report from the Director of the Colombo National Hospital over a tragic death of a patient following the administration of high levels of carbon dioxide. The incident has raised alarming questions about potential medical negligence, as it is reported that the patient may have been mistakenly administered high levels of carbon dioxide instead of life-sustaining oxygen. According to sources, the alleged mix-up in administering gases has prompted heightened scrutiny as it is suggested that such negligence could have dire consequences, potentially leading to the loss of a patient's life.
By Nishel Fernando Colombo, Dec 30 (Daily Mirror) - Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said yesterday any government could renegotiate the programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) but it would be required to follow the path chosen currently to get international support. Addressing a press conference, he said if the chosen path is broken, no support will be forthcoming internationally. The IMF programme began on September 1, last year. After disbursing the first tranche, it’s again negotiated what our commitments are before disbursing the next tranche. So, it will be a continuous process of renegotiation to change policies in a timely manner, whatever the government is in power for the next four years. There are no restrictions for that. But, the key element is we need to move forward with the programme in order to obtain international support,” he said. He said the foreign governments and other commercial entities are extending the debt relief only on the un
Colombo, Dec.29 (Daily Mirror) - The price of liquor will increase between Rs. 90 to Rs. 150 due to the 18 percent increase in value-added tax, or VAT, from January 1, liquor companies claimed. They further say that this is due to the addition of VAT on ethanol, empty liquor bottles, liquor labels, caps and bottles containing manufactured liquor. Accordingly, the price of a bottle of arrack with a current selling price of Rs. 3,260 may increase by Rs. 90, and the new price will be Rs. 3,350. However, the excise duty on liquor has been increased on two occasions this year with the aim of government increasing revenue.
Colombo, Dec.29 (Daily Mirror) - While assuring that there is no outbreak of COVID or any other infectious diseases in Colombo city at the moment, an official from Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said residents of the city should take precautions to prevent any outbreak. "There is no outbreak of COVID or any other viral diseases in Colombo at the moment. However precautions such as wearing face masks should be taken in order to prevent outbreaks in the future," a medical expert attached to CMC told Daily Mirror. "We together with other medical experts in health sectors have had meetings and decided that people in the city should be asked to be vigilant," he added. Two COVID deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka from Kandy and Gampaha districts recently.
BY FAROOK THAJUDEEN Colombo, Dec. 28 (Daily Mirror)- Counsel appearing for the first suspect, owner of the company Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt) Ltd, involved in the substandard human immunoglobulin deal, told the court that he followed the instructions of the then Health Minister saying that "The Minister asked me to do, I did it". Counsel Jaliya Samarasinghe told this in Court before Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrame. The Maligakanda Magistrate queried the CID whether former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella had prior knowledge of the drug scam that involved over Rs. 01 billion of public money. Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama made this observation following counsel for two suspects in the case alleging that when their clients had mentioned the name of former Minister Keheliya Rambuwella as the person who had ordered them to carry out the deal of the substandard human immunoglobulin, the CID had failed to mention Minister Keheliya’s name in the statements o
Colombo, Dec. 21 (Daily Mirror)-The Inland Revenue Department has issued the list of goods and services that would be exempted from the Value Added Tax (VAT) with effect from January 1, 2024. The list of items included Wheat and Wheat Flour, Infant Milk Powder, Pharmaceutical Products, Drugs and Crude Petroleum Oil. PN_VAT_2023-01_18122023_E -... by dmonlinelk
Colombo, Dec.22 (Daily Mirror) - With the uptick of cases of influenza-like illnesses in Sri Lanka, medical experts reckon that JN.1 — an Omicron sub-lineage may be seen in the community. However, they rule out any imminent threat as Sri Lanka has successfully managed previous waves and the country is prepared if there is an increase in cases. According to Prof. Chandima Jeewandara, Head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine and Director Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, in India (Kochi) 30% of all patients with influenza-like illnesses who were tested have turned out to be Covid positive in a span of about 24 hours. “In Sri Lanka, testing is quite low, close to zero. So we don’t know where we stand. But like in the past this JN.1 sub variant will emerge and it may have already with the observation of increases in influenza-like illnesses in Sri Lanka,” he underscored. “What we know is that Cov
Colombo, Dec 26 (Daily Mirror) - The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is currently recording a statement from former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. Police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that a group of CID officers visited the Minister's residence in Colombo this morning to record a statement in connection with the import of substandard Human Immunoglobulin to the country.
Colombo, Dec.26 (Daily Mirror) - The Ministry of Health asserted that the risk of the JN-1 sub-variant spreading in Sri Lanka is currently deemed very low. However, the Ministry said to assess this risk, the Medical Research Institute has been directed to conduct genetic tests in collaboration with the Southeast Asia Regional Office of the WHO. As part of proactive measures, the Ministry has intensified COVID-19 testing efforts, especially in major hospitals. Recent tests have yielded promising results, with a notably low number of COVID-19 cases reported, and recent samples testing negative, according to the Ministry's statement. Despite these encouraging findings, the Ministry underscores the importance of adhering to preventive measures. Meanwhile, expert advice emphasizes practices like wearing masks, frequent handwashing, maintaining distance, and observing proper cough and sneeze etiquettes to curb the spread of influenza and respiratory diseases.
Colombo, Dec.26 (Daily Mirror) - The Ministry of Health asserted that the risk of the JN-1 sub-variant spreading in Sri Lanka is currently deemed very low. However, the Ministry said to assess this risk, the Medical Research Institute has been directed to conduct genetic tests in collaboration with the Southeast Asia Regional Office of the WHO. As part of proactive measures, the Ministry has intensified COVID-19 testing efforts, especially in major hospitals. Recent tests have yielded promising results, with a notably low number of COVID-19 cases reported, and recent samples testing negative, according to the Ministry's statement. Despite these encouraging findings, the Ministry underscores the importance of adhering to preventive measures. Meanwhile, expert advice emphasizes practices like wearing masks, frequent handwashing, maintaining distance, and observing proper cough and sneeze etiquettes to curb the spread of influenza and respiratory diseases.
Colombo, Dec.25 (Daily Mirror) - The Road Development Authority (RDA) has recorded more than a 40 percent revenue increase from the users of the expressways since last Friday (22), RDA Director General L.V.S. Weerakoon said. He said that Rs. 46,457,600 was collected from 140,791 total exits between last Friday (22) and Saturday (23) including Rs. 27,719,450 from E-01 and E-02 interchanges, Rs. 14,655,950 from E-03 and 4,082,200 from E-04. Rs. 50,174,550 was collected as revenue between Saturday (23) and Sunday (24) in lieu of Rs. 31,496,800 from E-01 and E-02, Rs. 13,528,400 from E-03 and Rs. 5,149,350 from E-04, for a total of 145,503 exits. Meanwhile, Rs. 42,742,200 in revenue was collected between Sunday (24) and Monday (25), including Rs. 27,783,750 from E-01 and E-02, Rs. 10,117,150 from E-03, and Rs. 4,511,300 from E-04 from 121,418 exits. According to the revenue recorded on Saturday (23), it was the highest ever recorded in a single day on the highway, and it is about 40% m
Colombo, Dec.24 (Daily Mirror) - SriLankan Airlines today extended apologies to customers affected by recent travel disruptions involving a series of cancellations and delays. The airline faced challenges as two Airbus A330 aircraft were grounded for several days during this busy period. One aircraft required an extended check, with a part replacement delayed due to a global supply shortage. The other experienced a burst tire incident in Paris. Simultaneously, delays in receiving two spare engines and a newly leased A320 aircraft further strained the operational fleet, leading to unavoidable flight cancellations and delays. SriLankan Airlines acknowledges the inconvenience caused to passengers during the festive season and expresses regret for any disruption to travel plans. The airline said they are working tirelessly to expedite travel arrangements for affected passengers. Looking ahead, significant improvements are expected in the coming days. The recently leased A320 aircra
By Shane Sheneviratna Kandy, Dec 24 (Daily Mirror)- A suspected Covid-19 death was reported from the National Hospital in Kandy yesterday (23). According to sources, the victim is a 65-year-old man from the Atgala area of Gampola. The individual was initially admitted with breathing difficulties and a lung infection, and a post-mortem PCR test confirmed his Covid-19 infection, according to sources from National Hospital, Kandy. This incident marks a notable event as it is reported after a considerable period of relative calm since the conclusion of the Ccvid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Prof. Chandima Jeewandara, Head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, recently said that with the uptick of cases of influenza-like illnesses in Sri Lanka, JN.1 — an Omicron sub-lineage may be seen in the community.
Colombo, Dec 23 (Daily Mirror) - Prisons across the country are facing a serious problem of too many people crammed into limited space. The situation has gotten worse due to increased police operations, with over 10,000 suspects nabbed in a recent crackdown on drugs and underworld activities. Recent data from the Prisons Department shows that there are a whopping 30,000 inmates detained in 30 prisons across the country, even though these facilities are meant to hold only around 13,000 inmates. It was reported that more than half of the inmates in prison are awaiting trial, stuck behind bars for a long time because of delays in the legal process. The Police last week launched an island-wide operation to curb drug-related and underworld activities, where more than 10,000 suspects have been arrested. Public Security Ministry sources said that those arrested for serious crimes such as possession of drugs will be put in jail, while those accused of minor offences might be let out on pol
The Government has announced that payment of bonuses to the staff of state institutions should be made for the year 2023 only if the particular institution has earned profits during the financial year 2022 and has paid at least 30% of the profit after tax as dividends to the Consolidated Fund. State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe took to Twitter stating that bonuses for the staff of Commercial Corporations, Statutory Boards and Government Owned Companies for the year 2023 should be granted if the institutions have earned profits during the financial year 2022 and have paid at least 30% of the profit after tax as dividend to the Consolidated Fund. He said if these institutions have earned profits during the financial year 2022 but have not paid at least 30% of the profit after tax as dividend to the Consolidated Fund, or have recorded a loss during the financial year 2022, then they are not entitled to a bonus based on the profitability of the institution.
Colombo, Dec 22 (Daily Mirror) - Danushka Gunathilaka who was cleared over rape charges by an Australian court has also been cleared by his club, the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) to resume domestic cricket with immediate effect, the SSC said today. He will play in the Major Club Limited Over Tournament, organised by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Accordingly, he is likely to return to action next week.
By Shane Seneviratne President Ranil Wickremesinghe has drawn special attention to a Daily Mirror article published on Wednesday stating that a majority of underage girls in at least 17 police station areas within the Kandy Police Division have been involved in consensual sex. A senior official from the Presidential Secretariat, responding to the Daily Mirror article titled "Girls raped at their own will" published in Wednesday's edition, had inquired about this matter from the relevant doctor who gave the information to the journalist. It is also learnt that the Presidential Secretariat officials had informed the doctor that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to appoint a special presidential investigation team to look into the matter. As reported in the Daily Mirror article, a recent survey has revealed that more than 5,000 girls under 16 years of age in the Kandy Police Division have been involved in consensual sex. Attorney-at-Law Dr. Palitha Bandara Suba
Colombo, Dec.22 (Daily Mirror) - With the uptick of cases of influenza-like illnesses in Sri Lanka, medical experts reckon that JN.1 — an Omicron sub-lineage may be seen in the community. However, they rule out any imminent threat as Sri Lanka has successfully managed previous waves and the country is prepared if there is an increase in cases. According to Prof. Chandima Jeewandara, Head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine and Director Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, in India (Kochi) 30% of all patients with influenza-like illnesses who were tested have turned out to be Covid positive in a span of about 24 hours. “In Sri Lanka, testing is quite low, close to zero. So we don’t know where we stand. But like in the past this JN.1 sub variant will emerge and it may have already with the observation of increases in influenza-like illnesses in Sri Lanka,” he underscored. “What we know is that Cov
Colombo, Dec. 21 (Daily Mirror)-The Inland Revenue Department has issued the list of goods and services that would be exempted from the Value Added Tax (VAT) with effect from January 1, 2024. The list of items included Wheat and Wheat Flour, Infant Milk Powder, Pharmaceutical Products, Drugs and Crude Petroleum Oil. PN_VAT_2023-01_18122023_E -... by dmonlinelk
BY SHANE SENEVIRATNE Kandy, Dec. 20 (Daily Mirror) A recent survey has revealed that more than 5,000 girls under 16 years of age had been sexually abused within four years. Attorney at law Dr. Palitha Bandara Subasinghe of Kandy National Hospital said 6307 complaints on rape of girls under 16 years of age had been received by police stations all over the country from 2018 to 2021 and 5055 of them had been raped with their consent. Dr.Subasinghe said 132 girls under 16 years of age in 17 police areas in the Kandy police division had been raped for the last three years and the majority of them had been raped with consent. He said only 15 girls for the three years under review had been raped by force.