The Ministry of Health today (29) celebrated the one-year anniversary of the commencement of the Covid vaccination drive in Sri Lanka to save the country from the global epidemic.
The Covid Vaccination one-year anniversary National program is held under the theme “Eksathwa – Eksithwa – Sawimathwa” as a tribute to the humanity who challenged the plague.
This celebration is currently being held as a simple ceremony with the participation of Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of State for Covid Administration Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Former Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of State Channa Jayasumana, health sector officials, doctors nurses, and with the blessing of religious leaders.
Celebrations to mark the one-year anniversary of the vaccination program will be held islandwide today at the divisional level and at the level of the Medical Officer of Health divisions.
Below is the live telecast of the national program to mark the one-year anniversary of vaccination.
Another 82 Omicron patients have been identified in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Head of the Department of Allergy, Anthropology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, said that they met during research conducted at the University Laboratory.
It was also reported that at present, 95% of the covid infections found in Sri Lanka within a day are of the Omicron type.
Covid anti-booster dosage reduces the covid mortality rate by 99%, says Eric Topol, an American physician.
He made the revelation after analyzing data from several countries including the United States, Switzerland, where the omicron variant is widely spread.
He also points out that the booster dose has been able to reduce the number of hospitalizations of covid patients by 97%.
This is confirmed by the analysis of a large number of global data on booster doses, second doses, first doses, or none.
Therefore, the specialist should point out that he is not aware of any other medical treatment that has or has exceeded such a relative risk reduction.
Retired Maj. Gen. Jagath Alwis, Secretary to the Ministry of Defense, has made a special statement regarding the investigation into the recent bomb blast at the All Saints Church in Borella. Below is the video of the special statement made by him.
Doctor arrested over Borella bomb incident responsible for two such incidents.
The retired doctor from Piliyandala who was arrested in connection with the incident of a hand grenade recovered from All Saints’ Church premises in Borella recently, has been responsible for similar acts at a private hospital in Narahenpita and the Bellanwila temple, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Retired Major General Jagath Alwis said as reported by Daily Mirror in its online edition.
In a video clip released to the press, he said that the doctor had got another person who was arrested from Embilipitiya, to plant the bombs inside these places. The video shows Mr. Alwis flanked by IGP C.D. Wickramaratne and Senior DIG, Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon.
“However, it is yet to be ascertained as to how these individuals secured these bombs.
Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlüt Cavuşoğlu said the attention has been paid on promoting trade between Sri Lanka and Turkey.
The Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister said this while speaking at a meeting held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (28).
Minister Cavuşoğlu pointed out that the diversification of trade will open up the Turkish market to a wide range of Sri Lankan products. The Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister also said that steps would be taken to educate his country’s entrepreneurs about investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka.
Extending wishes from the Turkish President to President Rajapaksa, Minister Cavuşoğlu renewed the invitation made last year to visit Turkey.
President Rajapaksa thanked the Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister for the assistance provided by Turkey to control the Covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador of Turkey R. Demet Sekercioglu, Special Advisor Koray Ertas, Spokesperson Tanju Bilgic, Head of Chancery at the Turkish Embassy Muhammed Bilal Sagalm, Foreign Minister Professor G. L. Peiris, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage were also present.
The High Court in Puttalam refused denied bail to Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah on Friday on the ground that it has no jurisdiction to grant such bails.
On 20th January, the Attorney General’s (AG) Department said it has no objections to releasing Hizbullah on bail subject to conditions. The AG’s Department informed the Court of Appeal that the bail will be granted only if the defense makes an application for bail at the Puttalam High Court when the case is taken up for hearing Friday.Jan 28.
The Puttalam High Court judge said that it is not under her jurisdiction to issue such bails, despite the Attorney General consenting to bail.
The judge further informed the defense to request bail from the Court of Appeal on the 9th of February 2022.
Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah was arrested in April 2020 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and has been in remand custody for over 20 months.
An indictment had been served on Hejaaz Hizbullah under the PTA and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act accusing him of making certain statements to students in contravention of these laws.
The Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa stated that what is happening in the country today is that the rulers have all the benefits and the people have nothing.
He also said that President John F. Kennedy had said “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich”, adding that he, the opposition leader could never forget the silent majority.
The first-anniversary celebration of the Employees Union affiliated with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya was held on 25th at the Colombo New Town Hall.
The Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and many leading political leaders had participated in the occasion.
The Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa further stated,
“Two reports were recently published about the super-rich people. A similar report was published in our country about the richest group of people in our country. The super-rich people got richer during the Covid period. Millionaire leaders have become richer. The Oxfam report says that even though the top ten millionaires have become even richer, the majority of the poor have gone deeper into poverty. Today people cannot complete their three main meals. Our children have to write exams. This is such a heroic government that can not even provide an uninterrupted power supply. “
A large number of trade union representatives representing the Samagi Jana Balaweka were present at the event.
Sri Lanka’s Representative to Palestine, Nawalage Bennet Cooray met with the Minister of Health of the State of Palestine in Ramallah on 20 January 2022 and held discussions on the Covid – 19 situations of both Sri Lanka and Palestine. Dr. Mai Al – Kailah explained the vaccination program in Palestine and presented facts and figures of the Palestinian people who have received two doses of vaccines as well as booster shots.
Representative Cooray spoke on the long relationship between the two countries and the support that Sri Lanka has extended to Palestine in all international forums. He stated that more than 85% of Sri Lanka has received double vaccinations.
The Minister of Health stated that the Palestinian government puts maximum effort to provide all Palestinians a healthy and decent life specially those who were directly infected by the Pandemic. Representative Cooray suggested creating a stronger link between the Health Ministries of both countries that could be beneficial to both through possible import and export of medicines.Dr. Mai Al – Kailah concluded the meeting by thanking the Government of Sri Lanka for the longstanding support extended to Palestine and its people.
VAPA TELEVISION, the first television channel to be launched by a Sri Lankan university, will begin broadcasting on February 2.
On that day, at 9.15 am, the Wapa channel will launch its broadcasts at an auspicious time.
You have the opportunity to watch it through Peo TV on channel number 123.
The theme of the channel is ‘Television Alakamandawa’.
The main purpose of this is to be the channel of ‘Shiksha Nanda’.
This new step by the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, which is the foundation of the majority of pioneers in the various fields of art in Sri Lanka, is a great help in fulfilling the aspirations of the students.
Also, alumni and all those working in the field of education can make the maximum contribution through the Vapa channel to publish their creations, research, innovations, etc. to the public.
Vapa Television will be launched under the patronage of Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Education and Dullas Alahapperuma, Hon. Minister of Mass Media. Unlike local TV channels, Wapa TV can be used by as a backdrop for re-developing lost opportunities and relationships as they have ample time allotted for aesthetic, artistic, or academic interactions and related experiences or for modern social access.
Vapa Television is Implemented according to the concept of the current Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Senior Professor Dr. Rohana P. Mahaliyanarachchi.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu arrived in Sri Lanka today on an official visit.
Turkish Foreign Minister arrives with a delegation of thirteen was welcomed by the Minister of State for Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, at the Katunayake Airport.
The visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister is a one-day official visit and he is scheduled to leave Sri Lanka this afternoon.
One person was killed and 17 others were injured when a bus carrying employees of a garment factory veered off the road and fell into a ditch this morning.
The Police Media Spokesman’s Office stated that the bus had fallen into a precipice of about 45 feet.
The media spokesman’s office stated that 08 women and 08 men were injured in the accident and were first admitted to the Dickoya Hospital. One of the victims was seriously injured and died later.
Police suspect that the cause of the accident was speeding. The driver then fled the scene.
The Hatton Police Traffic Division is investigating the accident.
The Director-General of Health Services has issued a new set of health guidelines regarding the control of Covid, treating individuals who have not received the booster dose as not fully vaccinated or partially vaccinated.
It also provides an opportunity to engage in daily activities without quarantine, even if a person is a near associate of a covid infected person as long as that person does not show any symptoms.
However, if they were diagnosed with covid symptoms, they should be tested immediately using rapid antigen or PCR. To be qualified as fully vaccinated, a person over 20 years of age should have received both doses and have completed two weeks after the second dose. If anyone has completed more than three months after taking the second dose, the booster dose should be taken else they are not fully vaccinated.
If you are 16-19 years old, you should have taken both doses and have completed two weeks after the second dose.
Between the ages of 12 and 15, one dose should be taken and have completed two weeks after the first dose.
It is mandatory for all near-associates of covid patients, who have not been fully vaccinated to be placed under quarantine for 7 days.
The Department of Measurement Units and Standards Services states that the installation of meters for rental three-wheelers will commence from the 1st of February.
Accordingly, it will be mandatory for every three-wheeler to have a meter installed in the future, said the Director of the Measurement Unit, Standards Services Department, S. N. Akuranthilaka.
He also stated that the metering program for rental three-wheelers is being carried out at the level of the Divisional Secretariats.
He also said that the three-wheelers fitted with meters will be affixed with a sticker for easy identification of the people.
Meanwhile, when installing units of meters, it should be considered whether they are standardized units and should be registered with the Department of Standardized Measurement Units and Standards Services, said Mr. Akuranthilaka.
Consumers complain that there is still a shortage of gas in many parts of the country.
About a month ago, Litro announced that it would end the gas shortage in two to three weeks, but there are still reports of gas shortages in the market.
Meanwhile, shop owners say they have not received Laugfs gas stocks for several months.
Spokespersons for Litro and Laugfs Gas said imports were limited due to the dollar crisis.
Therefore, there is still a shortage of gas in the market, according to him.
The government has decided to establish a tourist zone similar to the Colombo port city around the Galle port.
Ports Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena told newswaveLK that the construction will be carried out on an area of 40 hectares by filling the sea.
This was revealed by the Minister at a conference held in Colombo yesterday (26) with the participation of a group of foreign investors on Zoom technology for the development of the Galle Port.
A new breakwater is to be constructed near the Galle Harbor, the Minister said.
With that, private investors will build shopping malls, hotels, etc. in the 40-hectare area around the Galle Port, similar to the Colombo Port City, the Minister said.
Sri Lanka Parliament is scheduled to meet from February 8th to 11th, the Secretary-General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said on Wednesday, Jan 26.
The decision was taken at the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on January 21.
Accordingly, from February 8 tiil 10, time have been allotted from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. for Questions for Oral Answers.
Second Reading of Two Regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 and the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund (Amendment) Bill will be taken up for debate on February 8 from 11.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Following the business of the Government, the Sri Shakysinharama Viharastha Karyasadhaka Sanvidanaya (Incorporation) Bill to be moved to the Legislative Standing Committee after the second reading.
It was also decided to proceed with the Second Reading of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines Bill, Judicature (Amendment) Bill, Civil Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill to be taken up for debate on February 9 from 11.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris addressed the Diplomatic Community at the Foreign Ministry Auditorium on 26th January 2022. This is the first diplomatic briefing in the new year.
At the outset, the Foreign Minister appreciated the opportunity to meet with the entire diplomatic corps as a continuation of the regular briefings organized by the Ministry to share current developments. The objective of today’s briefing was to share information on progress related to human rights and reconciliation as part of the continued engagement ahead of the upcoming 49th Session of the Human Rights Council, which will commence in the last week of February.
The Minister recalled that at the September 2021 Session of the Human Rights Council he reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to the promotion and protection of Human Rights and to remaining engaged with the United Nations including the Human Rights Council. In this context, the Minister referred to the constructive engagement with the international community in a spirit of cooperation and dialogue.
Foreign Minister Peiris said the Government of Sri Lanka has undertaken substantial efforts with a view to accountability, restorative justice, and meaningful reconciliation which efforts were by the work of domestic institutions, and invited the heads of these institutions to brief on the tangible progress made. Accordingly, presentations on the progress made by domestic institutions during the past year were made by: Ms. Dhara Wijayatilake, Chairperson of the Office for Reparations (OR), Ms. Chamindry Saparamadu, Director General, Sustainable Development Council (SDC), Mr. Deepthi Lamahewa, Director General, Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR), Mr. T.Thapparan, Head of Legal Division, Office of Missing Persons (OMP), Mr. Nihal Chandrasiri, Director, Research and Monitoring of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL).
The Minister was particularly pleased to inform that after 43 years, the Prevention of Terrorism Act is being amended with the objective of bringing it in line with international norms and best practices. He informed that Cabinet approval has been obtained to gazette the bill containing the proposed amendments and thereafter to table the bill in Parliament for final approval. The Minister explained that the PTA is being amended after lengthy deliberations over several months.
He added that the substantive amendments to the PTA include amendments to the sections on detention orders, restriction orders, expressly recognizing judicial review of orders, expeditious disposal of cases of those charged to avoid long term detention, repealing sections impinging on freedom of expression, and introduction of provisions on access by magistrates and judicial medical officers, prevention of maltreatment and torture during the detention period, right to communicate with the family, grant of bail to long term detainees and day to day hearing of cases.
The annual ‘Jaya Pirith’ chanting ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Defence to invoke blessings on the country and the people were held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) premises, yesterday (26).
The ‘Jaya Piritha’ chanting ceremony was held with the participation of 1,000 Bhikkhus invited from across the country including Maha Nayaka and Anunayaka Theras. Invoking blessings on family members of fallen war heroes, disabled war heroes and the Tri-Forces is another objective of this religious ceremony.
The Jaya Piritha was initially held under a notion of the former Defence Secretary and current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with the participation of between 3,000 to 5,000 Bhikkhus. Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne said that due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation, only 1,000 Bhikkhus have been invited to chant the Jaya Pirith this year.
Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne and Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath carried the sacred relics casket and Piruwana Poth Wahanse (Pirith Volume) to the ‘Pirith Mandapaya’ and later President Rajapaksa placed the sacred relics casket in the ‘Pirith Mandapaya’ and offered Gilanpasa Pooja and Adishtana Pooja in order to invite the Maha Sangha to chant Jaya Piritha. The Maha Sangha conducting the sermon wished the entire nation good health and happiness following the success of the programmes carried out by the health sector to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The Maha Sangha emphasized that it is the responsibility of all to understand the challenging time period faced by the entire world during the past two years and to assist in achieving the success of the President’s initiatives for the future of the country.
The chanting of Jaya Pirith commenced after the sermons conducted by the Anunayaka Thera of Malwatta Chapter the Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera, Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Veduruwe Upali Thera, Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Nayake Thera, Supreme Leader of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Dodampahala Chandrasiri Thera and Ven. Prof. Medagoda Abhayatissa Thera.
The President also participated in the alms giving ceremony held this morning (27).
The Presidential Secretariat, the Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the office of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Three Armed Forces, the Sri Lanka Police and the Civil Security Department contributed to this religious event.
Cabinet Ministers, Governors, State Ministers, Members of Parliament and People’s Representatives, Secretary to the President, Principal Advisor to the President and other Government Officials including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, members of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Security Department, and family members of war veterans were also present.
Ambassador Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama presented Credentials to the President of the Portuguese Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at a ceremony held on 17 January 2022 at the Ajuda National Palace, Lisbon, Portugal.
Ambassador Prof. Hirimburegama while presenting her credentials, conveyed to the President of Portuguese Republic greetings from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and expressed his commitment to further strengthen the relationship between Portugal and Sri Lanka, particularly in the areas of investment promotion, tourism, and trade.
Further, Ambassador drew her attention to the historical relationship between the two countries that existed since 1505, that the Portuguese established trade relations with the Kotte Kingdom at the time. Also, she mentioned that during the early 16th-century Portuguese intentions were directed towards defending their trading interests, particularly the lucrative spice trade and also mentioned Portuguese influence in Sri Lanka then Ceylon, during the 1500s with respect to language, music and cuisine.
In response, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa conveyed that due to the remarkable historical relationship between the two countries, both countries could work together to strengthen the relations between two nations in the bilateral and multilateral arena.
The Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association says that the price of a book will have to be increased by 50% due to the price of paper in the market.
The secretary of the association Upali Wanigasuriya said that the decision was taken due to the current crisis in the dollar as the prices of 70 GSM paper used for book publishing have also increased by Rs. 2000.
He said that a roll of paper which was Rs. 3,000 in the market has now increased to Rs. 5,000.
He further stated that book publishing houses have been closed down due to the high price of raw materials.
Chairman of the Ceylon Thriposha Company Deepthi Kularatne states that the production of Thriposha has been hampered due to the lack of maize suitable for human consumption.
He said that due to the lack of proper standards, 05 containers of maize obtained from suppliers were also returned in the last few days.
However, steps are being taken to obtain 1,500 metric tons of maize as soon as possible, he said.
Sri Lanka Thriposha Company says that 50 metric tons of maize is required per day to produce Thriposha.
Due to the shortage of maize in Sri Lanka, maize is imported from the United States, Brazil, India and Pakistan.
However, due to the prevailing corona situation, maize production in those countries has also declined and the price of maize has also gone up, Thriposha company states.
