News

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has a new chairman in Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama.

He was appointed by health minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana today (31) at a meeting with the director board of the NMRA.

Dr. Wijewickrama joined the state service in 1992 and became a consultant physician in 2000.

Foreign travel ban

Meanwhile, three persons have been imposed with a foreign travel ban over the import of 22,500 substandard immunoglobulin vaccines by faking documents.

They are owner of the importing company Sugath Janaka Fernando alias ‘Aruna Deepthi’, NMRA’s chief executive director Dr. Vijith Gunasekara and director (supplies) at the Health Ministry Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake.

Maligakanda magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama yesterday imposed the ban upon considering submissions made by the Criminal Investigation Department.

COPA subcommittee instructions

In another development, a COPA subcommittee has instructed the University of Moratuwa to report on the information management system of the Health Ministry.

It has also advised a preparation of a timeframe to establish information management systems at 436 hospitals.

Such systems are already in place in 723 hospitals.

Sri Lanka has voted in favour of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s resolution calling for an immediate and sustained ‘humanitarian truce’ in Gaza.

A total of 120 countries, including Sri Lanka voted in favour of the resolution, while 14 countries, including Israel and the United States of America, voted against it.

India, Australia, Germany, Canada, Japan, Ukraine and the UK were among 45 countries that abstained from voting.

Accordingly, the UN General Assembly on Friday adopted the resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza.

The resolution also demands “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave, as news reports suggest Israel has expanded ground operations and intensified its bombing campaign.

Israel has intensified its bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip as internet and mobile communications services collapsed in the Palestinian territory. An extended series of large explosions lit up the sky over Gaza City after nightfall on Friday.

Israel has bombed the strip relentlessly since Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7 that killed more than 1,400 people.

Israel has also imposed a “complete siege” on Gaza, cutting access to food, water, fuel, and electricity for the enclave’s 2.3 million residents who have few options for seeking refuge.

The health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza has published a report listing the names of more than 6,000 “documented deaths” in Gaza since the attack.

The Court of Appeal today (31) nullified the writ petition that was filed seeking an order abolishing the parliamentary seat of State Minister Diana Gamage, following a split decision by the 3-judge bench.

Social activist Oshala Herath had filed this petition seeking an order in the nature of a Writ of Quo Warranto declaring that Diana Gamage is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament and is thus not entitled to hold office as a MP.

President's counsel, Faizer Mustapha, representing the petitioners in the case concerning the dismissal of Ministers Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya political party, has asserted that the documents submitted by the party are fake.

Mustapha urged the court not to accept these documents during the ongoing legal proceedings.

He informed the court of a significant contradiction between the documents related to the statement of objection submitted by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the documents submitted in the initial motion regarding the expulsion of the two ministers from the party.

The legal representative of the petitioners argued that a meeting report linked to the removal of the ministers had been presented by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya through a motion. They claimed that this report had been created and submitted after the case had commenced, suggesting potential manipulation of the documents.

Given these concerns, a request has been made to the court to issue an order rejecting the contested documents. The court has stated that a decision will be reached after thorough deliberation.

Legal experts have pointed out that presenting fake documents to the court could result in a case of contempt of court, adding a new layer of complexity to the ongoing proceedings related to the ministers' expulsion from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya.

(Hiru News)

Direct flights between Turkiye and Sri Lanka commenced with effect from Monday (30).

The first direct flight of Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Colombo carried 261 passengers, and reached the Bandaranaike International Airport on Monday morning.

The passengers were warmly welcomed upon their arrival with a traditional Kandyan dancing performance and Ceylon tea gift packs by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.

For almost a decade, Turkish Airlines operated flights to Katunayake via Male, Maldives.

A direct flight of Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Colombo only takes eight hours, and these direct flights have been scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Each flight will leave Istanbul at 5:40 AM local time, and depart Sri Lanka at 7:40 AM local time.

MP Nimal Lanza has lashed out at SLPP general secretary Sagara Kariayawasam in defence of the minor cabinet reshuffle, which he described as the correct thing done by the president.

If the party cannot work together with the president, it is free to defeat budget 2024 and go for a general election, Lanza told the media.

The SLPP breakaway independent MP said the change in the health minister was effected following a discussion between the president and the SLPP leadership.

The main issue raised by that party’s general secretary was not that change, but that the SLFP’s getting more responsibilities.

Amalgamating plantation industries with the agriculture ministry will help both to work closely together.

It was a very correct decision taken by the president, he said.

The finance ministry’s takeover of institutions due for privatization is a most appropriate decision too.

“If Sagara Kariyawasam and others have the power, they can show it. They can take a firm decision without saying things. They can sit in the opposition,” said Lanza.

Kariyawasam can tell the president to the face that they will no longer support him, he said, and challenged him to leave the government.

The SLPP general secretary kept his silence when Namal Rajapaksa was showered with ministries during the Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime that had four or five cabinet reshuffles, he pointed out.

“They kept their silence like kittens,” he added.

Lanza also dared the SLPP general secretary for a face-to-face debate with him on past and present affairs of politics.

Two officers attached to the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) have been interdicted over the disappearance of nearly 700,000 kilograms of paddy stocks worth around Rs. 65 – 70 million.

According to media reports, the paddy stocks were reported missing from two government-owned paddy stores in Kurunegala.

The Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board confirmed that two officers have been interdicted in connection to the incident.

Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera last week called for a report following allegations of paddy stocks going missing from 05 government paddy stores in Kurunegala District.

Multiple complaints were made by the employees of the PMB alleging that officials from the head office and regional offices of the PMB were involved in the disappearance of the said paddy stocks.

SLPP Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has voiced his displeasure over the recent Cabinet reshuffle that took place, deeming it a mere ‘change of posts’, as opposed to an effective solution the issues Sri Lanka is currently facing.

Responding to questions from the media, Rajapaksa emphasised that when running a coalition government such as the incumbent administration, it is the state’s responsibility to ensure that a mechanism in place which would allow for discussions to be held with all political parties involved in the decision-making process.

Commenting further on the matter, MP Rajapaksa revealed that since of late, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) stance was not considered when making certain decisions.

He assured, however, that despite this, there is no feud between the SLPP and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), albeit recent speculation in this regard, adding that, “Ultimately, we all believe that a system that would give the people of this country a certain extent of relief is what needs to be implemented”.

The SLPP MP thus opined that the “changing of portfolios and positions” does not allow for such a system to be implemented, nor does it resolve any of the country’s issues.

While acknowledging the Head of State’s right to make decisions such as the recent Cabinet reshuffle, the SLPP MP emphasised the President’s responsibility is to create a system beneficial to the country’s citizens, and thereby highlighted the due responsibility to consult all political parties affiliated with the coalition government when making such decisions.

“Electricity bills have increased, water bills too, are expected to increase and there is also talk of new taxes being introduced. The President openly admitted to increasing electricity tariffs following discussion with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). If they are going to take political decisions based on discussions with the IMF, instead of with the related political parties, then that it is their way of governance. But the end result is the fact that people of this country are the ones who are left affected. If they think that such discussions and measures would resolve the country’s health crisis, or help drag Sri Lanka and its citizens out of this economic crisis that they have been forced to face; they are wrong”, the SLPP MP stated, highlighting that no proper measures are being taken to maintaining living expenses at affordable rates.

Commenting on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s decision-making, the SLPP MP stated that while the political party is grateful for the fact that he accepted the presidency when invited to do so at a time where the country was in turmoil, and other potential candidates backed out, it is imperative that the President, in his capacity as a seasoned politician, understands coalition politics and the need for discussions with all political parties, or at least the patty leaders, prior to making certain decisions.

Thus, Rajapaksa stated that with the upcoming discussions for the Appropriation Bill (The Budget) for the fiscal year 2024, he hoped that the President will implement a mechanism that would bring relief to the people.

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has revealed that it has been planned to introduce a new property tax from 2025.

Accordingly, plans have been prepared for the introduction of the relevant tax in the year 2025, in accordance with the recommendations made by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he said.

Explaining the matter further, the State Minister revealed that the new property tax is expected to be levied on individuals who own large amounts of property.

Lanka Sathosa on Wednesday (25 Oct.) announced the price reduction of four essential food items.

Accordingly, the following price reduction will be in effect from today, the state-owned corporation said:

Samba rice – Rs.222 per kilogram (reduced by Rs. 06)

Chickpeas – Rs.549 per kilogram (reduced by Rs. 06)

Dhal – Rs.295 per kilogram (reduced by Rs. 05)

Red raw rice – Rs.169 per kilogram (reduced by Rs. 03)

The Freedom People's Congress (FPC) has reportedly decided to entrust its leader Dullas Alahapperuma with the task of talking to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and other parties on contesting future elections under a common opposition alliance.

Discussions at individual levels could affect the group’s unity, it has noted.

Alahapperuma will negotiate with other parties and inform the FPC about developments.

Senior Adviser on National Security to the President and Chief of the Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, announced the forthcoming establishment of an ‘Anti-Narcotic Command’ to combat the influx of drugs from foreign nations into Sri Lanka.

The initiative is being launched in a bid to empower the country’s armed forces and the State Intelligence Service to collaborate with international intelligence agencies when conducting necessary operations.

Ratnayaka conveyed these insights today (24 Oct.) while inspecting the recent seizure of over 200 kilograms of heroin valued at over Rs. 4 billion, which was intercepted in the high seas and brought to the Colombo port on Monday (23 Oct.).

He emphasized that the drafting of essential legislation to create this ‘Anti-Narcotic Command’ is currently underway and will soon be presented to the Parliament.

Furthermore, Ratnayaka underscored that while 65% of drug raids result in arrests, the remaining 35% continues to infiltrate the country. He stressed the urgency of implementing a modern program aimed at entirely preventing the entry of drugs into our country.

Expressing his views further Sagala Ratnayaka said;

First and foremost, I extend my congratulations to both the Navy and the Police Narcotics Bureau for successfully apprehending 200 kilograms of heroin. Remarkably, this marks the second substantial drug seizure within a brief span of time.

The initial operation was executed based on intelligence provided by the Police Narcotics Bureau, while the most recent operation, according to information from the State Intelligence Service, was carried out by the Navy. The widespread global network of drug trafficking necessitates on-going efforts to safeguard our population from this peril.

In collaboration with the Navy, Police and various government agencies, Sri Lanka actively conducts drug raids. These endeavours result in the apprehension of approximately 65% of drugs attempting to enter the country, with the remaining 35% still making their way in.

According to the latest intelligence, these drug shipments arrive at the international maritime border via large vessels and are subsequently transported into the country via smaller boats. This expansive drug network poses a significant challenge.

Furthermore, there is a concerning possibility of arms trafficking intertwined with these drug trades. Vigilance in this regard is paramount, as it could pose a substantial threat to national security. To address these challenges, the development of new legislation is underway, with the creation of an Anti-Narcotic Command in progress. Proposed laws are in preparation and will be presented to the Parliament for future implementation.

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and a group of high ranking officers of the Navy were also present on this occasion.