The Queensland gove ment has launched an investigation after hundreds of vials containing deadly virus samples were reported missing from the Public Health Virology Laboratory. According to a statement released on Monday (Dec 9), 323 vials of infectious viruses, including Hendra virus, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus, went missing in August 2023, marking what officials called a…
The Welfare Benefits Board says that the Aswesuma allowances for the month of December 2024 will be deposited in the beneficiaries’ bank accounts today. Issuing a statement, the Board added that 1,707,311 families benefit from the Aswesuma social welfare scheme. Rs. 11 Bn. has been allocated for this purpose. Due to adverse weather conditions, the…
Colombo, December 11 – The 76th International Human Rights Day was commemorated with a significant event at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the theme “CHANGE” to protect and promote human rights. Organized by the Right to Life Human Rights Centre, this event brought together prominent human rights advocates and activists to discuss…
The Technical Engineers and Supervisors Association of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) allege that the state-owned electricity provider has procured electricity from private thermal power plants, even as reservoir levels associated with hydro-power plants are at their maximum as a result of recent heavy rainfall. Speaking on the matter, the association’s Vice President, Nandana Udayakumara,…
Ensuring national food and nutrition security and providing safe access to food are among the government’s top priorities. In line with this, the Cabinet has approved a proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to establish a Food Policy and Security Committee under the Presidential Secretariat. The committee aims to provide every citizen with their minimum…
Crop cultivations across the island are under threat due to damage caused by animals, including skunks, monkeys, squirrels, and wild elephants. The issue is particularly severe in the Kegalle district, where a surge in the skunk population has left farmers struggling to protect their crops. In response, the Piripun Organization, led by Engineer Ananda Devasinghe…
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to make his first international visit to India this week. This is expected to be followed by a visit to China in close order. The president, and the country itself, is walking a tightrope between these two Asian giants, one which is the world’s second largest economy and other…
The Department of Meteorology says that an increase in rainfall is expected in the Northern and Eastern provinces starting tomorrow. This is due to the low-pressure area currently existing over the Bay of Bengal, which is moving west-northwestward and is expected to reach the southern Bay of Bengal near the Sri Lanka-Tamil Nadu coastline by…
Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni announced today in Parliament that the use of children under the age of 12 in commercial advertisements will be suspended starting January 1st. Dr. Wijemuni further confirmed that steps have been taken to enforce the relevant gazette notification.
“We remind the government and the representatives in the legislature that it is important to adopt a transparent and inclusive process of policy and law-making that is proportionate and responsive to the needs of the people. Dialogue and communication with the sovereign people of this country will deepen legitimacy and public trust in governance,” says…
