Political and Social News
No IGP as crime rate continues to soar
- President Wickremesinghe is yet to recommend a suitable name to the Constitutional Council to appoint the 36th IGP
- The post of IGP remains vacant since June 26, 2023
Israel’s Arkia airline set to begin operations to Colombo from October
A special discussion regarding commencement of direct passenger flights from Tel Aviv in Israel to Katunayake was held between the civil aviation authorities of the two countries recently, which was chaired by Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.
Russian flight arrives at BIA to pick up Muthu Raja
A Russian cargo plane arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night to take back the elephant Muthu Raja which was donated by Thailand to Sri Lanka, the Airport Duty Officer said.
Sri Lanka’s only Paediatric Radiologist has left the country
Sri Lanka's only specialist in Pediatric Radiology has left the country, Dr. Ashoka Gunaratne of the Specialist Doctors' Association said.
Addressing the media, he said earlier it was estimated that at least 4,000 specialist doctors would be required for the health sector by 2024 and 2025.
Bouquets outweigh brickbats for DDR
Authorities are proposing a 30 per cent haircut on ISBs and other dollar-denominated debt
*Country needs to reduce its debt by about US $ 17Bn between 2022-2027 to achieve debt sustainability
NMRA lacked professor in pharmacology for months
The country’s drug regulator has functioned without a Professor of Pharmacology to offer guidance in making crucial decisions for the past few months, Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama charged.
SL to set up Gambling Regularisation Authority to regulate gaming industry
The government has decided to establish a separate authority named Gambling Regularisation Authority to regulate the country’s gaming industry.
Pharmaceutical firms uninterested in state tenders due to outstanding payments
Outstanding payments owed by SPC estimated at over Rs.10bn
Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical firms are becoming less enthusiastic to participate in government tenders, due to the financial strain from outstanding payments running into billions of rupees and unfavourable tender clauses.
Exodus of medical specialists inevitable
Referring to the statement made by the Health Ministry Secretary that 700 doctors who are currently overseas will return within the next two years upon the completion of medical specialist training, a senior medical specialist said it is highly unlikely to witness such a phenomenon given the recent trend.
President returns after concluding European tour
President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) after finishing his Europe tour, the Airport Duty Manager said.