Sand transporation permits - new protective measures unearthed

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has decided to include new protective measures for sand
transportation permits.

Chairman of the Bureau, Dr. N.K. Wijeyananda stated that this decision was arrived at following the recent raid conducted at a location where fraudulent sand transportation permits were being
printed.

Accordingly, he noted that the existing security  on sand transportation permits will be
strengthened further.

Moreover, raids will be conducted jointly with the police in order to nab those possessing fraudulently prepared permits.

Dr.N.K Wijeyananda went on to say that plans have also been made to make the public aware of the consequences of using fake sand transportation permits.

Births - and deaths at the Mahamodara Hospital

Acting Director of the Mahamodara Hospital in Galle, Dr. Rukshan Bellana says that on an
average there are 1200 childbirths at the hospital per month while the rate of infant deaths stands at 10.

He noted that special attention will be focussed on the increasing number of infant deaths that have been reported at the hospital.

Attention has been focussed on the Special Baby Care Unit of the Mahamodara Hospital in Galle in light of the increasing number of infant deaths reported in the recent past.

The most recent incident was reported yesterday following the death of an infant - the  seventh in two weeks at the Mahamodara Hospital in Galle.

The infant's parents are residents of the Thawalama area in Neluwa.

A few days earlier,  twins who were born at the hospital suffered the same fate.

Dr. Rukshan Bellana shared these thoughts 

"There have been ten infant deaths at the Mahamodara Teaching Hospital since February. However, these deaths were reported due to various reasons. Usually 1200 child births take place monthly, out of which 10 children die."

Since this number increased the media began to scrutinise the hospital. There were three or  four children who died due to an infection however the rest died due to natural causes.

According to government statistics the infant mortality rate for every 1000 childbirths stands at 8.5%.
however the fact that 10 deaths occur for every 1200 child births at the Mahaodara Hospital cannot be disregarded.

According to the Acting Director of the hospital there are sixteen bodies of infants who died at the hospital since January, placed at the hospital morgue.

He reiterated that steps have been taken to contain the infection that spread at the Special Care Baby Unit of the hospital at present.

Dr. Rukshan further stated,  "When we got to know that there was an infection spreading at the unit, we took all necessary steps to contain it. I believe that this will not affect us in the future. I do not
believe that new cases will be reported. When inquired about the matter Deputy Minister of Health, Lalith Dissanayake stated that hospital activities have returned back to normal.

Meanwhile, during a media briefing held today the GMOA emphasised that such units should be closed down immediately and steps should be taken to sanitise them.

Government acting in a contradictory manner, says JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna states that the government is acting in a contradictory manner internationally and within the country.

Leader of the JVP, Somawansa Amarasinghe expressed this view while speaking at a media briefing in Colombo yesterday.

He shares these thoughts, ’’When looking at what Mahinda Samarasinghe, the government
and government representatives say on the international stage, we can clearly see that this is a journey that is moving with imperialism. In the meantime, people within the country are protesting against the United States and Western Imperialism. The government is both economically and politically sitting side by side with imperialism without any protest. Now is the time when people are burdened with problem upon problem. They are trying to cover it up. That is why they are saying that a resolution is to be presented in Geneva in order to create a huge fear in the country. We should also keep in mind the stance of the United National Party. We said that there is no difference between the government and imperialism. It is the same with the stance of the United National Party.’’

TNA pawned their conscience, says Social Sculptors’ Association

Various views have been expressed on the decision taken by the Tamil National Alliance not to participate in the United Nations Human Rights Council session underway in Geneva, Switzerland.

Issuing a release the Social Sculptors’ Association states that representatives of the Tamil National Alliance have pawned their conscience.

The release issued by the Social Sculptor Association to a weekend newspaper states that the Tamil National Alliance suddenly changing its stance on the UNHRC session in Geneva is similar to destroying a milk pot that is about to boil over.

The release states further that the Tamil National Alliance which constantly highlighted the crisis of the Tamil community and thereby obtained votes on all occasions until the election held recently, have now become traitors to the Tamil community by working with certain forces in the south.

The Social Sculptors’ Association notes that at a time when the government is taking measures to garner support from the international community to vote against the possible resolution on Sri Lanka that is to be presented at the Geneva sessions, the Tamil National Alliance evading its responsibility at this occasion has cemented the failure of the party.

Meanwhile, students of the Jaffna University protested against the decision taken by the Tamil National Alliance not to participate in the UNHRC session in Geneva.

The students expressed their protest by exhibiting an effigy of Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran in the university premises.

Ekanayake compares some politicians to the Dengue mosquito

Chief Minister of the Central Province, Sarath Ekanayake states that the proper treatment should be matted out to those politicians who like the Dengue mosquito, disrupt the good work being done in the country.

The Chief Minister made this statement at a Dengue Eradication Programme that was held in Digana,
Kandy.
 
The Dengue Eradication Programme was conducted yesterday in Digana under the auspicious of senior minister and head of the Sri Lanka Communist Party D.E.W. Gunesekera.
Sarath Ekanayake shared these views  

"There are political parties like the Dengue mosquito. There are other political parties too. These are the
people who disrupt the work being done in the country. Even when there has been a clean response to the threat that has arisen to us on the international stage there are elements who lay eggs like the Dengue mosquito. Therefore, we have to answer these questions as well."

D.E.W. Gunesekera shared these views 

"There are two issues globally. One is the natural disasters we face due to the change in weather patterns. The other is the manmade issue. No matter how much the government spends, these problems cannot be solved without the assistance of the public."

Six more buses on the Southern Expressway

The National Transport Commission says that six more buses will commence operating on the
Southern Expressway from Monday.

Chairman of the NTC, Roshan Gunawardena said they had arrived at this decision due to the demand among passengers.

He also said that several facilities would be provided from today for passenger travelling on private buses operating on the Southern Expressway.

Roshan Gunawardena, Chairman - National Transport Commission expressed these views 

"If we consider the demand for transport then there is a shortage. At the moment nine buses of the Sri Lanka Transport Board are operating along the Southern Expressway. We will be adding another six buses. Also, I am happy to say that seat belt facilities have been provided for all passengers for their own safety. By the end of this week we will be providing all passengers with a water bottle, newspaper and refresher towelette when they embark."

No truth whatsoever in The Sunday Leader report, says Thissa Attanayake

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake says that there is no truth whatsoever, in a report that was made in The Sunday Leader newspaper regarding UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa.

The Sunday Leader newspaper carried an article Sunday which suggested that measures were underway to remove Sajith Premadasa from the position of Deputy Leader of the United National Party on the basis of an incident which occurred in Panadura.

Citing various reports, The Sunday Leader states that the UNP Parliamentary Group is due to meet on Tuesday adding that the incident in Panadura and actions against certain party members would be discussed at this meeting. The report also carries a statement by UNP Parliamentarian John Amaratunga.

According to The Sunday Leader, Parliamentarian John Amaratunga had said that Premadasa was carrying out a contract of the government to split the UNP in two and prevent it from moving forward.

MP Tissa Attanayake shared these views 

"It is completely false. I do not believe that Sajith supports the government. On the other hand no one has any desire to remove Sajith. It is a lie. In the UNP we always look to move forward united.
Today, the unity and harmony of our party is needed more than ever before. I do not think that as per certain media reports, that measures are being taken to remove a certain group or take any action against him. Recently, I saw that there were continuous reports in the media which regarding certain things, in a manner which would break the internal unity in the party. But I must re-iterate that there has been no action and there is no plan to take any such action," said Attanayake.

Meanwhile, The United Bikkhu Front says that since expectations of unity following the UNP
election have been shattered, there is a need to re-awaken the voice of the Bhikkhus. Issuing a communique the United Bhikkhu Front states that it must be clarified whether, Ranil Wickremesinghe is a leader or a character like Hitler and that he has no feeling whatsoever, towards the five million party faithful.

The United Bikkhu Front states that Ranil Wickremesinghe’s only need is to blow the trumpet saying that he is the Leader of the Opposition.

The United Bhikkhu Front further points out that if the incidents in Panadura and Badulla are taken as examples then it is clear that Ranil Wickremesinghe is not acting in his senses.

The Front states that they will come to the fore to establish unity in the party and expect the assistance of all for this purpose.

Sri Lankans stranded in Togo; search for the suspect begins

Extensive investigations have been launched to arrest the chief suspect in an incident where a group of Sri Lankans who were promised to be sent to Canada in an illegal manner, were stranded in Togo.

According to the Police Media Unit, information has come to light  that the suspect has fled the country.

It has also been revealed that the suspect has his permanent residency in Canada.

The police said that the suspect had promised to send 269 people to Canada and had obtained around Rs. 800,000 to Rs. 1.5 million from each person. 

Two  suspects have been arrested following investigations by the Colombo Fraud Investigation Unit.

Following interrogations, it was revealed that forty five people from Batticaloa are stranded in Togo.

The police added that of the 269 people stranded in Togo ,103 Sri Lankans have been deported.

Lankan delegation returns from Geneva

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said that many countries came forward to help Sri Lanka at the 19th  session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva amidst the efforts of his team to create awareness on situation in Sri Lanka.

The delegates, including Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, who participated at the 19th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva arrived in the country this morning.

Expressing his views to Newsfirst the Minister said that they were able to correct many wrong impressions which the other countries had on Sri Lanka.

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe added that many countries also praised the LLRC report at the council.

Death of abused child - police to carry out DNA test

The police have decided to carry out a DNA test into the death of the five year old child in Haputhale who died after being abused.

Police said that this would enable them to identify the true suspect.

The police have arrested the father and the guardian mother of the child in connection with the murder and have placed them under remand custody.

The Bandarawela police added that three separate police teams are carrying out investigations into the incident. 

The child who was initially admitted to the Diyatalawa Hospital died on February 22 while being taken to the Badulla Hospital.

US Special Forces in Sri Lanka?

A top pentagon commander has revealed that US Special Forces are present in five South Asian
countries, including India.

US Pacific Commander Admiral Robert Willard said the teams were deployed to help India with their
counter terrorism cooperation.

He said that the US and India were working together to contain Lashkar-e-Taiba, a pakistan-based
militant group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Adm. Willard added that US teams were also present in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Students charge that land belonging to institute sold by govt.

The Socialist Students Union charges that a land belonging to the Institute of Indigenous Medicine in Rajagiriya has been sold to an Indian company by the government.

Chief organiser of the Union, Nalinda Jayatissa said the limited space currently occupied by the institute
has been further reduced due to this action.

He demanded the Ministry of Higher Education to return the land to the Institute of Indigenous Medicine.

When we made an inquiry from the Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education Sunil Jayantha in this regard he told Newsfirst that several perches have been sold to the company to expand the road leading to the site of a proposed housing project.

The Secretary further said that the money from the sale will be given to the institute.